尼泊爾黃胸鵐保育項目2021/22 Yellow-breasted Bunting Conservation Programme in Nepal2021/22

香港觀鳥會亞洲自然保育基金於2021/22年度最後一個項目「尼泊爾極度瀕危黃胸鵐的棲息地與數量調查」已經順利完成。Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN)過往兩年獲亞洲自然保育基金資助，在尼泊爾博卡拉進行黃胸鵐監察及保育項目，今年更是擴展數據收集的調查點至全國。尼泊爾作為其中一個黃胸鵐的重要度冬地，若要保育這極度瀕危鳥種，就必先進行長期及全面的監察。香港觀鳥會亞洲自然保育基金資助BCN進行保育項目，希望透過長期調查、全國會議和公民教育，以了解黃胸鵐於尼泊爾度冬地的最新狀況，並提高本地對於黃胸鵐的保育意識。

BCN研究組在2021年10月至2022年4月期間，在尼泊爾已知的黃胸鵐度冬地：Pokhara、Kathmandu、Panauti、Chitwan、Koshi、和Kailali利用穿越線法和棲息地調查以監察黃胸鵐的數量。在以上6個地區共14個調查點中，調查人員一共記錄到1,466隻黃胸鵐個體，並透過觀察黃胸鵐於不同的調查點行爲，從而評估每個調查點能為種群提供的特別用途。研究組亦在調查期間發現生境退化、喪失棲地、捕獵以及新型農業技術都為黃胸鵐帶來威脅。

除了實地調查，BCN亦為黃胸鵐棲息地附近的學生及公衆舉辦教育活動，期望提高當地市民對黃胸鵐的保育意識。此外，BCN團隊更邀請32位來自政府及各個保育團體的代表，參與國家黃胸鵐保育的交流大會。討論内容主要針對停止打撃非法雀鳥貿易、學術研究及監察工作、計劃具針對性的倡議及政策，並制定監察的協議及準則。

BCN在尼泊爾的持續調查及各項監察工作，為黃胸鵐保育提供長期而有系統的越冬數據，從而有助分析種群整體的數量及趨勢，亦為遷飛區內的黃胸鵐監察工作帶來不可或缺的支持與貢獻。若各位希望支持及了解更多「香港觀鳥會亞洲自然保育基金」的工作，歡迎瀏覽https://www.hkbws.org.hk/cms/acf。

“Study of population status and habitat suitability of Critically Endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola around the wetland areas in Nepal” has completed in December 2022, which is the last project funded by ACF in the round of 2021/22. Succeeding the project in 2020/21 (monitoring and conserving Yellow-breasted Bunting in Pokhara in Nepal), Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) expanded the Yellow-breasted Bunting survey to more sites in Nepal. As Nepal is one of the essential wintering grounds for the Yellow-breasted Bunting, long-term monitoring and protection play a critical role in conserving this critically endangered species. Thus, HKBWS Asia Conservation Fund sponsored BCN to implement the project. By conducting surveys, organizing advocacy workshops and public education activities, it aims to determine the population status and habitat use of Yellow-breasted Bunting, develop new conservation strategies and enhance public awareness of Yellow-breasted Bunting conservation.

Line transects and roost counts were adopted by the surveying team to monitor the Yellow-breasted Bunting's population status from October 2021 to April 2022 around the known wintering sites of Pokhara, Kathmandu, Panauti, Chitwan, Koshi, and Kailali districts of Nepal. A total of 1,466 Yellow-breasted Buntings were recorded at 14 different survey locations spread throughout six districts. The surveying team also recorded the Yellow-breasted Buntings’ behavior at each site and identified the ecological functions provided by different sites. Habitat loss, degradation, hunting, trapping, and changes in the agricultural practices with the new technology were observed as threats to Yellow-breasted Bunting during the survey.

Apart from monitoring, public awareness programmes were organized for college students and local inhabitants who live around the habitats of Yellow-breasted Bunting. Additionally, a total of 32 representatives from the Government and various conservation organizations joined the national advocacy workshop. During the interactive workshop, the participants discussed the strategies to stop illegal wild bird trading including Yellow-breasted Bunting, research and monitoring gaps, advocacy and policymaking for a site-specific plan, and the development of monitoring protocols and guidelines.

BCN team is excellent at providing the trend of the Yellow-breasted Bunting population in Nepal through long-term and systematical data, bringing significant support and contributions to Yellow-breasted Bunting conservation works in the flyway. If you wish to learn more about HKBWS Asia Conservation Fund and support us, please visit https://www.hkbws.org.hk/cms/acf.