Avian Discovery: Greater White-fronted Goose Spotted in Nepal

In a remarkable breakthrough within the field of ornithology, the inaugural observed presence of a Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) occurred in Bhaktapur last week.

The exceptional finding was made by Sujan Shrestha, the program officer at the Conservation Development Foundation, on November 29, 2023, around 8:15 am. Shrestha stumbled upon the rare goose during a leisurely bird-watching stroll along the Hanumante River in Naya Thimi. The sighting occurred within the locale situated between Madhyapur Thimi Municipality and Surya Binayak Municipality – an unanticipated residence for the bird confirmed by local inhabitants who’d noted its arrival several days prior.

Coming to understand the significance of his discovery, Sujan Shrestha immediately alerted two experts: Surya Man Shrestha and Dr. Kamal Raj Gosai. Working as a senior program officer at the Conservation Development Foundation in Kathmandu, Surya Man Shrestha, alongside assistant professor Dr. Gosai from Tribhuvan University's Department of Environmental Science, analyzed the goose's unique features. These aspects included its large size, stout body, short neck, and striking white front patch that contrasted against its brown head and neck with a gray-brown body and an orange or pinkish bill. The combination of these traits confirmed this individual as a Greater White-fronted Goose.

Dr. Gosai – well-regarded for his avian expertise – formally verified this never-before-seen instance within Kathmandu Valley's recorded history. To ensure absolute accuracy about this momentous event, Ishana Thapa, CEO of Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), spearheaded an extensive validation process. Subsequently, BCN corroborated that this occurrence marked the first ever documented presence of a Greater White-fronted Goose in the Kathmandu Valley.

The Kathmandu Valley is a celebrated region for its varied landscape and rich biodiversity spread across 50.7 sq. km, featuring a remarkable climate that shifts from subtropical to alpine, yielding a distinct ecological mosaic. This unprecedented discovery adds a notable chapter to Nepal's ornithological chronicles, as this goose species had only been previously sighted at Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Phewa Lake in Pokhara, and Chitwan National Park since 2004. In the past, the largest single sighting accounted for four birds as documented by Carol Inskipp's team in 2020.

This momentous event serves to emphasize the vitality of continuing conservation endeavors while showcasing the extraordinary diversity and dynamic nature of Nepal’s ecosystems. It further reinforces the significance of the Kathmandu Valley as an essential epicenter for avian research, according to experts in the field.