Kolkata: A bird that breeds in the alpine or sub-alpine meadows and scrub in the mountains of Mongolia and adjacent parts of Russia has been spotted for the first time in south Bengal.A group of birders has spotted the white-throated bush chat, also known as Hodgson’s bushchat — an old world flycatcher — in the grasslands of Bolpur on Tuesday. Kanad Baidya of Birdwatchers’ Society, who was in the team with fellow birders Esanur Hoque, Dibyendu Saha and others, said that this is also likely to be only the second record from Bengal. In 2018, it was recorded in north Bengal, he added. The bird is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on IUCN Red List. It winters in the Nepal and Indian Terai and in the Dooars. In this region, it has been recorded in Jim Corbett, Shuklaphanta, Chitwan, Kaziranga, Manas National Parks and in Lumbini Crane Sanctuary. The bird, which is insectivorous, prefers wet and dry grasslands, reeds and tamarisks along riverbeds, and also occurs in sugarcane fields. In spring and summer, it breeds in the mountains of Mongolia and adjacent parts of Russia.Its major threat is the rapid loss of grasslands in wintering areas.
