The avifauna of Takht-i-Sulaiman hill forest, Boulevard Srinagar, Kashmir

Abstract

During the present study which was carried out fortnightly from April to July 2019, a total of 19 species of birds were recorded from the study area ‘Takhat-i-Sulaiman’ forest located in the Srinagar city of Kashmir. The study area was surveyed for recording avifaunal diversity by applying the point count method. A total of 49 point counts were performed during the survey period and the time spent for sampling at each location was of 10 minutes duration. The species recorded also included Kashmir Flycatcher (Ficedula subrubra) and Tytler's Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus tytleri) which are endemic to Kashmir and have also been placed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as vulnerable and near-threatened species respectively. Kashmir Flycatcher and Tytler's Leaf Warbler are presently having diminished populations throughout the Kashmir region. Therefore, it is recommended that Takhat-i-Sulaiman should be designated as a wildlife sanctuary.