The second Tokhü Emong Bird Count (TEBC) took flight with bird enthusiasts from multiple districts participating on its first day. A total of 10 birders contributed 15 checklists across five districts, tallying up 52 different species. Notable sightings on the opening day included the Bronzed Drongo, Black-crested Bulbul, Red-vented Bulbul, Blue Whistling-Thrush, Little Spiderhunter, and Spotted Forktail.
Along National Highway 202, near Mokokchung, Praveen J and Lansothung Lotha had an impressive sighting of nine species, including the Blue-throated Barbet, Rufescent Prinia, House Martin, Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Silver-eared Mesia, Crimson Sunbird, Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher, Grey Wagtail, and Amur Falcon.
Elsewhere, Repamongba Jamir spotted the Asian Palm Swift, Great Barbet, White-spectacled Warbler, Asian Emerald Dove, Yellow-browed Warbler, and Indian White-eye near Kangching.
The four-day event, TEBC 2023, is being organized in collaboration with the Wokha Forest Division and the Divisional Management Unit of the Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) in Wokha district, along with Bird Count India. Partners participating in TEBC 2023 include the Department of School Education Nagaland, the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), and Eco Warriors Nagaland.
The event is powered by eBird India, with Nikon joining as the equipment partner. This year, the Practicing Food Sovereignty research team from the University of Melbourne, Stockholm University, and the North Eastern Social Research Centre have also joined as research partners.