Young naturalist’s big catch adds to Himachal’s avian glory

In a proud moment for Sirmaur district and a milestone for Himachal Pradesh’s rich biodiversity, a rare bird species — the Daurian Starling (Agropsar sturninus) — was recorded for the first time in the state by Himanshu Chaudhary, a young naturalist from Paonta Sahib of Sirmaur district.

Advertisement

The remarkable sighting was made on May 19 near the Rakcham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary in Kinnaur district. Himanshu, who was on a birdwatching expedition with fellow birders Pranav Maggon, Bharat Sohagiya and Pinak Vashi from Gujarat, was the first to spot the uncommon bird along the Sangla–Chitkul road. The identification was later verified by Himachal-based bird expert Dr Abhinav Chaudhary, confirming it as the first official record of this species in the state.

This sighting not only adds a new species to the bird list of Himachal Pradesh, but also shines a light on the dedication and passion of young naturalists emerging from Sirmaur. Himanshu, who has been actively documenting birdlife across lower Himachal, especially in the Shivalik and Doon Valley regions, continues to contribute significantly to the understanding of the state’s avian diversity.

The Daurian Starling, native to East Asia and southern Siberia, is considered a vagrant in mainland India. While it has been observed wintering in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in recent years, sightings in the Indian Himalayas remain extremely rare. A similar report came from Ladakh in 2024, making this sighting the first known record in Northwest India in 2025.

Speaking about the discovery with The Tribune, Himanshu said, “It was an unexpected but thrilling moment. Observing such a rare bird in Himachal’s high-altitude landscape reinforces the need to keep exploring and documenting our natural ecosystems. I hope this inspires more youth from Sirmaur and other parts of Himachal to take interest in birdwatching and conservation.”

Experts have lauded the significance of this record, particularly because it came from a collaborative team of local and visiting birders. “This kind of documentation by young field naturalists is crucial,” said Dr Abhinav Chaudhary. “It helps us track changes in bird migration patterns and understand how global changes are affecting local biodiversity.”

The Rakcham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its rugged Himalayan beauty and rich biodiversity, has once again proven its ecological importance. The sanctuary continues to serve as a haven for rare and migratory species, and this new record will further strengthen its profile in the birding community.

The achievement has brought pride to Sirmaur, with local conservationists and nature enthusiasts celebrating Himanshu’s contribution. His work reflects the growing role of young individuals from the region in contributing to citizen science and conservation efforts — an encouraging sign for the future of Himachal’s natural heritage.