The migration of Steppe Eagles (Aquila nipalensis) and other raptors in central Nepal, Autumn 1999

Counts of migrating Steppe Eagles (Aquila nipalensis) and at least eight ot her species of raptors were made at Ware, a raptor-migration watchsite in c entral Nepal, on nine days (27 October - 4 November) in autumn 1999. Totals of 821 migrating Steppe Eagles (15.2 birds/h) and 129 other migrating rapt ors (2.4 birds/h), including the globally vulnerable Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) (0.2 birds/h), were seen at the watchsite. Individuals representi ng 10 additional species that could not be distinguished as migrants versus local residents also were seen, but were not included in the count. Most a utumn migrants at Khare are believed to represent individuals from populati ons of raptors that breed in central and eastern Asia and overwinter in sou theastern and southwestern Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and Africa. Rapto r migration appears to be a regular and predictable phenomenon at the site, leading us to recommend its use by local residents, as a source of ecotour ism revenue and as a focal point for environmental-education activity fur s chool children, and by raptor conservationists, as a continentally signific ant monitoring site.