Long-billed Bush Warbler Returns to India After 46 Years

A team of birders recorded the first confirmed sighting of the elusive Long-billed Bush Warbler (Locustella major) in India in 46 years. The Near Threatened species was spotted in the dense willow thickets of Ladakh’s Suru Valley, at an altitude exceeding 3,200 meters.

A Long-Awaited Return

• The last confirmed Indian sighting of the Long-billed Bush Warbler dates back to 1979 when researchers from Southampton University observed the warbler near Sankoo in Kargil.
• Historically, the species was common in the Dras and Suru valleys until the 1920s. Its subsequent decline is largely attributed to habitat loss, as agricultural expansion replaced the crucial bush habitats the warbler relies upon for survival.

Habitat and Habits of the Elusive Warbler

• The Long-billed Bush Warbler, formerly known as the Long-billed grasshopper warbler, typically becomes active between mid-June and mid-July. During this period, its distinctive calls are used to establish territory and attract mates.
• The species prefers habitats with short grasses and bushes, including plants like Rumex and sea buckthorn. It particularly favors sheltered glades featuring thickets of Ribes Geossularia (wild gooseberry) found on the edges of spruce forests.
• With a limited global range, historical records of the Long-billed Bush Warbler are also found in China and Tajikistan.
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies this species as “Near Threatened,” highlighting the importance of this recent sighting for conservation efforts in the region.

(Source: HT)