Birds of Prey AroundPune

This passage is discussing the diversity and distribution of bird species in the Pune region of India. The passage mentions that a count conducted in 1979 recorded a density of 2.6 birds per hectare in the city of Pune, and that a recent checklist of birds in the city and its surrounding area lists a total of 290 species that have been recorded in the past 15 years. The passage also mentions that the region has a variety of habitats, including forests, more open habitats, and wetland habitats, and that these habitats support a diverse population of birds, including 34 species of birds of prey and 6 species of owls. The passage notes that some nesting sites for raptors have been located in the region, but also mentions a high mortality rate for eggs and chicks, particularly among forest eagles, and a declining number of sightings of raptor species in open habitats. The passage also mentions the importance of preserving these habitats and the need for further research on the impacts of human activities on the local bird population.

Table one combines the various habitats into 3 main categories such as forest, more open habitats and wetland habitats.Locations where these different habitats occur and birds to be seen at these places are given in Table 1.
Though the information collected so far is not exhaustive, some points that have emerged from field observations may be made out; 1.Some nesting sites which have been repeatedly used by raptors have 10.54081/JES.001/07been located.2. However, a high mortality of eggs and chicks has also been noted particularly among forest eagles.3. Another fact that causes concern is the declining number ofsightings of raptor species occurring in open habitats.These points are furth~r elaborated below.
A. Nesting of Forest Eagles near Pune Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilomis cheela) and Crested Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cin-hatus) have been observednesting forthe last ten yearsin the forested slopes of Sinhgad hill.Their nests were located in a small semi-evergreen forest patch -on the hill's slope that faces north.
The serpent eagle was found nesting on a tall Dalbergia tree in the middle of the forest.After a couple of futile breeding seasons  the pair shifted their nest to a Terminalia tree that stood deeper in the forest.Here the nest was constructed at an unusually low level (5 to 6 meters from the ground level).During incubation it was observed that the nest was molested by langurs (Presbytis entellus).Apparently they destroyed the solitary egg in their antics.The nest was found to be fullof the fruit of Terminalia balaerica which the tree was bearing in abundance.The nest was presumably used as a roosting platform by the foraging langurs.
Due to repeated failure to raise a brood on the Dalbergia tree the pair shifted to the Terminalia tree.But their choice ofa fruit-bearing,tree was also probably unsuitable.When last observed the pair had again shifted to the Dalbergia tree but had built their nest on a fork at a higher level than previously.
The story is not much different for the crested hawk eagle pair.The pair had selected a tree on a steep slope near the upper edge of the forest.The pair did not use this site everyyear.But when they did nest here they were not successful.
In 1985 the pair shifted their nesting site to the deciduous forest in the Katraj hills.(see map).The pair had selected the tallest yet the thinnest tree on the steep slope that adjoins the highway passing through the hills.The nest was very conspicuous from the highway.The eagles kept to the nest however, without any concern for the heavy traffic on the road.The incubation went on for an unusually long period of 10 weeks.The pair abandoned the egg later as the egg did not hatch.
In case of both of these species the pairs abandoned the nest at the end of incubation periods.Except for the langurs the nests remained undis-turbed yet the eggs failed to hatch.This seems quite intriguing and gives cause for concern.Both the species commonly inhabit these forests and no apparent destruction of habitat or reduction of prey species are observed., Bonelli'sEagle(Hieraaetusfasciatus)on the other hand,has shown a surprising breeding success.This eagle pair have a nesting site in the Vetal hill area on a scrub-covered slope facing the Pashan Lake.The nesting tree is again a Dalbergiasp., talleston the slope.Initiallythe pair suffered as the fork in the tree could not support the weight of the nesting material.In a heavystorm the nest wasalmost blown away.Then a young bird-enthusiast Taej Mundkur came to the rescue of the eagles.He climbed the tree inspite of the presence of the pair around and tied steel wires at the bottom of the nest all around the fork.Also barbed wires were tied on the trunk of the tree to prevent anyone fromclimbing it and disturbing the nest.The reinforcement of the nest was successful and over the years the nest has now assumed a gigantic shape.The pair has since then raised broods successfully for the last two years.

B. Red.headed Merlins in Pune city
The Red-headed Merlin (Falco chicquera) has been breeding success- fully since 1974 amidst the thickly populated areas of Pune.One nest was located on the adorning fixture ofthe city market tower.Merlinsand house crows alternately occupied the nest.The breeding success of the merlin pair in this unusual location was probably due to a change in feeding habits that they brought about.The number of this species appears to be growing in the city and it is estimated that there are at least 5 breeding pairs in and around Pune city.This falcon also inhabits tall spires of a number of churches in the city.The reason for its association with such structures is the presence ofpipistrelle batsinsuchlocations.This falcon has adapted to feeding exclusively on these bats in the city.
They hunt these bats from dusk till late in the evening and the tall spires serve as strategic points for perching.Male and female hunt independently but in the same general area and exhibit superb manouvering during hunting sallies.The birds leavethe perch gently and flyin a particular direction and intercept the bats by sudden dips, rises and turns.Aftergoing fora certain distance the falcon turns round and flies back to the perch in the same manner often along with the prey in its talons.A pair usually defends their territory fromother adults but is seen to allow last year's immature birds to participate in the hunt.In one instance 7 falcons were seen on the perch within the foraging area.The  group included 2 immature birds of the previous brood and 3 juveniles along with the parents.While at dusk they hunt bats, in the early morning the falcons were seen to hunt sparrows and swallows.
A pair raised a brood of four and could largely feed them on bats until they became independent.

C. Variationsin the numberof Sightings of certain species
We have observed that there has been a gradual and distinct reduction in the number of sightings of certain raptors occurring in the Pune area.These include Kestr~l (Falco /innunculus), Shikra (Accipiter badius), White-eyed Buzzard Eagle (Bu/as/ur /eesa), Booted Hawk Eagle (Hieraae/us penna/us) and Short-toed Eagle (Circae/us gallicus).These species were fairlycommonly seen two yearsago but now appear to have diminished in numbers.The si~hting of a white-eyed buzzard has become extremely uncommon.This buzzard was seen exclusively around cultivation around the city.Can the decline oi this specie:,he attributed to the use of pesticides?This point needs investigation.
Decline in the number of sightings of common winter visitors like Kestrel and Booted hawk eagle maybe a seasonal variation.On the other hand the number of harriers, both grassland and wetland species, seems to have increased markedly.The apparent reduction in the numbers of resident species like shikra and short-toed eagle may indicate their failure to breed within the study area.Are pesticides again responsible for this failure?

Table 1 STATUS
AND HABITAT OF BIRDS OF PREY IN AND AROUND PUNE