INTRODUCTION

Forest is the most significant habitat for birds by supporting

around 75% of all bird species while only 45% of all bird species
have adapted to humans modified habitats.Human activities
such as farming, settlement, charcoal making, pole cutting and
firewood collection have contributed in degradation which has
extensively damaged the natural habitat of birds, affecting their
variety and variability.The threats to bird populations are
immeasurable including habitat loss, fragmentation and severe
anthropogenic pressures. Therefore the need to study the
current composition and status of bird species as a basis for
future monitoring and implementation of appropriate
conservation measures.Birds constitute one of the common
fauna of all habitat types, and because they are responsive to
change, their diversity and abundance can reflect ecological
trends in other biodiversity.

STUDY AREA
Gomti river has a total length of about 475 kilometers from its
source in pilibhit district in uttar Pradesh. Therefore its river
basin is one of the major river basins in uttar Pradesh in
lucknow. The human Population density in is only 1815 persons
per km². The study site falls in lucknow, Uttar Uradesh. The
Gomti river flows only in Uttar Pradesh.
Settlement area lies between 26°51'47.5"N 80°57'16.2"E,
and the altitude ranges from 123 to 130 meters above sea
level. Compared to forested area, river confluence and
settlement area were observed as most disturbed due to
human activities like stone crushing plant, sand dredging works
and agricultural activities.

MATERIALS
The materials used for this research include: - Suunto altimeter
for recording altitude at the point count along the river with
uniform interval of 200 m. Global Positioning System (GPS,
Garmin etreks) was used for recording latitude and longitude
coordinates in the point count and measuring tape for measuring
the uniform distance between the point counts. Digital camera
(Canon EOS 550D) was utilized to take images of unidentified
bird species for identification and binocular for observation and
reference books on birds. Survey data sheet, pencils, eraser and
field books were also used for recording birds and vegetation
data

METHODS
Owing to the site condition, point count survey method was
followed by data collection.. A binocular (Olympus), camera
(Canon EOS 5D) and guide books were used to confirm the
identification of the birds. Birds were identified to the species
level and their taxonomic groups were properly categorized
based on field guides. This study was expanded to all birds. For
every bird species the following parameters were recorded: (i)
name of the bird; (ii) the number of bird species at every
sighting; (iii) habitat types.
 The plots were visited twice and the survey was conducted
when the birds are more active. The plots are laid out along the
river bank at a systematic interval of 200 meters. In total, 30
number of plots were obtained along the river covering 6
kilometers of distance in the entire study area. The number of
birds on the ground, water and overhead resting were recorded
within 3600 from each point. Before moving to the next plot, the
count lasted for 15 minutes in each plot as supported by stating
that longer periods are preferred for multiple species than single
species which is usually (5-10) minutes.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Data analysis
Compilation and analysis of data were done using Microsoft
Exceland SPSS. SPSS program was also used to produce graphs
and figures.

Bird species composition

The population structure pattern in percent had shown that Red-
vented Bulbul from the Pycnonotidae family has the highest
relative abundance of 15.27% followed by Rhyacornis
fuliginosus from Muscicapidae family with 10.69%. A total of
59 bird species distributed to 30 families were recorded from the
study area with an altitude range of 267 to 360 m during the
study period. The Bird Species Composition (BSC) in each of
the three habitat types varied from 19 to 36 species. The highest
bird species composition was recorded in the settlement area
with 36 species followed by undisturbed forest with 32 species.
River confluence was recorded as the lowest in bird species
composition with 19 bird species.
Nineteen families were represented only by one species each.
The number of bird species recorded at a single point with
uniform plot distance varied from 2 to the maximum of 9
species of birds.The dominant family of birds were
Muscicapidae contributing to 9 species (15.25%), followed by
Pycnonotidae, Sylviidae and Timalidae contributing 5 species
each (8.47%), Dicruridae and Nectariniidae contributing 3
species (5.08%). Sittidae, Picidae, Megalaimidae,
Campephagidae and Alcedinidae contributing 2 species each
(3.39%). Apodidae, Ardeidae, Bucerotidae, Charadriidae,
Chloropseidae, Columbidae, Cuculidae, Hirundinidae,
Laniidae, Motacillidae, Paridae, Passeridae,
Phalacrocoracidae, Phasianidae, Psittacidae, Rhipiduridae,
Stumidae, Trogonidae and Upupidae contributes 1 species each
in the community comprising of 1.69%.

DATA APPENDICES
Distribution
Myophonus caeruleus, Phalacro coraxniger, Rhyacornis
fuliginosus, Pycnonotuscafer, Enicurus schistaceus, White-
crested Laughingthrush and Phoenicurus erythrogaster were
recorded in all habitat type. On the contrary, Passer domesticus,
Aethopyga siparaja, Acridothere stristis, Columba livia,
Dicrurus macrocercus, Pycnonotus melanicterus and Psittacula
eupatriawere recorded in settlement.
Although human settlement areas have mixtures of built
habitats and green patches, bird species have managed to exist
and thrive in this complex habitat. This is explained by the
availability of ecological requirements for the species offered by
a mixture of an environment with settlement and garden patches.
In general, smaller population size is associated with greater risk
of extinction locally, regionally, or globally. Other than White
bellied Heron, bird species like River Lapwing, Alexandrine
Parakeet and Great hornbill were some of the species sighted in
limited number. Therefore more study is required to confirm the
conservation status of these bird species whose population
seems to be minimal in comparing with other species in the
study area.

CONCLUSION
To grasp better knowledge on bird species composition and
diversity, it is felt necessary to take into account of other
possible factors that might have greater influence on bird species
composition and diversity. It is also felt that such studies should
encompass all the season of the year. So, long term study should
be considered to really understand birds and its relationship with
altitude, habitat variables and surrounding environment. The
observations indicate that this river support both terrestrial and
aquatic birds like White-bellied Heron (Critically endangered),
Great Hornbill, Alexandrine Parakeet and River Lapwing (Near
threatened)for feeding and foraging in open water zone. Hence a
habitat with open water having submerged vegetation and reed
bed is the most suitable habitats and makes them free from
human interference. Therefore, the need of proper studies on
ecological behaviors of above mentioned birds for appropriate
conservation is suggested as highly crucial before the
establishment of hydropower reserve in the study area.
 I suggest Gomti river as one of the important birding areas in
lucknow, uttar predesh and the planned construction of reservoir
in the vicinity will be a serious threat to ecosystem and birds as
well. The river area, and the adjacent agricultural fields act as
potential foraging ground offering a wide variety of roosting and
nesting places for several migratory and resident bird species.
Hence, Policy makers should keep all these things in view and
develop the vicinity as important bird habitat and
environmentally conscious segment of ecotourism and to
provide economic benefit for local community