3.1 Avian fauna of district Jhang
The current study was conducted in two different types of habitats (Trimmu barrage and Thal desert) of district Jhang. The field survey was done on monthly bases all around the year to find out the diversity, abundance and seasonal assessment of wild birds. During the study, 67 bird species were identified from the two different sampling sites (Trimmu barrage and Thal desert) of district Jhang. The most dominant order was Passeriformes representing 24 species of birds belonging to 13 families followed by Accipitriformes, Pelecaniformes, Coraciiform, Anseriformes and Charadriiformes each having 5 species of birds. Columbiformes, Gruiformes, Cuculiformes contain 3 species each while Bucerotiformes possess 2 species. Podicipediformes Strigiform, Otidiformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Piciformes and Phoenicopteriformes are represented by single species each. The most common families were Accipitridae, Ardeidae and Anatidae representing 5 species at each. Fifty eight species were observed at Trimmu barrage while 45 species were observed from the Thal desert area of district Jhang. Out of 67 bird species, 36 species were common at both types of habitat. A total of 31696 individual birds were observed at both sampling sites. Fig. 1 represents the difference in the abundance of birds at both sites.
Fig. 1 here
Highly significant differences (X2 = 14979.7, df = 11, P<0.01) were observed in the diversity and abundance of birds overall between Trimmu barrage and Thal desert area on monthly basis (Table 1 ). The most prominent feature of the present study is the identification of Xenus cinereus (Terak sandpiper) and Ammomanes phoenicura (Rofous tail lark) in district Jhang as both species have no previous record in the study area.
Table 1 here
3.2 Distribution status of avian fauna in Jhang district
As for as distribution of avian fauna is concern, 39 species were resident, 18 species were winter visitors, 9 species were summer breeder and single species (Terek sandpiper) was passage migrant.
Resident birds
The birds which are found all around the year in a particular area are called resident birds. The current study find out 39 resident species which are Streptopelia decaocto (Eurasian collared dove), Columba livia (Rock pigeon), Gallinula chloropus (Common moorhen), Amaurornis phoenicurus (White breasted water hen), Dinopium benghalense (Black rump woodpecker), Centropus sinensis (Greater coucal), Himantopus himantopus (Black winged stilt), Venellus indicus (Red wattled lapwing), Actitis hypoleucos (Common sandpiper), Upupa epops (Eurasian hoopoe), Sexicola caprata (Pied bushchat), Saxicoloides fulicatus (Indian robin), Lanius schach (Long tail shrike), Lanius excubitor (Great grey shrike) ,Corvus splendens (Indian house crow), Corvus corax (Common raven), Dendrocitta vagabunda (Rofous treepie) , Dicrurus macrocercus (Black drongo), Acridotheres tristis (Common myna), Acridotheres ginginianus (Bank myna), Pycnonotus cafer (Red vented bulbul), Motacilla alba (The white wagtail), Galerida cristata (Crested lark), Ammomanes phoenicura (Rofous tail lark), Argya earlei (Striated babbler), Argya striatus (Jungle babbler), Argya caudate (Common babbler), Milvus migrans (Pariah Kite), Elanus caeruleus (Black winged kite), Bubulcus ibis (Cattle egret), Ergetta garzetta (Little egret), Ardea intermedia (Intermediate egret), Ardeola grayii (Indian pond heron), Ixobrychus sinensis (Yellow bittern), Coracias benghalensis (Indian roller), Halcyon smyrnensis (White throated kingfisher) Alcedo atthis (Common kingfisher), Ceryle rudis (Pied kingfisher), Athene noctua (Little owl).
Winter Visitors
The study area hosted 18 species of visitor birds which migrated here after covering thousands of miles. These birds started to arrive in Pakistan during October and November from central Asian countries to avoid intense cold. The frequent winter visitors species of Jhang district are Oenanthe deserti (Desert wheatear), Hirundo rustica (Common swallow), Motacilla flava (Yellow wagtail), Circus cyaneus (Hen harrier), Aquila nipalensis (Steppe eagle), Accipiter nisus (Eurasian sparrow hawk), Tachybaptus ruficollis (Little grebe), Aythya ferina (Common pochard), Anas crecca (Common teal), Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard), Anas strepera (Gadwall), Anas penelope (Wigeon), Fulica atra (Common coot), Chlamydotis undulate (Houbara bustard), Falco peregrines (Peregrine falcon), Coturnix coturnix (Common quail), Phoenicopterus roseus (Greater flamingo) and charadrius dubius (Little ring plover).
Summer Breeders
The 9 species of summer breeders in district Jhang were Cinnyris asiaticus (Purple sunbird), Hirundo smithi (The wire tailed swallow), Oriolus kundoo (Indian golden oriole), Ploceus philippinus (Baya weaver), Merops orientalis (Green bee eater), Streptopelia tranquebarica (Red collared dove), Clamator jacobinus (Jacobin cuckoo), Tockus nasutus (Grey hornbill) and Eudynamys scolopacea (Asian koel).
Passage Migrant
The single observed passage migrant species of the study area was Xenus cinereus (Terek sandpiper; Table 2 ).
Table 2 here
3.3 Bird diversity at Trimmu barrage
Trimmu barrage was very dominant site with respect to avian fauna as its shows the features of both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. During the 12 month field survey, 58 species of birds were identified and 18791 individual birds were observed from terrestrial and aquatic habitats of Trimmu barrage. Common pochard (2332 individuals) was the most abundant species followed by little grebe (2327 individuals), common coot (1776 individuals), cattle egret (1281 individuals), gadwall (1270 individuals), little egret (956 individuals), red wattled lapwing (488 individuals) and common teal (475 individuals). The least common bird species were grey hornbill (6 individuals) Hen harrier (12 individuals), Terek sandpiper (15 individuals) and Crested lark (16 individuals). Highest relative abundance was noted for Common pochard (12.4 %) followed by Little grebe (12.3 %), Common coot 9.5 %), Cattle egret (6.8 %), Gadwall (6.7 %), Little egret (5 %), Red wattled lapwing (2.6 %) and Common teal (2.5%; Fig. 2A).
Fig. 2A here
Maximum number (4106) of bird individuals were observed during January followed by December (3133), February (2767), November (2230), March (1678), October (910), April (790), July (677), June (659), May (647), August (611) and September (583). Highest Shannon Weiner diversity index (3.450) was recorded for January while lowest for September (2.901; Table: 3). Huge population of birds in winter month is due to the arrival of winter visitor birds. Highest diversity of avian fauna was also observed during December and January when 51 bird species were identified followed by February (48), November (47), March (45), April (43), July (40), June (38) and May (37).
Table 3 here
The least number of species were observed during September and October when only 35 species were identified. During this part of the year summer breeder move back and winter visitor yet to arrive. So bird diversity and abundance decreases. By comparing both study sites, during the months of April (t=7.86) , May ( t= 9.90), June ( t=4.10) , July (t=4.50) ,August ( t=3.62) , December (t=2.60) and February (t=6.81) highly significant difference (P<0.01) was detected in the diversity of birds. Significant variations (P<0.05) were recorded during September (t= 1.98) and November (t= 2.06). Statistically non-significant differences (P>0.05) were noted during January (t= 0.00), March (t= 1.28) and October (t= 1.07; Table: 3). According to distribution of birds, 36 species were resident, 6 species were summer breeder, 15 species were winter visitors and single species was passage migrant. Table 4 briefly shows the diversity of birds at Trimmu barrage of district Jhang.
Table 4 here
3.4 Bird diversity at Thal desert
The study find out 45 bird species and 12905 individual birds from the Thal desert of district Jhang. The most abundant species with respect to number of individuals were Indian roller (1830), Common quail (1122), Cattle egret (939), Green bee eater (712), Little egret (642), Red vented bulbul (594), Common myna (482), Indian house crow (471) and Indian/Pariah kite (461). The least common species were Crested lark (12 individuals), Common kestrel (15 individuals), Steppe eagle (41 individuals), Red collared dove (48 individuals) and Desert wheatear (50 individuals). Highest relative abundance was recorded for Indian roller (14 %) followed by common quail (8 %), cattle egret (7 %), green bee eater (5.5 %) little egret (5 %), red vented bulbul (4 %), common myna (3.71 %), Indian house crow (3.6 %) and Indian/Pariah kite (3.5 %; Fig. 2B).
Fig. 2B here
According to distribution of avian fauna in Thal desert area, 33 species were resident, 6 species were winter visitors and six species were summer breeder. During the month of January, bird abundance was at peak level as 1447 individuals were observed followed by December (1231), March (1210), August (1195), May (1134), November (1075), June (1034), February (993), July (990), April (980), October (865) and September (750). Table 5 concisely elaborates the diversity and abundance of birds at Thal desert of district Jhang.
Table 5 here
Bird diversity was also at top level during January when (38 species) were observed followed by November and August (37 species), December, February, March and June (35 species), April, May and July (34 species). Bird diversity was at least level during September and October when only 32 species and 31 species were observed respectively. Highest Shannon Weiner diversity index (3.292) was noted for January while lowest for October (2.704; Table 3). As for as abundance of birds is concern between Thal desert desert and Trimmu barrage, significant difference (P<0.05) was observed for the months of April (t= 2.01), May (t= 1.99), July (t=2.21) and August (t=2.22). During the months of January, February, March, June, September, October, November and December, no significant difference (P>0.05 ) was recorded (Table 6; Fig. 1 ).
Table 6 here