Nagaland's Tokhü Emong Bird Count logs 187 species in 2026 edition

Birdwatchers taking part in the fifth Tokhü Emong Bird Count (TEBC) recorded 187 bird species across Nagaland by the close of the count on Saturday, November 7, The Morung Express reported.

By 5 pm on the final day, 195 checklists had been submitted. The organisers called the figures preliminary and said they were likely to go up as participants kept uploading their records, including those from night birding sessions meant to document nocturnal species.

How the count works

Volunteers fanned out across several districts, walking forests, community land and other habitats, and filed what they saw on eBird, the online platform used by birders worldwide to share sightings. The count takes its name from Tokhü Emong, the Lotha post-harvest festival marked in early November.

The closing programme was held at the Nature Learning Centre in the Forest Office Complex in Dimapur. Khelen Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests and Director of Intanki National Park, attended as special guest. The programme opened with a screening of a video on the State of India's Birds report, followed by a welcome address from Chenibemo Odyuo, Senior Project Manager at the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES).

Birds as a measure of forest health

Lansothung Lotha, Range Forest Officer of the Wokha Forest Division, traced the history of the count since it began in 2022 and how it has grown as a citizen-science effort. He spoke about why bird species go extinct, giving examples of birds that are extinct or possibly extinct worldwide, and said protecting habitat and involving communities were central to conservation.

Singh said the count encouraged people to observe closely, stay curious and value nature. Because birds show how healthy an ecosystem is, he urged participants, especially students and young people, to keep recording and protecting birdlife after the event ends.

What comes next

The day ended with games and birding activities led by Widunbiliu, a founding member of Eco Warriors Nagaland, and Meriyani Ezung of the group gave the vote of thanks. The organisers thanked the birdwatchers, students, schools, district coordinators, volunteers and village communities who took part.

The organisers said a preliminary report based on the 2026 observations will be released. Since 2022, the count has brought together people from many backgrounds to find, record and protect Nagaland's birds, and to promote birdwatching as a hobby.