Kapilvastu, May 27 -- A new species of migratory seabird, known as short-tailed shearwater, has been officially recorded in Nepal for the first time. The rare bird was spotted at the Koshi barrage reservoir in Saptari. The bird was sighted swimming at the reservoir from the tower of Koshi barrage in Hanumannagar Kankalini Municipality.

Ornithologist Anish Timsina was the first to observe and document the bird. "I watched it for half an hour from just 30 meters away while it was gliding and flying joyfully. It was clearly engaging in typical water activity, confirming it was a seabird," he said.

Senior ornithologist Hem Sagar Baral emphasised the significance of the sighting of new bird species. "This is not only a new species for Nepal,...