New Report and Conservation Challenges for Critically Endangered Forest Owlet (Athene blewitti) in Melghat Tiger Reserve, India

During a birding trip permitted by the Department of Forest and arranged by Pakshimitra NGO, a possible predicted siting of a critically endangered forest owlet (Athene blewitti) was reported for the first time in the Gullarghat-Dhargad forest range of Melghat Tiger Reserve for, Maharashtra state. In the review of 17 research reports on this species from 1872 to 2014 out of 17 reports, only 07 researchers have mentioned the exact geolocation of occurrence of this owlet. Total of 40 bird species were found in the micro-niche of the owlet habitat that belongs to 15 orders and 31 families Among these the species under order Passeriformes (35%) were 14 and 01 species each found in 7 different orders. Out of the 06 identified conservation threats the highest level of ecological and habitat threat was tourist vehicle movement in core zone, similarly, forest department settlement and activities were also one of the lowest threats identified. Continuous monitoring of occurrence, habitat status, reproduction, and nesting are suggested under special conservation programs as one of the top carnivores in the forest ecosystem.