Lumbini, Sept. 8 -- Birdwatchers have recorded the sighting of the Glossy ibis, locally called sano sawari, in the Kathmandu Valley for the first time in nearly 200 years, rekindling excitement among ornithologists and wildlife photographers.

The rare migratory aquatic bird was spotted flying over the wetlands near the Manohara river on September 6 by a team of wildlife photographers-Pratap Gurung, Deepak Budhathoki, Hitaman Gurung, and Samyang Rumba. They captured its striking images on camera.

Senior ornithologist Hem Sagar Baral confirmed the sighting, noting that the bird was likely on its southward journey after breeding in Central Asia.

Historical records show that the Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) was last documented in the...