Nepal Birding

April - May 2000

Phil and Charlotte Benstead

This report outlines an independent five-week birdwatching trip to Nepal in April/May 2000. We would like to thank Hem Sagar Baral and Carol Inskipp for advice and help and also to Hathan Choudhary, Colin Towe (and the Leicester crew) and Stuart and Vincent for gen and advice in the field. We flew to Kathmandu with Qatar Airways, picking up Hoopoe Lark and Crested Lark at Doha airport on the outward leg of the journey.

Sites visited (25/4 to 27/5)

Chitwan National Park (26/4 to 29/4)

We travelled from Kathmandu, taking a Makalu bus from Kalanki Chowk direct to Meghauli. There is one bus a day and it leaves at 1355 and arrives about 1900. It cost us NR100 to get to Kalanki Chowk by taxi and the bus fare is NR110. At Meghauli we headed for Chital Lodge to stay with the famous Jib – an excellent bird guide. Jib charges NR650 per person to guide you around the park and is very good. We gave him a 'shopping list' and he largely fulfilled it – he can find Bengal Florican very easily for example. It costs NR650 to enter the National Park for two days and a great deal of money to stay in the National Park itself. Staying at Meghauli you are committed to walking long distances but can see all the birds if you put in the effort. Late April is considered the best time to visit this site. Large mammals are fairly common in this Park so take great care!

Highlights here for us included; Tiger (1 adult at 20 m whilst we were on foot), Indian Rhinoceros, Bengal Florican (single male), Hooded and Indian Pittas, Sand Lark, Slender-billed Babbler, Pale-chinned Flycatcher, Bristled Grassbird (at least three singing males) and Grey-capped Prinia.

Kosi Barrage (30/4 to 1/5)

We left Meghauli on the 0630 bus to Naranghyat. From here we quickly got a bus through to Kosi Barrage which cost NR170 and takes 6.5 to 7 hours. We stayed with the owners of the big tea shop who have a spare bed (NR50) if you do not mind roughing it a bit. This site looks fantastic and we would like to get back here in the winter sometime. It was quite quiet when we visited but we still managed to see some excellent stuff.

Highlights included; Ganges River Dolphin (up to 10) feeding in the outflow from the Barrage and Baer's Pochard (1). Swamp Francolin occurs here and we failed to find Hodgson's Bushchat.

Kosi Tappu (1/5 to 3/5)

Time for a bit of luxury, so we opted to spend a couple of days at the tented camp at Kosi Tappu. We booked this in Kathmandu when we arrived through Hem Sagar Baral (birdlife@mos.com.np) and arranged for the guides to pick us up from Kosi Barrage and take us to the camp. This place is wonderfully situated, with great accommodation and food and we had a very relaxing time here. The guides here are helpful and know their stuff. As usual it cost NR650 to get a National Park permit to enter. The site was very disturbed however by pre-monsoon repairs to the embankments.

Highlights here included; Wild Buffalo (++), Spot-billed Pelican (2-3 daily), Swamp Francolin (just two seen), Indian Skimmer (1), Black-bellied Tern (1-2 daily), Bristled Grassbird (2-3 singing males) and Smoky Warbler (one bird around the fish ponds at the tented camp).

Dharan Forest (4/5)

Arranged as a side trip with the guides at the tented camp. It takes about an hour to drive to this site from Kosi Tappu. We spent a morning here and picked up a number of birds not seen elsewhere in Nepal during our trip. Undoubted highlight was the Jerdon's Baza displaying and food carrying over the forest. We travelled back from Kosi Tappu tented camp on 5/5 taking a comfortable early morning bus (booked by staff at the camp) which took 11.5 hours to get to Kathmandu and cost NR250.

Langtang-Gosainkund trek (8/5 to 25/5)

Before you consider trekking do look at the Lonely Planet guide Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya, pay particular attention to health matters and ensure you carry an adequately stocked first-aid kit! All manner of drugs can be bought in Kathmandu (at pharmacies)! We combined the Langtang and Gosainkund treks as many birders do – it offers an excellent selection of birds and is fairly easy going. The trails along the Langtang Valley are well maintained but those on the Gosainkund trek are rather poor. Pay attention to the effects of altitude, taking it easy on the walk up to Kyangin will pay dividends when it comes to searching for the birds on the hills above the village.

We travelled to Dhaunche by bus from the Kathmandu's 'New' bus station. Booked the day before, this cost NR110 and took 8 hours. In Dhaunche we stayed at the Langtang View Hotel and engaged a porter (@NR350/day) to carry our stuff. If you are thinking about hiring a porter it is worth buying a waterproof duffle bag in Kathmandu for all your stuff.

Late May is the time to do this trek as it is when many of the high altitude specialities take up territories and start breeding. They breed during the monsoon but trekking then would be pretty dire. We took it fairly easy, although there were a couple of days that were exceptionally painful, and followed the itinerary below:

8/5 Kathmandu Þ Dhaunche

9/5 Dhaunche Þ Syabru

10/5 Syabru Þ Lama Hotel

11/5 Lama Hotel Þ Ghora Tabela (3000 m)

12/5 Ghora Tabela Þ Langtang (3500 m)

13/5 Langtang Þ Kyangin (3800 m)

14/5 Kyangin (climbed to 4600 m)

15/5 Kyangin Þ Ghora Tabela

16/5 Ghora Tabela Þ Lama Hotel

17/5 Lama Hotel Þ Dursagang (600m above Syabru) – not recommended, hard work!

18/5 Above Dursagang

19/5 Above Dursagang Þ Sing Gompa

20/5 Sing Gompa Þ Gosainkund (4450 m)

21/5 Gosainkund Þ Ghopte

22/5 Ghopte Þ Thare Pati

23/5 Thare Pati Þ Kutumsang

24/5 Kutumsang Þ Chisopani

25/5 Chisopani Þ Kathmandu.

Langtang (8/5 to 17/5)

We enjoyed reasonable weather during this part of the trek, mostly sunny with occasional short showers in the afternoons. There are plenty of good lodges along this trek and it can get quite busy on the trail. We opted to sleep at Ghora Tabela (3000 m) on the way up to give ourselves plenty of time to acclimatise, it is possible to walk from Lama Hotel to Langtang in a day and many people do this. We spoke to people who had done this and they were generally not in good shape for altitude work once they got to Kyangin on their second day. We on the other hand suffered no symptoms other than breathlessness when walking and difficulty sleeping (due to irregular breathing).

Highlights included; Snow Partridge (above Kyangin), Pied Thrush (pair below Syabru), White-bellied Redstart, Grandala (above Kyangin), Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Grey-bellied Tesia (near Bamboo), Yellow-rumped Honeyguide (single by bees nests across the gorge from Rimche) and Scarlet Finch (two pairs together below Syabru). Also an excellent selection of laughingthrushes and rosefinches.

Gosainkund (17/5 to 25/5)

The weather broke badly during this part of the trek and from 20/5 we suspected an early start to the monsoon. We were plagued by low cloud and rain for six days. Despite this somehow we managed to see some excellent birds. The lodges and condition of the trail are more basic than on Langtang, but there are fewer people and the scenery (when you can see it) is fantastic. If you have already done the Langtang trek you should be appropriately acclimatised to work at altitude, otherwise the usual precautionary principles apply.

We saw a number of species here that were not recorded on the Langtang trek. Highlights included; Satyr Tragopan (2 males heard above Dursagang at the usual site plus a male which gave superb views just below Ghopte), Wood Snipe (displaying bird briefly below Thare Pati), Rufous-breasted and White-browed Bush Robins, Gould's Shortwing (a pair between Phedi and Ghopte), Fire-tailed Myzornis (several small groups feeding in flowering rhododendrons in the Ghopte area), Collared Grosbeak (woods just before Sing Gompa) and Red-fronted Rosefinch (pair just after the pass).

Phulchowki (27/5)

We got to this site by taxi (NR600 to the summit from Thamel). Nice site to visit whilst passing through Kathmandu. We saw a few species here that were not encountered on the trek including Spiny Babbler. A site that probably deserves more time than just one day, we intended to visit twice but got rained off in April.

Systematic List

Order and nomenclature follows the OBC checklist (Inskipp et al 1996). The following abbreviations are used: CW Chitwan, KB Kosi Barrage, KT Kosi Tappu, DH Dharan Forest, KV Kathmandu Valley, LG Langtang, GK Gosainkund and PH Phulchowki. Species in square brackets were heard only.

Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa LG

Three birds seen around ruined huts half way up the trail between the two hills near Kyangin.

[Tibetan Snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus LG]

Heard only, above Kyangin.

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus CW, KT, LG

Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis KT

Only two seen during stay at KT, the embankments were being repaired which meant high levels of disturbance during the day.

[Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola LG, GK, PH]

Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentatus GK

Single female below Thare Pati on 23/5.

Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra GK

Two males heard above Syabru near clearings but constant disturbance ruled out tracking them down successfully. Superb male seen at close range and apparently unconcerned by our presence below Ghopte on 22/5.

Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus LG, GK

Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus CW

Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos CW, LG

Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus CW

Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica KB, KT

Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus KT

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea CW, KT

Cotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus KB, KT

Gadwall Anas strepera KB, KT

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope KB

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata KB

Northern pintail Anas acuta KB

Garganey Anas querquedula KB, KT

Common Teal Anas crecca KB

Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina KB, KT

Common Pochard Aythya ferina KT

Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca KT

Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri KB

Single first-winter male on roadside pools on 1/5.

Common Merganser Mergus merganser CW

Yellow-rumped Honeyguide Indicator xanthonotus LG

Single bird observed at bees nests just below Lama Hotel (across the gorge from Rimche).

White-browed Piculet Sasia ochracea CW

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopus canicapillus CW, DH

Brown-fronted Woodpecker Dendrocopus auriceps LG

Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopus macei CW, DH

Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus LG, GK, PH

Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos cathparius LG

Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis GK

Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus CW

Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus CW, DH

Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus KT

Scaly-bellied Woodpecker Picus squamatus LG, GK

Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus CW, DH, KV

Himalayan Flameback Dinopium javanense CW

Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense KT

Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus CW

Great Barbet Megalaima virens KV, LG, GK, PH

Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata DH

Golden-throated Barbet Megalaima franklinii LG

Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica CW, KB, KT

Blue-eared Barbet Megalaima australis DH

Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala CW, KB, KT

Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis CW

Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthraceros coronatus DH

Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis KV, CW, KB, KT, DH

Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis CW, DH

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis CW, KT

Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon capensis CW, KB, KT

White-throated Kingfisher Halycon smyrnensis CW, KT

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis CW

Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctornis athertoni KV

Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis CW, KT

Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus CW, KT

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti CW, DH

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus CW

Common Hawk-cuckoo Hierococcyx varius CW, LG, GK

Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus CW, KT, DH

Eurasian Cuckoo Cuculus canorus CW, KV, LG

Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus LG

Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus LG, GK, PH

Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonnerati CW

Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris CW, DH

Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea CW, KB, KT

Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis KV

Sirkeer Malkoha Phaenocophaenus leschenaulti KT

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis CW, KB, KT

Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis CW, KT

Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria CW

Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri CW, KT, KV

Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala CW,

Himalayan Swiftlet Collocalia brevirostris LG

Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis KT

Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba CW

House Swift Apus affinis KV

Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata DH

Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodei LG

Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum CW, KT

Spotted Owlet Athene brama KT

Rock Pigeon Columba livia KV

Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota LG

Speckled Wood Pigeon Columba hodgsonii LG, GK

Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis LG, GK

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis CW, KB, KT, LG

Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto CW, KB

Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica CW

Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta CW

Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenura LG, GK

Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis CW

Brown Crake Amaurornis akool CW

White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus CW, KB, KT

Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca KT

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio KB, KT

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus CW, KT

Common Coot Fulica atra KB, KT

Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola GK

Single displaying bird briefly just below Thare Pati on 22/5.

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago CW

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus CW

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia CW, KB, KT

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus CW, KT

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos CW, KB, KT

Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii CW, KT

Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis CW

Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus KB

Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus KB, KT

Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus CW, KT

Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris KT

Single on 2/5.

Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersi LG

Single on river flats up river from Kyangin on 13/5.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius CW, KT

River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelli CW

Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus CW, KT

Small Pratincole Glareola lactea CW, KT

Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis KT

Single resting on sand bar at Kosi Tappu on 3/5. This species is now a scarce bird in Nepal.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans KT

Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus KT

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus KT

River Tern Sterna aurantia KT

Little Tern Sterna albifrons CW, KB, KT

Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda KT

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus KB, KT

Osprey Pandion haliaetus CW, KB, KT

Jerdon's Baza Aviceda jerdoni DH

Pair displaying and food-carrying over the forest at Dharan on 4/5.

Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes KT, DH

Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus CW, KT, DH

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus CW, KT

Black Kite Milvus migrans KV

Lammergier Gypaetus barbatus LG, GK

White-rumped Vulture Gyps benghalensis CW, KT, DH

Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis LG

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela CW, DH

Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos KT

Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivigatus DH

Shikra Accipiter badius KV, CW, KT

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus LG

White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa CW

Buzzard spp Buteo spp LG

Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis KV, GK

Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis KV, CW

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos LG

Booted Eagle Hieraatus pennatus GK

Mountain Hawk-eagle Spizaetus nipalensis GK

Collared Falconet Microhierax caerulescens DH

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus LG

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus CW

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis KB

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus KB

Darter Anhinga melanogaster KB, KT

Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger KB

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo CW

Little Egret Egretta garzetta CW, KB

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea KB, KT

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea CW, KB

Great Egret Casmerodius alba CW, KB

Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia CW

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis KV, KT

Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii CW, KB

Little Heron Butorides striatus CW, KB, KT

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax KB, KT

Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis KB, KT

Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus CW, KT

Black-headed Ibis Threshkiornis melanocephalus near KT

Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa CW, KT

Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia KT

Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philipensis KT

Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans CW, KB, KT

Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus CW, DH

Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus KT

Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus CW, KB, near KT

Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida CW

Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura CW

Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons DH

Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii LG, PH

Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus KB, KT

Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach CW

Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus KT, LG

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius LG

Yellow-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa flavirostris LG, GK

Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda KV, CW, KT

Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryoctactes LG, GK

Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax LG

Yellow-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus LG

House Crow Corvus splendens KV, KB

Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos CW, KT, LG

Common Raven Corvus corax LG

Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus CW, KB

Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus CW, KT

Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus CW, KT, DH

Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii LG

Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei CW, DH

Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos DH

Small Minivet Pericrotus cinnamomeus CW

Long-tailed Minivet Pericrotus ethologus LG

Short-billed Minivet Pericrotus brevirostris DH

Scarlet Minivet Pericrotus flammeus CW, DH

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus DH

Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha GK, PH

White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis CW, KT, DH

Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus KV, KB, KT, LG

Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus KT, LG

White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens CW

Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus DH

Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentotus CW, DH

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus DH

Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea CW, DH

Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi CW, KT

Common Iora Aegithina tiphia CW, KT, DH

Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis DH

Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus DH

Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii LG

Blue-capped Rock Thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus LG, GK, PH

Blue Whistling Thrush Myophoneus caeruleus KV, LG, GK

Pied Thrush Zoothera wardii LG

Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina CW

Long-tailed Thrush Zoothera dixoni GK

Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma LG, GK

Tickell's Thrush Turdus unicolor GK

White-collared Blackbird Turdus albocinctus GK

Nest found above Dursagang on 18/5, 1 metre off ground in rotten stump on a steep slope, moss nest lined with grass contained three eggs.

Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul LG, PH

Gould's Shortwing Brachypteryx stellata GK

Male singing beside trail just before Ghopte on 21/5, accompanied by another bird, presumably a pair.

Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica LG

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata LG, GK

Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula parva CW

Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra LG

Ultramarine Flycatcher Ficedula superciliaris GK, PH

Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina LG, GK, PH

Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae LG

Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara LG, GK, PH

Pale-chinned Flycatcher Cyornis poliogenys CW, DH

Pygmy Blue Flycatcher Muscicapella hodgsoni GK

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis LG

White-tailed Rubythroat Luscinia pectoralis LG

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica CW

Indian Blue Robin Luscinia brunnea LG, GK, PH

Orange-flanked Bush Robin Tarsiger cyanurus LG

Golden Bush Robin Tarsiger chrysaeus GK

White-browed Bush Robin Tarsiger indicus GK

Rufous-breasted Bush Robin Tarsiger hyperythrus GK

Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis KV, CW, DH

White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus CW, DH

Black Redstart Phoenicrurus ochrurus CW

Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicrurus frontalis LG, GK

White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarronis leucocephalus LG, GK

Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus LG, GK

White-bellied Redstart Hodgsonius phaenicuroides LG

White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucura LG

Grandala Grandala coelicolor LG, GK

Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri LG

Black-backed Forktail Enicurus immaculatus CW

Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus LG

Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata CW, LG

White-tailed Stonechat Saxicola leucura CW

Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata CW

Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea KV, LG, GK, PH

Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus CW, KB, KT, DH

Brahminy Starling Sturnus pagodarum KT

Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra CW, KB

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis CW, KB

Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus CW

Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus KV, KT

Hill Myna Gracula religiosa CW

Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta castanea CW, DH

White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis LG, PH

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis CW, DH

Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris LG, GK

Pair feeding young in nest above Kyangin on 13/5.

Rusty-flanked Treecreeper Certhia nipalensis LG

Single bird observed collecting food.

Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes LG

Rufous-vented Tit Parus rubidiventris LG, GK

Coal tit Parus ater GK

Grey-crested Tit Parus dichrous LG, GK

Feeding young in nest above Syabru on 18/5

Great Tit Parus major CW, DH, KV

Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus LG, GK, PH

Black-lored Tit Parus xanthogenys KV, LG, GK

Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus LG, GK, PH

Rufous-fronted Tit Aegithalos iouschistos LG, GK

Plain Martin Riparia paludicola CW, KT

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica KT

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica KV, DH

Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus GK

Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalensis LG

Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus CW, DH

Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus CW, KT, DH

Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys KV, LG

Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer KV

Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus LG, GK

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis CW, KT

Striated Prinia Prinia criniger LG, GK

Grey-crowned Prinia Prinia cinereocapilla CW

Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii CW

Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis KT

Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris CW

Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis CW

Plain Prinia Prinia inornata CW

Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus CW, GK

Chestnut-headed Tesia Tesia castaneocoronata LG, PH

Grey-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer LG

Several singing just above Bamboo on 10/5 and 17/5.

Pale-footed Bush Warbler Cettia pallidipes CW

Aberrant Bush Warbler Cettia flavolivacea GK

Grey-sided Bush Warbler Cettia brunnifrons GK

Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum CW, KT

Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus KT

Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius KV, CW

Smoky Warbler Phylloscopus fuligiventer KT

Tickell's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis LG, GK

Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher LG, GK

Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis LG, GK, PH

Lemon-rumped Warbler Phylloscopus chloronotus LG, GK

Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides KT, DH, LG, GK

Blyth's leaf warbler Phylloscopus reguloides LG, GK, PH

Golden-spectacled Warbler Seicercus burkii LG, GK, PH

Grey-hooded Warbler Seicercus xanthoschistos KV, LG, PH

Chestnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaneiceps LG, GK

Black-faced Warbler Abroscopus schisticeps LG, GK

Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris KB, KT

Bristled Grassbird Chaetornis striatus CW, KT

Two to three singing males noted at each site clustered together in suitable habitat.

Rufous-rumped Grassbird Graminicola bengalensis CW

White-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax albogularis LG, GK

Greater necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax pectoralis CW

Striated Laughingthrush Garrulax striatus LG, PH

Spotted Laughingthrush Garrulax ocellatus GK

Streaked Laughingthrush Garrulax lineatus LG, GK

Scaly Laughingthrush Garrulax subunicolor GK

Single bird between Ghopte and Thare Pati on 22/5.

Variegated Laughingthrush Garrulax variegatus LG, GK, PH

Black-faced Laughingthrush Garrulax affinis LG, GK

Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush Garrulax erythrocephalus PH

Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps CW

Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrogenys LG

Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis LG

Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler Pnoepyga albiventer GK

Striped Tit-babbler Macronous gularis CW, DH

Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata CW

Spiny Babbler Turdoides nipalensis PH

Four birds seen well just below the halfway huts.

Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei CW, KB, KT

Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides longirostris CW

Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus CW, KT

Chestnut-tailed Minla Minla strigula LG, GK

Rufous-winged Fulvetta Alcippe castaneceps PH

White-browed Fulvetta Alcippe vinipectus LG, GK, PH

Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrata LG, GK, PH

Whiskered Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis LG, GK, PH

Stripe-throated Yuhina Yuhina gularis LG, GK

Rufous-vented Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis LG, GK

White-bellied Yuhina Yuhina zantholeuca CW

Fire-tailed Myzornis Myzornis pyrrhoura GK

Rufous-winged Bushlark Mirafra assamica CW, KT

Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Eremopteryx grisea KB

Sand Lark Calandrella raytal CW, KT

Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula CW

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus LG

Purple Sunbird Nectarina asiatica KB, KT

Mrs Gould's Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae LG, GK, PH

Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja CW

Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda LG, GK

House Sparrow Passer domesticus KV

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus KV, LG

Chestnut-shouldered Petronia Petronia xanthocollis CW

White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis CW

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola CW

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea LG

Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus CW,

Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni LG, GK

Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus CW, LG

Upland Pipit Anthus sylvanus GK

Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris GK

Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella strophiata LG, GK

Black-breasted Weaver Ploceus benghalensis CW, KT

Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus CW, KT

White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata CW

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata CW, KT

Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca KT

Plain Mountain Finch Leucosticte nemoricola LG, GK

Dark-breasted Rosefinch Carpodacus nipalensis LG, GK

Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus LG

Beautiful Rosefinch Carpodacus pulcherrimus LG

Pink-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus rodochrous LG

Spot-winged Rosefinch Carpodacus rodopeplus LG, GK

White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus thura GK

Red-fronted Rosefinch Carpodacus puniceus GK

Scarlet Finch Haematospiza sipahi LG

Two pairs feeding together in trees below Syabru on 17/5.

Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra GK

Red-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythrocephala LG

Collared Grosbeak Mycerobas affinis GK

White-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas carnipes GK

Crested bunting Melophus lathami LG

Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola CW

Mammals

Small Indian Mongoose KV, KT

Indian Rhinoceros CW

Wild Pig CW

Indian Hare CW

Tiger CW

Common Langur CW, DH, LG

Rhesus Macaque CW, DH

Jackal CW, KB, KT

Gangetic Dolphin KB

Wild Water Buffalo KT

Indian Giant Squirrel DH

Musk Deer LG

Mainland Serow LG

Pika spp LG, GK