Saturday 3 December 2022

NEPAL January,1989 and April to May, 1997.

  NEPAL January,1989 and April to May, 1997. 

David Cooper & John F. Cooper

Itinerary.

The first section of this report covers the two itinerarys of our two trips to Nepal, with the second section will cover the Systematic List of the birds seen etc. 

1/1/89: Left Heathrow with Bangladesh Airways with the flight costing £470 return.

2/1/89: Arrived Dhaka with 4 hour wait in the Airport before leaving for Kathmandu
arriving 2pm local time.


Arriving at Kathmandu Airport.


View looking towards Kathmandu from the Airport.


View along the Bagmati Rivers near Kathmandu Airport. 

3/1/89: Pashupatinath Woods then to sort out trekking permit before a walk along the
Manora and Bagmati Rivers near Kathmandu Airport. 

4/1/89: Early morning tourist bus to Pokhara taking 8 hours. Found a small lodge at
Lakeside.

5/1/89: Walked from the Shining Hospital on the northern outskirts of Pokhara to
Naudanda taking 8 hours - we got lost, but soon re-found the right way!!



John and David at dawn outside the Shining Hospital, Pokhara at the start of the Jommonson trek, today we are trekking between Pokhara and Naudanda, passing a number of small villages on the way.







Trekking between Pokhara to Naudanda which took around
8 hours. For part of the trek a gravel road had been constructed.  

6/1/89: Walked from Naudanda to Birethanti.





Trekking from Naudanda to Birethanti which took us 7 hours.

7/1/89: Walked from Birethanti to Ulleri, A shattering climb.


Sunrise over the Himalayas.





Birethanti to Ulleri taking 7 hours.
8/1/89: Torrential rain so we stayed in the lodge only getting out birding for an hour.

9/1/89: It finally stopped raining after 36 hours but we could see a lot of snow at
higher elevations - we took the risk of heading up. Conditions were dangerous walking through deep snow up to our waists. Ended up soaking wet due to large amounts of snow falling off the trees. Fell over many times due to the layer of ice beneath the snow. Finally made it to Ghorepani after 8 hours feeling absolutely shattered. Partially revived by some tomatoes crushed in boiling water. After dark some Australians arrived from Tatopani (with some of them suffering from frostbite) having walked through deep snow all the way, telling of 3 people killed in an avalanche along their route.



Views from Ulleri showing snow above the tree line.


Fishtail Mountain in view from Ulleri.



As we trekked higher towards Ghorepani, the snow was now
lying in the forest.


Arriving after 8 hours of trekking to a snow covered Ghorepani.

10/1/89: Made the difficult decision to turn back, walking to Tirkedhungha taking 9
hours. Conditions had hardly improved as now walking on sheets of ice
instead of in thick snow. Again we kept falling over.




Our snowy trek to Tirkedhungha.

11/1/89: Walked from Tirkedhungha to Birethanti. Somewhat relieved to have turned
back as the weather had again closed in with more snow falling at higher elevations.




12/1/89: Walked from Birethanti to Phedi and caught a jeep to Pokhara. Caught a taxi
back to Lakeside. Went to a travel agent and booked a lodge at Chitwan.


Fishtail Mountain.

13/1/89: Spent most of the day in the forests to the south of Phewa Tal and then spent
some time in some fields at Lakeside. Told that Jomoson where we were heading to was snowed in.


Leaving Pokhara for Phewa Tal.




Views taken around Phewa Tal lake.

14/1/89: Rowed across Phewa Tal to the northern fields. Rowed back again spending the rest of the day in the same area of forest as the previous day.



Views from Phewa Tal lake.



Rowing to the northern end of Phewa Tal lake.


The marshy area at the northern end of Phewa Tal lake.


View from the northern end of Phewa Tal lake.

15/1/89: Spent all day in the forest to the south of Phewa Tal.

16/1/89: Caught a local bus which took 6 hours to reach the Chitwan Jungle Lodge
drop-off point at Daduwa. The Lodge’s jeep finally arrived and we were
transported to the Lodge. Our initial disappointment of arriving too late for an
elephant ride was quickly dispelled when on a short walk a Tiger appeared on
the track in front of us. We quickly clambered on top of a passing jeep from
where we watched the Tiger walking along the track ahead of us.


Our lodge at Chitwan Jungle Lodge.


View taken at Chitwan.



Tiger on the jeep track ahead of us.

17/1/89: Day spent birding the variety of habitats close to the Lodge including a
memorable Elephant ride seeing Sloth Bear, a canoe trip along the Rapti River
and flushing a Rhino whilst on foot in dense vegetation - enough to set the
pulse racing !

A dawn start on an Elephant.


We were soon watching one horn Rhino's.


The front end of one horn Rhino.


and the back end.



One horn Rhino's at Chitwan.


Our canoe trip along the Rapti River.



Landing from the canoe trip to walk back through forests to the
Jungle Lodge.We had a close encounter with a Tiger in the
Elphant Grass which our guide found tracks and could smell it.


Fresh Tiger paw marks.




Sloth Bear in the early evening at Chitwan.

18/1/89: Walked all day to and from the Churia Hills.


Walk to the Churia Hills.

19/1/89: After some early morning birding hitched a lift with some Australians back
to Kathmandu with the journey taking 6 hours. No buses were using the
Hetauda route so missed a chance at seeing Ibisbill.

20/1/89: Visited the area opposite the Botanical Gardens at Godaveri, then a look in
the Gardens themselves before a quick look along the road leading up
Phulchowki.

21/1/89: Spent 4 hours in the superb ravine at the base of Phulchowki with the rest of
our time spent walking up the road leading to the summit.


The quarry road leading up from Godaveri to the ravine at the base
of Phulchowki.



Views taken at Phulchowki.



John and David in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki.

22/1/89: Spent all day on Phulchowki reaching the huts half-way to the summit.

23/1/89: Spent the morning at Gokarna Safari Park with the afternoon spent along the
Manora River close to Kathmandu Airport.

24/1/89: Spent all day in the scrub along the track starting opposite the Botanical
Gardens with a brief look in the Gardens in the afternoon.

25/1/89: Spent virtually all day in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki.

26/1/89: Spent our last full day at Gokarna Safari Park.


Gokarna Safari Park

27/1/89: Left Kathmandu at midday and flew along the Himalayas getting spectacular
views, and seeing Mt. Everest.








Views around Kathmandu





Mt. Everest-left hand mountain.



Spectacular flight over the Himalayas with Mt. Everest.

28/1/89: Arrived at Heathrow after a 27 hour journey with the plane spending
prolonged intervals at Dhaka, Dubai and Paris.

SECOND TRIP : LANGTANG & GOSAINKUND TREK.
 26TH APRIL TO 17TH MAY, 1997.

Itinerary

26/4/97 : Arrived Kathmandu around 3pm. Took taxi to the Kathmandu Guesthouse    and made a brief visit to Nagarjung from 5pm - 7pm.

27/4/97 : Took a jeep to the summit of Phulchowki leaving the Guesthouse at 4.15 and arriving at the summit at 5.50am. Walked slowly down the road exploring several short side trails until reaching the huts around half way down at 3pm. Drove down to the ravine at the base of Phulchowki and spent an hour along the trail in the ravine.


Looking down from Phulchowki.

28/4/97 : Left Kathmandu at 7.30am taking a Land Rover to Trisuli arriving at 11am  where we stopped for an hour. Continued in Land Rover to c.8km short of Dhunche where we walked the road towards Dhunche for 3 hours. Camped at Dhunche.


Near Dhunche


Road to Dhunche.

29/4/97 : Left Dhunche at 6am and walked to Sing Gompa (Chandan Bari) arriving at 4pm the trail leading up a superb forested valley the entire way. 


David at the camp site at Dhunche.


Leaving Dhunche behind.



The trek after Dhunche.


Trek stop on our way to Sing Gompa



Beautiful Rhododendrons in full bloom. 




Along the trek to Sing Gompa, we came across many 
Rhododendrons that were fully out in full flower.





Spectacular views along the trek to Sing Gompa.


Arriving at Sing Gompa-now to find somewhere to pitch our tent.

30/4/97 : At dawn walked towards Gosainkund for 4 hours and then returned to Sing Gompa from where we walked to the Prayer Flags in the forest above Syabru. In the afternoon we walked back towards Sing Gompa for an hour and then concentrated in the forest around the Prayer Flags in the evening.Camped at Prayer Flags.


Sing Gompa village.








Trek from Sing Gompa to the forests above Syabru,
excellent scenery.

1/5/97 :  Left prayer flags at dawn and walked down to the Stone Blocks by 5am.Continued to Syabru arriving at 9am and walked to Lama Lodge arriving at 4pm.








More stunning views as we trekked above Syabru.



Two views looking down at Syabru village.


Primula type flower near Syabru.


Waterfall near Lama Lodge.


Attractive rock near Lama lodge.

2/5/97 :  Spent from 5.30am to 8am in the forest beyond Lama Lodge and then walked  slowly on to Ghore Tabela arriving at 2.30. Heavy rain the rest of the day prevented birding.




Our walk into the Langtang Valley.



Views up the Langtang Valley.

3/5/97 : Left Ghore Tabela at dawn in fine weather and walked to Kyanjin, arriving at  2.30pm. Walked to Ibisbill flats and back in afternoon.


Rhododendrons everywhere.


David having a peaceful rest.


Ghore Tabela.




The stunning views just keep appearing.




The trek up the Langtang Valley towards Kyanjin.

 


Ibisbill Flats - Now where are the Ibisbills.

4/5/97 : At dawn walked towards Yala Hill. In late morning returned to Kyanjin and walked to the Birch Forest on the opposite side of the valley. In the afternoon  we again walked to the Ibisbill flats.




Near Ghore Tabela.


Walking away from Ghore Tabela.


Looking back towards Ghore Tabela.

5/5/97 : Left Kyanjin at 5.30am and walked to Lama Lodge arriving at 3pm. Late afternoon spent birding in forest towards Syabru.







Spectacular views as the sun rose above the Himalayas at Kyanjin.




David birding on the trek.


Lama Hill, Kyanjin.



Two views looking along the Langtang Valley.


Burial Chamber? in the Langtang Valley.


The front of the Chamber.


Old Temple near Kyanjin.


Langtang Village.



Local Children in Langtang Village.


Waterfall on our trek to the Lama Lodge.


Butterfly Sp.


Monkey sp.

6/5/97 : Left Lama Lodge at dawn and walked slowly to Syabru arriving at 5pm  
 having spent a couple of hours in the vicinity of the bridge below Syabru.







John and David enjoying the views.


Primula type alpine flower.


Alpine flowers.
.

Alpine Dwarf Iris.


Glacier


JFC looking the worse for wear!!


The trek route went right through Syabru village.

7/5/97 : Left Syabru at 6am and in an attempt to walk through good forest, unfortunately mainly cleared areas to a lodge between Sing Gompa  and Gosainkund.

8/5/97 : Left lodge at dawn and climbed up to Gosainkund lakes (which were frozen)  by 9am. Spent an hour birding the edges of the lake and then continued over the Laurebina Pass (>15,000 feet) and on to Phedi arriving at 4pm.



Its getting colder and approaching upto 15,000 ft.




At this height, we had to take the trek with care.


Our trek to the Gosainkund lakes, with a dramatic change
in the weather.


Having just trekked through the Laurebina Pass we now
were at 15,000 ft with the marker just to our left.


Looking back at the Laurebina Pass which we had just crossed.


Alpine flowers found up at the Laurebina Pass.


Primrose types.


Arriving Phedi area, the weather had now improved.

9/5/97 :  Left Phedi at dawn and slowly walked to Gapte arriving just after midday.Spent afternoon in the forest below Gapte.


Icicles when we awoke at Phedi.



The trek from Phedi to Gapte.


10/5/97 : Spent all day in the vicinity of Gapte.



Views around Gapte.
11/5/97 : Spent all day in the vicinity of Gapte.


Forest at Gapte.


View taken near Gapte.

12/5/97 : Left Gapte at 5am and slowly walked to Thare Pati arriving 1pm.


Looking across towards Gapte.


The path to Thare Pati, always upwards.



David birding on the trek to Thare Pati.


Primula type flowers.


The camping site at Thare Pati
I wonder where DC is off to.


Dinner is served, the chef is on the left, and was excellent.


Bugger dinner, JFC is knackered!!


Sunset, we also had some superb views of the 
Southern lights later during the night.

13/5/97 : Left Thare Pati at 6am and walked to Magengoth arriving at 11am. In the afternoon we birded on a trail at the back of the army checkpoint.


The army checkpoint.



Trekking to Magengoth, at least it was fairly flat.


View from Magengoth with the high Himalayas never far away.


More Alpine flowers.


Tree orchids.

14/5/97 : Early morning spent in the forest back towards Thare Pati and then walked to Kutumsang arriving 1pm.



The trek to Kutumsang. The last picture shows the trek going
over the hills.




At this lower altitude, tree orchids became more common.


We were now heading downwards leaving the forests and 
mountains behind.


Heading towards terracing and finally Katmandu.

15/5/97 : Walked to Chisa Pani arriving at 3pm.








Trekking to Chisa Pani.

 .

After serving us well during our trek,the guides, cook and porters
now departed at Chisa Pani.

16/5/97 : Walked over the Sheopuri ridge and descended to Sundarijal arriving at 1pm. Jeep ride back to Kathmandu Guesthouse arriving at 2pm.


End of the Langtang trek-looking down from the Sheopuri Ridge.


David and John in the Phulchowki Ravine in exactly the same spot
as where they took the picture on their first visit in January, 1989.
Brought back some happy memories of our previous trip.



Two Butterflies seen on Phulchowki.

We now arrived back in Kathmandu and with a couple of hours left we decided to visit Old Kathmandu.










A visit to  Durban Square, Kathmandu to look around the 
Old Kathmandu.


The Monkey Temple, Kathmandu.


Taken at the Monkey Temple.


View over looking Kathmandau from the Monkey Temple.
18/5/97 : Left Kathmandu on 8am flight, back to the UK.

Systematic List.

Little Grebe - Tachybaptus ruficollis capensis C
Two were seen at the northern end of Phewa Tal on the 14th.

Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus cristatus C
On Phewa Tal 6 were seen on the 13th and 12 the next day.

Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis C
Near Mugling 4 were seen from the bus on the 4th and 1 on the 19th and around 50 were seen near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.

Indian Pond Heron - Ardeola grayii C
Seen on twelve dates in fair numbers with a maximum of 15 seen at Chitwan on the 16th but was also present around Kathmandu and Pokhara. A single bird was seen at Birethanti on the 11th.





Indain Pond Heron near Kathmandu.

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis coromandus C
Very common around Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan being seen on sixteen dates.
Second Trip
Up to 20 were seen in trees near Rani Poklhari in Kathmandu on the 27th, 1 was seen on the drive to Trisuli on the 28th and 6 were seen on the drive from Sundarijal on the 16th, and finally 30 were seen on the drive to and from Phulchowki on the 17th.

Black Crowned Night Heron – Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax
Second Trip
At least 6 adults were seen at Rani Pokhari in Kathmandu on the 27th.

Little Egret - Egretta garzetta garzetta C
Present around Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan being seen on thirteen dates with a daily maximum of 50 seen flying to roost with Cattle Egrets at the Royal Palace, Kathmandu on the 2nd.

Intermediate Egret - Egretta intermedia intermedia C
Around 25 flew into roost over Lakeside on the 4th, 1 was seen at Phewa Tal on the 13th with 8 seen there the next day and 2 were seen near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.

Great Egret - Egretta alba modesta C
At the northern end of Phewa Tal 8 were seen on the 14th and at Chitwan up to 4 were seen on three dates.

Asian Openbill Stork - Anastomus oscitans C
A single individual was seen near Tadi (near Chitwan) on the 16th with 3 seen there on the 19th and 1 was seen just outside Chitwan NP near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th. This species is listed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).

Black Stork - Ciconia nigra C
On the 17th around 80 moved over high at the Chitwan Jungle Lodge and 1 was seen along the Rapti River.

Black Stork along the Rapti River, Chitwan.

Woolly-necked Stork - Ciconia episcopus episcopus C
Near Mugling 1 was seen from the bus on the river on the 4th and 2 were seen along the same stretch on the return journey on the 19th.

Lesser Adjutant - Leptoptilos javanicus C
We saw 2 near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th. This species is listed at Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994) who state that ‘its numbers appear to be much reduced throughout , as a result of habitat loss, hunting and human disturbance’.



 Lesser Adjutant Stork at Chitwan.

Red-naped (Black) Ibis - Pseudibis papillosa C
Around 20 were seen along the Rapti River near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th. This species is listed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).


Red-naped (Black) Ibis along the Rapti River, Chitwan.

Ruddy Shelduck - Tadorna ferruginea C
Up to 35 were seen along the Rapti River near to the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the three dates we spent there.


Pair of Ruddy Shelducks along the River Rapti at Chitwan.

Common Teal - Anas crecca crecca C
Around 10 were seen on Phewa Tal on the 14th.

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos C
Around 150 were seen on Phewa Tal on the 14th and 15th.

Spot-billed Duck - Anas poecilorhyncha C
A single individual was present with Mallard on Phewa Tal on the 14th.

Red-crested Pochard - Netta rufina C
A party of 6 were seen at Chitwan on the 17th.

Ferruginous Duck - Aythya nyroca C
We saw 6 on Phewa Tal on the 14th. This species is listed as Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994) who state that ‘the various populations have apparently undergone massive declines, attributed to wetland drainage compounded by high hunting pressure’.

Common Merganser (Goosander) - Mergus merganser orientalis C
Two pairs were seen at Chitwan on the 17th.

Crested Honey Buzzard - Pernis ptilorhyncus ruficollis C
A single individual was seen near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.

Black Kite - Milvus migrans C
Very common in most areas although none were seen to the north of Birethanti.
Second Trip
Around Kathmandu 5 were seen on the 26th and 10 on the 16th and 6 were seen on the drive to Trisuli on the 28th. However, of greater interest were a flock of 9 seen heading north east over Kyanjin on the 4th.

Black Kite near Naudanda.

Egyptian Vulture - Neophron percnopterus ginginianus C
Up to 12 were seen on six dates in the Pokhara area and 1 was seen at Gokarna on the 26th.




Adult and Immature Egyptian Vultures near Pokhara.

Lammergeier - Gypaetus barbatus barbatus C
A total of 5 adults were recorded between Pokhara and Ghorepani with some allowing superb close views.
Second Trip
An adult was seen along the road c.5km before reaching Dhunche on the 28th, a pair of adults were seen together along a ridge below Sing Gompa on the 29th, an adult was seen over Langtang and 2 adults were seen just below Kyanjin on the 3rd, a pair of adults were seen from the Ibisbill flats on the 4th. 1 sub-adult was seen whilst making the ascent at landslide on the 6th and finally an adult was seen above Syabru on the 7th. Some quite superb views were obtained.






Lammergeier over Langtang.

(Oriental) White-rumped (backed) Vulture - Gyps bengalensis C
Singles were seen at Chandrakot on the 6th, Pokhara on the 13th and 15th and at Narayanghat on the 16th. This species is listed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994)



(Oriental) White-rumped (backed) Vulture near Pokhara.

Long-billed Vulture - Gyps indicus tenuirostris C
A single individual was seen between Godaveri and Kathmandu on the 22nd. This species is listed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).

Himalayan Griffon Vulture - Gyps himalayensis C
Seen on six dates between Pokhara and Ghorepani with a maximum of around 30 seen at a carcass near Ulleri on the 10th.
Second Trip
Up to 15 were seen between Langtang and Kyanjin on the 3rd, 6 around Kyanjin on the 4th, 1 near the Lama Hotel on the 6th and 1 at Magengoth on the 14th.



Himalayan Griffon Vulture between Langtang and Kyanjin.

Eurasian Griffon Vulture - Gyps fulvus fulvescens C
Seen on eight dates from Pokhara to Ulleri where a daily maximum of 10 was recorded on the 10th.

Red-headed (King) Vulture - Sarcogyps calvus C
Seen on five dates between Pokhara and Ghorepani with a daily maximum of 3 recorded on the 6th near Chandrakot.



 Red-headed (King) Vulture between Pokhara and Ghorepani.

Cinereous (Eurasian Black) Vulture - Aegypius monachus C
Around 10 were seen near Mugling on the 4th and a total of 4 were seen between Pokhara and Ghorepani. This species is listed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).

Crested Serpent Eagle - Spilornis cheela cheela C
Singles were seen near Suiket on the 5th, between Ghorepani and Ulleri on the 10th, at the forest on the southern edge of Phewa Tal on the 15th and up to 4 were seen on three dates near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge.
Second Trip
A single adult was seen along the road around 5km short of Dhunche on the 28th.




Adult Crested Serpent Eagle at Chitwna.



Juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle at Chitwan.

Western (Eurasian) Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus aeruginosus C
A single female was watched hunting over the fields at the northern end of Phewa Tal on the 14th.

Hen Harrier - Circus cyaneus cyaneus C
Single males were seen at Naudanda on the 5th, Pokhara on the 13th, Chitwan on the 19th and a female was seen at Phulchowki on the 22nd.
Second Trip
A single ring-tailed was seen above Kyanjin on the 3rd.


Male Hen Harrier near Pokhara.

Besra - Accipiter virgatus affinis C
A male was watched hunting and then perched whilst feeding on what appeared to be a Magpie Robin at the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 20th and was again seen there on the 24th.
Second Trip
A single adult was seen at Phulchowki on the 27th.

Shikra - Accipiter badius poliopsis C
Singles were seen at the Manora River near Kathmandu Airport on the 3rd, just above Ulleri on the 9th and a pair were seen at Gokarna Safari Park on the 26th.

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo C
Seen on six dates in the Kathmandu and Pokhara areas.
Second Trip
A pair were seen between Sing Gompa and Gosainkund on the 30th and singles were seen above Gapte on the 11th and above Thare Pati on the 12th.

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus rufinus C
Singles were seen at Lumle on the 12th and at Daduwa near Chitwan on the 16th and 19th.

Upland Buzzard - Buteo hemilasius C
An extremely well-marked individual was seen at the Manora River near Kathmandu Airport on the 3rd.

Upland Buzzard at the Manora River near Kathmandu Airport.

Black Eagle - Ictinaetus malayensis perniger C
A single individual was seen at Phulchowki on the 20th and 22nd.
Second Trip
Singles were seen along the cliffs above the ravine 1km above Langtang on the 5th and over Shoepuri ridge on the 16th.

Black Eagle over Phulchowki.

Lesser Spotted Eagle - Aquila pomarina hastata C
An immature was seen near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.

Steppe Eagle - Aquila nipalensis nipalensis C
Around 10 were seen at Gokarna Safari Park on the 23rd and 5 there on the 26th and 1 was seen between Kathmandu and Godaveri on the 25th.




Juvenile Steppe Eagle at Gokarna.

Golden Eagle – Aquila chrysaetos daphanea
Second Trip
A single immature was seen above Kyanjin on the 4th.

Imperial Eagle - Aquila heliaca C
An immature and a fine adult were seen at the Gokarna Safari Park on the 23rd with the immature seen again there on the 26th and an immature was seen at the Manora River on the 23rd.


Adult Imperial Eagle at Gorkana.


Adult Imperial Eagle being mobbed by two Black-eared Kites.



Adult Imperial Eagle at Gorkana.

Bonelli’s Eagle - Hieraaetus fasciatus fasciatus C
A single individual was seen at Chandrakot on the 6th and 4 were seen at Birethanti on the 11th.
Second Trip
Superb views were obtained of a pair along the road between Trisuli and Dhunche on the 28th.

Changeable Hawk-Eagle - Spizaetus cirrhatus linnaeetus C
A single individual was seen near Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 18th.

Mountain Hawk-Eagle - Spizaetus nipalensis nipalensis C
On Phulchowki 2 were seen on the 20th and 1 was seen on the 22nd.



Distant Mountain Hawk Eagle over Phulchowki.

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus haliaetus 
A single individual was seen at Chitwan on the 19th.

Collared (Red-thighed) Falconet - Microhierax caerulescens caerulescens 
A party of 5 were watched hunting butterflies near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 18th.


Collared (Red-thighed) Falconet near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge.
As usual, they pick the very tallest tree to sit at the very top
and almost impossible for pictures.

Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus interstinctus C
Seen on ten dates in small numbers at widespread localities.
Second Trip
Singles were seen just below Sing Gompa on the 29th and above Sing Gompa on the 30th. Two were seen between Kutumsang and Chisa Pani on the 15th.

Eurasian Hobby – Falco subbuteo subbuteo
Second Trip
A single individual was watched taking dragonflies near Kutumsang on the 15th.

Peregrine - Falco peregrinus C
A single individual was seen on the hill above Birethanti on the 6th and the 12th and another was seen at Gokarna Safari Park on the 26th.

Snow Partridge – Lerwa lerwa
Second Trip
Flight views were obtained of a pair two ridges beyond Kyanjin on the 4th, 6 were seen both on the ground and in flight just below the Gosainkund lakes on the 8th and 1 was seen in flight at Phedi on the 9th.


Snow Partridge below the Gosainkund lakes.
these two pictures were taken in thick mist.

Black Francolin – Francolinus francolinus
Second Trip
A single male allowed superb views whilst calling alongside the road to Trisuli on the 28th and another individual was heard calling just before the Mineral Water Plant at Dhunche on the 29th.

Hill Partridge – Arborophila torqueola torqueola
Second Trip
DC had brief views of a female walking away in the dense scrub above Syabru on the 7th.

Blood Pheasant – Ithaginis cruentus cruentus
Second Trip
A pair were seen in the Birch Forest on the opposite side of the valley to Kyanjin on the 4th, a male was seen in the forest below Gapte on the 9th, a superb pair allowed good views to be obtained in the forest below Gapte in the vicinity of the first ridge on both the 10th and 11th, 2 males and a female were seen in the forest at Magengoth and a male was seen along the trail behind the army checkpoint on the 13th and a single male was seen in the forest above Magengoth on the 14th. Quite Superb.


Record shot of a female Blood Pheasant in the birch forest near Kyanji.

Satyr Tragopan – Tragopan satyra
Second Trip
A single male showed down to 15 yards along the first ridge in the forest below Gapte on the 10th and a female was flushed from the same area the following day and was seen to fly down the ravine. Although JFC obtained superb views of the male, DC was left disappointed as his views were largely obscured by a fallen tree. This species is listed as Near Threatened by Birdlife International (Collar et al.1994). Rather depressingly when our guide asked local villagers about the presence of this species in the area he was repeatedly told that they were common up until ten years ago, but have since been widely shot for food. In addition to this he was told that they are being snared around Thare Pati. Along with the degradation of the habitat above Syabru principally by grazing goats, sheep and cattle the future looks bleak for this species in this area and no doubt others throughout Nepal.

Himalayan Monal – Lophophorus impejanus
Second Trip
A male was seen just below Sing Gompa on the 29th, a superb male was seen at close range above Sing Gompa on the 30th and a pair were seen near the Prayer Flags above Syabru the same day, a male was seen on slopes above Ghore Tabela on the 3rd, a female was seen at the ravine 1Km beyond Langtang on the 5th, 2 males were seen on slopes surrounding Phedi on the 9th and finally 1 male was seen between Gapte and Thare Pati on the 10th. Superb.




Himalayan Monal near Sing Gompa.

Red Junglefowl - Gallus gallus murghi C
A male ran across a trail and was subsequently flushed in woodland near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.

Kalij Pheasant - Lophura leucomelanos leucomelanos C
A male was seen well in the scrub leading up Phulchowki along the track starting opposite the entrance to the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 24th.
Second Trip
DC saw a single male in a clearing in bamboo just beyond the bridge below Syabru on the 1st but unfortunately JFC only saw the bird when it was walking into cover.

Indian (Blue) Peafowl - Pavo cristatus C
Around 40 were seen just outside the Chitwan NP near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.



Peafowl just outside the Chitwan NP near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge.

Yellow-legged Buttonquail - Turnix tanki tanki C
A single individual was seen feeding in the middle of a track leading through the forest near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 16th. It quickly ran into the forest.

Brown Crake - Amaurornis akool akool C
A single individual was seen near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.

White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus phoenicurus C
A single bird was seen at the northern end of Phewa Tal on the 14th and 2 were seen at Chitwan on the 17th.

Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus chloropus C
At the northern end of Phewa Tal 3 were seen on the 14th and 4 were seen at Chitwan.

Coot - Fulica atra atra C
Around 35 were seen at the northern end of Phewa Tal on the 14th.

Ibisbill – Ibidorhyncha struthersii
Second Trip
A pair of these superb birds were enjoyed on the gravel flats above Kyanjin on the 3rd and 4th.





Ibisbill on the Ibisbill Gravel Flats above Kyanjin.

 Great Thick-knee (Stone-Plover) - Esacus recurvirostris C
A single individual was seen along the edge of the Rapti River near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th. One of the highlights of the trip.





Great Thicknee along the edge of the Rapti River, Chitwan.

Little Pratincole - Glareola lactea C
Present on the Rapti River near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge with 60 seen on the 16th but just 4 the following day.

Little Ringed Plover - Charadrius dubius C
Up to 6 were seen along the Manora River near the Kathmandu Airport on the 3rd and the 23rd and 6 were seen on the Rapti River on the 17th with 2 seen there on the 19th.

River Lapwing - Vanellus (Hoplopterus) duvaucelii C
A pair were seen along the Rapti River near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 16th and another pair were seen along another section of the river the following day.


River Lapwing near the Rapti River, Chitwan.

Grey-headed Lapwing - Vanellus cinereus C
A party of 4 were located in fields at the northern end of Phewa Tal on the 14th - they were presumably wintering there.

Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus indicus C
A single individual was seen from the bus between Mugling and Pokhara on the 4th, around 20 were seen in the northern fields at Phewa Tal on the 14th and up to 6 were seen at Chitwan on three dates.



Red-wattled Lapwing in the northern fields at Phewa Tal.

Temminck’s Stint - Calidris temminckii C
Around 12 were seen along the Manora River near Kathmandu Airport on the 3rd with 4 seen there on the 23rd and up to 10 were seen on the Rapti River on both the 16th and 17th.



Temminck's Stints at the Manora River near Kathmandu Airport. 

Wood Snipe – Gallinago nemoricola
Second Trip
Singles were flushed from the Birch Forest on the opposite side of the valley to Kyanjin on the 4th and from between the Upper and Lower Caves at Gapte on the 9th. This species is listed at Vulnerable by Birdlife International (Collar et al. 1994) who state that the loss of habitat in the wintering range is likely to be an important factor in its decline.

Pintail Snipe - Gallinago stenura C
A total of 5 were seen in the fields at the northern end of Phewa Tal on the 14th.


Pintail Snipe at the northern end of Phewa Tal.

Greenshank - Tringa nebularia nebularia C
Up to 12 were seen on the Rapti River near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on three dates.

Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus C
We saw 10 on the Rapti River and smaller streams in the area on the 17th and a single bird along the Manora River on the 23rd.

Wood Sandpiper - Tringa glareola C
We saw 3 on the Rapti River on the 17th.

Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos C
Seen on six dates being seen at the Rapti and Manora Rivers and at Phewa Tal in small numbers.

Redshank - Tringa totanus C
We saw 3 near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.

Rock Pigeon – Columba livia intermedia
Second Trip
A single bird was seen on the cliffs opposite the Landslide Lodge on the 1st.

Hill Pigeon - Columba rupestris turkestanica C
A flock of 20 were seen between Ghorepani and Ulleri on the 9th.

Snow Pigeon – Columba leuconota leuconota
Second Trip
Up to 300 were seen between Ghore Tabela and Kyanjin on the 3rd, 8 at Kyanjin on the 4th and 100 between Kyanjin and Langtang on the 5th.







Snow Pigeons in the Langtang Valley.

Woodpigeon - Columba palumbus casiotis C
Only recorded in flocks with 60 at Suiket on the 5th, 60 at Naudanda on the 6th, 250 above Birethanti on the 7th and 30 near Naudanda on the 12th.

Speckled Woodpigeon - Columba hodgsonii C
Around 15 were seen at Phulchowki on the 21st with 3 seen there on the 25th and we saw 3 at Gokarna on the 23rd.
Second Trip
A single individual was seen along the road around 5km before reaching Dhunche on the 28th, 6 were seen between Dhunche and Sing Gompa with some good perched views being obtained and finally 12 were seen between Syabru and Lama Lodge on the 1st.

Ashy Woodpigeon - Columba pulchricollis C
We saw 6 in the forests at Ghorepani on the 9th and up to 5 at Gokarna on the 23rd and 26th.

Collared Dove - Streptopelia decaocto decaocto C
A single bird was seen in Kathmandu on the 2nd and 3rd and 4 were seen on the bus ride to Pokhara on the 4th and 1 was seen whilst we were leaving Chitwan on the 19th.
Second Trip
JFC saw 2 at Kutumsang on the 14th.

Oriental Turtle Dove - Streptopelia orientalis C
Seen on eight dates at Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan with a daily maximum of 20 being seen at Godaveri on the 24th.
Second Trip
Small numbers were seen at Phulchowki, near Dhunche, near Sing Gompa, Syabru, Ghore Tabela and were seen displaying at the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th. A daily maximum of 6 was recorded on the 7th.




Oriental Turtle Dove near Syabru.

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis suratensis C
Only seen around Kathmandu and Chitwan with a daily maximum of 30 seen at Chitwan on the 17th.
Second Trip
A pair were seen at Nagarjung on the 26th, 1 was seen on the drive to Trisuli on the 28th and 1 was seen below the ravine at Phulchowki on the 17th.

Emerald Dove - Chalcophaps indica indica C
We saw just 3 in woodland not far from Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.

Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon – Treron sphenura sphenura
Second Trip
A single individual was seen in a fruiting tree in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 17th.

Alexandrine Parakeet - Psittacula eupatria nipalensis C
Seen on all four dates at Chitwan with a daily maximum of 30 seen on the 17th.

Ring-necked Parakeet - Psittacula krameri borealis C
A flock of 18 were seen at Kathmandu on the 2nd with 2 seen there the next day and up to 12 were seen daily during our stay at Chitwan.

Slaty-headed Parakeet - Psittacula himalayana C
A flock of 80 were seen at Birethanti on the 7th with 25 seen there on the 11th and 30 the next day. A flock of 25 were seen in the forest bordering the southern shore of Phewa Tal on the 15th.


Slaty-headed Parakeer at Phewa Tal.

Plum-headed (Blossom-headed) Parakeet - Psittacula cyanocephala C
Around 40 were seen at Chitwan on the 17th.


A distant Blossom-headed Parakeet at Chitwan.

Red (Rose)-breasted Parakeet - Psittacula alexandri fasciata C
Around 25 were seen at Chitwan on the 17th.



Rose-breasted Parakeet at Chitwan.

Large Hawk Cuckoo – Hierococcyx sparverioides sparveroides
Second Trip
A single individual was seen in flight with several others heard between Dhunche and Sing Gompa on the 29th with others heard in the Syabru area on both the 6th and 7th and above Kutumsang on the 14th with 1 seen and others heard between Kutumsang and Chisa Pani on the 15th and 1 seen well whilst calling on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.

Eurasian Cuckoo – Cuculus canorus bakeri
Second Trip
Heard daily apart from between the 2nd and the 6th and on the 8th when at high altitudes. Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 3 seen between Dhunche and Sing Gompa on the 29th.

Oriental Cuckoo – Cuculus saturatus saturatus
Second Trip
Heard on 11 dates being absent in the same areas as the previous species but also not heard between the 10 and 13th. Calling birds were seen well at Phulchowki on the 27th and just after leaving Kutumsang on the 15th.

Lesser Cuckoo – Cuculus poliocephalus
Second Trip
Singles were seen just above Lama Lodge on the 2nd and above Syabru on the 7th and a calling bird (the first we heard) was seen above Kutumsang on the 14th.

Asian Koel – Eudynamys scolopacea scolopacea
Second Trip
A single bird was seen at Nagarjung on the 26th with others heard in the area, heard near Syabru on the 1st and at the Monkey Temple in Kathmandu on the 17th.

Green-billed Malkoha - Phaenicophaeus tristis tristis C
A single individual was seen in the Churia Hills at Chitwan on the 18th.

Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis sinensis C
A single individual was seen at Chitwan on the 16th and 17th.

Brown Fish Owl - Ketupa zeylonensis C
A single individual was seen at the edge of the forest bordering the southern edge of Phewa Tal on the 13th and on another visit on the 15th we found 2 roosting together there.






Brown Fish Owls on the edge of the forest at Phewa Tal.


JFC photographing the Brown Fish Owls at Phewa Tal.

 Brown Wood Owl – Strix leptogrammica newarensis
Second Trip
A single individual perched on a low branch around half an hours walk down from the summit of Phulchowki was an early highlight of the trip on the 27th.

Jungle Owlet - Glaucidium radiatum radiatum C
Singles were seen at Chandrakot and Birethanti on the 6th and 2 were seen at Chitwan on the 17th.





Jungle Owlet at  Chandrakot.

Asian Barred Owlet - Glaucidium cuculoides austerum C
Singles were seen in the forest to the south of Phewa Tal on four dates and on Phulchowki on the 20th.



Asian Barred Owlet at Phewa Tal.

Spotted Owlet – Athene brama indica
Second Trip
A single individual was seen perched in a solitary tree behind the bus stop at Sundarijal on the 16th.

Jungle Nightjar - Caprimulgus indicus hazarae C
Around 10 appeared at dusk over the river just downriver from the main bridge at Birethanti enlivening the potato curry that evening.

Nightjar Sp. – Caprimulgus sp.
Second Trip
A single bird was seen briefly at dusk at the entrance gate to Nagarjung on the 26th.

Himalayan Swiftlet - Collocalia brevirostris brevirostris C
A single individual was seen at Kathmandu on the 2nd but they proved common at Pokhara and Chitwan with a daily maximum of c.2,000 seen feeding low over Phewa Tal on the 14th.
Second Trip
Seen on twelve dates in fair numbers although apart for 2 seen on the 5th, not recorded from the 3rd to the 10th. A daily maximum of at least 250 were seen feeding low over the forest between Gapte and Thare Pati on the 12th.


Himalayan Swiftlet  - 2,000 were seen feeding over Phewa Tal lake.

White-throated Needletail - Hirundapus caudacutus nudipes C
At Birethanti 3 joined the Jungle Nightjars over the river on the 11th. Superb. Only the second winter record for Nepal.
Second Trip
Two were seen at close range over the first ridge below Magengoth on the 14th. Superb.

Alpine Swift - Apus melba nubifuga C
Singles were seen at Lakeside on the 13th and over the forest at the southern edge of Phewa Tal on the 15th.

Fork-tailed Swift – Apus pacificus leuconyx
Second Trip
A flock of around 25 were seen feeding low over the fields at Syabru on the 1st and 2 were seen feeding over Thare Pati on the 12th.

House Swift - Apus nipalensis nipalensis C
We saw 2 near Suiket on the 5th and around 40 over Lakeside on the 13th.
Second Trip
A flock of around 20 were seen over the town of Trisuli on the 28th, 1 was seen around the cliffs opposite Landslide Lodge on the 6th, up to 60 were seen over Kutumsang on the 14th with 6 there the next morning and around 30 were seen at Kathmandu on the 17th.

Crested Tree Swift - Hemiprocne coronata C
Up to 200 were seen on the three dates spent at Chitwan.

Red-headed Trogon - Harpactes erythrocephalus erythrocephalus C
A pair were seen on the walk up to the Churia Hills in Chitwan on the 18th.

White-breasted (Smyrna) Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis fusca C
Seen on thirteen dates being seen at Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan with a maximum of 8 being seen on the 17th.
Second Trip
A single bird was seen perched on telegraph wires on the drive to Trisuli on the 28th.


Smyrna Kingfisher near Kathmandu.

Stork-billed Kingfisher - Pelargopsis capensis capensis C
A single individual was seen along a stream close to Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.

Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis bengalensis C
Seen at Phewa Tal, along the trek and at Chitwan being recorded on six dates with a daily maximum of 4 seen on the 17th.

European Kingfisher seen near Birethanti.

Pied Kingfisher - Ceryle rudis leucomelanura C
A single individual was seen at Phewa Tal on the 4th and up to 4 were seen at Chitwan.

Crested Kingfisher - Ceryle lugubris continentalis C
A pair were seen at Birethanti on both the 6th and the 11th and 5 were seen between Birethanti and Tirkedhungha on the 7th.

Blue-bearded Bee-eater - Nyctyornis athertoni athertoni C
A single individual was seen feeding at beehives at Gokarna on the 23rd.





Blue-bearded Bee-eater at the at Gokarna Safari Park.

Green Bee-eater - Merops orientalis orientalis C
Around 12 were seen near Chitwan Jungle Lodge on an Elephant ride on the 17th.




Green Bee-eater near Chitwan Jungle Lodge on an Elephant ride.

Chestnut-headed Bee-Eater – Merops leschenaulti
Second Trip
JFC saw 2 on the drive to Trisuli on the 28th.

Indian Roller - Coracias benghalensis benghalensis C
Seen on five dates but only around Pokhara or from the bus between Pokhara and Kathmandu with a maximum of 7 seen on the 4th.


Distant Indian Roller near Pokhara.

Hoopoe - Upupa epops C
Singles were seen along the Manora River near the Kathmandu Airport on the 3rd and at Chitwan on the 17th.

Hoopoe at the Manora River, Kathmandu.

Great Hornbill - Buceros bicornis C
A party of 3 were seen on the Elephant ride near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.




Giant Hornbills taken on top of an Elephant at Chitwan.

Great Barbet - Megalaima virens C
Seen on eight dates being recorded at Naudanda, Ulleri, Pokhara, Phulchowki and Gokarna with a daily maximum of 5 seen at the last site on the 23rd.
Second Trip
A single individual was seen around 5km before reaching Dhunche on the 28th.



Great Barbet near Naudanda.

Lineated Barbet - Megalaima lineata hodgsoni C
Around 12 were seen on the walk to the Churia Hills at Chitwan on the 18th.

Golden-throated Barbet - Megalaima franklinii franklinii C
We saw 2 between Ghorepani and Ulleri on the 10th.

Blue-throated Barbet - Megalaima asiatica asiatica C
Seen at the Pashupatinath Temple Groves, the forest bordering the southern edge of Phewa Tal, Chitwan and Phulchowki with a daily maximum of 5 being seen on the 15th.


Blue-throated Barbet at Phewa Tal.

Yellow-rumped (Himalayan) Honeyguide - Indicator xanthonotus xanthonotus C
Singles were seen in the ravine leading northwards reached after crossing the second bridge just beyond Tirkedhungha and in the forest just north of Birethanti on the 11th. This species is listed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).

Speckled Piculet - Picumnus innominatus innominatus C
A party of 4 were seen near the entrance to the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 20th and a single individual was seen at Gokarna on the 26th.

Rufous-bellied Woodpecker – Dendrocopos hyperythrus hyperythrus
Second Trip
Singles allowed superb views on the upper slopes of Phulchowki on the 27th and in the forest just below the Prayer Flags above Syabru on the 30th. This latter individual was watched for around half an hour as it visited its small holes to take sap.


Rufous-bellied Woodpecker above Syabru.

Darjeeling Woodpecker – Dendrocopos   darjellensis
Second Trip
A single individual was seen just before we left the forest and entered the clearing at Ghore Tabela on the 2nd.

Crimson-breasted Pied Woodpecker – Dendrocopos cathpharius cathpharius
Second Trip
A pair were seen in roadside forest around 5km short of Dhunche on the 28th.

Lesser Yellow-naped Woodpecker - Picus chlorolophus C
A single was seen in the forest at Phewa Tal on the 15th, up to 2 were seen at Chitwan on two dates and 2 were seen at Phulchowki on the 20th.

Greater Yellow-naped Woodpecker - Picus flavinucha flavinucha C
We saw 2 in the forest at the southern edge of Phewa Tal on the 15th and 1 on Phulchowki on the 22nd.


Greater Yellow-naped Woodpecker in the \Phewa Tal forest.

Scaly-bellied Woodpecker – Picus squamatus squamatus
Second Trip
A single individual was seen at close range in the few trees just above the lodge situated just below the forest above Syabru on the 1st and 2 were seen in the scattered large trees fringing the lower edge of the forest above Syabru on the 7th.

Grey-faced(headed) Woodpecker - Picus canus C
Seen on a total of five dates being seen at Pokhara, Chitwan and Phulchowki with a daily maximum of 4 seen in forest at Pokhara on the 13th.
Second Trip
A superb male was seen on the upper slopes of Phulchowki on the 27th.

Himalayan Golden-backed Woodpecker - Dinopium shorii shorii C
We saw 3 at Chitwan on the 16th and another 3 there the following day.


Golden-backed Woodpecker at Chitwan.

Bay Woodpecker - Blythipicus pyrrhotis pyrrhotis C
A single individual was seen at the entrance to the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 21st.

Crimson-breasted Pied Woodpecker - Dendrocopos cathpharius cathpharius C
A single individual was seen in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 25th.

Fulvous-breasted Pied Woodpecker - Dendrocopos macei macei C
Seen on six dates in the Kathmandu and Pokhara areas with a maximum of 2 seen at Gokarna on the 23rd.

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker - Dendrocopos canicapillus mitchelli C
A single individual was seen just north of Birethanti on the 11th and up to 4 were seen at Chitwan on three dates.

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker at Chitwan.
Long-tailed Broadbill - Psarisomus dalhousiae
JFC saw a single individual in a mixed species flock in the forests bordering the southern shore of Phewa Tal on the 15th.

Rufous-winged (Bengal) Bush Lark - Mirafra assamica assamica C
Just 2 seen at Chitwan on the 17th.

Greater Short-toed Lark - Calandrella brachydactyla dukhunensis C
A flock of 40 were seen along the Manora River near Kathmandu Airport on the 3rd and 12 were seen in the same area on the 23rd.

Sand Lark - Calandrella raytal raytal C
Around 8 were seen on sandbanks in the Rapti River at Chitwan on the 17th.

Oriental Skylark - Alauda gulgula C
A flock of 70 were located in fields bordering the Manora River near Kathmandu Airport on the 23rd.

Plain (Brown-throated Sand) Martin - Riparia paludicola chinensis C
Seen on thirteen dates being seen at the Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan sites with a daily maximum of 30 seen at Chitwan on the 17th.

Crag Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris rupestris C
Seen on five dates at Pokhara or along the trek with a daily maximum of 15 seen between Birethanti and Ulleri on the 7th.

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica rustica C
Seen on sixteen dates being common in most areas although it was not seen along the trek to the north of Birethanti.
Second Trip
Up to 10 were seen flying along the streets of Kathmandu on five dates and 2 were seen at Chisa Pani on the 15th.

Red-rumped Swallow - Hirundo daurica nipalensis C
Seen on seven dates around Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan with a daily maximum of 30 seen at the last site on the 17th.
Second Trip
Around 15 were seen along the road between Kathmandu and Dhunche on the 28th, 2 were seen at Kutumsang on the 14th, around 20 were seen at Chisa Pani on the 15th and 4 there the following morning.

Nepal House Martin - Delichon nipalensis nipalensis C
Seen on ten dates at Pokhara and along the trek with a daily maximum of 1,000 seen feeding low over Phewa Tal on the 14th.
Second Trip
A flock of around 50 were seen between Dhunche and Sing Gompa on the 29th, a feeding flock of around 30 were seen in the vicinity of the bridge below Syabru on the 1st and 8 were seen between Lama Lodge and Ghore Tabela on the 2nd.

Asian House Martin - Delichon dasypus cashmiriensis C
At least 2 accompanied Nepal House Martins over Lakeside on the 13th.
Second Trip
Around 30 were seen near Syabru on the 1st and a single bird was seen at the Upper Gapte Cave on the 11th.

Paddyfield (Oriental) Pipit - Anthus rufulus rufulus C
Seen on seven dates around Kathmandu and Pokhara with a maximum of 40 in the fields to the north of Phewa Tal on the 14th.





Paddyfield Pipits.
Olive-backed Pipit - Anthus hodgsoni C
Seen on eighteen dates proving common in most areas visited with a daily maximum of 100 seen at Chitwan on the 17th.
Second Trip
Seen on eight dates during the trek at scattered locations although not recorded from the 8th to the 13th. A daily maximum of 10 was recorded on the 1st, a bird was seen carrying nest material on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.





Olive-backed Pipits.

Rosy Pipit - Anthus roseatus C
A single individual was seen in fields bordering the Manora River near Kathmandu Airport on the 23rd.
Second Trip
Generally only seen at higher altitudes with 3 around Sing Gompa on the 29th, 40 seen between Ghore Tabela and Kyanjin on the 3rd, 12 around Kyanjin on the 4th and 6 seen on the walk back to Ghore Tabela on the 5th, 10 seen at the Gosainkund Lakes on the 8th and finally up to 6 seen around Thare Pati on two dates.

Rosy Pipit fields bordering the Manora River near 
Kathmandu Airport .



Rosy Pipit near Kyanjin.



RosyPipit near Thare Pati.

Water Pipit - Anthus spinoletta C
We saw 5 along the Manora River on the 3rd with around 50 seen there on the 23rd, 20 were seen at Lakeside on the 13th and around 10 were seen in fields to the north of Phewa Tal the next day and finally 6 were seen at Chitwan on the 17th.

Upland Pipit - Anthus sylvanus C
A single individual was seen near Lumle along the trek on the 6th.




Upland Pipit near Lumle our only sighting during our two trips.

 Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava C
A single individual was seen at Chitwan on the 17th.

Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea cinerea C
Seen on thirteen dates proving widespread if not common in most areas.
Second Trip
Around 6 seen along the river between Dunche and Sing Gompa on the 29th with smaller numbers seen daily from the 3rd to the 7th and finally 1 was seen on the lower slopes of Pulchowki on the 17th.

Pied/Black-backed Wagtail - Motacilla alba/lugens C
Seen on fourteen dates proving common in most areas. Unfortunately we didn’t racially identify the individuals seen, not anticipating the Black-backed Wagtail being elevated to species status by Clements (2000).
Second Trip
Only seen on the gravel flats above Kyanjin where 5 were seen on the 3rd and 2 the next day. Appeared to belong to the race M.a.alboides which has been elevated to full species status by Clements (2000).



Pied/Black-backed Wagtail near Kathmandu.

Large Pied Wagtail - Motacilla maderaspatensis C
A few were seen poorly from the bus between Mugling and Kathmandu on the 19th but good views were obtained at Gokarna where up to 4 graced the lawns being seen on both our visits there.




Large Pied Wagtail at Gokarna.

Common Woodshrike - Tephrodornis pondicerianus C
A single individual was seen in woodland not far from Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.




Common Woodshrike near Chitwan Jungle Lodge.

Large Woodshrike - Tephrodornis gularis pelvicus C
A flock of around 15 were seen on the walk back from the Churia Hills at Chitwan on the 18th.



Large Woodshrikes at the Churia Hills at Chitwan.

Bar-winged (Pied) Flycatcher-shrike - Hemipus picatus capitalis C
Seen at Chitwan where 6 were seen on the 17th, 8 on the 18th and 22 on the 19th.

Large Cuckoo-shrike - Coracina macei nipalensis C
A single individual was seen in the forests bordering the southern edge of Phewa Tal on the 15th.

Black-winged Cuckoo-Shrike – Coracina melaschistos melaschistos
Second Trip
Around 4 were seen at the start of the trek not far from Dhunche on the 29th and 1 was seen above Syabru on the 7th.

Scarlet Minivet - Pericrocotus flammeus speciosus C
Recorded on seven dates being seen around Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan although not on the trek. A daily maximum of 15 were seen in the forests bordering the southern edge of Phewa Tal on the 15th.
Second Trip
Surprisingly, only 3 were seen at the start of the trek not far from Dhunche on the 29th.

Short-billed Minivet – Pericrocotus brevirostris brevirostris
Second Trip
A pair were seen not far from Dhunche on the 29th and a single male was seen near Syabru on the 1st.


Male Short-billed Minivet.

Long-tailed Minivet - Pericrocotus ethologus favillaceus C
Seen on the trek on four dates with a daily maximum of 8 seen in the Birethanti area on both the 11th and 12th.
Second Trip
Around 8 were seen on Phulchowki on the 27th and 1 was seen on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.



Male Long-tailed Minivet.


Female Long-tailed Minivet on Phulchowki.

Small Minivet - Pericrocotus cinnamomeus C
A flock of around 10 were seen at Chitwan on the walk up to the Churia Hills on the 18th.

Striated Bulbul - Pycnonotus striatus striatus C
A flock of around 35 were seen near the entrance of the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 25th.
Second Trip
Pairs were seen near the huts on Phulchowki on the 27th and along the stretch of road before reaching Dunche on the 28th.


Striated Bulbul on Phulchowki.

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus pyrrhotis C
Around 10 were seen at Chitwan on the 17th.

White-cheeked Bulbul - Pycnonotus leucogenys  leucogenys C
Seen on twenty dates proving very common in most areas.
Second Trip
At least 3 were seen on the drive to Trisuli on the 28th, around 8 were seen around Dhunche on the 29th, 1 was seen at Syabru on the 6th, 1 was seen on the 15th and around 4 were seen at Kathmandu on the 17th.

White-cheeked Bulbul near Kathmandu.

Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer bengalensis C
Seen on seventeen dates proving fairly common although not seen along on the trek
Second Trip
About 20 were seen on the drive to Dhunche on the 28th, and 2 were seen at Kathmandu on the 16th and 17th.

Red-vented Bulbul at Pokhara.

Mountain (Rufous-bellied) Bulbul - Hypsipetes mcclellandii mcclellandii C
Around 7 were seen in the ravine to the north of Tirkedhungha on the 11th and up to 12 were seen on five dates whilst at Phulchowki.
Second Trip
A party of 4 were seen at Nagarjung on the 26th and 2 were seen between Dhunche and Sing Gompa on the 29th.

Black Bulbul - Hypsipetes leucocephalus psaroides C
Seen on thirteen dates proving common in forest around Kathmandu, Pokhara and along the trek with a daily maximum of 60 seen between Ghorepani and Tirkedhungha on the 10th.
Second Trip
A single bird was seen at Nagarjung on the 26th, up to 5 were seen near Dhunche on two days, 2 were seen near Syabru on the 1st and 2 were seen on the 15th.

Common Iora - Aegithina tiphia tiphia C
Up to 8 were seen on three dates at Chitwan and 1 was seen on both trips to Gokarna.

Golden-fronted Leafbird - Chloropsis aurifrons aurifrons C
At Chitwan 1 was seen on the 17th and 2 the following day.

Orange-bellied Leafbird - Chloropsis hardwickii hardwickii C
We saw 3 in a fruiting tree in the forests at the southern edge of Phewa Tal on the 15th.
Second Trip
A single male was seen in a fruiting tree on the lower slopes of Phulchowki on the 17th.

Brown Dipper - Cinclus pallasii tenuirostris C
Seen on six dates whilst on the trek with a daily maximum of 10 seen between Tirkedhungha and Birethanti on the 11th.
Second Trip
A single individual was seen between Dhunche and Sing Gompa on the 29th, 3 were seen between Lama Hotel and Ghore Tabela on the 2nd with the same number in the same area on the walk back on the 5th and surprisingly 1 was seen around the small reservoir on the Sheopuri ridge on the 16th.


Brown Dipper.

Northern Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes nipalensis C
A single individual was seen at Ghorepani on both the 9th and 10th.
Second Trip
Around Kyanjin, 2 were seen on the 4th and 1 on the 5th and around Phedi, 2 were seen on the 8th and 1 on the 9th.

Rufous-breasted Accentor - Prunella strophiata strophiata C
A single individual was seen just above Ulleri on the 9th.
Second Trip
A single bird was seen on the upper slopes of Phulchowki on the 27th, and up to 10 were seen daily between the 3rd and 13th with the exception of the 6th and 7th.




Rufous-breasted Accentor near Kyanjin.



Rufous-breasted Accentor near the Lama Lodge.

Altai Accentor - Prunella himalayana C
A flock of around 30 were seen just above Ulleri on the 9th.
Second Trip
A pair were seen along the banks of the first river trail crosses above Kyanjin on the 3rd and 1 was seen the next day around the old ruined houses next to the gravel flats.




Altai Accentor above Kyanjin.

Alpine Accentor – Prunella collaris nipalensis
Second Trip
Around 20 were seen in the vicinity of Gosainkund on the 8th with some extremely tame individuals being seen.


Alpine Accentors taken in misty conditions at the frozen Gosainkund  lake

.Gould’s Shortwing – Brachypteryx stellata stellata
Second Trip
A stunning singing male was seen at the last boulder strewn moraine before reaching Thare Pati on the 12th. We feared we may be too early for this altitudinal migrant so it put us on a high to see one, let alone obtain such good views. Our thanks go to Craig Robson for giving us the break we needed with this species. This species is listed as Near Threatened by Birdlife International (Collar et.al. 1994).

White-browed Shortwing - Brachypteryx montana cruralis C
A single male was seen in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 21st.

Siberian Rubythroat - Luscinia calliope C
We saw 1 to the north and 3 to the south of Birethanti on the 11th and logged 9 over three dates in the forests bordering the southern edge of Phewa Tal including a full plumaged male (on the 13th). Finally we saw 1 near the temple opposite the entrance to the Godaveri Botanical Gardens.



Record shots of a Female Siberian Rubythroat near Birethanti.
Bluethroat - Luscinia svecica C
A single individual was seen near the bridge to the south of Phewa Tal on the 13th.

Himalayan Rubythroat - Luscinia pectoralis C
A male was seen along the edge of a river near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 19th and another male was seen near the temple opposite the entrance to the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 24th. Superb.
Second Trip
A superb male allowed good views to be obtained in the ravine around 1km above Langtang on the 5th.



Male Himalayan Rubythroat at the Godaveri Botanical Gardens.

Indian Blue Robin – Luscinia brunnea brunnea
Second Trip
A superb species which proved much commoner than expected with fine views often obtained of singing males perched high on dead trees etc. Recorded as follows: 3 on the upper slopes of Phulchowki on the 27th, 25 between Dhunche and Sing Gompa on the 29th, 5 seen around Sing Gompa on the 30th, 1 seen near Syabru on the 1st, 1 seen near Sayabru on the 6th and 7th, 1 seen near Kutumsang on the 15th and finally 1 seen on Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th with others heard on the 2nd, 3rd and 5th.





Indian Blue Robins .

Red-flanked Bluetail - Tarsiger cyanurus rufilatus C
Proved to be common in forest areas with over 60 logged during the trip. Seen on the trek, around Pokhara, at Phulchowki and at Gokarna with a daily maximum of 12 seen in the forests at Ghorepani on the 10th.
Second Trip
Seen on six dates with 8 seen in the vicinity of Sing Gompa on the 30th, 1 on the 1st, up to 5 seen between Ghore Tabela and Kyanjin both times we walked this stretch, around 4 seen in the birch forest on the opposite side of the valley to Kyanjin and 4 seen above Syabru on the 7th. Several obliging males were enjoyed.






Adult female and male Red-flanked Bluetails in the forests
near Gokarna.



.

Adult female Red-flanked Bluetail carrying nest materials
in the forest near Syabru 

Golden Bush-Robin - Tarsiger chrysaeus chrysaeus C
A female was seen in the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 20th and around 4 were seen (including some immature males) in the scrub along the trail starting opposite the entrance to the Godaveri Botanical Gardens leading up Phulchowki on the 24th.
Second Trip
Around 6 were seen above Sing Gompa walking towards Gosainkund on the 30th, 1 was seen above Ghore Tabela on the 3rd and up to 10 were seen daily from the 8th to the 13th with some superbly obliging males being present around Gapte.



Female Golden Bush-Robin at Sing Gompa.



Male Golden Bush-Robin near Gapte.

White-browed Bush-Robin – Tarsiger indicus indicus
Second Trip
A pair were seen on the walk from Phedi to Gapte as well as a male in the forest below Gapte on the 9th, a female was seen in the forest below Gapte on the 10th, a male was seen outside the checkpoint at Magengoth on the 13th and finally an obliging male was seen climbing the first slope having left Magengoth on the 14th.


 A stunning male White-browed Bush-Robin at Magengoth.

Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin – Tarsiger hyperthrus
Second Trip
Another superb species with 2 superbly obliging males seen between Phedi and Gapte on the 9th and another obliging male seen near the Upper Gapte Cave several times on the 11th. This species is listed as Near Threatened by Birdlife International (Collar et.al. 1994).



Male Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin near Gapte Cave.

Asian Magpie Robin - Copsychus saularis saularis C
Seen on seventeen dates proving common in most areas although not recorded to the north of Birethanti. A maximum of 20 were seen around Pokhara on the 14th.
Second Trip
A single bird was seen at Nagarjung on the 26th, 4 were seen on the drive to Dhunche on the 28th, 3 were seen between Chisa Pani and Kathmandu on the 16th and 1 was seen on the lower slopes of Phulchowki on the 17th.


Asian Magpie Robin at Phewa Tal.

White-rumped Shama - Copsychus malabaricus indicus C
An immature was seen at Chitwan on the 17th and an adult was seen there the next day.

Blue-capped Redstart - Phoenicurus caeruleocephalus C
Along the trek 2 were present near Lumle on the 6th and 1 was seen there on the 12th, 1 was seen near Ulleri on the 10th. A single individual was seen at the forest at the southern edge of Phewa Tal on the 15th.

Record shot of a male Blue-capped Redstart near Ulleri.

Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros rufiventris C
Seen on seven dates along the trek, around Pokhara and on Phulchowki with a daily maximum of 6 seen at the last site on the 20th.
Second Trip
A single male was seen near the summit of Phulchowki on the 27th. Presumably a migrant.

Hodgson’s Redstart - Phoenicurus hodgsoni C
Only seen in or around the Godaveri Botanical Gardens where 4 were seen on the 20th and 3 on the 24th.

Male Hodgson's Redstart near the Godaveri Botanical Gardens.

Blue-fronted Redstart - Phoenicurus frontalis C
Seen on ten dates being recorded along the trek, on Phulchowki and at Gokarna with a daily maximum of 30 seen between Ghorepani and Tirkedhungha on the 10th.
Second Trip
Up to 8 were seen daily on ten dates between the 30th April and the 14th May.



Male and female Blue-fronted Redstarts 
between Ghorepani and Tirkedhungha.



Adult Male Blue-fronted Redstart.

Plumbeous Redstart - Rhyacornis fuliginosus fuliginosus C
Seen on fifteen dates proving to be a common bird along rivers although absent at Chitwan. A daily maximum of 30 were seen between Tirkedhungha and Birethanti on the 11th.
Second Trip
Only seen on seven dates on the drive to Dhunche , on the walk to Sing Gompa, between Syabru and Ghore Tabela and on the Sheopuri Ridge with a daily maximum of 5 seen on both the 1st and 2nd.




Plumbeous Redstart.

Grandala – Grandala coelicolor
Second Trip
This superb species was only seen on the 8th with a pair before reaching Gosainkund, around 15 feeding on an outbreak of insects on the around the edges of the frozen Gosainkund lake and a loose flock of around 25 being seen between Laurebina Pass and Phedi.






 Male Grandala at the frozen Gosainkund lake



Female Grandala at the frozen Gosainkund lake.

Stonechat - Saxicola torquata C
Seen on eighteen dates proving common at most sites visited.
Second Trip
On the drive to Dhunche, 2 were seen on the 28th, 1 was seen in Dhunche on the 29th, 2 were seen at Syabru on the 1st and again on the 6th.



Male Stonechat along the Bagmati Rivers.


Male Stonechat at Syabru

Pied Bushchat - Saxicola caprata bicolor C
Seen on nine dates with a few being seen in most areas except on the trek where it was absent. A daily maximum of 6 was recorded at Pokhara on the 15th.
Second Trip
Around 10 were seen on the drive to Dhunche on the 28th.


Male Pied Bushchat along the Bagmati Rivers.

Dark-grey Bushchat - Saxicola ferrea C
Seen on seven dates being seen along the trek and in the scrub along the track starting opposite the Godaveri Botanical Gardens with a daily maximum of 4 seen between Tirkedhungha and Birethanti on the 11th.
Second Trip
Seen in fair numbers on thirteen dates although not from the 8th to the 13th with a daily maximum of 10 recorded on the 29th and 7th.







Male Dark-grey Bushchats.


Female Dark-grey Bushchat.

White-capped Riverchat - Chaimarrornis leucocephalus C
Seen on thirteen dates along most rivers except from at Chitwan. A daily maximum of 8 was recorded between Birethanti and Ulleri on the 7th.
Second Trip
Seen on eleven dates between the 29th and the 11th with a daily maximum of 8 seen on the 2nd.





White-capped Riverchat.
Blue-capped Rock Thrush – Monticola cinclorhyncha
Second Trip
A superb male was seen at Dhjunche on the 29th singing from the telegraph wires and roofs.

Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush - Monticola rufiventris C
A single male was seen near Lumle on the 12th.

Blue Rock-Thrush - Monticola solitarius pandoo C
A single individual was seen near the Tibetan Refugee Camp on the 5th and another was seen near Birethanti on the 11th.


Adult male Blue Rock Thrush near the Tibetan Refugee Camp.

Blue Whistling Thrush - Myiophoneus caeruleus temminckii C
Seen in most areas visited on a total of eighteen dates with a maximum of 10 seen between Tirkedhungha and Birethanti on the 11th.
Second Trip
Seen on 16 dates being very widespread, with a daily maximum of 20 on the 1st.



Blue Whistling Thrush.

Plain-backed Mountain Thrush - Zoothera mollissima mollissima C
Only seen around Ulleri where 2 were seen in fields above the village on the 9th with 1 seen there again the next day and another being seen just below Ulleri.
Second Trip
A single individual was seen between Bamboo Lodge and Lama Lodge on the 1st, 2 were seen before reaching Gosainkund on the 8th, 1 was seen in the forest below Gapte on the 9th, 1 was seen carrying nest material in the forest before reaching Thare Pati on the 10th and 1 was seen in the forest below Gapte on the 11th.




Plain-backed Mountain Thrush at  Ulleri.


Plain-backed Mountain Thrush near the Lama Lodge.

Long-tailed Mountain Thrush - Zoothera dixoni C
A single individual was seen just south of Birethanti on the 12th and singles were seen in the forest bordering the southern shore of Phewa Tal on the 13th and 15th.
Second Trip
An obliging individual was seen adjacent to the trail leading through the good rhododendron forest just below Sing Gompa heading towards Syabru on the 30th.

Scaly (White’s) Thrush - Zoothera dauma dauma C
In the forest bordering the southern shore of Phewa Tal 3 were seen on the 13th and 2 were seen there on the 15th and at Gokarna 7 were seen on the 23rd and 2 were seen there on the 26th.
Second Trip
On the upper slopes of Phulchowki, 2 allowed superb views to be obtained along a trail leading away from the road on the 27th.





White's Thrush in Phewa Tal forest.

Long-billed Thrush - Zoothera monticola monticola C
A single individual was seen in a small ravine between Hille and Tirkedhungha on the 7th. Another was seen briefly in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 25th. This species is listed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).
Second Trip
This outrageous species was encountered around 30 yards beyond the bridge below Syabru on both the 1st and 6th with some fine views being obtained.





Long-billed Thrush between Hille and Tirkedhungha.

Pied Ground Thrush – Zoothera wardii
Second Trip
A stunning male was watched for a quarter of an hour virtually at our feet at the first small ravine having past the mineral water plant at Dhunche on the 29th, proving to be an early hjighlight of the trek. This species is listed as Near Threatened by Birdlife International (Collar et al. 1994).




Pied Ground Thrush at Dhunche.

Orange-headed Ground Thrush – Zoothera citrina citrina
Second Trip
A stunning individual was watched at close range on a scrub covered hillside between Kutumsand and Chisa Pani on the 15th. Having showed well for several minutes it then flew off strongly down the hillside for a considerable distance. Both its chosen habitat and its behaviour leads us to think that it must have been a migrant.

Tickell’s Thrush - Turdus unicolor C
A single male was seen near the Tibetan Refugee Camp on the 5th.
Second Trip
A single individual was seen around 5km short of Dhunche on the 28th, 2 were seen between Dhunche and Sing Gompa on the 29th and an obliging individual was seen on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.

White-collared Blackbird - Turdus albocinctus C
On Phulchowki 1 was seen between the ravine and the huts half-way up on the 21st with 4 seen there the next day and 1 was seen in the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 24th.
Second Trip
A loose party of about 20 presumed migrants were seen in the rhododendron forest below Sing Gompa heading towards Syabru on the 30th with 1 being seen in the forest above Syabru on the 1st and then small numbers were seen daily between the 9th and the 14th with a bird carrying nesting material seen on the 11th and a daily maximum of 3 being seen in this period on the 13th.



Male White-collared Blackbird near Syabru.

Grey-winged Blackbird - Turdus boulboul C
We saw 4 in the forests to the south of Phewa Tal on the 15th and up to 6 in the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on both the 20th and 24th.
Second Trip
A single male was seen on the walk to Sing Gompa on the 29th.



Grey-winged Blackbird in the Godaveri Botanical Gardens.

 Dark-throated Thrush- Turdus ruficollis atrogularis / ruficollis C
Seen on ten dates with a few being seen at most areas visited. A flock of 80 seen flying south over Naudanda on the 6th proved the largest gathering. A single ‘Red-throated’ form was seen at Gokarna on the 23rd.


Dark-throated Thrush.

Red-throated Thrush – Turdus ruficollis ruficollis
Second Trip
A pair including a full plumaged male were seen near the Prayer Flags above Syabru on the 30th.


A distant male Red-throated Thrush.

Little Forktail - Enicurus scouleri scouleri C
Seen on four dates along the trek with 1 seen near Phedi on the 5th, 3 at Birethanti on the 6th, 2 between Birethanti and Tirkedhungha on the 7th and 3 seen along the same stretch on the 11th.
Second Trip
A pair were seen around 5km short of Dhunche on the 28th and a single individual was seen near Bamboo Lodge on the 6th. 





Little Forktail at Birethanti river.

Black-backed Forktail - Enicurus immaculatus C
We saw 3 on the stream in the Churia Hills, Chitwan on the 18th.




 A distant Black-backed Forktail in the Churia Hills, Chitwan.

Slaty-backed Forktail - Enicurus schistaceus C
A single individual was seen at Birethanti on the 6th with 3 seen beyond Birethanti but before Tirkedhungha on the 7th and 1 along the same stretch on the 11th.





Slaty-backed Forktails between Birethanti and Tirkedhungha.

Spotted Forktail - Enicurus maculatus maculatus C
Seen on eight dates with a total of 18 logged being seen at Phedi, Birethanti, Phulchowki and in the Godaveri Botanical Gardens. A daily maximum of 6 was seen between Tirkedhungha and Birethanti on the 11th.
Second Trip
Singles were seen just above Ghore Tabela on the 3rd and just below Landslide Lodge on the 6th.





Spotted Forktail at Birethanti.


Spotted Forktail between Birethanti and Tirkedhungha.

Chestnut-headed Tesia - Tesia castaneocoronata castaneocoronata C
Seen at the ravine at the base of Phulchowki where 1 was seen on the 20th, 2 on the 22nd and 6 on the 25th. A single individual was seen along the track starting opposite the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 24th. Proved far less skulking than expected often seen hopping around on moss-covered rocks. Stunning.
Second Trip
This superb species was only seen on three dates with singles on the upper slopes of Phulchowki on the 27th, around 5km short of Dhunche on the 28th and just below Lama Lodge on the 5th with superb views obtained of all three. Superb.

Grey-bellied Tesia - Tesia cyaniventer C
A single individual was seen in a dark ravine at Gokarna on the 23rd with 2 being seen at the same site on the 26th. More skulking than the previous species although continually vocalising.

Aberrant Bush Warbler – Cettia flavolivacea flavolivacea
Second Trip
A single bird was seen just above the huts on Phulchowki on the 27th, another single bird was seen above Sing Gompa on the 30th, around 4 were seen between Phedi and Gapte on the 9th and 2 were seen near the Upper Gapte Cave on the 11th.

Rufous-capped (Grey-sided) Bush Warbler - Cettia brunnifrons brunnifrons C
A single individual was pished into view in scrub along the track starting opposite the entrance to the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 24th.
Second Trip
A single individual was seen above Sing Gompa on the 30th and the species was seen daily between the 9th and the 14th with a daily maximum of 20 recorded between Phedi and Gapte on the 9th.


Rufous-capped (Grey-sided) Bush Warbler.

Brown Hill (Striated) Prinia - Prinia criniger criniger C
A single individual was pished into view in scrub along the track starting opposite the entrance to the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 24th.
Second Trip
Only seen in the fields at Syabru where 2 were seen on the 1st and 1 on the 6th.

Plain Prinia - Prinia inornata C
A party of around 40 were seen at Chitwan on the 16th. Other species of Prinia were seen but were left unidentified.

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius patia C
Seen on ten dates proving widespread if not common.
Second Trip
A single bird was seen on the drive between Kathmandu and Dhunche on the 28th.

Thick-billed Warbler - Acrocephalus aedon aedon C
We saw 1 in the fields near the dam at the southern edge of Phewa Tal on the 13th and another individual in the same general area the following day.

Golden-spectacled Warbler - Seicercus burkii burkii C
Absent from Chitwan but fairly common in other areas being seen on twelve dates with a daily maximum of 8 seen on two dates whilst on the trek.
Second Trip
Seen on twelve dates between the 28th and the 13th only being absent at the highest altitudes reached. A daily maximum of 15 was recorded on the 6th.





Golden-spectacled Warbler

Chestnut-crowned Warbler - Seicercus castaniceps castaniceps C
Around 6 were seen in the forest bordering the southern shore of Phewa Tal on the 15th, 1 was seen in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 21st and 24th and 1 was seen at Gokarna on the 23rd.
Second Trip
A pair were seen between Dhunche and Sing Gompa on the 28th and 4 were seen near Bamboo Lodge on the 6th.

Record shot of a Chestnut-crowned Warbler.

Grey-headed Flycatcher Warbler - Seicercus xanthoschistos xanthoschistos C
Very common in all areas visited with it being seen on nineteen dates with a daily maximum of an estimated 40 on Phulchowki on the 25th.
Second Trip
Seen at Nagarjung, Phulchowki and at lower elevations on the trek in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 6 recorded on both the 15th and 16th.








Grey-headed Flycatcher Warbler at Phewa Tal forest.

Black-faced Flycatcher Warbler - Abroscopus schisticeps schisticeps C
Seen on a total of six dates being seen at various locations on the trek and around Kathmandu with a daily maximum of 4 seen on Phulchowki on the 22nd.
Second Trip
A pair of these superb warblers were seen near Bamboo Lodge on the 6th.

Blyth’s Crowned Leaf Warbler - Phylloscopus reguloides reguloides C
Absent from Chitwan but elsewhere proved to be common being seen on thirteen dates. Probably under-recorded but the daily maximum was an estimated 30 at the forest on the southern shore of Phewa Tal on the 14th.
Second Trip
Seen on seven days during the trek with what seemed to be a habitat preference for the flowering rhododendron forests where its song being a high pitched trill was a give away of its presence. Seen as follows with 5 in the rhododendron forest below Sing Gompa heading towards Syabru on the 30th, 2 in the rhododendrons above Ghore Tabela on the 3rd, 6 seen in the forest below Gapte on the 9th with 8 and 4 being seen in the same area on the 11th and 12th and finally seen in the rhododendron forests around Magengoth with 5 on the 13th and 3 on the 14th.



Blyth’s Crowned Leaf Warbler at Gapte.

Western Crowned Leaf Warbler - Phylloscopus occipitalis C
A single individual was seen in the forest at the southern shore of Phewa Tal on the 15th, 8 were seen at Chitwan on the 17th with 15 there on the 18th and 1 on the 19th, 2 were seen on each visit to the Godaveri Botanical Gardens and 1 was seen at Gokarna on the 26th.
Second Trip
Looking at the distribution of this species in Inskipp, 1991, we did not expect to see this species but found it to be rather common presumably coinciding with the peak passage period for this spring migrant (although many were heard singing) with numbers decreasing during our stay. A single individual was seen on Phulchowki on the 27th,around 15 were seen along the road walking the final stretch to Dhunche on the 28th, 8 on the walk to Sing Gompa on the 28th, 2 around Sing Gompa on the 30th, 6 on the walk to Lama Lodge on the 1st, 20 between Lama Lodge and Ghore Tabela on the 2nd, 10 between Ghore Tabela and Kyanjin on the 3rd, 4 between Kyanjin and Lama Lodge on the 5th, 6 between Lama Lodge and Syabru on the 6th, 6 above Syabru on the 7th and finally 1 seen on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th. This species seemed not to have a specific habitat preference although most were seen in broad-leaved forests. On the first three dates they were encountered, we mis-identified them as the previous species as we were expecting to see that species!




Western Crowned Leaf Warblers.

Green Warbler – Phylloscopus nitidus
Second Trip
Another species we did not expect to see but between Langtang and Ghore Tabela, 2 were seen (although not together) on the 5th, 1 was seen above Syabru on the 7th and JFC saw 1 at the Upper Gapte Cave on the 10th.


Green Warbler at the Gapte Cave.

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides viridanus C
Seen on the trek, at Pokhara and at Chitwan with a daily maximum of 15 being seen in the forests at Phewa Tal on the 13th.
Second Trip
Only seen during the latter part of our stay with what appeared to be a notable passage on the 11th being recorded as follows: 2 around the clearing at the Upper Gapte Cave on the 9th, 10 in the area between the Lower and Upper Gapte Caves on the 11th, with only 2 in the same area on the 12th, 2 between Kutumsang and Chisa Pani on the 15th and 1 on the lower slopes of Phulchowki on the 17th.





Greenish Warblers at Gapte.

Orange-barred Leaf Warbler - Phylloscopus pulcher C
Very common on the trek and on Phulchowki with a daily maximum of 50 being seen at Phulchowki on the 21st.

Large-billed Leaf Warbler – Phylloscopus magnirostris
Second Trip
This impressive species was only seen on two dates with 1 seen between Lama Lodge and Ghore Tabela on the 2nd and 2 just below Lama Lodge on the 6th.

Grey-faced Leaf Warbler - Phylloscopus maculipennis maculipennis C
Common on the trek and a few were seen on Phulchowki being seen on a total of eleven dates with a daily maximum of 20 being recorded on two dates whilst on the trek.
Second Trip
This delightful warbler was seen on seven dates at Phulchowki, near Dhunche, between Lama Lodge and Ghore Tabela, between Phedi and Gapte, near Magengoth and near Kutumsang in small numbers with a daily maximum of 4 recorded on the 2nd.





Grey-faced Leaf Warbler.

Pale-rumped/Pallas’s Leaf Warbler - Phylloscopus chloronotus/proregulus C
Very common virtually everywhere being seen on over twenty dates with a daily maximum of 80 being seen in a single flock in the forests along the southern shore of Phewa Tal on the 15th.
Second Trip
Seen on eleven dates virtually throughout the trek although absent at the highest elevations with a daily maximum of 30 seen on the 2nd. An individual was seen constructing its nearly finished nest in the forest below Gapte on the 10th.

Yellow-browed Warbler - Phylloscopus inornatus C
Seen on the trek, around Pokhara and Kathmandu on a total of nine dates with a maximum of 40 being seen in the Phewa Tal forests on the 13th.

Hume’s Yellow-browed Warbler – Phylloscopus humei
Second Trip
Surprisingly, only seen on two dates with 3 seen on the upper slopes of Phulchowki on the 27th and 1 seen around 5km short of Dhunche on the 28th.

Dusky Warbler - Phylloscopus fuscatus C
A single individual was seen near the dam at the southern end of Phewa Tal on the 14th and another was seen at Lakeside the next day.

Smoky Warbler - Phylloscopus fuligiventer fuligiventer C
A single individual was seen in low bushes next to the river near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 19th.
Second Trip
A superb individual was seen feeding on the insects emerging along the edges of the frozen lake at Gosainkund on the 8th.


Smoky Warbler at the frozen lake at Gosainkund 

Tickell’s Leaf Warbler - Phylloscopus affinis C
We saw 3 at Chitwan on the 19th, 1 near the quarry at Phulchowki on the 20th and 4 were seen in the scrub along the track starting opposite the entrance to the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 24th.
Second Trip
Only seen in the vicinity of Kyanjin where 2 were seen on the 3rd, 6 on the 4th and 10 on the 5th with some seen as low as the ravine around 1km above Langtang on the 5th.





Tickell’s Leaf Warbler near Kyanjin.

Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita tristis C
Seen on four dates around Pokhara with a daily maximum of 5 recorded between there and Phedi on the 5th. A single individual was seen at Chitwan on the 19th.

Small Niltava - Niltava macgrigoriae macgrigoriea C
Seen on eight dates in small numbers on the trek, around Pokhara and on Phulchowki.
Second Trip
A female and 2 males were seen on the walk to Sing Gompa on the 29th, a male was seen near Bamboo Lodge on the 6th and a pair were seen in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 17th.


Male Small Niltava near Birethanti.

Rufous-bellied Niltava - Niltava sundara sundara C
Seen on a total of seven dates being seen at Phulchowki, Gokarna and proving to be fairly common in the forests at the southern shore of Phewa Tal where it was encountered on every visit with the daily maximum of 5 recorded there on the 15th.
Second Trip
Males were seen near the Bamboo and Lama Lodges on the 1st, a pair were seen just above Lama Lodge on the 2nd with the same numbers seen on the walk back through the area on the 5th and 6th and a male was seen on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.





Rufous-bellied Niltava in the forest at Phewa Tal.

Pale-chinned Flycatcher - Cyornis poliogenys poliogenys C
A single individual was seen on the walk to the Churia Hills, Chitwan on the 18th.

Verditer Flycatcher - Muscicapa thalassina thalassina C
A single individual was seen in woodland near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.
Second Trip
At Phulchowki, around 10 were seen on the upper slopes on the 27th but only I was seen on the lower slopes on the 17th with only 2 being seen on both dates in the Sing Gompa area and 4 around Syabru on the 1st and 2 in the same area on the 7th being the only record from the trek.




Verditer Flycatcher.

Asian Sooty (Siberian/Dark Sided) Flycatcher – Muscicapa sibirica cacabata
Second Trip
Around Lama Lodge 3 were seen on the 1st and 2 on the 2nd, near Magengoth 1 was seen on the 14th.

Rufous-tailed Flycatcher – Muscicapa muttui
Second Trip
JFC saw a single individual in the rhododendron forest just below Sing Gompa on the 30th.

Slaty-blue Flycatcher – Ficedula tricolor tricolor
Second Trip
Rather disappointingly, the only individual seen was a female in the forest below Gapte on the 12th.

Ultramarine Flycatcher – Ficedula superciliaris
Second Trip
An outstanding species, seen during the early part of our stay with 2 pairs seen in the vicinity of the huts on Phulchowski on the 27th, 2 males and a female seen on the walk up to Sing Gompa on the 29th and a single male seen near Sing Gompa on the 30th. Superb.






Male Ultramarine Flycatcher near Singa Gompa.

Snowy-browed Flycatcher - Ficedula hyperythra hyperythra C
A single male was seen on the 13th in the forests bordering Phewa Tal with another male seen in the same area on the 15th.
Second Trip
JFC saw a pair just above the Prayer Flags above Syabru on the 30th and 1 nearby the following day. DC failed to connect on both occasions.

Orange-gorgetted Flycatcher - Ficedula strophiata strophiata C
Common and widespread being seen on fifteen dates with a daily maximum of 15 being seen in the Phewa Tal forests on the 15th.
Second Trip
Seen on fifteen dates during our trek being absent from only the highest elevations and on Phulchowki. A daily maximum of 15 was recorded on the 30th.






Orange-gorgetted Flycatchers.

 Taiga Flycatcher - Ficedula parva albicilla C
Common around Pokhara and at Chitwan with a few seen around Kathmandu being seen on a total of eleven dates with a daily maximum of 15 being seen at Chitwan on the 17th


Taiga Flycatcher in the gardens near Phulchowki.


Taiga Flycatcher near Pokhara.

Grey-headed Flycatcher - Culicicapa ceylonensis calochrysea C
Fairly common at Pokhara and Chitwan being seen on a total of seven dates. Also 2 were seen on Phulchowki on the 24th.
Second Trip
On Phulchowki 4 were seen on the 26th and 2 on the 17th with 2 seen on the walk to Sing Gompa on the 28th, 1 near Syabru on the 1st and 2 in the same area on the 6th.

Yellow-bellied Fantail - Rhipidura hypoxantha C
Seen on a total of twelve dates being absent at Chitwan. It was fairly common with our daily maximum being 6 seen in the Phewa Tal forests on the 15th.
Second Trip
At Phulchowki 4 were seen on the upper slopes on the 27th and then on the trek up to 6 were seen daily from the 29th to the 2nd and up to 4 were seen daily from the 9th to the 12th.


Yellow-bellied Fantail.

White-throated Fantail - Rhipidura albicollis albicollis C
Seen on five dates being recorded from the trek, at Chitwan and on Phulchowki but the daily maximum was only 2.

Spotted Babbler - Pellorneum ruficeps mandellii C
A single individual was seen near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th.

Spot-breasted (Rusty-cheeked) Scimitar-Babbler - Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis C
We saw 2 in the Phewa Tal forests and up to 3 were seen on three visits to Phulchowki.

White-browed Scimitar-Babbler - Pomatorhinus schisticeps schisticeps C
A single individual was seen briefly just below Ulleri on the 10th.

Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler - Pomatorhinus ruficollis ruficollis C
Pairs were seen on Phulchowki on the 21st, 22nd and 24th.
Second Trip
A pair were seen on a scrubby hillside between Kutumsang and Chisa Pani on the 15th and a single individual showed well on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.

Wren-Babbler sp. - Pnoepyga albiventer / pusilla
Several were seen on the lower slopes of Phulchowki especially in the ravine at the base of the mountain but due to not vocalising and the poor views obtained we left them unidentified.

Greater Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler – Pnoepyga albiventer albiventer
Second Trip
A superb species only seen between the Upper Gapte Caves and Thare Pati with 1 seen on the 9th, 1 on the 10th, 3 on the 11th and 5 on the 12th.








Greater Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler at Gapte Cave.

Pygmy Wren-Babbler – Pnoepyga pusilla pusilla
Second Trip
After very poor views of a single bird in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki, we were pleased to obtain better views of a pair in a ravine close to the start of the trek near Dhunche on the 29th.

Black-chinned Babbler - Stachyris pyrrhops C
Around 10 were seen near Tirkedhungha on the 11th, 1 was seen at Chitwan on the 18th and 1 was seen on Phulchowki on the 25th.

Grey-throated Babbler - Stachyris nigriceps nigriceps C
Around 5 were seen in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 21st.

Striped Tit-Babbler - Macronous gularis rubricapillus C
Around 8 were seen near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the 17th with 1 seen there on the 19th.

Red-capped Babbler - Timalia pileata bengalensis C
Near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge 2 were seen in open woodland on the 19th.

Yellow-eyed Babbler - Chrysomma sinense sinense C
Around 10 were seen on the walk to the Churia Hills at Chitwan on the 18th.

Spiny Babbler - Turdoides nipalensis C
A single individual was seen near Tirkedhungha on the 11th and 2 reacted to pishing in the scrub along the track starting opposite the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 24th.

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striatus striatus C
Up to 30 were seen near the Chitwan Jungle Lodge on the four dates spent there.


Jungle Babbler around the Chitwan Jungle Lodge.

White-throated Laughing-thrush - Garrulax albogularis albogularis C
A party of 20 were seen just above Ulleri on the 9th and up to 80 were seen on four dates spent on Phulchowki.
Second Trip
On Phulchowki, 1 was seen on the 27th and 8 on the 17th, and on the trek only seen around Sing Gompa on both dates, above Syabru and on the Sheopuri Ridge in small numbers.


White-throated Laughing Thrush on Phulchowki.

White-crested Laughing-thrush - Garrulax leucolophus leucolophus C
We saw 4 between Chandrakot and Birethanti on the 6th with 3 seen there on the 11th, 4 were seen in the Phewa Tal forests on the 14th and up to 12 were seen on four dates whilst on Phulchowki.





White-crested Laughing-thrush  between Chandrakot and Birethanti.

Striated Laughing-thrush - Garrulax striatus vibex C
A single individual was seen above Ulleri on the 9th and it proved common on Phulchowki where up to 40 were seen on five dates there.
Second Trip
Pairs were seen near the Bamboo Lodge on both the 1st and 6th, and 5 were seen in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 17th.




Striated Laughing Thrushes on Phulchowki.

Rufous-chinned Laughing-thrush - Garrulax rufogularis rufogularis C
Only seen on Phulchowki where 6 were seen on the 20th and 3 on the 25th.

Spotted Laughing-thrush – Garrulax ocellatus ocellatus
Second Trip
This superb Laughing-thrush proved commoner than expected being seen on six dates with 2 just above Sing Gompa on the 30th, 4 seen just above Ghore Tabela on the 3rd, 2 above Syabru on the 7th, 2 in the forest below Gapte on the 11th, 1 in the forest before Thare Pati on the 12th and 1 beyond Thare Pati on the 13th.

Poor record shot of Spotted Laughing Thrush.

Grey-sided Laughing-thrush - Garrulax caerulatus caerulatus C
Only seen in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki where 2 were seen on the 22nd and 6 on the 25th.

Streaked Laughing-thrush - Garrulax lineatus setafer C
Only seen near Ulleri where 2 were seen on the 8th and 6 on the 10th.
Second Trip
Seen on ten dates in fair numbers during the trek although not from the 8th to the 14th. A daily maximum of 12 was recorded on the 3rd.




Streaked Laughing-Thrushs.

Variegated Laughing-thrush – Garrulax variegates variegates
Second Trip
Seen on six dates on the trek between the 29th and the 7th in small numbers with a daily maximum of 8 seen above Ghore Tabela on the 3rd.



 Variegated Laughing-thrush.

Black-faced Laughing-thrush - Garrulax affinis affinis C
A party of around 6 were seen just above Ulleri on the 10th.
Second Trip
Seen on seven dates between the 30th and the 11th in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 6 recorded on both the 30th and the 9th.




Black-faced Laughing-thrush.

Chestnut-crowned (Red-headed) Laughing-thrush – Garrulax  erythrocephalus kali C
We saw 2 at Ulleri on the 7th, 2 at Tirkedhungha on the 11th and it proved fairly common on Phulchowki where up to 10 were seen on five dates there.
Second Trip
Seen on seven dates from scattered locations with a daily maximum of 12 being recorded on Phulchowki on the 27th.

Red-billed Leothrix - Leiothrix lutea calipyga C
We saw 2 in the forests to the south of Phewa Tal on the 13th and up to 30 were seen on three dates at Phulchowki.

Cutia – Cutia nipalensis nipalensis
Second Trip
A stunning party of 6 were seen just above the huts on Phulchowki on the 27th proving to be one of the highlights of the trip.




Cutia's on Phulchowki.

Green Shrike-Babbler - Pteruthius xanthochloris xanthochlorus C
A single individual was seen with a mixed-species flock that passed through the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 25th.hul
Second Trip
Two were seen in coniferous forest before reaching Sing Gompa on the 29th and 1 was again seen in coniferous forest below Gapte on the 12th.

Black-eared Shrike-Babbler - Pteruthius melanotis melanotis C
At Tirkedhungha 3 were seen on the 7th and 2 on the 9th and on Phulchowki 1 was seen on the 21st and 4 on the 24th.


A distant Black-eared Shrike-Babbler at Tirkedhungha.

Hoary Barwing - Actinodura nipalensis nipalensis C
A single individual was seen between Ghorepani and Ulleri on the 9th.
Second Trip
A single bird was seen just above the huts on Phulchowki on the 27th, JFC saw 1 near Sing Gompa on the 30th and a pair were seen in the oaks above Kutumsang on the 14th.

Blue-winged Minla - Minla cyanouroptera cyanouroptera C
We saw 2 near Tirkedhungha on the 7th and up to 6 were seen on three dates at Phulchowki.

Chestnut-tailed Minla - Minla strigula strigula C
Only seen between Tirkedhungha and Ghorepani with up to 15 being seen on three dates in that area.
Second Trip
Seen on eleven dates in fair numbers although none were seen from the 4th to the 8th. A daily maximum of 10 was recorded on both the 27th at Phulchowki and on the 30th.



Chestnut-tailed Minla.
Red-tailed Minla – Minla ignotincta ignotincta
Second Trip
A single individual was seen with a small birdflock on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.

Rufous-winged Fulvetta - Alcippe castaneceps castaneceps C
A single individual was seen near Tirkedhungha on the 7th and up to 25 were seen on Phulchowki on three dates.
Second Trip
Around 4 were seen on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.

White-browed Fulvetta - Alcippe vinipectus vinipectus C
Just 2 seen between Ulleri and Ghorepani on the 9th.
Second Trip
Widespread, being seen on eleven dates in good numbers with a daily maximum of 20 being recorded on the 27th.



White-browed Fulvettas.

Nepal Fulvetta - Alcippe nipalensis nipalensis C
We saw 1 near Phedi on the 5th and 1 near Naudanda on the 6th and on Phulchowki 6 were seen on the 24th and 12 the next day.

Black-capped Sibia - Heterophasia capistrata nigriceps C
Seen on seven dates on the trek or on Phulchowki with a daily maximum of 60 recorded half-way up Phulchowki on the 22nd.
Second Trip
Widespread, being seen on fifteen dates with a daily maximum of 15 being recorded on the 1st.





Black-capped Sibias.

Whiskered Yuhina - Yuhina flavicollis C
Near Tirkedhungha 8 were seen on the 7th and 35 on the 11th and on Phulchowki up to 10 were seen on four dates.
Second Trip
Seen on six dates at Phulchowki, on the walk to Sing Gompa, around Lama Lodge and on the Sheopuri Ridge with a daily maximum of 6 recorded at the latter site on the 16th.




Whiskered Yuhina around the Lama Lodge

Stripe-throated Yuhina - Yuhina gularis gularis
Only seen in the forest at Ghorepani with 50 seen on the 9th and 40 the following day.
Second Trip
Only seen on two dates, being on the edge of the forest above Syabru where 4 were seen on the 10th and on the walk between Magengoth and Kutumsang where 10 were seen on the 14th.

Rufous-vented Yuhina - Yuhina occipitalis occipitalis C
We saw 4 in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 21st.
Second Trip
Near Sing Gompa, 4 were seen on the 30th and 1 was seen on the 5th between Kyanjin and Lama Lodge and then up to 6 were seen daily from 9th to the 13th.

White-bellied Yuhina - Yuhina zantholeuca zantholeuca C
Seen on five dates from scattered locations being recorded at Tirkedhungha, the forest at Phewa Tal, Chitwan, Phulchowki and Gokarna with a daily maximum of 4 recorded at Phewa Tal on the 15th.

Fire-tailed Myzornis – Myzornis pyrrhoura
Second Trip
A pair were seen in the rhododendrons just below the Upper Gapte Cave on the 11th.

Great Parrotbill – Conostoma aemodium
Second Trip
A single male was watched singing from an exposed branch high in a bush for around quarter of an hour just below Phedi on the 9th.




Great Parrotbill just below Phedi on the 9th.

Black-throated Parrotbill – Paradoxornis nipalensis nipalensis
Second Trip
A pair were seen just below the summit of Phulchowki and a flock of around 14 was seen around 2 hours walk further down on the 27th.

Black-browed Tit – Aegithalos iouschistos iouschistos
Second Trip
A pair were seen when we walked towards Gosainkund from Sing Gompa on the 30th, and later that day a flock of around 12 were seen just above the Prayer Flags above Syabru.



Black-browed Tit near Syabru.

Red-headed (Black-throated) Tit - Aegithalos concinnus iredalei C
Seen on a total of nine dates being seen along the trek and on Phulchowki with a daily maximum of 15 recorded on four dates.
Second Trip
On Phulchowki, 4 were seen on the 27th and 6 were seen on the 17th, elsewhere, seen on four dates – near Dhunche, on the walk to Sing Gompa and above Syabru with a daily maximum of 6 on a couple of those days.




Red-headed Tits on Phulchowki.

Yellow-browed Tit - Sylviparus modestus modestus C
We saw 2 in the forest at Ghorepani on the 10th and up to 4 were recorded on three dates at Phulchowki.
Second Trip
On Phulchowki, 2 were seen on the 27th, 2 were seen on the 1st and 3 on the return walk in the same areas on the 6th.

Grey-crested Tit – Parus dichrous dichrous
Second Trip
Around 6 were seen above Sing Gompa on the 30th, and in the forests near Gapte and Thare Pati 3 were seen on the 9th, 1 on the 11th, 2 on the 12th and 4 on the 13th.



Grey-crested Tit at Thare Pat.

Rufous-vented Black Tit - Parus rubidiventris rubidiventris C
A party of 4 were watched feeding in snow-covered conifers at Ghorepani on the 9th.
Second Trip
Around 10 were seen in the Sing Gompa area on the 30th  4 were seen above Ghore Tabela on the 3rd and up to 6 were seen daily from the 9th to the 14th.



Rufous-vented Black Tit.

Coal Tit – Parus ater aemodius
Second Trip
Around 4 were seen above Sing Gompa on the 30th and up to 4 were seen daily from the 9th to the 14th.

Great Tit - Parus major nipalensis C
Seen on eleven dates in widespread locations with a daily maximum of 15 seen at Chitwan on the 17th.

Green-backed Tit - Parus monticolus monticolus C
Seen on nine dates being absent at Chitwan. A daily maximum of 5 was recorded on Phulchowki on the 22nd.
Second Trip
Up to 8 were seen daily from the 28th to the 2nd, 2 were seen on the 6th and 4 the next day, 2 were seen between Kutumsang and Chisa Pani on the 15th and 4 were seen on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.




Green-backed Tit.

Black-lored Tit - Parus xanthogenys xanthogenys C
Seen on fifteen dates being absent at Chitwan. A daily maximum of 20 was recorded at Gokarna on the 26th.
Second Trip
Around 7 were seen on Phulchowki on the 26th with 1 before reaching Dhunche on the 27th and 2 seen on the 1st.

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch - Sitta frontalis frontalis C
Seen on nine dates around Pokhara, Chitwan and Kathmandu with a daily maximum of 8 recorded at Chitwan on the 17th.

White-tailed Nuthatch - Sitta himalayensis C
Seen on a total of five dates being recorded at Gokarna and Phulchowki with a daily maximum of 4 seen at Phulchowki on the 22nd.
Second Trip
Seen on seven dates with 3 on Phulchowki on the 27th, 1 the following day on the way to Dhunche, 4 between Syabru and Lama Lodge on the 1st and 10 on the return walk on the 6th with 2 near Kutumsang on the 15th and 16th and 1 on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.




White-tailed Nuthatch carrying food near near Kutumsang.

Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch - Sitta castanea almorae C
Seen on eight dates being recorded at all main areas visited with a daily maximum of 5 recorded between Ghorepani and Tirkedhungha on the 10th.

Wallcreeper - Tichodroma muraria nepalensis C
We saw 1 below Naudanda on the 5th, 2 between Birethanti and Tirkedhungha on the 7th with 3 seen there on the 11th, 1 at the Churia Hills, Chitwan on the 18th and 1 near the quarries at Godaveri on the 22nd.




Wallcreeper near the quarries at Godaveri.

Rusty-flanked Treecreeper – Certhia nipalensis
Second Trip
A superb individual was watched for a quarter of an hour as it investigated mossy trees never climbing high and also mossy rocks in the forest below Gapte on the 12th.

Treecreeper - Certhia familiaris mandellii C
We saw 2 below Ulleri on the 7th.
Second Trip
In the clearing at Sing Gompa, 3 were seen scaling the dead trees on the 30th.

Purple Sunbird - Nectarinia asiaticus asiaticus C
Singles were seen at Thamel in Kathmandu on the 3rd and on the walk to the Churia Hills, Chitwan on the 18th.

Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird - Aethopyga gouldiae gouldiae C
Up to 8 including some fine males were seen on four dates spent on Phulchowki.
Second Trip
A stunning male was seen not far from Dhunche on the trail leading towards Sing Gompa before crossing the bridge on the 29th.

Nepal (Green-tailed) Sunbird - Aethopyga nipalensis nipalensis C
Only seen in the ravine leading north from Tirkedhungha with 8 seen on the 7th, 10 on the 10th and 15 on the 11th. Full plumage.
Second Trip
Seen on nine dates often in good numbers with a daily maximum of 20 seen on Phulchowki on the 27th.








Nepal Sunbirds

Black-throated Sunbird - Aethopyga saturata saturata C
We saw 2 males at Birethanti on the 11th and 3 males along the track starting opposite the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 24th.

Crimson Sunbird - Aethopyga siparaja seheriae C
A male was seen at Phedi on the 5th with another seen at Tirkedhungha on the 11th.

Fire-tailed Sunbird - Aethopyga ignicauda ignicauda C
Only winter-plumaged birds were encountered with 15 seen at Tirkedhungha on the 11th and up to 6 seen on five dates whilst on Phulchowki.
Second Trip
Between Langtang and Kyanjin, 2 males were seen on the 3rd and 1 on the 5th and between Phedi and Gapte, 30 were seen on the 9th with 7 at Gapte on the 10th and 15 on the 11th and finally 3 were seen just below Thare Pati on the 13th. Superb.



Male Fire-tailed Sunbird at Gapte.

Streaked Spiderhunter - Aeachnothera magna magna C
We saw 5 feeding in a fruiting tree at the Churia Hills, Chitwan on the 18th.

Pale-billed Flowerpecker - Dicaeum erythrorhynchos erythrorhynchos C
We saw 2 at the Churia Hills, Chitwan on the 18th.

Plain Flowerpecker - Dicaeum concolor olivaceum C
We just saw a single individual in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 21st.

Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker – Dicaeum melanoxanthum
Second Trip
A female and a pair were seen just above the huts on Phulchowki on the 27th.

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker - Dicaeum ignipectus ignipectus C
A single individual was seen at Ulleri on the 9th, up to 2 were seen at Phulchowki on four dates and 2 were seen at Gokarna on the 26th.
Second Trip
Around 4 were seen just above the huts on Phulchowki on the 27th, 5 were seen between Lama Lodge and Syabru on the 6th and 2 were seen on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.




Fire-breasted Flowerpecker on the Sheopuri Ridge.

Oriental White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosa palpebrosus C
This species proved to be widespread being seen on ten dates with a maximum of 30 seen at Pashupatinath on the 3rd.
Second Trip
A party of 4 were seen at Nagarjung on the 26th, 2 were seen above Syabru on the 7th and 2 were seen on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 17th.

Maroon Oriole - Oriolus traillii traillii C
We saw 3 in a patch of forest to the north of Birethanti on the 11th and it proved rather common in the forest at the southern shore of Phewa Tal where up to 15 were seen on three dates.
Second Trip
A pair were seen not far from Dhunche on the trail to Sing Gompa on the 29th, 1 was seen near Kutumsang on the 14th and 2 were seen on the lower slopes of Phulchowki on the 17th.



Maroon Oriole in the forest at Phewa Tal.

Black-headed Oriole - Oriolus xanthornus xanthornus C
A single individual was seen at Lakeside on the 14th and up to 3 were seen on three dates at Chitwan.

Brown Shrike - Lanius cristatus cristatus C
Singles were seen near the dam at Phewa Tal on the 15th, at the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 20th and at Gokarna on the 23rd.


 Brown Shrike at Phewa Tal.

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach C
Seen on seventeen dates with it proving to be common and widespread although was absent north of Birethanti. Our first and last records were at Dhaka Airport in Bangladesh but our daily maximum was 12 seen between Kathmandu and Pokhara on the 4th.
Second Trip
Surprisingly, only seen on three dates with 4 seen on the drive to Dhunche on the 28th, 2 seen at Dhunche on the 29th and 1 seen near Chisa Pani on the 15th.



 Adult Long-tailed Shrike near the Bagmati Rivers.

Grey-backed Shrike - Lanius tephronotus tephronotus C
Seen on nine dates in small numbers and proving widespread although not seen at Chitwan.
Second Trip
Only seen between Langtang and Kyanjin where 2 were seen on the 3rd and 10 on our return on the 5th.



Grey-backed Shrike between Langtang and Kyanjin.

 


Grey-backed Shrikes in the Pokhara area.

Black Drongo - Dicrurus macrocercus C
Seen on sixteen dates proving very common and widespread although absent on the trek.
Second Trip
Only seen around Kathmandu and on the drives to and from either end of the treks with a daily maximum of 6 recorded on three dates.




Black Drongos along the Bagmati Rivers.

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus C
Up to 2 were seen at Birethanti on three dates with 1 seen at the Phewa Tal forests on the 13th and 5 on Phulchowki on the 24th.
Second Trip
Seen on eight dates in good numbers from the lower elevations with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 1st.

White-bellied Drongo - Dicrurus caerulescens caerulescens C
We just saw 3 at Chitwan on the 17th.

Bronzed Drongo - Dicrurus aeneus aeneus C
Up to 3 were seen near Birethanti on the 6th and 11th, up to 4 were seen in the Phewa Tal forests on four dates and 2 were seen on Phulchowki on the 20th.


Bronzed Drongo in the Phewa Tal forests.

Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo - Dicrurus remifer tectirostris C
A single individual was seen near Phedi on the 5th and 2 were seen in the Phewa Tal forests on the 13th and 15th.
Second Trip
A pair were seen in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 17th.

Hair-crested Drongo - Dicrurus hottentottus hottentottus C
We saw 6 at Chitwan on the 17th and an estimated 100 were seen on the walk up to the Churia Hills, Chitwan on the 18th.

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo - Dicrurus paradiseus C
A single individual was seen on the walk up to the Churia Hills, Chitwan on the 18th.

Ashy Woodswallow - Artamus fuscus C
We saw 2 at Chitwan on the 18th.

Jay - Garrulus glandarius C
Seen on a total of nine dates being recorded at Phulchowki, the Phewa Tal forests and at Ghorepani with a daily maximum of 12 seen on Phulchowki on the 22nd.

Lanceolated Jay - Garrulus lanceolatus C
Proved to be common in the forests bordering the southern edge of Phewa Tal with a flock of 80 birds being encountered on three dates. We also saw a party of 6 on Phulchowki on the 22nd.

Yellow-billed Blue Magpie – Urocissa flavirostris
Second Trip
A pair were seen near the summit of Phulchowki on the 27th, up to 2 were seen around Syabru on three dates and 4 were seen near Kutumsang on the 15th.




Yellow-billed Blue Magpie near Syabru.

Red-billed Blue Magpie - Urocissa erythrorhyncha occipitalis C
Around 8 were seen near the town of Birethanti on the 11th, 10 were seen in the Phewa Tal forests on the 15th, 3 were seen at Chitwan on the 17th and up to 8 were seen in or near the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on both the 20th and 24th.
Second Trip
A single individual was seen at Nagarjung and a pair were seen below the small reservoir when descending from Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.



Red-billed Blue Magpies

Green Magpie - Cissa chinensis chinensis C
We saw 2 in the small area of forest to the north of Birethanti on the 11th and seen on every visit to the forests to the south of Phewa Tal with a daily maximum of 6 being recorded there on the 15th.

Rufous Treepie - Dendrocitta vagabunda vagabunda C
Up to 4 were seen on four dates whilst at Chitwan.
Second Trip
A single individual was seen at Nagarjung on the 26th.

Grey Treepie - Dendrocitta formosae himalayensis C
Seen on eleven dates and only absent at Chitwan. The daily maximum was 50 recorded in the forests to the south of Phewa Tal on the 15th.
Second Trip
A pair were seen at Nagarjung on the 26th.




Grey Treepies.
Spotted Nutcracker – Nucifraga caryocatactes hemispila
Second Trip
The distinctive race “hemispila” was seen on seven dates with 2 just short of Dhunche on the 28th, 2 on the walk to Sing Gompa on the 29th, 2 in the forest above Syabru on the 1st, 5 between Lama Lodge and Ghore Tabela on the 2nd with 6 at Gapte on the 11th, 2 beyond Thare Pati on the 13th and 1 below Magengoth on the 14th.


Spotted Nutcracker of the race “hemispila” at Gapte

Alpine Chough – Pyrrhocorax graculus digitatus
Second Trip
Only seen between Langtang and Kyanjin where 100 were seen on the 3rd, 40 were seen on the 4th and 20 were seen on the 5th.


Alpine Chough at Langtang.

Red-billed Chough – Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax himalayanus
Second Trip
Only seen between Langtang and Kyanjin where 15 were seen on the 3rd, 2 were seen on the 4th and 2 were seen on the 5th.




Red-billed Chough between Langtang and Kyanjin.
House Crow - Corvus splendens C
Very common and widespread although not seen to the north of Birethanti.
Second Trip
Up to 25 were seen daily around Kathkmandu and on the drives to and from the ends of the trek.


House Crow.

Jungle Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos C
Seen virtually every day and often in large numbers.
Second Trip
Up to 20 were seen daily from the 27th to the 17th regardless of altitude.



Jungle Crows.
Common Raven – Corvus corax tibetanus
Second Trip
At least 2 were present around Kyanjin on the 4th.

Asian Pied Starling - Sturnus contra contra C
Around 6 were seen at Dhaka Airport on the 2nd and up to 6 were seen at Chitwan on three dates.

Chestnut-tailed Starling – Sturnus malabaricus
Second Trip
Only 2 were seen on the drive from Kathmandu to Trisuli on the 28th and 10 were seen around the town of Sundarijal presumably nest prospecting under the eaves of houses on the 16th.

Common Myna - Acridotheres tristis tristis C
Common and widespread.
Second Trip
Up to 40 were seen daily around Kathmandu and on the drives to and from the ends of the trek.


Common Myna.

Jungle Myna - Acridotheres fuscus fuscus C
Common and widespread although not seen north of Birethanti.
Second Trip
Up to 6 were seen daily around the Kathmandu Guesthouse.

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus C
Common and widespread although not seen north of Birethanti.
Second Trip
Up to 15 were seen daily around Kathmandu and on the drive to Dhunche.

Cinnamon Sparrow - Passer rutilans cinnamomeus C
We saw 2 at Chandrakot on the 12th.

Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus C
Common and widespread although not seen at Chitwan.
Second Trip
Seen on seven dates at Dhjunche, Syabru, Chisa Pani, Sundarijal and Godaveri with a daily maximum of 40 recorded on the 29th.

Striated (White-rumped Munia) - Lonchura striata acuticauda C
A flock of 8 were seen near the Tibetan Refugee Camp on the 5th and up to 20 were seen around Pokhara on four dates.

Tibetan Serin - Serinus thibetanus C
A flock of around 70 were seen in the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 20th with 20 seen there on the 24th. We saw 3 in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 25th.
Second Trip
JFC watched a party of 6 at Lama Lodge – unfortunately DC had disappeared.

Yellow-breasted Greenfinch – Carduelis spinoides spinoides
Second Trip
A flock of around 50 were seen in a large tree at Syabru on the 1st and 10 were seen in the fields at Syabru on the 6th.

Plain Mountain Finch – Leucosticte nemoricola nemoricola
Second Trip
A flock of around 25 were seen around the ruined buildings near the gravel flats above Kyanjin on the 3rd and a single individual was seen the Phedi side of the Laurebrina Pass on the 8th.




Flock of Plain Mountain-Finches feeding above Kyanjin.

Dark-breasted Rosefinch - Carpodacus nipalensis nipalensis C
We saw 2 males in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 21st with 1 seen again there on the 25th.
Second Trip
Only seen in the forest below Gapte where 6 were seen on the 9th, 1 on the 10th and 2 on the 11th.

Common Rosefinch – Carpodacus erythrinus
Second Trip
Only female type plumage birds were seen with 2 near Dhunche on the 29th and 3 on the Sheopuri Ridge on the 16th.

Beautiful Rosefinch - Carpodacus pulcherrimus pulcherrimus C
A single male was seen near Tirkedhungha on the 11th.
Second Trip
Only seen around Langtang and Kyanjin with 20 seen on the 3rd, 6 on the 4th and 6 on the 5th.






Beautiful Rosefinch.

Pink-browed Rosefinch - Carpodacus rhodochrous C
A flock of 6 were seen near Ulleri on the 9th and 1 was seen in the same area on the 10th. Presumably forced down by the poor weather at higher elevations.
Second Trip
At least 8 were seen around Sing Gompa on the 30th, 1 near Ghore Tabela on the 2nd, 1 in the same area on the 5th and 1 between Phedi and Gapte on the 9th.



Record shots of Pink-browed Rosefinch.

Dark-rumped Rosefinch – Carpodacus edwardsii rubicunda
Second Trip
A single male was watched perched low in a bush for around 10 minutes alongside the trail leading through the forest before reaching Thare Pati on the 12th.

Spot-winged Rosefinch - Carpodacus rhodopeplus rhodopeplus C
We saw 2 males just above Ulleri on the 9th.
Second Trip
A male was seen above the Prayer Flags above Syabru on the 30th and 2 males and a female were seen between Phedi and Gapte on the 9th.

White-browed Rosefinch – Carpodacus thura thura
Second Trip
Just above Sing Gompa, 3 females were seen on the 30th, a pair were seen above Syabru on the 7th, 6 were seen above Phedi on the 8th, 3 were seen in a clearing in the forest below Gapte on the 9th with 2 in the same area on the 11th and finally 4 were seen between Thare Pati and Magengoth on the 13th. Tame and confiding with their wings making a fluttering sound when in flight. The male is a splendid bird.


Male White-browed Rosefinch .



Female White-browed Rosefinch.




Male White-browed Rosefinch between Thare Pati and Magengoth.

Red-fronted Rosefinch – Carpodacus puniceus puniceus
Second Trip
Unfortunately, the only individual seen was a female at Gosainkund on the 8th.

Scarlet Finch - Haematospiza sipahi C
We saw 2 males and a female in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 21st and 5 females in the same area on the 25th.

Gold-naped Finch - Pyrrhoplectes epauletta C
A party of 4 were seen along the road leading up Phulchowki just above the ravine on the 20th and 2 were seen in the ravine the following day.
Second Trip
A superb male was seen along the trail behind the checkpoint at Magengoth on the 13th tearing the flower heads off a rhododendron.

Record shot of Golden-naped Finch on Phulchowki.


Brown Bullfinch - Pyrrhula nipalensis nipalensis C
A party of 6 were seen in the ravine at the base of Phulchowki on the 21st and 25th.


Record shot of a Brown Bullfinch on Phulchowki.

Red-headed Bullfinch – Pyrrhula erythrocephala
Second Trip
A party of 3 were seen just below Lama Lodge on the 6th and a male was seen in the forest below Gapte on the 12th.

Collared Grosbeak – Mycerobas affinis
Second Trip
Around 6 were seen above Sing Gompa on the 30th and 4 were seen in the forest before reaching Thare Pati on the 10th.


Male Collared Grosbeak.


White-winged Grosbeak – Mycerobas affinis
Second Trip
Seen on eight dates between the 30th and the 13th with a daily maximum of 12 seen on the 8th.

White-winged Grosbeak.


Spot-winged Grosbeak - Mycerobas melanozanthos C
A superb male was seen just above Ulleri on the 10th.

Yellow-breasted Bunting - Emberiza aureola
A single male was seen in the fields to the north of Phewa Tal on the 14th.

Crested Bunting - Melophus lathami
A small flock of 6 were seen in the garden of the Tibetan Refugee Camp on the 5th.
Second Trip
Around 10 were seen on the drive from Kathmandau to Dhunche on the 28th.

Some mammals seen on the first trip:

Golden Jackal : A few were seen at Chitwan.

Sloth Bear : A superb male was seen from Elephant-back at Chitwan.

Smooth-coated Otter : A pair were seen just outside the boundary of Chitwan.

Mongoose sp. : A few were seen at Chitwan.

Tiger : A superb adult male was seen not far from the Chitwan Jungle Lodge.

Indian Rhinoceros : Awoken at close range twice whilst on foot at Chitwan and up to 10 seen daily from Elephant-back.

Wild Boar : Several were seen at Chitwan.

Spotted Deer : Common at Chitwan.

Barking Deer : Common at Chitwan.

Sambar Deer : A couple were seen at Chitwan.
































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































 













































































































































































































































































































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