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1.Birding Tour:
Birding in Bhutan
Nestling in the heart of the Himalayas and protected by a complex
geography of high mountains and deep valleys, Bhutan is certainly
one of the most mysterious countries in the world (Dompnier,
1999). The intriguing yet profound tale of the transformation of
this traditional kingdom, without losing out on its traditional norms
and values while embarking on a modern course of development
Chestnut-tailed Minla
in the last half a century has been both a story of sustainable and
progressive development in harmony with its natural environment.
Small and landlocked, to the north lies the great Tibetan plateau
and to the south, the tropical Indian plains and jungles.
Today, the proportion of land under forest cover is 72.5%, including
shrub forest (2008). The need to live in harmony with rather
than against nature has never been illustrated better. When Global
Warming is now an accepted universal “Inconvenient Truth,”
the need to preserve, conserve and respect the air we breathe,
© Hishey Tshering, Bhutanheritage.
Bird watching in Bhutan
Bhutan’s reverence for birds is even exhibited on the Royal Raven
Crown of the Druk Gyalpo. The national bird is the Raven, and it
was once a capital crime in Bhutan to kill one. Ravens are even
know to nest in the walls of the nation’s monasteries and dzongs.
Seeing one is always auspicious.
The Wild Jungle Fowl, a common sight in Bhutan, lives pretty much
the same way as it did hundreds of years ago. While the bird has
been domesticated a long time back, in Bhutan they still live in the
wild. These birds can be spotted dodging vehicles and darting off
into the other brushes. The bird has survived man’s onslaught and
in Bhutan, still remains, the “Wild Jungle Fowl.”
Look out for Violet Cuckoos too. These birds can be heard twittering
and singing their signature tune. Its distinct call can be heard
even in the larger towns like Thimphu where they now go “cuckoo”
even if locating the bird itself calls for a lot of patience. Cuckoos
are common in Bhutan and the Asian Highlands but are difficult to
approach. Just as you think you are near them, their call comes
from another direction. Be patient and move slowly, keep low and
wait. When you actually see one, the feeling of seeing the bird
behind the song is immense.
Plumbeous Redstart Rufous-bellied Niltava
the earth we walk upon, the sun that
nourishes all life and the ever dwindling
environment has never been greater or
urgent, as it is now.
Birds in Bhutan can be found from the
glacial alpine regions of the north to
the sweltering tropics of the south. The
geography and altitude is also the most
diverse of bird habitats ever found in
a single country. Endangered Black
Necked Cranes winter in the temperate
Phobjikha Valley highland marshes
while the Rufous-necked Hornbill hides
out in the lush tropical rain forests
of the south. With an area the same
as Switzerland, Bhutan seems much
bigger because of its remoteness and
extremely rugged terrain.
Rufous-vented Tit
White-browed
Rosefinch
The Great Pied Hornbill is the pride of the Asian Jungle. It is most
unique among birds. At nesting time the male bird uses mud to
seal its lifelong mate inside the trunk of a tree to incubate their
eggs. This male bird then constantly feeds his mate through a
small hole until their eggs hatch, then releases his new family.
The Asian Hoopoe is known for its very amusing walk and call.
Hoopoes bob and weave as they walk and freeze as they search
the ground for worms and insects. Their “Hoo – Poe” call is distinct
and unmistakable.
The Thrung Thrung Karm is the Black Necked Crane. Wintering in
Bhutan’s Phobjikha Valley each year, the Bhutanese celebrate this
endangered graceful craned with their own festival during the winter
(November). The cranes return each spring to Siberia to hatch
their young. To see the Black Necked Crane in its natural habitat is
an experience to cherish. The fact that a festival is observed in its
honour makes the realization even more poignant and urgent: that
we must preserve and protect these beautiful winged creatures.
White-throated Kingfisher
Buddhism and its spiritually rich people are enterprising,
pragmatic and delightfully humorous. They live in harmony
with nature and have evolved a unique identity’ derived
largely from a religious and cultural heritage.
Crimson Sunbird
Spot-winged Grosbeak
Birding areas
Sengor to Namling (3050m / 2360m):
An area of hemlock and cool broad leaf forests where one can view
Tragopans, Bar-winged Wrens and the fire-tailed Myzornis. Best
times for viewing are April to May.
Namling to Yongkhala (2360m / 1700m):
Cool and warm broad leaf forests host the Yellow-rumped Honey
Guide, Rufoused-Necked Hornbill, Laughing-Thrush, Coral Billed
Scimitar Babbler, and the Golden-breasted Fulvetta. Best view
times are November to early May.
Yongkola to Lingmethang (1700m / 650m):
Warm broad leaf forests towards the south are home to the Rufous-
bellied Hawk Eagle, Collarded Treepie, and the Yellow-vented
Warbler. Best time to visit: November to early May.
Black-necked Crane Kalij Pheasant
Narphung La to Deothang (1700m / 850m):
Warm broad leaf to subtropical forests allows viewing of Rufousnecked
Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, and the Gold-naped Finch.
November to early May.
Deothang to Samdrup Jongkhar (850m / 250m):
Subtropical forests in the southern part of Bhutan are the home of
the Wreathed Hornbill, the rare Violet Cuckoo, Pied Falconet, and
the Greater Rufous-breasted Parrotbill. November to early May.
Mo Chhu Valley and Rimchu to the Jigme Dorji National Park:
Here warm broad leaf forests are the habitat of the rare Whitebellied
Heron, White-gorgoted Flycatcher and the Yellow-vented
Warbler. Best times are November to early May.
Mo Chhu Valley to Wangduephodrang (1300m):
The river just north of Wangduephodrang is an excellent area for
water fowl and migratory birds like the Bar-headed Goose, Eurasian
Wigeon, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, and the rare White Bellied
Heron.
Common Kingfisher
Gasa
Punakha
Thimphu
Wangduephodrang
Paro
Haa
Chukha
Trongsa
Jakar
Zhemgang Mongar
Trashigang
Samdrup Jongkhar
Gelephu
Established birding areas
Namling
Sengor
Yongkola
Narphung
Deothang
Rimchu
Damji
Tashitang
Koina
Jangothang
Dodina
Drugyel
Dzong
Phobjikha
Pelela Pass
Yotongla Pass
Thangbi
Dorokha
Zurphey
Manas
Nganglam
Some of the identified bird watching hotspots
Tashithang to Damji (Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Park –
6-day trek)
This area’s 1-day trek is ideal for bird watching in April to early May.
View Ward’s Trogan and Lesser Shortwings in these warm broad
leaf forests.
Damji to Gasa (1700m / 2430m – 1-day trek):
A 2-day trek through warm broad leaf forests, home to the Black
tailed Crake and the Grey-sided Laughing Thrush.
Gasa to Koina to Laya (2700m / 3200m – 2-day trek):
Cool broad leaf forest mix with coniferous fir, spruce and juniper.
Birds at home here include the Bush Robin, Firetail Myzornis, Purple
Cochoa and the Gold-naped Finch.
Drugyel Dzong to Jangothang to Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
National Park (2580m / 4090m – 8-day trek)
Alpine area. Ideal for viewing the Tibetan Snowcock, Isisbill, Hima-
Layan Griffon and the Golden Eagle.
Bhutan is home
to one of the most
endangered bird
species in the
world, the Whitebellied
Heron
(Ardea insignis).
The discovery of
the rare Heron’s
nest in Kamichu
(Wangduphodrang)
has uplifted
birdwatchers in the
kingdom
White-bellied Heron
Cattle Egret
The forests above Dodina (2575m) below Cheri Lhakhang on
the trail towards Shodu, Thimphu Valley (Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
National Park)
A 45-minute taxi ride from Thimphu and you have Oak forests
where Spotted Laughing thrush, Fire-capped Tit, and Yellow-bellied
Flower picker thrive.
Phobjikha Valley (3050m)
Home to the endangered Black Necked Crane. The ideal time for
viewing is mid to late November during the Thrung Thrung Karm
festival which honours the revered birds.
Forests on the East-side of Dochu La Pass (3115m) along the
Pack Horse Trail
Fir, Rhododendron, Oak and Bamboo forests prime up in April to
May. It is ideal for viewing Satyr Tragopan, Rufous-breast Bush
Robin, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler.
© Tourism Council of Bhutan
© Tourism Council of Bhutan
Forested Road over the Pele La Pass (3390m)
Habitat Fir, Rhododendron and Bamboo forests come full bloom
in April to May where Brown and Green Parrotbills, Marron-backed
Accentor reside visibly.
Forested Road over the Yotong La Pass (3520m)
Fire-tailed Myzornis, Great Parrotbill and Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler
nestle the Fir, Rhododendron and bamboo forests during April
and May.
Bumthang Valley (2600m)
Isisbills and migrant birds flock home to the broad-fields and riverareas
during March – May and October – November.
Toorsa River, Phuentsholing (150m)
Various migratory birds from Tibet rest here at the banks of the
Toorsa during November to April.
Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush
© Tourism Council of Bhutan
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