Report on a Birding Trip to Nepal
15th-31st December 2005
Aidan G. Kelly
Participants:
Aidan G. Kelly
Dermot O’Mahony
With Bharat Regmi as Guide.
Introduction
This trip used the services of Explore Alpine Adventure (Pvt.) Ltd. who are based in
Kathmandu. Web site: www.explorealpinenepal.com
The director Bharat Regmi accompanied us throughout the trip and he
organised all the accommodation and transport for us, including the internal flight.
For logistics he was a great asset to have on the trip and was good company too.
Because it was the middle of winter we decided not to do any trekking and
concentrated the birding around the lowlands and the Kathmandu valley. Having said
that, this was not the best time of year to see some of the rarer lowland specialities
and we missed many of our main target birds such as Bengal Florican, Slenderbilled Babbler (probably heard), Grey-crowned Prinia, Jerdon’s Babbler (difficult
at the best of times), and Striated and Bristled Grassbirds. In the Kathmandu valley
we also failed to find any Spiny Babblers. In addition very few wildfowl were seen
at Koshi and Koshi Barrage, so there was thus no real chance of seeing Baer’s
Pochard.
Nevertheless, all of these disappointments were more than made up for by our
discovery of a brilliant Blue-naped Pitta at very close range near Pokhara, one of
only a tiny handful of records in Nepal in recent years. Other major highlights of the
trip included 8 Ibisbills seen well near Hetauda, 4-5 Cutias seen well on Phulchowki,
over a dozen Swamp Francolins seen at Koshi, a Hodgson’s Bushchat seen at
Chitwan, all four Forktails, and excellent views of a Long-billed Thrush near
Pokhara. In total we recorded 352 species in 15 and a half days of birding.
Before we began this trip we were a little bit worried that the activity of the
Maoists might pose some security issues for us on the trip. However a few days
before we left Ireland the Maoists decided to extend by another month their 3 month
long ceasefire, which had just terminated. This was excellent news for us. When we
returned from Nepal the politcal situation deteriorated and there was much violence
and rioting. However it now seems that the peace and calm has been restored in Nepal
and it is once again a safe country to visit.
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Bharat Regmi of Explore Alpine Adventure Ltd. for organising everything
for us in Nepal. Also to Ram for driving us around safely for two weeks. David
Cooper and Howard Armstrong supplied me with some of their recordings of
Nepalese birds. Thanks also Som G.C. at Koshi for guiding us while there. Carol
Inskipp also gave useful advice and assistance.
Itinerary in brief
Day 1: 15th December
Nagarjun Forest.
Arrive Kathmandu from Ireland via Bahrain. Birding
Day 2: 16th December Drive to Pokhara, stopping at a number of locations, including
Trishuli river en route. Evening birding near Phewa Tal Lake at Pokhara.
Day 3: 17th December Birding to Sarongkot. In afternoon birding in forest at Phewa
Tal Lake.
Day 4: 18th December Birding forest at Phewa Tal Lake. Long drive to Chitwan
(Chital Lodge, Meghauli).
Day 5: 19th December Birding Chitwan N.P.
Day 6: 20th December Left for Sauraha area of Chitwan. Birding Twenty Thousand
Lake. Afternoon birding near Sauraha.
Day 7: 21st December Birding Chitwan N.P.
Day 8: 22nd December Birding Chitwan N.P.
Day 9: 23rd December Left Chitwan. Drive to Hetauda. Birding near Hetauda.
Day 10: 24th December Drive from Hetauda to Koshi Camp. Birding Koshi Camp.
Day 11: 25th December Birding Koshi Camp.
Day 12: 26th December Birding Koshi Camp. Boat trip on Koshi river. Birding near
Pink Tower and Koshi Barrage.
Day 13: 27th December Birding Koshi Camp. Travel to Biratnagar for afternoon
flight to Kathmandu.
Day 14: 28th December Birding Phulchowki Mountain.
Day 15: 29th December Birding lower slopes of Phulchowki. Birding Godavari
Botanical Gardens.
Day 16: 30th December Birding lower slopes of Phulchowki. Birding top of
Phulchowki in afternoon.
Day 17: 31st December No Birding. Travel to airport for flight home.
Daily account
15th December
Arrived about 10.30am into Kathmandu, about 2 hours later than scheduled.
We obtained our visas with no trouble and soon met our guide Bharat Regmi of
Explore Alpine Adventure outside. We met Ram our driver and we loaded up the van
and drove into the touristy Thamel area of Kathmandu, where we checked into the
Hotel Tradition.
We then went with Bharat to the nearby Explore Alpine office, and met some
of the other staff. By this stage we were quite hungry and went for lunch with Bharat
across the road to the Bamboo Restaurant, where we discussed the itinerary and the
chances of seeing certain target birds. From the open roof top restaurant we saw many
Black Kites and a Steppe Eagle overhead.
Bharat and Dermot discuss tactics at the Bamboo Restaurant. ©Aidan G. Kelly
In the afternoon we headed for the Nagarjun Forest for our first taste of real
Nepalese birding. We drove some way along the track into the forest, parked the van
and continued walking up the track.
View towards Kathmandu from Nagarjun. ©Aidan G. Kelly
Quite a few feeding flocks were encountered and we started to get to grips with some
of the various Phylloscopus warblers. Red-billed Blue Magpies were seen but we
only heard a Grey Treepie. 2 Scaly Thrushes gave brief views. Just before dusk, as
we drove out of the forest, 2 Kalij Pheasants appeared on the track in front of us and
were definitely the birds of the day. A few Oriental Turtle Doves gave some views
too. We returned to the hotel and ate again at the Bamboo restaurant.
16th December
We had breakfast at 7am in the hotel. Bharat arrived and soon we were on the way
west out of Kathmandu on the road to Pokhara, a six hour drive ahead of us. Bharat
knew a few good birding sites worth stopping at en route however.
The first stop along the edge of a roadside river produced our first Blue Whistling
Thrush and White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstarts of the trip. We also
saw what was to be our only Crested Bunting of the trip, a superb male sitting on a
wire.
Soon after this we stopped again at a bridge with a fast flowing stream rushing
down towards the river. We soon picked up 2 Brown Dippers and had nice views
(our only ones of the trip). This area was excellent for Forktails and walking upstream
a bit produced three species: Little, Black-backed and Slaty-backed, again the only
individuals of these three species we were to see on the trip.
We stopped at a few sites along the Trishuli River, where we hoped to see
Ibisbill. However everywhere we went, there seemed to be too much human
disturbance with many people gathering and breaking stones along the extensively dry
wide river bed. Bharat reckoned we probably would have a better chance at Hetauda
during the second half of the trip. We then stopped at a roadside restaurant for some
lunch.
White-capped Water Redstart
©Aidan G. Kelly
Little Forktail
©Aidan G. Kelly
A stop near Dulagauda to check out a large raptor, proved worthwhile when it
turned out to be a White-rumped Vulture. We counted a total of seven of them
together in the trees. A species which was extremely common 10 years ago, but now
classed as critically endangered, due to poisoning by the veterinary drug diclofenac,
which is used to treat cattle. Thankfully, use of the drug is being phased out in some
areas at least.
.
White-rumped Vultures © Aidan G. Kelly
While watching the Vultures our activities attract the attention of some of the
local children in Dulagauda. © Aidan G. Kelly
Further on, a stop at a large road-side cliff produced views of our only
Wallcreeper of the trip.
Eventually we arrived at Pokhara, and checked into the Solitary Hotel. We had
time to visit the Phewa Tal Lake for the last hour before dusk and picked up our first
real water birds of the trip including about 60 Ruddy Shelduck, one Ferruginous
Duck, Purple Swamphens, Bronze-winged Jacanas and Red-Wattled Lapwing, as
well as many herons and egrets.
We ate at the Hungry Eye restaurant and were entertained there by a display of
local traditional dancing. Back to the Solitary Hotel for a welcome sleep.
View of the Himalayas from the rooftop of the Solitary Lodge, Pokhara.
©Aidan G. Kelly
17th December
We had breakfast at 6am. We then drove along the lake shore to the base of
the track which leads up to the Sarongkot viewpoint. We went up the track which
leads into scrubby forest. Birding was generally quite slow most of the time. A
perched Oriental Honey Buzzard gave some reasonable scope views when we
reached a clearing. Further up the hill a juv. Bonelli’s Eagle showed well overhead
and about 10 Dark (Black)-throated Thrushes flew over.
It was quite hot when we reached the top and we decided to slowly descend
back towards Pokhara via the road. The warming temperature was proving good for
large raptors. As well as Griffon Vultures, we recorded our only Cinereous (Black)
Vulture of the trip, as well as our only Lammergeier, an immature bird. We got
some views eventually of a Grey-sided Bush Warbler in the roadside scrub.
After meeting up with the van along the road, Bharat suggested that for the
afternoon and evening we could take a boat across the Phewa Tal Lake to the forest
where there was a good chance to see Spotted Forktail. We could have a late lunch
in one of the lakeshore restaurants on the far side. This sounded good.
After being rowed across in a small boat to the far shore, we ate a nice lunch
at the Typical Restaurant. Afterwards we entered the forest and began walking the
trail back towards the Fishtail Lodge. Very soon we picked up a Spotted Forktail
along the side of the lake and right at the edge of the forest. We had now seen all the 4
possible Forktails and it turned out that we saw no more of any species for the rest of
the trip.
Lunch at the Typical Restaurant. The edge of Pokhara is visible on the far side
of the Phewa Tal Lake and Sarongkot viewpoint on the hill behind. © Aidan G.
Kelly
Further along the trail we played ‘cat-and-mouse’ for quite some time with a
Grey-bellied Tesia, before eventually getting some good but brief views.
A short distance further along the trail DO’M alerted us that something,
perhaps a small game bird, moved off the track ahead of him around the bend in the
trail. We were all puzzled as to what small ‘game bird’ would be in the forest. Myself
and DO’M went up the slope through the thick vegetation a bit. Soon we got a shout
from Bharat who had gone through the vegetation to the left of the trail down towards
the lake shore. When we got to Bharat he was pointing right into some deep tangles of
vegetation by the lake shore. I saw a movement and raised my bins and was stunned
to see the silhouette of a large pitta hop in big steps to the right. It moved into better
light and it felt like we were dreaming as we stared at a fantastic Blue-naped Pitta,
the bird peering out at us from the dense tangles. For the next 45 minutes we watched
the bird on and off as it moved only slightly through the vegetation. It ended up back
on the trail and gave stunning views as it hopped ahead of us at about 5 metres range,
the blue nape glistening when the sunlight caught it. We eventually left it when it
hopped off the trail down towards the lake again.
It had turned out that when Bharat located he bird, obviously the same bird
that DO’M had seen move off on the track, he realised the significance of the sighting
and not wanting to shout out ‘Blue-naped Pitta’ and have us charging down(!), he
wisely just gave us a firm shout to join him. As well as being a new bird for us, it was
new for Bharat. There have been very few records of this elusive and much sought
after species in Nepal in recent years, perhaps just one or two since 1989.
Continuing further along the trail we got nice views of a perched Jungle
Owlet, a few Small Niltavas and brief views of a Grey Treepie. The final highlight
was getting some views of a Chestnut-headed Tesia in the scrubby undergrowth.
As we neared Fishtail Lodge, we managed to flag a small boat to bring us
back the now short distance to the other side. That night we all celebrated the pitta
sighting with a few beers with our dhal bat at the Solitary Hotel.
Jungle Owlet ©Aidan G. Kelly
18th December
Our original plan was to leave straight away on the long drive to Chitwan this
morning. However because the forest across the lake proved so productive, we
decided that we’d spend the first few hours back there before moving on. After an
early breakfast we were back near Fishtail Lodge awaiting a rowing boat to take us
across the lake. Our first Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher of the trip performed as we
waited.
Into the boat, and before we even got the other side we were seeing good
birds. A Long-billed Thrush gave great views from the boat as it fed unconcernedly
on a muddy patch at the forest edge along the lake shore. A few Chestnut-headed
Tesias gave superb views too from the boat along the mud and lakeside vegetation.
We didn’t have that much time so when we got to the shore, we decided we would go
as far as the spot where we’d seen the pitta the previous day and then retrace our steps
back towards Fishtail. En route we had single male Small and Rufous-bellied
Niltavas.
When we arrived at the pitta spot, we separated off the trail to try to re-locate
it. Unbelievably within about two minutes, Bharat was whistling for us where he had
refound the pitta. The bird was in the same place where it had spent most of the time
yesterday, right by the lake shore. It was more or less ‘trapped’ between us and the
open water. This time I could be more relaxed watching it and with my Coolpix I
managed to get some digiscoped photos and some video of it through the vegetation.
Check out two video clips here:
http://www.surfbirds.com/video/73.html
http://www.surfbirds.com/video/74.html
Blue-naped Pitta © Aidan G. Kelly
We watched the bird on and off for over an hour until c. 9.30am and left it in the same
area. On the way back to Fishtail we got better views of Grey Treepie and our only
decent looks at 3 Nepal House Martins. A Black Eagle gave some views too.
We got back to the van and soon were on the road towards Chitwan and
Meghuali. We stopped en route at the Damuli Bridge, after seeing some vulture
activity on the sand banks of the river, where they were devouring the remains of a
cow. In the end we recorded 15 White-rumped Vultures including one juvenile, 20
Egyptain Vultures, two Red-headeds, one Himalayan Griffon and a few Griffon
Vultures here.
White-rumped Vultures devour the remains of a cow. © Aidan G. Kelly
We stopped at a restaurant for lunch en route and then continued the drive,
before finally arriving at Chital Lodge at 17.10hrs. where we met Jib, the owner. He
would also accompany us tomorrow when we went into the park.
We checked into our basic accommodation. Around the lodge before dusk we
saw some Alexandrine and Rose-ringed Parakeets. After a welcome meal we
turned in for the night.
19th December
We woke up to heavy low lying fog at 06.30hrs, an often daily winter event in
the lowlands or terai. The three of us went with Jib on foot towards Chitwan N.P. We
crossed the river and ended up at the famous Tiger Tops Resort by lunchtime. Birds
seen en route included a Rufous-winged Bushlark, a few Rufous-rumped
Grassbirds, our first Lesser Adjutants of the trip, a female Slaty-blue Flycatcher,
White-tailed Stonechats, an Aberrant Bush Warbler, and some Chestnut-capped
Babblers.
From here we headed back to the check-point area, where an elephant was
organised to bring us out into the open grasslands to look for some target birds,
principally Bengal Florican. We spent the next three hours on the elephant, but
unfortunately could find no floricans. We did have some views of a male Hodgson’s
Bushchat perched up however. At this time of year the elephant grass is very high so
this makes finding the florican very difficult. In a few months time the local people
are allowed to cut the grass and apparently the floricans are much easier to locate then
and in addition the males will be more conspicuous at this time when they are
displaying. Jib told us to come back in March and he said we would definitely see the
florican. Not really the news we wanted to hear!!
We did see two Rhinos from the elephant, one very close. We arrived back to
Chital after dark, for some welcome food and sleep.
Rhinoceros at Chitwan © Aidan G. Kelly
20th December
Realising that the Florican was going to be very tough at this time of year we decided
to cut our losses and instead of staying another day at this end of the Park, we were
happy to leave early this morning and head towards Sauraha, stopping by Bish Hajar
Tal or Twenty Thousand Lake en route.
After a 06.30hrs. breakfast, we loaded the van up and moved on. Jib’s father
took a left with us as far as the town of Bharatpur. Both he and Bharat discussed the
current political situation in Nepal and the conflict between the King and the Maoists.
Later in the morning we arrived at the Jankauli Forest and walked the track
towards Twenty Thousand Lake. It was quite a birdy spot. Before we got to the edge
of the forest a Rosy Pipit, our first of the trip, showed well in the open countryside.
Rosy Pipit © Aidan G. Kelly
As we walked the trail we encountered our first Pale-chinned Blue Flycatcher and
got nice views. On a nearby tree in a clearing, a juvenile Grey-headed Fish Eagle
gave nice views as it perched up on a nearby tree, calling.
We stayed at the lake for about an hour, a very tranquil and beautiful spot.
Stork-billed Kingfisher, Black Storks and Himalayan Flamebacks were in
evidence. From the lake we retraced our path back to the van, where we continued the
drive to Sauraha. We arrived in time for lunch at Rhino Lodge, on the edge of the
Rapti river. We would be staying two nights here.
Juvenile Grey-headed Fish Eagle © Aidan G. Kelly
In the afternoon and evening we walked along the edge of the Rapti river
towards Gaida Lodge http://www.visitnepal.com/gaida/. Bharat knew a lot of the bird
guides there and his cousin Shankar Tiwari was the manager.
After some discussion we decided that we would pay a bit extra and spend our
last night in Chitwan at Gaida Lodge, and use the services of the guides here. Bharat
was able to get us a cheaper rate than if we had turned up by ourselves.
We met some of the Gaida Lodge guides and towards dusk they pointed out a
Brown Wood Owl flying across the river towards the camp from the National Park.
We returned to Rhino Lodge and Shankar joined us for our evening meal
there. He was impressed by our Blue-naped Pitta sighting near Pokhara and we
showed him the shots on the camera.
21st December
Had breakfast at Rhino Lodge at 06.30hrs. Then it was time for an early morning boat
trip up the Rapti river. All three of us went with two of the guides from the Rhino
Lodge. Plain Sand Martins were common around the river as they flew around the
boat. Birding was generally fairly quiet. We saw a Temminck’s Stint and a Kentish
Plover. A few Sand Larks were also noted. A nice view of a Gharial on a sand bank
was a diversion from the birding. After about 2km we stopped the boat on the
National Park side of the river and disembarked. We wandered around for some time,
but it was quite hot already and birding was fairly slow. A few Yellow-footed Green
Pigeons showed well in some fruiting bushes. Wandering down the track produced
views of an Aberrant Bush Warbler. We also recorded some Himalayan
Flamebacks and Grey-headed Woodpeckers. We went further into the park and
eventually reached a viewing tower where we had lunch. The very long elephant-gass
made viewing birds difficult.
We continued on and saw a Changeable Hawk Eagle perched up. We heard
some birds calling in the long grass which were probably Slender-billed Babblers
but unfortunately we did not see them. This was one of our main targets here so we
were disappointed. 2 Asian Barred Owlets were watched perched up in trees.
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon © Aidan G. Kelly
The rest of the day was a bit of a wash-out birdwise due to the fact that we got lost in
the National Park(!). We went further on and followed our local guide along the
tracks or grass tunnels made by Elephants and Rhinoceros through the long grass.
After a while we realised that our guide had lost his way and wasn’t really sure where
we were! This was quite frightening and dangerous. After about half an hour of
wandering through the tracks (and hoping not to get charged by a Rhino, Elephant or
a Tiger!), we found a tree which the guide climbed to see if he could get his bearings.
It didn’t help too much as we still spent the next hour and a half wandering through
grass tunnels and crossing swampy ponds, almost up our waists in water at times, and
we were not really certain that he knew the way. We had a brief view of a chat which
looked like another Hodgson’s Buschat perched on some stands of tall elephantgrass, but it flew before we clinched it. The fact that we were still lost didn’t help our
concentration however. As we made or way through the grass tunnels, the guide
picked up a long stick and shouted out in order to frighten any Rhinoceros that might
be ahead of us. If a Rhino had charged us in the grass tunnel we would have had little
chance though! Finally we reached the Rapti river at about 16.30 hrs. to great relief,
over 2 hours since we’d first lost the our way. Later we heard that there was/is a rogue
Elephant which had actually killed a park guide in the region of Chitwan NP where
we had been. In hindsight it would probably be best not to go on foot in these areas of
the NP and only travel into this habitat on elephant back.
At the river, we were now able to look at birds again and not worry about
being lost in the grass jungle overnight! 2 beautiful Bar-headed Geese showed well
on the river in the evening sunshine (the only ones we were to see on the trip). A
group of 13 Goosanders was also present. As we walked the edge of the river back
towards Sauraha, the forest at the edge produced some nice views of 2 Blue-bearded
Bee-eaters. We flagged down a small boat to bring us across the river to Sauraha and
returned to the Rhino Lodge for our last night there. It was a relief to be back in
civilisation!
22nd December
We had breakfast at Rhino Lodge at 07.00 hrs., packed up and headed the short
distance to Gaida Lodge where we checked in. We were assigned a guide (Rames)
and headed to the elephant embarkation point where all four of us climbed aboard.
We crossed the river and into the forest. Very soon the guide had found two roosting
Brown Fish Owls and we got superb views. We continued on beyond the forest into
the elephant-grass, although we failed to find any of our main target birds here. We
returned to the Gaida Lodge c.11am and took a walk around the grounds of the Lodge
before lunch there. Nice views of a Spotted Owlet were had and a photogenic
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo performed well. A Tickell’s Thrush also showed
well at a small drain on the grounds. After an excellent lunch, we birded again around
the Lodge grounds until c.3pm, when we took another elephant ride into the park
across the river, this time with Sookey as guide. In the forest we got excellent views
of two roosting Brown Wood Owls. When we entered the elephant-grass, I was
sitting on the correct side to get a view of a female Himalayan Rubythroat before it
disappeared back into the vegetation. We were hoping for Grey-crowned Prinia, but
succeeded in seeing only the much commoner Yellow-bellied and Plain Prinias.
Then it was back to the Lodge for dinner.
Preparing for the Elephant ride at Gaida Lodge © Aidan G. Kelly
Greater racket-tailed Drongo © Aidan G. Kelly
23rd December
We were up for an excellent breakfast at 06.30hrs. at Gaida. From 07.00hrs to about
09.30hrs. some of the guides accompanied us around the Lodge grounds for our last
bit of birding at Chitwan. Another Brown Fish Owl was picked up by one of the
guides and we got some nice views. A Thick-billed Warbler showed particulary well
and we saw the Tickell’s Thrush again. We heard a few Himalayan Rubythroats
calling but couldn’t get on to them in the dense vegetation, despite some effort.
Brown Fish Owl © Aidan G. Kelly
By 09.45hrs. we were packed up and having said good-bye to the guides and staff at
Gaida we were on our way to Hetauda, where we would be stopping over to try for
Ibisbill en route to Koshi Barrage.
We arrived at Hetauda about lunchtime and checked into the Motel Avocado.
After a lunch of dhal bat, we crossed the road towards the river to try for the Ibisbill.
Initially things didn’t look very promising as there seemed to be a lot of activity from
local people washing and bathing. We continued walking about 2km up river and in a
slightly less disturbed part of the river, but still with some people nearby, we found
our target. We had 8 Ibisbill in the same general area and spent the next hour or so
watching and photographing these fabulous birds. A female Hodgson’s Redstart also
gave good views, as well as a very obliging Little Ringed Plover. We returned to the
motel along the road towards dusk. We were pleased to have seen the birds on the
first try as it meant we could start the journey onwards towards Koshi straight away
next morning.
The area where we eventually found the Ibisbills at Hetauda © Aidan G. Kelly
Ibisbill ©Aidan G. Kelly
24th December
We left the Motel Avocado after a 6.30am breakfast, and continued on the long
journey to Koshi. A few short birding stops en route were made and a stop for a
noodle lunch until we arrived at Koshi Barrage in the late afternoon. Birds near the
barrage included some Pheasant-tailed Jacanas and nice views of Lesser Kestrels.
Eventually we arrived at our base for the next few days, the Koshi Camp
http://www.kosicamp.com. We met Som G.C. our guide, and after something to eat,
we went with Som out around the grounds of the camp. We birded the small pools at
the back of the camp and went a short distance beyond the gate along the
embankment. We saw our first White-eyed Buzzards, Dusky Warblers and Black
Bittern of the trip and our only Black-headed Buntings of the trip. I managed brief
but nice views of a stunning male Siberian Rubythroat.
25th December
Up for breakfast at 06.30hrs. After some brief watching around the camp, we headed
with Som out beyond the gate and along the embankment at c. 7.30hrs.
We picked up our first Black-necked Stork of the trip, a male in flight. We
also saw our only Cinnamon Bittern of the trip, a juvenile. The highlight of the
morning was nice views of a few Swamp Francolins along the dyke and before the
day was out we had logged 11 birds. Some superb male Siberian Rubythroats also
showed well. We also saw our first Black-rumped Flamebacks of the trip and our
only Common Hawk Cuckoos. A few Jungle Owlets and Shikras showed as well.
We walked quite a few km up the track before being collected by the jeep which
drove us back to the camp for lunch.
At the camp we met the well known Nepalese ornithologist Hem Sagar Baral,
and he too was very interested in our Blue-naped Pitta sighting near Pokhara. He
showed us some pictures on his laptop of a recent event at Koshi, where some doctors
came to the camp and the local people were encouraged to visit and get medicines and
health checks. At the same time, the importance of the area for birds and other
wildlife is explained to the people, which can only be a good thing. They are thus
encouraged to view the camp and its existence in the area in a positive way.
At c.2pm we walked the other direction along the dyke and stayed out until
dusk. Two Barred Buttonquails gave nice views as they emerged from the
vegetation along the track on our way back. Eventually we all got good views of
Smoky Warbler in dense vegetation at the edge of the camp in the evening.
Clamorous Reed, Blyth’s Reed, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Greenish, Hume’s and
Thick-billed Warblers all showed eventually around the camp too. We returned to
camp for Christmas dinner, Nepal style!
Swamp Francolin © Aidan G. Kelly
Spotted Owlet © Aidan G. Kelly
26th December
Awoke early to the sound of Golden Jackals around the camp at 6am. Unlike
yesterday’s beautiful sunny day, this morning the fog had struck and visibility was
very poor. We had a breakfast at 6.30am and were out in the field just after 7am. A
few Yellow-breasted Buntings were the best birds noted around the camp. This
morning we were taking a dingy trip down the Koshi river and would need clear
visibility for that. Unfortunately the fog still showed little sign of lifting. After
walking along the embankment for a while, it did improve a little and we decided to
embark on the boat trip. Generally this was quite disappointing with not many birds
present, the lingering fog not helping either. The tall grass at the edge of the river
produced a Graceful Prinia and a few Plain Prinias. A confiding Bluethroat
showed very well from the boat. We stopped on a large sandy island to look for Great
Thick-knee but had no success. A few Short-toed Eagles were visible through the
fog, as well as a pair of Black-necked Storks. A ‘Caspian-type’ Yellow-legged Gull
gave some views as it sat on the edge of a sand bar and a number of Sand Larks were
in evidence
After a while and with still very few birds to show for our efforts we decided
to abandon the boat trip and stopped for our packed lunch on the shore. A wild male
elephant nearby was causing excitement with a lot of the local people. This was the
first wild elephant we’d seen on our visit to Nepal. We walked some of the way back
towards the camp to be met by the van. A Common Starling on the way was our
only one of the trip! In the afternoon we drove to the Koshi Barrage where we got
some views of a few Ganges River Dolphins surfacing. We moved on to the Pink
Tower look-out. It was a bit disappointing bird-wise with very few birds visible.
Where were the thousands of wildfowl one usually associates with Koshi?
In some wet fields and swamps a few km further on from the Pink Tower we
found 14 Grey-headed Lapwings and some more Pheasant-tailed Jacanas. By 5pm
we packed up and headed back to the camp.
Hoopoe © Aidan G. Kelly
27th December
Our last day at Koshi. After a coffee at 06.00hrs, we went with Som and another
guide Badri out around the camp grounds and a short way along the embankment. We
returned by 08.00hrs. for breakfast. We saw our only Yellow Bittern of the trip, and a
Richard’s Pipit flew over. We packed up and loaded the jeep. With Som we drove a
further distance to another area of the embankment to look for Striated Grassbird.
Unfortunately we failed to find any, but did have some views of a Paddyfield
Warbler. Som said that the Grassbirds would be much easier to see in March. In
some cultivated fields we had some nice views of Rufous-winged Bushlark, Ashycrowned Finch Lark, Gtr. Short-toed Larks and some Rosy Pipits. On the
embankment we saw some Oriental Turtle Doves and two close Swamp
Francolins.
We then headed off towards Biratnagar to catch the flight back to Kathmandu.
When we arrived at the very busy airport, Bharat was informed that our early
afternoon flight was delayed until 6.30pm! We ate our packed lunches on the grass
field outside the airport. After some time Bharat returned having used his influence
and persuasion powers to inform us that he had secured three seats for us on the
2.30pm flight! We said our good-byes to Som and soon were enjoying the spectacular
Himalayan scenery on the flight to Kathmandu, with Mt. Everest in the distance.
In Kathmandu we me up with our driver Ram who had driven back from
Koshi ahead of us a few days ago. We loaded the van, headed to the Thamel area and
checked into the Hotel Tradition again, where we had spent our first night in
Kathmandu nearly two weeks ago. Myself and Dermot ate at the Bamboo Restaurant
and Bharat returned to see his family.
28th December
Up at 05.15am for a breakfast arranged for 05.30am. Bharat and Ram arrived around
6am and we set out for Phulchowki mountain. Birding was brilliant and there was lots
to see on the mountain. We stopped near a ruined building and parked the van. Just at
the next bend up from here, we managed to get excellent views of a group of 4 to 5
Cutias. A bird I had wanted to see for some time, having missed them in Malaysia.
We drove onwards towards the summit. Bharat obtained permission from the army
base near the top for us to go right to the summit. Because of the political situation at
the time of our visit, it was a restricted area. We birded slowly back down the
mountain, stopping at various altitudes, and letting the van go ahead of us a few
hundred metres. Today was the best day for new species so far on the trip (and we
were near the end of the trip!). Amongst the many highlights in addition to the Cutias
were Kalij Pheasants, Rufous-breasted, Crimson-breasted and Darjeeling
Woodpeckers, Chestnut-bellied Rockthrush, numerous White-collared
Blackbirds and Dark (Black)-throated Thrushes, a single Grey-winged
Blackbird, White-throated and Blue-fronted Redstarts, Green-backed Tit,
Yellow-browed Tit, Black-throated and Black-lored Tits, Buff-barred, Ashythroated and Black-faced Warblers, White-throated, Chestnut-crowned, Striated
and Streaked Laughingthrushes, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers, Hoarythroated Barwing, White-browed Shrike Babbler, Blue-winged Minla, Whitebrowed Fulvetta, Whiskered, Rufous-vented and Stripe-throated Yuhinas,
numerous Rufous Sibias, single Rufous-breasted Accentor, Dark-breasted and
Pink-browed Rosefinch and a female Gold-naped Finch.
In the evening Bharat very kindly invited us for a meal in his house and to
meet his wife and children. A great end to a great day.
29th December
Up at 05.40hrs. and after a quick breakfast we were on the road just after 6am. We
parked near the Godavari Botanical Gardens at the foot of Phulchowki. We ascended
the scrubby slopes to look for Spiny Babbler, one of Nepal’s two endemic birds.
Despite our best efforts we had no success. Again the recurring problem during the
trip that this time of year was not the best to be looking for many of the tougher target
species. In March they would be easier to see, when they would be more vocal….
After some lunch back at the van we visited the Botanical Gardens
themselves. Quite a good area for getting views of some species but by this time there
were a lot of people in the gardens. After a while we found our main target, Redbilled Leiothrix (Pekin Robin), seeing a small group of them.
We returned to the slopes to try again for the Spiny Babbler. We climbed
quite a way up and ended staying until dusk, but failed to find any Spiny Babblers.
We did eventually get reasonable views of some vocal Rusty-cheeked Scimitar
Babblers after a bit of effort. Other highlights today included a Slaty-backed
Flycatcher, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied and Small Niltavas, male
Hodgson’s Redstart, White-throated and Blue-fronted Redstarts, male Whitetailed Robin, a Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, two Lemon-rumped Warblers, a
Blyth’s Leaf Warbler, White-browed and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers,
Nepal Fulvetta, Black-chinned and Grey-throated Babblers.
That night in Kathmandu we went with Bharat to a famous mountaineering
restaurant called Rum Doodle.
30th December
Up at 05.20hrs. for an 05.45hrs. breakfast. We were on the road soon after 6am and
heading back towards Phulchowki and Godavari. On our way Bharat had arranged to
pick up Shankar who was visiting Kathmandu, from Gaida Lodge, and his son, to
accompany us for the morning’s birding. Once again we ascended the slopes towards
the prayer flags and tried for Spiny Babbler. Unfortunately we again had no success.
However we were compensated by views of 3 Golden Bush Robins and a male Pale
Blue Flycatcher. 2 Black Eagles were visible soaring over the forest higher up.
Shankar and his son had to leave us after this and we then decided to go back
up to the higher parts of Phulchowki which had been full of birds two days ago. We
drove as far as a small roadside pool and parked here. A mixed feeding flock
eventually produced nice views of a Green Shrike Babbler for all, as well as quite a
few Rufous-winged and White-browed Fulvettas. Two Goldcrests were our first of
the trip too. Thrushes were everywhere with Dark-throated and White-collared
Blackbirds in abundance. A Goshawk gave some views as it flew over us. Again we
birded back down the Mountain and saw many of the species we’d seen two days ago,
but getting better views of two White-tailed Nuthatches. We heard a Hill Partridge,
having had a brief view of one on the track from the van on the way up.
We spent some time in the area where we’d seen the Cutias two days ago, but
had no sign of any. We continued down to the bottom of the track where we looked
around this area for a while. A last quick look for Spiny Babbler was unsuccessful
too. That night we went with Bharat to a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural
dancing. He had been promising to do this throughout the trip and it was a great way
to spend my last night in Nepal.
31st December
Today I had a lie-on and packed up the bags for the flight home. After a bit of
shopping around the Thamel area, Ram and Bharat dropped me to the airport for the
flight home. DO’M was staying on another few days in Nepal and then spending a
few days in Bahrain on the way back. My flight left on time for Abu Dhabi at
17.15hrs. and New Year was passed in Abu Dhabi airport waiting for my connecting
flight home.
DO’M returned to Phulchowki over the next two days and recorded a
Mountain Hawk Eagle, a Plain-backed Thrush, two Brown-throated
Treecreepers, three Mountain Bulbuls, 3+ Rufous-chinned Laughingthrushes, 12
Grey-sided Laughingthrushes, two Blue-winged Laughingthrushes, two more
Cutias, two White-browed Shrike Babblers and two Black-eared Shrike
Babblers, clearly showing the potential that this great birding has. He also succeeded
in seeing Grey Hypocolius in Bahrain.
Systematic List of Species recorded
The sequence of species follows thesame order as The Birds of Nepal by Grimmet,
Inskipp and Inskipp, Helm and A&C Black, 2000.
1. Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis Seen only along the embankment at the
back of Koshi Camp where 11 were seen on our first full day there. 2 more were
seen and a few heard here subsequently. This species is listed as Vulnerable in
Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World (2000) on account of a
rapid population decline and a severe reduction in its preferred habitat.
Swamp Francolin © Aidan G. Kelly
2. Barred Buttonquail Turnix sucitator Two birds gave good views along the
embankment at Koshi one evening.
3. Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola One seen briefly from the van along the
track up to Phulchowki. Another heard calling across a valley later that day
there.
4. Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus A few seen and heard most days at Chitwan.
5. Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos Two seen at Nagarjun Forest. Recorded
daily at Phulchowki with the highest count being 15 birds one day.
6. Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus Recorded daily at Chitwan with the highest
count being 10 birds one day.
7. Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus Two birds gave good views along the Rapti
River at Chitwan. The only ones of the trip.
8. Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica Recorded daily at Koshi with the
highest count being c.200 birds one day.
9. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Seen in good numbers at Phewa Tal Lake,
Chitwan and Koshi. Highest daily total was c.80 birds at Chitwan.
10. Gadwall Anas strepera Recorded at Phewa Tal Lake, Chitwan and Koshi.
Highest daily total was c.50 birds at Koshi.
11. Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Just one seen at Chitwan. 12 recorded at
Koshi.
12. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Three seen at Phewa Tal Lake. 15 recorded at
Koshi.
13. Common Teal Anas crecca One seen at Phewa Tal Lake. About 80 recorded at
Koshi.
14. Garganey Anas querquedula Only record was of a single female bird at Koshi.
15. Northern Pintail Anas acuta Three seen at Chitwan. Just two at Koshi.
16. Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina A single male seen at Chitwan. Up to 40
recorded around Koshi, mostly at the Barrage.
17. Common Pochard Aythya ferina Single bird at Phewa Tal Lake. Thre seen at
Chitwan and another three at Koshi.
18. Ferruginous Duck (Pochard) Aythya nyroca Single at Phewa Tal Lake, two at
Chitwan and about 20 counted most days at Koshi. This species is listed as Near
Threatened in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World (2000).
19. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Pair at Phewa Tal Lake. Three seen at Chitwan
and just a single bird at Koshi.
20. Common Merganser (Goosander) Mergus merganser Only recorded at
Chitwan where up to 16 were seen on the Rapti River there.
21. Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla Recorded on two dates at Koshi in scrub
along the embankment. Two birds seen on fisrt day. Single on following day.
22. Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus Two seen at Nagarjun forest.
Recorded on two dates at Phulchowki with maximum of three birds logged one
day.
23. Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus Recorded daily
at Chitwan in small numbers.
24. Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei Recorded daily at Chitwan
in small numbers.
25. Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus Seen on most visits to
Phulchowki, with a maximum of three birds on our first day there.
26. Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos cathpharius Single bird
recorded at Phulchowki.
27. Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis A pair seen on our first day
at Phulchowki and a female on our last day there.
28. Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus Seen in small numbers at Chitwan.
29. Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha Just one bird recorded at the forest at
Phewa Tal Lake.
30. Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus Singles seen on two dates
at Chitwan and a single bird also at Koshi.
31. Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus Seen in small numbers daily at
Chitwan.
32. Himalayan Flameback Dinopium shorii Up to three seen daily at Chitwan.
33. Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense 4 birds recorded near Koshi
Camp.
34. Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus Recorded in small numbers at
Phewa Tal Lake and Chitwan.
35. Great Barbet Megalaima virens Heard at Nagarjun. Heard and seen at Phewa
Tal Lake. Heard and seen daily at Phulchowki.
36. Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica One recorded at Chitwan.
37. Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata One heard at Phewa Tal Lake. Recorded on
two dates at Chitwan, with maximum count of six birds one day.
38. Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica One recorded at Nagarjun forest.
Two seen at Koshi and one at Phulchowki.
39. Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala One seen at Koshi.
40. Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris Small numbers recorded
almost daily at Chitwan.
41. Common Hoopoe Upupa epops Recorded in small numbers at both Chitwan
and Koshi
Hoopoe © Aidan G. Kelly
42. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis Recorded in small numbers in the
lowlands with a maximum daily count of six birds.
43. Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni Recorded on two dates at
Chitwan, with good views being obtained of two birds in riverine forest along
the Rapti river at Chitwan.
44. Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis Recorded almost daily at Chitwan and
Koshi with maximum daily count of 15 birds at Koshi.
45. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Common at Chitwan and Koshi where
recorded daily in small numbers.
46. Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon capensis One or two birds recorded daily at
both Chitwan and Koshi.
Stork-billed Kingfisher at Twenty Thousand Lake near Chitwan. © Aidan G. Kelly
47. White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Common in open areas and
seen almost daily.
48. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Common at Chitwan and Koshi where seen daily.
49. Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius Four birds recorded at Koshi.
50. Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Recorded daily at Chitwan and Koshi in
small numbers.
51. Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis Just one bird recorded at Chitwan in
vegetation along the Rapti river.
52. Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria Recorded at Phewa Tal Lake and
daily at Chitwan.
53. Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Common and seen almost daily.
54. Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala Seen in small numbers at
Chitwan.
55. Himalayan Swiftlet Collocalia brevirostris Recorded daily at Phew Tal lake
and seen most days at Chitwan.
56. White-rumped Needletail Zoonavena sylvatica Four birds seen at Chitwan one
day.
57. Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis Up to 30 recorded at Koshi daily.
58. House Swift Apus affinis Just one bird recorded between Kathmandu and
Pokhara.
59. Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata Six birds recorded at Chitwan and
four at Koshi.
60. Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis Three birds seen well at day time roosts at
Chitwan.
61. Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica One bird seen at dusk near Gaida
Lodge, Chitwan and then two birds seen at day time roost nearby two days later.
62. Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides Two birds seen at day roosts at
Koshi.
63. Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum Single bird recorded at Phewa Tal Lake.
Three recorded at Chitwan and three also recorded at Koshi.
64. Spotted Owlet Athene brama One seen at daytime roost at Chitwan. Seen
almost daily at Koshi, where birds were even roosting around the toilet buildings
at Koshi Camp allowing great views.
65. Rock Pigeon Columba livia Fairly common near human habitation.
66. Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis A few seen at Nagarjun forest.
Recorded also at Koshi and a single bird near Godavari.
67. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinenis Common in open areas and seen almost
daily.
68. Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica Common but seen only near
Koshi, where recorded daily.
69. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Fairly common and seen almost
daily.
70. Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica A few recorded most days while at
Chitwan.
71. Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron pompadora Single birds recorded on two
dates at Chitwan.
72. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera A few birds recorded at
Chitwan on two dates.
73. Brown Crake Amaurornis akool Up to two birds seen almost daily along the
Rapti river near Gaida Lodge at Chitwan.
74. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Two seen at Chitwan. A
few noted daily at Koshi.
75. Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca Heard and seen once briefly at Koshi.
76. Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio About 25 noted at Phewa Tal Lake.
Recorded daily at Koshi with a peak cont of c.50 birds one day.
77. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Recorded daily at Phewa Tal Lake,
Chitwan and Koshi where common.
78. Common Coot Fulica atra Recorded daily at Phewa Tal Lake and Koshi where
common.
79. Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura Two birds recorded at Chitwan.
80. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago One recorded at Chitwan and a few noted
at Koshi.
81. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 5 birds noted near Koshi on day.
82. Common Redshank Tringa totanus 5 birds noted at Koshi one day.
83. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Recorded daily at both Chitwan and
Koshi with a mximum count of 20 birds noted one day.
84. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Recorded almost daily in small numbers at
both Chitwan and Koshi.
85. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Recorded almost daily in small numbers
at Phewa Tal Lake, Chitwan and Koshi.
86. Little Stint Calidris minuta Four birds noted at Koshi one day.
87. Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii A few recorded along the Rapti river at
Chitwan and a few noted a Koshi.
88. Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii 8 birds seen along the river near the Motel
Avocado at Hetauda were one of the highlights of the trip.
89. Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Noted on two occasions
near Koshi where a maximum of 10 birds were counted one day.
90. Bronze-tailed Jacana Metopidius indicus Fairly common and seen at Phewa
Tal Lake, Chitwan and Koshi with a max. daily count of about 40 birds at Koshi.
91. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Seen daily at Chitwan and a few noted
at Koshi. One showed very well along the river at Hetauda.
Little Ringed Plover at Hetauda © Aidan G. Kelly
92. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Single bird seen at Chitwan and about
8 birds noted at Koshi.
93. Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus About 30 birds seen in fields near the
pink tower at Koshi Barrage were the only ones seen on the trip.
94. River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii Three birds from the Damuli bridge
between Kathmandu and Pokhara. A few more recorded at Chitwan.
95. Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus 14 birds noted in marshy fields near
Koshi Barrage were the only ones noted.
96. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Seen almost daily at Phewa Tal Lake,
Chitwan and Koshi.
97. Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans Single adult birds seen on two dates
along the Koshi River.
98. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus A single first-winter bird at Phewa Tal
Lake was the only one noted on the trip.
99. Osprey Pandion haliaetus One or two noted almost daily at Chitwan and Koshi.
100. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus A few noted at Chitwan. Noted on
a few dates at Koshi where up to 15 were seen one day.
101. Black Kite Milvus migrans Common around Kathmandu and Pokhara. A few
noted at Hetauda and Koshi.
102. Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus An immature bird was
seen at Twenty Thousand Lake near Chitwan. This species is listed as Near
Threatened in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World (2000).
103. Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus A single immature bird was seen at
Sarongkot near Pokhara.
104. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus Up to 20 counted on two dates
between Kathmandu and Pokhara. A single bird at Chitwan was the only onther
one noted. This species has recntly been given the stauts as Endangered by
Birdlife International.
105. White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis
7 birds seen together at
Dulagauda, a town between Kathmandu and Pokhara. 15 birds seen feeding on a
dead cow in the river at Damuli Bridge near Pokhara a few days later. This
species is now classed as Critical, having undergone a massive and rapid
population decline due to poisoning by the veterinary drug diclofenac.
106. Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis One immature bird seen at the Damuli
Bridge near Pokhara.
107. Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus up to 15 counted in a day near Pokhara and
Sarongkot. 7 birds seen at Koshi and a single bird near Phulchowki.
108. Cinereous (Black) Vulture Aegypius monachus A single bird was seen
Sarongkot, near Pokhara. This species is listed as Near Threatened in Birdlife
International’s Threatened Birds of the World (2000).
109. Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus Only seen near Pokhara where a max.
of 4 were logged one day. This species was listed as Near Threatened in
Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World (2000), but has recently
been upgraded to Critical by Birdlife.
110. Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus A few birds noted at Koshi.
111. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Noted daily at Chitwan and Koshi.
The maximum daily count was of six birds at Twenty Thousand Lake, Chitwan.
112. Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis Single bird seen at Phewa Tal Lake and
two together at Phulchowki.
113. Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Single bird seen near Pokhara.
Seen daily in small numbers at Koshi.
114. Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos Single male seen at Chitwan. Seen daily
in small numbers at Koshi.
115. Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Two birds seen near Pokhara. Two singles seen
at Koshi.
116. Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Single bird seen over the forest near the
top of Phulchowki.
117. Shikra Accipiter badius One recorded near Pokhara. A few recorded most
days at Koshi.
Shikra at Koshi © Aidan G. Kelly
118. Besra Accipiter virgatus One seen poorly at Koshi.
119. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Three singles recorded naer Pokhara
and Chitwan.
120. Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus Single bird seen perched in a
tree at Sarongkot, Pokhara.
121. White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa Two or three seen daily at Koshi.
122. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Two birds recorded at Koshi.
123. Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga One bird seen en route to Pokhara from
Kathmandu. This species is listed as Vulnerable in Birdlife International’s
Threatened Birds of the World (2000).
124. Steppe Eagle Aquila rapax A few birds noted around Kathmandu and
Pokhara but not at other sites.
125. Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus An immature bird was seen near
Sarongkot, Pokhara.
126. Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus Three birds recorded at
Chitwan.
127. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni About 5 birds seen naer Koshi Barrage. This
species is listed as Vulnerable in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of
the World (2000).
128. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Recorded in small numbers at many
sites, especially Koshi.
129. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus One seen at Chitwan and another at
Koshi.
130. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 20+ noted at Phewa Tal Lake. About 10
noted near Koshi Barrage.
131. Great-crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus One seen at Phewa Tal Lake. About
seven recorded at Koshi.
132. Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster A few recorded at both Chitwan and
Koshi. This species is listed as Near Threatened in Birdlife International’s
Threatened Birds of the World (2000).
133. Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Recorded daily at Koshi where quite
common.
134. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Commonly recorded at most wetland
habitats visited.
135. Little Egret Egretta garzetta Commonly recorded at most wetland habitats
visited.
136. Great Egret Casmerodius albus Commonly recorded at most wetland habitats
visited.
137. Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Commonly recorded at most
wetland habitats visited.
138. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Common and seen on most dates in both wetland
and drier habitats.
139. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea One at Phewa Tal Lake. Recorded almost daily at
Chitwan and Koshi with a maximum of 10 noted at Koshi one day.
140. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Up to two recorded daily at Koshi.
141. Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Commonly recorded at most wetland
habitats visited.
142. Little Heron Butorides striatus Two recorded at Chitwan and one at Koshi.
143. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Single bird recorded at
Chitwan and another at Koshi.
144. Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Single bird seen at Koshi.
145. Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrycus cinnamomeus Single immature bird seen at
Koshi.
146. Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis Single bird seen on three dates in the ponds
at Koshi Camp. Generally very secretive but good views were eventually had.
147. Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Seen only at Koshi where a
maximum daily count of 20 birds was made one day. This species is listed as
Near Threatened in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World
(2000).
148. Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa Seen daily at Chitwan with a maximum daily
count of 40 birds one day. Two or three also seen at Koshi.
149. Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Seen daily at Chitwan and Koshi where
fairly common.
150. Wooly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Three birds seen at Chitwan, two of
these being at Twenty Thousand Lake. Another bird seen at Koshi.
151. Black Stork Ciconia nigra Seen daily at Chitwan with a maximum daily
count of 10 birds one day. Three birds recorded at Koshi.
152. Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus A male seen flying over
Koshi Camp one day, and a pair seen along the Koshi river the next day. This
species is listed as Near Threatened in Birdlife International’s Threatened
Birds of the World (2000).
153. Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus Seen almost daily at both Chitwan and
Koshi with a maximum count of 10 birds one day. This species is listed as
Vulnerable in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World (2000).
154. Blue-naped Pitta Pitta nipalensis A male gave stunning views along a trail in
the forest at Phewa Tal Lake on two consecutive days and was without doubt the
highlight of the trip.
155. Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons One bird recorded at Phewa
Tal Lake and another at Chitwan.
156. Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii Two birds noted at
Phulchowki.
157. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Two birds noted at Chitwan. Three or four
logged daily at Koshi.
158. Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus Two birds recorded naer Pokhara were the
only ones of the trip.
159. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Common and recorded in small numbers
almost daily.
160. Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus A few recorded at both Chitwan and
Koshi.
161. Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius A total of 5 birds noted at Phulchowki.
162. Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha About six birds seen at
Nagarjun forest. Seven birds seen at Chitwan.
163. Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda Common and recorded almost daily.
164. Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae Recorded at Nagarjun Forest, Phewa Tal
Lake and Phulchowki. Usually shy and hard to get views of.
165. House Crow Corvus splendens Common and noted almost daily.
166. Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Common and noted almost daily.
167. Common Raven Corvus corax Two birds near Pokhara were the only ones
noted.
168. Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus A single bird at Koshi was the only one
noted on the trip.
169. Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus One seen at Phewa Tal Lake.
Recorded daily in small numberrs at Chitwan and Koshi.
170. Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii One or two recorded at Phewa Tal Lake. A
few heard and seen at Phulchowki.
171. Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei A few recorded daily at Phewa Tal
Lake, Chitwan and Koshi.
172. Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos
Koshi and one noted at Phulchowki.
173. Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
Thousand Lake, Chitwan.
Two birds seen at
Six birds noted near Twenty
174. Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus Noted in small numbers at both
Phewa Tal Lake and Phulchowki.
175. Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus A few birds recorded at Chitwan.
176. Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus A few birds recorded at
Chitwan.
177. Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha One seen at Phewa Tal Lake
and another two at Phulchowki.
178. White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis A few seen on at both Chitwan
and Koshi.
179. Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Common and recorded almost daily.
180. Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus Recorded in small numbers at both
Chitwan and Koshi.
181. White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Seen daily in small numbers at
Chitwan. Two recorded Koshi.
182. Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Seen at Nagarjun Forest, Phewa Tal Lake,
Chitwan and Phulchowki in small numbers.
183. Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Recorded at Phewa Tal Lake in small
numbers and two also seen at Koshi.
184. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus
Chitwan and one naer Hetauda.
A few recorded at
185. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia A few recorded at both Chitwan and Koshi.
186. Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus Recorded in small
numbers at Chitwan.
187. Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii Two birds seen on a small river along the
Kathmandu/Pokhara road were the only ones noted on the trip.
188. Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris One bird noted near
Pokhara and another at Phulchowki.
189. Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus A few noted on the way to
Pokhara and near Phewa Tal Lake. Also seen at Phulchowki.
190. Plain-backed Thrush Zoothera mollissima One seen briefly at Phulchowki
(DO’M only).
191. Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma Seen in small numbers at Nagarjun Forest,
Phewa Tal Lake, Chitwan and Godavari Botanical Gardens.
192. Long-billed Thrush Zoothera monticola While we were in the boat, one
showed very well, feeding along the mud at the edge of the forest on the shore
of Phewa Tal Lake.
193. Tickell’s Thrush Turdus unicolor A male seen very well on two subsequent
dates around the Lodge at Gaida, Chitwan. A female was seen by DO’M nearby
too.
Male Tickell’s Thrush at Gaida Lodge © Aidan G. Kelly
194. White-collared Blackbird Turdus albocinctus Recorded in large flocks
higher up on Phulchowki on both visits.
195. Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul Strangely just one bird seen along
the track on the lower slopes of Phulchowki one morning.
196. Dark-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis atrogularis A flock of about 10 seen
at Sarongkot, Pokhara. Seen in good numbers on both visits to the higher parts
of Phulchowki.
197. Slaty-backed Flycatcher Ficedula hodgsonii A female recorded at
Phulchowki and a male noted the following day.
198. Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata About five noted near
Phewa Tal Lake and two seen at Phulchowki.
199. Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula parva Common and seen daily at Chitwan
and Koshi.
200. Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor Single females noted at Chitwan on
two different dates.
201. Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina A few recorded at both Chitwan and
Koshi.
202. Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Seen in small
numbers at Nagarjun Forest, Phewa Tal Lake, Chitwan and Koshi.
203. Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae A few recorded at Phewa Tal lake and at
Phulchowki.
204. Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara A male seen at Phewa Tal Lake and
three birds seen on the lowwer parts of Phulchowki.
205. Pale-chinned Flycatcher Cyornis poliogenys One bird recorded at Chitwan
and another seen at Twenty Thousand Lake nearby.
206. Pale Blue Flycatcher Cyornis unicolor A male seen well on the lower slopes
of Phulchowki, above Godavari.
207. Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope A few seen daily at Koshi usually
after a bit of effort. Birds were heard calling regularly too.
208. White-tailed/Himalayan Rubythroat Luscinia pectoralis Heard calling at
Gaida Lodge, Chitwan, a few times with the guides but we failed to see any of
these. The only sighting was of a female bird seen briefly while on elephant back
at Chitwan.
209. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica A few recorded at Koshi, with a max. of three
birds noted one day.
210. Orange-flanked Bush Robin (Red-flanked Bluetail) Tarsiger cyanurus
Seen daily at Phulchowki in reasonable numbers.
211. Golden Bush Robin Tarsiger chrysaeus Three birds seen on the lower slopes
of Phulchowki , above Godavari on our last day’s birding there.
212. Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis Fairly common and seen almost
daily.
213. White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus One heard at Chitwan a few
days later four recorded naer Gaida Lodge, Chitwan.
214. Blue-capped Redstart Phoenicurus caeruleocephalus One recorded at
Phulchowki (DO’M only).
215. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros A male seen daily around the camp site
at Koshi.
216. Hodgson’s Redstart Phoenicurus hodgsoni A female seen well near Hetauda
and a pair seen well at Godavari Botanical Gardens.
217. White-throated Redstart Phoenicurus schisticeps About three seen on each
of our two visits to the upper slopes at Phulchowki.
218. Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis Seen daily at Phulchowki in
small numbers.
219. White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus 4 recorded
near the Trishuli river between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Two more seen along
the river at Hetauda.
220. Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus Seen daily in small
numbers at Phewa Tal Lake. Also recorded near the Trishuli river between
Kathmandu and Pokhara and on the river at Hetauda.
221. White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucura A single male recorded at Godavari
Botanical Gardens.
222. Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri A single bird seen along a small river
between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
223. Black-backed Forktail Enicurus immaculatus A single bird seen along a
small river between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
224. Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus A single bird seen along a small
river between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
225. Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus A single bird seen along the forest edge
by the shore of Phewa Tal Lake.
226. Hodgson’s Bushchat Saxicola insignis One seen from elephant back at
Chitwan in the elephant-grass. A possible also recorded two days later in another
area of the Park.
227. Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata Fairly common and seen daily at both
Chitwan and Koshi.
228. White-tailed Stonechat Saxicola leucura A few seen daily at Chitwan.
229. Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata A few recorded at Phewa Tal Lake, and
Chitwan.
230. Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea A few noted at Phewa Tal Lake, Chitwan and
Phulchowki.
231. Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus Ten birds noted at Chitwan
and four at Koshi.
232. Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris Just one bird recorded at Koshi.
233. Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra Fairly common and seen almost daily,
especially at Koshi.
234. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Common and recorded almost daily.
235. Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus Recorded on four dates at phewa Tal Lake,
Chitwan and Koshi.
236. Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta castanea Seen in small numbers at Nagarjun
Forest, Chitwan and Phulchowki.
237. White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis A few recorded on each visit to
Phulchowki.
238. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis A few seen at Nagarjun forest and
also at Phewa Tal Lake. Seen daily at Chitwan.
239. Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria One seen on high roadside cliffs between
Kathmandu and Pokhara.
240. Rusty-flanked Treecreeper Certhia nipalensis One bird recorded at
Godavari Botanical Gardens.
241. Great Tit Parus major Recorded at Nagarjun, Phewa Tal Lake, Chitwan and
Godavari Botanical Gardens in small numbers.
242. Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus Seen daily in small numbers at
Phulchowki.
243. Black-lored Tit Parus xanthogenys Recorded in small number at Nagarjun
Forest, Phewa Tal Lake and Phulchowki.
244. Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus Recorded on both visits to the upper
part of Phulchowki with a max. of 6 birds logged one day.
245. Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus Seen on each visit to Phulchowki
with about ten noted daily. Also recorded at Nagarjun Forest.
246. Sand Martin Riparia riparia A few birds noted at Phewa Tal Lake.
247. Plain Martin Riparia paludicola Common and seen daily at Phewa Tal Lake,
Chitwan and Koshi.
248. Eurasian Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris Seven birds recorded at Phewa Tal
Lake.
249. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Common and seen at Phewa Tal Lake,
Chitwan, Koshi and Godavari Botanical Gardens.
250. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Eight recorded at Phewa Tal Lake.
Recorded daily at Koshi in good numbers.
251. Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalensis Three birds seen at Phewa Tal
Lake.
252. Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Seen daily in small numbers at
Chitwan. A few also noted at Koshi.
253. Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys Seen in small numbers at
Nagarjun Forest, Phewa Tal Lake and Phulchowki. Two also noted near
Hetauda.
254. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Common except at higher altitudes and
seen almost daily.
255. Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavala Six birds noted near Phewa tal Lake.
256. Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus Noted in small flocks at Nagrajun
Forest and Phulchowki.
257. Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii A few birds noted at Chitwan.
258. Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica A few birds noted at Chitwan.
259. Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris Fairly common at Chitwan where
seen daily.
260. Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis One bird recorded at Koshi.
261. Plain Prinia Prinia inornata Two recorded at Chitwan and about five noted at
Koshi.
262. Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis Two birds recorded at Chitwan.
263. Zittling Cisticola Cisticola juncidis A few birds noted at Chitwan.
264. Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus Recorded at Nagarjun Forest and
Godavari Botanical Gardens. A few noted at Phewa Tal Lake and Chitwan also.
265. Chestnut-headed Tesia Tesia castaneocoronata Four birds recorded in forest
at Phewa Tal Lake. Excellent views obtained of some.
266. Grey-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer Two recorded in forest at Phewa Tal
Lake. One noted at Chitwan and one heard at Godavari Botanical Gardens.
267. Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Seen daily in small numbers at
Chitwan and Koshi. A few also noted at Phewa Tal Lake and Godavari Botanical
Gardens.
268. Aberrant Bush Warbler Cettia flavolivacea One bird seen at Chitwan.
269. Grey-sided Bush Warbler Cettia brunnifrons One seen at Sarongkot,
Pokhara. One probable seen briefly at Chitwan.
270. Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola One bird seen briefly at
Chitwan. Another seen fairly well at Koshi.
271. Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum A few noted at Chitwan.
Recorded daily in small numbers at Koshi.
272. Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus A few seen around the
pools at Koshi camp daily.
273. Thick-billed Warbler Acrocephalus aedon One seen very well at Gaida
Lodge, Chitwan. Four birds noted at Koshi.
274. Rufous-rumped Grassbird Graminicola bengalensis Three birds seen at
Chitwan. This species is listed as Near Threatened in Birdlife International’s
Threatened Birds of the World (2000).
275. Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (tristis) A few seen at Chitwan.
Recorded daily at Koshi in small numbers.
276. Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus A few recorded most dates at Koshi.
277. Smoky Warbler Phylloscopus fuligiventer One seen at Chitwan and three
recorded at Koshi.
278. Tickell’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis A few birds seen at Koshi.
279. Blyth’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides One seen at Nagarjun Forest
and another noted near Godavari Botanical Gardens.
280. Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher One seen briefly at Nagarjun
Forest. Recorded daily on Phulchowki where fairly common.
281. Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis One seen at Phewa Tal
Lake. A few noted at Phulchowki on each visit.
282. Lemon-rumped Warbler Phylloscopus chloronotus Only definite sighting
was of two birds at Godavari Botanical Gardens.
283. Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humei Common and seen and heard almost
daily.
284. Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides A few noted at Chitwan. Seen
and heard daily at Koshi.
285. Whistler’s Warbler Seicercus whistleri One seen at Nagarjun Forest and a
few noted at Phewa Tal Lake.
286. Grey-hooded Warbler Seicercus xanthoschistos Seen at Nagarjun Forest,
Phewa Tal Lake and daily at Phulchowki. Two birds also seen at Chitwan.
287. Chesnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaniceps One seen at Phewa Tal
Lake. One also noted at Phulchowki.
288. Black-faced Warbler Abroscopus schisticeps One seen at Nagarjun Forest,
one at Phewa Tal Lake and then recorded daily in small numbers at Phulchowki.
289. Goldcrest Regulus regulus Two birds were seen on the upper parts of
Phulchowki.
290. White-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax albogularis
Common and
frequent at Phulchowki with an estimate of over 200 birds counted on our final
day there.
291. White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus Heard at Nagarjun
Forest. Two seen at Phewa Tal Lake. Seen daily in small numbers at
Phulchowki.
292. Striated Laughingthrush Garrulax striatus A few seen on each visit to the
higher parts of Phulchowki.
293. Streaked Laughingthrush Garrulax lineatus A few seen on each visit to the
higher parts of Phulchowki.
294. Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush Garrulax erythrocephalus Seen in
reasonable numbers on each visit to Phulchowki.
295. Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps A few noted at Phewa Tal Lake
and at Chitwan.
296. Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus erythogenys Two birds seen
at Phulchowki and also others heard there.
297. White-browed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps At least two seen
at Phulchowki/Godavari area.
298. Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis A few noted
daily at Phulchowki.
299. Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler Pneopyga albiventer One bird heard near
Godavari Botanical Gardens but not seen.
300. Black-chinned Babbler Stachyris pyrrhops A few seen on two dates at
Phulchowki.
301. Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps Three birds recorded on the
lower slopes of Phulchowki.
302. Striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis A few birds recorded at Chitwan on
two dates.
303. Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata A few birds seen on two dates at
Chitwan.
304. Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei A few recorded at Chitwan and noted
almost daily at Koshi.
305. Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus Recorded daily at Chitwan in small
numbers.
306. Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea Ten birds recorded at Godavari
Botanical Gardens and three birds seen along the lower slopes of Phulchowki the
next day.
307. Cutia Cutia nipalensis Four or five birds seen well at Phulchowki were one of
the trip highlights.
308. White-browed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis Two birds recorded at
Phulchowki.
309. Green Shrike Babbler Pteruthius xanthochlorus One bird seen well at
Phulchowki.
310. Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis Three birds recorded at
Phulchowki.
311. Blue-winged Minla Minla cyanouroptera A few noted daily at Phulchowki.
312. Rufous-winged Fulvetta Alcippe castaneceps Ten birds seen at Phulchowki
one day.
313. White-browed Fulvetta Alcippe vinipectus Noted in reasonable numbers on
each visit to the upper slopes of Phulchowki.
314. Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe nipalensis About four birds noted at Phulchowki.
315. Whiskered Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis A few seen on each visit to the upper
slopes of Phulchowki.
316. Stripe-throated Yuhina Yuhina gularis Seen on each visit to the upper
slopes of Phulchowki.
317. Rufous-vented Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis Seen on each visit to the upper
slopes of Phulchowki.
318. White-bellied Yuhina Yuhina zantholeuca Four birds noted at Nagarjun
Forest and two seen at Phewa Tal Lake.
319. Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrata Very common at the higher altitudes
on Phulchowki.
320. Rufous-winged Bushlark Mirafra assamica One seen at Chitwan and three
noted at Koshi.
321. Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Eremopterix grisea Eight birds recorded
together at Koshi.
322. Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Two birds seen together
at Koshi.
323. Sand Lark Calandrella raytal Eight birds noted at Chitwan and 15 at Koshi.
324. Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus Single males noted on two
dates at Phulchowki.
325. Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Anthreptes singalensis A male recorded at Chitwan.
326. Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica One or two birds noted at Koshi.
327. Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis Seen in good numbers on each
visit to the upper parts of Phulchowki.
328. Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata About four birds recorded at
Phulchowki.
329. Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja A male bird at Sarongkot, Pokhara was
the only one noted.
330. Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda A few seen on each visit to the
upper parts of Phulchowki.
331. House Sparrow Passer domesticus Common near human habitation and
recorded almost daily.
332. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus A few birds recorded at various
locations during the trip.
333. White Wagtail Motacilla alba Common and seen almost daily. Quite a few
leucopis race birds were noted.
334. White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis A few birds noted at
both Chitwan and Koshi.
335. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola Seen almost daily at Chitwan and Koshi in
small numbers.
336. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Just one bird noted at Koshi.
337. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea A few birds recorded at various locations
during the trip.
338. Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi One bird seen in flight and calling at Koshi.
339. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus A few birds recorded at both Chitwan and
Koshi.
340. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni Seen and heard in small numbers on
most dates during the trip.
341. Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus Two seen well at Chitwan. Another seven noted at
Koshi.
342. Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella strophiata Just one bird seen at
Phulchowki.
343. Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus A few birds noted at both Chitwan and
Koshi.
344. White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata 15 birds seen at Chitwan one day
were the only ones noted.
345. Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata A few recorded at Chitwan.
About 20 birds recorded on two dates at Koshi.
346. Dark-breasted Rosefinch Carpodacus nipalensis About six birds logged on
each visit to the upper slopes of Phulchowki.
347. Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus About five birds recorded at
Koshi.
348. Pink-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus rodochrous A male recorded on
Phulchowki was the only one noted.
349. Gold-naped Finch Pyrrhopletes epauletta A female on Phulchowki was the
only one noted.
350. Crested Bunting Melophus lathami A male on a roadside wire between
Kathmandu and Pokhara was the only one noted.
351. Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola Total of five birds noted over
two days at Koshi Camp.
352. Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala Four birds noted at Koshi
Camp, all females or immatures.
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