Nature is calling! It's time to explore!
On the occasion of, “World Parrot Day”, even though, we have only one very rare called, Vernal Hanging Parrot in Nepal but Parakeets and here’s the pictures of some of them are as- Alexandrine Parakeet , Rose-ringed or ring-necked Parakeet, Plum-headed Parakeet, Slaty-headed Parakeet, Red-breasted Parakeet
Happy World Parrot Day!
Continues to Annapurna Base Camp after Mardi Himal
After making a steep descending to Landruk, large village with comfortable accommodation and good food and night, we headed to the gateway to this sanctuary to Chhomrong.
Settled opposite to the Mardi and above the gorge, overlooking the Hiuchuli peak, its beautiful village or rather town. Many hotels, good food and accommodation, place to have the last minute top up of any things specially chocolate or cookies or even warm cloths.
Down to the river and up to Sinuwa, from where you really entering to the gorge, on the side of Hiuchuli. Beautiful forest rich for birds and other biodiversity. Mountain goats and Black Bear can be encountered along the trail or from the place we overnight.
Most people travel an our farther to Dovan but we stayed in quieter and more friendly place called Bamboo, that was great.
Next day continue to the main sanctuary. The rain after the lunch made even more challenging when the trail had to make a longer stretch to avoid the avalanche prone area in this time of the area. The rain and snow made the trail very wet, muddy and slippery but we managed to arrive to MBC (Machhapuchhare Base Camp) 3700m. Just before arriving while snowing, beautiful flock of birds- Grandala were a great sight and I even managed to get the pictures even though that did not come sharp or well but was so glad I saw them, that I was hoping to see!
Next day, when the snowy weather did not allow us to continue to our last destination Annapurna Base Camp in the morning, we just had to wait as it was snowing heavily most of time. Just when we had a lunch, the snowfall becomes light and more lights, we hurriedly started walking to get as far as possible. Still very slippery trail, with lots of snow on the side and along the trail, we were so happy to have arrived to Annapurna Base Camp well before two hours of walk.
It was wonderful and was so happy that Anne made it to this place that was more important to me than anything this time. We took some time, walked to the moraine ridge, beautiful view of glacier and moraine river below the main Annapurna base camp in front of us. I could feel the formidable wall of this 10th highest mountain of the world just opposite to us, that I have seen and enjoyed many times in the previous trips. Well not so this time and have to be back again.
Next day starting a day from MBC in rain, all the way to Bamboo, was the most challenging walk to be able to keep the balance, not falling down the trail. Anyway was okay, even we got all wet but down to comfortable place.
From Bamboo, hike to Sinuwa and then to Chhomrong, where we had lunch before making a steep descend down to the long suspension bridge and to Samrong where got the jeep and drove out to Pokhara.
Was so glade to be in Pokhara and then back home in Kathmandu even though the journey has comes to the end for this time to start a new. Next time, new journey and new place of even same….
Life is a beautiful journey!
Mardi Himal
Starting from Pokhara after a short flight from Kathmandu and short drive to Kande, I was excited to take this journey with one of my clients and friend Anne from Norway. This was her no 11 trip to Nepal as a mountain lovers and hiker. What a privilege, I had again to lead this journey after Covid era. First part was to visit the Mardi Himal and second was to Annapurna base camp, both are the best short hiking journey ( for me and many) truly into the heart of the mountains. This is the shortest journey to be in the mountain, in the lap of the mountains, surrounded by many snowy peaks. Its really something words can not be enough to describe its grandeur and nature’s beauty that capture one’s heart.
The weather has been great till we arrived at Forest camp for lunch but had to stay there due to continue and heavy rain that afternoon. Next day, great morning and just when we were about to arrive at Badal Danda, the snow and rain made it even more challenging, though was not for long.
Badal Danda is actually the best location for mountain and surrounding views, on the top of the ridge/hill. The Machhapuchhare and Annapurna peaks are so close that you could let your hands feel it. It was wonderful!
Next day after enjoying the morning, we hiked back to Forest Camp and steep down to Landruk, large village, that has the old trail to base camp and many other destination.
Nature is always inspiring, healing and beautiful, that not every one can think, see, feel or appreciate!
Get inspired and love nature!
Butterfly- Red Lacewing
Look how seriously I am birding!
And good morning from Nepal!
Happy International Women’s Day 2023!
Just realized that how I missed this day as World Sparrow Day, that is Mach 20! So still a month later. Anyway sharing some pictures of Sparrows seen and clicked around.
House Sparrow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow and Russet Sparrow!
Happy World of Sparrow!
Amazing world of birds!
The first month of the year 2023 is a thing of past and I have been trying to write about how did I spent those 31 days that is only in memories now. As we think and talk about making new year’s resolution every time when the new year rolls in. I never make such a promises to myself and to others, as trying the best, with passion, interest and keep moving on optimistically is the way to tackle the journey of life!
Well, I must say month of January has been a great month that allowed me to have wonderful visit to some new destinations in the country. On the first week of the month I took a week long journey to some of my wished area out of Kathmandu.
It was a part of an official visit to Vultures Safe Zone located next to river Narayani and Chitwan national park, To Jagdishpur Lake near Lumbini and Gulmi districts of Nepal in the north west of Butwal town, next to Tansen.
After that trip, got busy with birds and birding activities. such as Urban bird count and wintering wetland water birds count, besides weekend bird walks. These are great events that we participate as a citizen scientist and I truly enjoy this passion.
This winter the weather has been great, though very mild and no rain so far since last many months. May be, one of the reason, the number of of wintering water birds has been not very positive, all over the country. The wetland we used in Kathmandu valley were Bagmati from Chovar with Taudah, Nagdah and Manohara river and Bisnumati. This is bit pity that the birds number counted was much less than previous years. Unfortunately this might continue as the human activities is also destroying their habitats but I believe, nature is very resilience and can bounce back and is happening too in some parts of the world.
The urban birds still hanging okay in diversity but the numbers are certainly not so encouraging to see. Some species like House Crows and Rock Pigeons are doing great.
To be able to see and enjoy the nature, birds in the nature, we still have to learn lot to give a place to nature and allow besides us. Its always healing and joy to see the beautiful nature thriving right nest to us.
Enjoy, love and protect the nature!
Nature is amazing as always!
The dew drops of the night on the ground is so beneficial to the plants and animals and for farming in this dry season, when the rain is not here and changing its patterns due to climate change that is happening naturally and accelerating fast by human activities.
And also walk in the morning, one might get little wet shoes but its so beautiful looking at the plants and trees and see the nature active- birds are calling, feeding, flying and singing, saying common words wake up and enjoy the best part of the day- morning!
Have a great day!
Hello everyone, namaste!
Back here after some time! Reason for being not so regular-not so motivated in writing and also frequent out in nature. This post should have been before the earlier post, Tufted Duck.
Just got back from two wks Himalayan trekking journey after 2 years of Covid break! It was real mountain, real trekking on the hills and mountains combined with Chitwan national park visit. Definitely, it was great to be out for a longer time in the mountains and with nature.
We start a trip with 6 hours journey to Beshi Sahar, the “gateway” to famous Annapurna Circuit journey with a team of 9 people. Next day, another half day drive on dirt road brought us to Chame (the district headquarters of Manang), at an elevation of 2500m, by the glacier fed river Marsyangdi, located on the northern lap of Mount Annapurna 2 and Lamjung Himal. The afternoon was spent exploring around. It was nice overnight at hotel Karma still with the luxury of electricity and internet!
The next morning after a hearty breakfast, we set out on our 2 wks journey on foot. Crossed the suspension bridge after going through the official check point at Koto. It was wonderful to be out in fresh air, along the beautiful gorge of Phu river. The trail along the valley was easy with gentle climbs after crossing the river to its eastern bank. The rocky cliffs, waterfalls and river gorge were quite an impressive scenery. The trail continued and after 4 hours of walking, finally found a place to eat, a small tea shop. After tasty Dalbhat, we continued our journey along the valley for some time before making a short but steep climb, that brought us to a small village of Meta, that used to be just goths (livestocks shelter) in the past. It was a long and tiring first day of the trip, that took us almost 9 hours to trek but was very glad to have made it well. The warm dining room with famous Nepali Khukri rum made it just a great evening, making our tiredness a thing of the past! Hahaha…
Waking up in the chilly morning but with clear day, with clear view around was wonderful. I woke up early and explored around for birds and just found Hill and Snow Pigeons mainly. The sun also was so pleasant and warm. When others were up visited a couple of goths (Goat shelter) of the area with locals with a local.
After breakfast, we set out for our next destination Chyakhu, apparently in short distance from here. The trail went round to the west before it started following the valley, passing a couple of temporary settlements, before dropping to the dry river that and a short steep up brought us to the other side, leading to the wider valley of Chyakhu. This administrative place now has the Govt offices and bank. It was actually a place where people from Nar bring their livestocks up here in summer. It was a large settlement with stone houses with goat shelters but now looks like abandoned as people now are more into the tourism or moved down to the valley
And next day hike to Phu along the valley, passing Kyang and short steep climb to the gate, the trails ease out to the valley of Phu. Cross the bridge and just few minute walks brought us to the hotel at Phu, where we stayed 3 nights
The village of Phu (Phoo) surrounded by the barren but spectacular hills and mountain still has very traditional houses of stone that were almost invisible from a distance as they blend so well, with the surrounding. These settlements were created by just local materials of rocks, woods and clay- great eco-technology of the past, though some tinned roof and cement houses are appearing too. The village has Govt office and hotels with two main monasteries and new one is being built in the village itself.
The two full days were spent exploring around and tracking wildlife, mainly Snow Leopard and a hike to near the Himlung Himal, a famous 7000m high mountain of the area, was wonderful. I was amazed by this record of Grey-backed Shrike at this elevation of 4500m, the highest point, where they were breeding. I knew they migrate high up in the hills and mountain area for breeding but never saw them at this height and was great to hear the call and some that was more intense than what I used to hear them in winter while in Kathmandu.
After Phu, we retraced back to Chyakhu and trekked to Nar Gompa, where we used the hotel of monastery. It was nice spending time there with monks and in the monastery.
Next morning explored the birds around in the early morning and after breakfast we took the steep and scenic trail to Nar, another large and main village of this area, more people and more houses built in similar way as in Phu. The landscape was more habitable, and we could see people busy in their farms and around, located just opposite to Pisang Peak.
The hotel we spend was also nice and only place with regular electricity, so we all managed to charge or phones and batteries well. Two night, we stayed there before the big day to Kangla pass.
The day we set out for pass and to Ngawal, we started walking very early at 5am through a beautiful valley with milder and gradual climb before the serious climb to the pass of 5320m. The trail towards the pass had some snow on the trail. So finally we made to the top well in 6-7 hours of time with all the rests we made. It was great being and feeling out there and could feel and see the victory on the people’s face, that was great feeling for me too. We celebrated there for some time and made to Ngawal through a very steep down hill trail. Later when we looked towards the pass, the weather was not so pleasant and looked not easy but important we all did it well! Hurray team!
Ngawal at 3600m was just very pleasant after the higher elevation we stayed and Manang the famous town on the one of the top ten trekking trails of the world, (once listed) over the Throngla was luxury, better food and accommodation. We did stay one extra day and explored the area tracking Snow leopard and other wildlife.
For me, it was wonderful to see some birds specially Siberian Duck (Ruddy Shelduck) that some pairs, now stay there throughout the year, breed and do not migrate. Tibetan Blackbird, split from Eurasian Blackbird at Manang, was the other highlight.
And finally we drove back to Beshi Sahar and travelled to Chitwan for our main wildlife safari, that was wonderful. The wildlife and birds that got my list are here as:
Chukar Partridge, Himalayan Monal (Danphe)
Anybody wants to join me next time!!!
It’s not usual to see this Duck here, this time of the year. This is migratory waterfowl that we usually see them in winter season. Thy breed in Eurasia and winters in Asia and many par parts of Europe and has been recorded in many other parts of the world.
This Tufted Duck, beautiful male duck has been here in one of lake in Kathmandu since last months, enjoying just by itself though another migratory duck- Northern Shovler joined it for just a day and was not seen later. The reason, why it’s here could be simply due to the health issues or could be many. It could have lost its orientation for some time, resting due to some health issue, or it is trying to adopt due to the climate change. Many other species that believed to be seen are being recorded in unexpected places and habitat.
Whatever the reason, it’s always great to see them around. Thanks for your visit Tufted Duck and be happy!
Summer migrants are here and busy raising their family. The cat and mouse game of Asian Koel and Crows is an amazing sight. It’s interesting to see how Koel managed to lay their eggs on Crow’s nest, while being chased by crows. Eventually accepting the nature’s way and raise the Koel.
And most of our wintering birds are gone back to their breeding home though some late migrants are still here, just this one majestic Steppe Eagle that I found on by birding at Chovar area.
Happy Birding and Happy Easter!
Nepal is celebrating the new year on 14 April’2007
Happy New Year 2079!
In a quick visit to Chitwan while I was staying in, Into The Wild Resort near the national park, managed to get down to the river Rapti and enjoyed the walk in its northern bank. This river drains the Chitwan valley, an important wetland of the valley, most important forms the northern boundary of Chitwan national park, one of the finest and first national parks of the country. The nature parks holds the major wildlife and extremely rich in natural biodiversity, including bird population
It was nice walking in the morning and evening, both in different prospective that I enjoyed really well.
Welcome to visit this area and the national park!
Enjoy the beauty of nature not just with your eyes but through your hearts too.
Found this beautiful Crow, that had a bit longer upper beak than the lower one. I have come across in other birds also but seen more on House Crows, that we have here. In some Crows, earlier, I have also seen the cross-bill, weird! It seems like these birds are doing okay with their health so far, that we have seen. However, they could or must have serious issue on their health, that we have not seen or surveyed. It is said that this deformation is called AKD (Avian Keratin Disorder). The reason behind this disorder has many factors such as food and contaminated nutrients, bacteria, environments and other diseases.
What ever the reason is, they must have a discomfort in feeding, preening and other activities that they do with their beak. It could and probably is a threat to their survival due to the slow starvation.
The nature, hope has its own way to sort this out.
Just get it over and heal birds!
Visited Taudah today, the one and only natural lake of Kathmandu valley today, hoping to see some migratory birds. The lake looked beautiful without many people around (weekend is crowded) but was empty and calm. After some wait we saw only four Common Teal (Green-winged) landing on the lake, only migratory waterfowl, still around but all others including Cormorants were gone. It seemed a bit early for all the departures this year!
Could it be the weather, the sudden change of rise in mercury in the valley, a climatic factor, they have to go already this time. Well, looks like something like that! We humans are contributing the change in the natural habitat of birds and wildlife and fuelling the action of climate change fast! When are we going to learn!
Anyway it was nice to see some regular birds like Black-Crowned Night heron, Cattle Egret, Pond Heron, Common and Jungle Myna. It was also delightful to see some remaining Steppe Eagle soaring around, and they will soon migrate too.
Hoping they will be back in the fall. See you again!
The beauty of nature, this bird-Blue Whistling Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus) derives its name due to its human like whistling song. One of my favourite bird of song-that I have heard many times when I am near the creeks, streams and rivers.
Enjoy its song!
“I love Sparrow“
It is said and seen Sparrows that live with the human or habitat created by human are having challenging time to survive due to many human factors such as habitat, lack of food, pesticides, even though they are trying their best to be around and fascinating us.
Love them and let them be around!
Happy World Sparrow Day 2022!
Let the colours of nature be your colours of life! Enjoy the season and festival of colours cordially and peacefully to make it memorable for everyone!
Happy #Holi to you and family!
Here are some of the birds that I managed to photograph, not so great but happy to share to you all for nature!
Nature is amazing!
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. —Lao Tzu
Have a wonderful day!
While exploring the birds in the outskirts of the city, the view of remaining mustard farms is a wonderful.
Back to nature, back to Prakriti Resort at Haibung beside the Shivapuri national park, short stay but enjoyed being out there after a year, with many beautiful birds. The sunrise was amazing too with Moon in the night till morning!
Good morning and have a great day!
And Moon rise and setting in other side
And have a healthy and great day!
Common Pochard
Anas creca is Common Teal, also called Green-winged and Eurasian Teal
And in Nepal it is known as विजुलागैरो (Bijulagairo)
Listed as LC (the least concern) in its status, probably common in many parts of the world mainly in Europe, that is good.
It is not same here. Once we used to see many hundreds of them in Kathmandu valley, but now hardly hundreds of them are migrating, and the number is going down. Its one of smaller Duck that arrives early in the season, and it’s always great to see them around.
Keep migrating!
Let’s Keep Common Birds Common!
Can we! I can not imagine the world without birds as they make the world-this planet so lively and beautiful!
Enjoy the nature, happy birding!
Himalayan Vulture Gyps himalayensis is truly Himalayan vulture, native to the Himalayas and Tibetan plateau.
Recently, it was wonderful to see them soaring in Kathmandu valley. These curious individuals are mainly young/juvenile vulture that spends their winter time exploring out of their breeding ground in the mountains of Nepal.
Hope they keep soaring!
I was not sure of writing this encounter while on a river trip in the wild west Nepal. I think the writing motivation is down and have been a bit occupied with the routine, however got this courage now to tell the story of our encounter with gentle giant in the wild.
The river Babai where we were floating down in every anticipation and really looking for the glimpse of wildlife that might cross our ways. The animal tracts of big cat, elephants and many others animals were already exciting to explore along the soft side of the river. I was also enjoying birds as they were the most and seen and heard almost everywhere.
While floating down, we were told that the boat before us has seen the elephant just disappearing in the jungle. We all stopped and started searching around after getting out of the boat. I was not sure if we should be doing this or the right things to do considering the facts of our safety, so I stayed in the boat with other few people, say we will look into the other side.
Just, when everyone were waiting to see if anything appears somewhere nearby, on the other side of the river barely 60 meters from us, appeared a huge tusker, who felt little hesitant when he saw us on the other side. And we felt that we were on its way, and luckily we moved downstream. He just came to the bank and looked relax and had gallons of drink.
That was a great sigh of relief, and we saw it slowly crossing the river and disappeared in the jungle other side.
I thought that was close! And what if this elephant was aggressive as some tends to be when they see the human in the wild as we had many such cases in the past, when they are in “Musth” condition. He could have easily taken over us as they can but being a gentle giant, it just tried to warn us and moved on.
It was a great experience of being in the wild, in the nature, so much exciting most of the time!
Go to the nature, but please be aware of the natural law and enjoy the nature!
It was a great way to start the year with a hike in nature, that was on our weekend. This was birding and hiking. We cover more distance, trying not to miss the birds that we come across along the way.
It takes longer than just birding or birdwatching we do, from dawn till dusk or even later. It’s like serious birding, covering longer distance, and it was some 16k we did both way even after cutting the trail short. Arrived home around 8pm, just to have dinner and sleep.
It was a beautiful day through a beautiful forest to the hilltop at Chap Kharka from the base of Godawari. Birds like Grey-hooded Warbler, Black-throated and Himalayan Black-lored Tits, White-tailed Robin, Grey-sided Laughingthrush and raptors from the top (Himalayan Vulture, Steppe Eagle and Bonelli’s Eagle and on the way down Maroon-backed Accentor and many were amazing
Day spend well, day well celebrated!
Hope you all did too!
Wishing you all, Happy New year 2022!
Wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2022!
And hope the new year will start the new beginning of new normal with good health, peace and prosperity without the pandemic!
Happy Holiday!
Here’s some Waterfowl that are wintering, visiting and passing by this parts of the world, Kathmandu, Nepal
Smew is probably the first record in the valley that was recorded on 11 Dec 2021 as per e-bird. It’s just by itself, staying a bit far from the edges of the lake, now seen with Common Pochard.
Have a great and safe stay here!
It was beautiful sunny today, that I thoroughly enjoyed on the top of Boson Hill, on my second Steppe Eagle count day. The mountains view were exceptional today. Kathmandu valley is surrounded by rolling hills and getting up any of these hills or from some points of the valley floor offers a view of the mountains on a clear day. Many mountains view even they are not so close can be seen, including the highest mountain on Earth – Mount Everest, that I saw today. Among many snow-capped beauty that are seen, here are some major peaks
Langtang peak is the nearest mountain peak from the capital and is located in Langtang national park- one of the popular destinations of trekking and birding and wildlife tours
Himalchuli- peak of mountain, is located in Gorkha district
Annapurna II is the second-highest mountain of Annapurna massive in the north of Pokhara. The area of trekking is called Annapurna – one of the most trekking destination in Nepal
Ganesh Himal, named after elephant-headed god Ganesh as the peaks from one point looks like the trunk of an elephant, beautiful, next to Langtang peaks
Did this walk yesterday, that was just great!
Hodgson’s Redstart Phoenicurus hodgsoni and in Nepali तनकम्प खञ्जरी (tankampa khanjari)
Did this short walk at Ichhangu for birds on last weekend (Saturday), that turned out to be nice fun meeting and birding with other like-minded people, mostly students of forestry and environment with other some regular weekend walkers.
Ichhangu, just east of Swoyambhu stupa use to be the one of the main hub of flower supply of the valley. We do still see some parts with beautiful flowers, however, most parts of the area are rapidly getting urbanized. This means we are losing, yet another good birding site, bird and biodiversity site will be gone soon, unfortunately. The fate of nature in human hands that is more destructive than the saving!
And after Ichhangu, visited Ranibari and got this Orange-headed Thrush still hanging around. They are mainly here in summer as a summer visitor, though it’s always great to see them. Many birds are doing this, seen and now establishing themselves in other season too, mostly probably the climate change is making them so. Climate change is also the natural process, but human is just making it fast and worse!
Hope these beautiful creatures can still be seen and found for the time immemorial with human!
While exploring the birds in the outskirts of Kathmandu valley, it’s wonderful to come out to the countryside and able to see these few remaining traditional and beautiful Boson village, located to the south, not far from the down town of crowded city of Kathmandu.
Explore and enjoy!
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is ठुलो जलेवा (Jalewa) in Nepal is back in Kathmandu and many other parts of the country.
This migratory bird is one of the early arrival and recently saw eight individuals in one and only natural lake of Kathmandu valley. This small lake or pond as some might also call is endangered due to the human activities and soon becoming unsustainable habitat for many Waterfowl and other water birds, that used to migrate and winter here. The number of migratory birds has really gone down, unfortunately.
It’s wonderful to see them back again this year too and hope. It gives so much of joy to be being around them
Welcome back friends! Enjoy your stay here and be safe!
Here’s some beautiful avian life from Mustang- the trans-himalayan region of Nepal. The desert like landscapes with scarce food source and harsh climate does make it feel like the area can support and hold many beautiful birds.
However, it’s wonderful habitat for many rare and highland birds. The area encompass the Annapurna Conservation area, so the wildlife of the area is protected, making it a good refuse at least for or during the suitable season.
Within the area where I was stationed for a week time, allowed me to explore the area and enjoy and see many beautiful rare species that are usually up here at this elevation of 3500 m or higher.
At the same time it was incredible to see the migrating birds that are here for short period to migrate down when the winter advance, and they migrate up here and to Tibet and beyond in summer through this migrating route or flyway!
Some highlights for me were- White-browed Tit Babbler, Golden Eagle, Chukar Partridge and Tibetan Snowcock, Fire-fronted Serin, Golden Eagle, Bearded Vulture, Alpine Accentor, White-throated Redstart, Beautiful Rosefinch and Red-throated Thrush.
Enjoyed birds and mountain immensely!
Mustang, the trans-himalayan districts of Nepal that borders with the Tibet, used to be a kingdom of its own, even within the kingdom of Nepal once. It was extremely remote and inaccessible, also not permitted to the foreign visitors.
And it’s open now to the international visitors with some strict regulation of high entrance fees and in organized way. This area is one of the jewel of the country. The amazing land scapes with weather beaten cliffs and fragile Himalayan ecosystem, with very less rainfall and barren Tibetan like landscapes. The pure Buddhist districts of the country is culturally rich, that is shown from the way of life and the practice people are still doing.
When I was desperate to escape out of Kathmandu, got this opportunity to visit the Demoiselle Crane survey site at Samar and surrounding areas, but the travel to the area was quite a challenging and memorable as I had to travel by bus and jeep through many landslides and Kaligandagi gorge, deepest in the world as both side has two Himalayan giants both over 8000 m high (Annapurna one and Dhaulagiri peaks). However, the scenery with many beautiful waterfalls, mountain streams, towering hills and mountains are spectacular, that I enjoyed well.
After arriving, I joined another person who was already stationed there for the survey. Stayed in local hotel, (still intact culturally and with the family), used to seek the birds and other wildlife for a week. I missed the Crane this time, but the birding around was very enjoyable. Saw many birds, some are very rare and local to this area, some on their migrating journey down to south
I have to get back there in time again in future, hopefully next year!
How about joining me!
Himalayan Vulture
So Dogs and Crow do have festivals! Kag (Crow) Tihar and Kukur (Dog) Tihar!
We are now celebrating the festival of lights, one of the festival that I love too. The decoration of lights and other colourful decoration, even though the traditional touch seems lost already, however it is a quite a beautiful festival time after Dashain festival.
This festival of lights is celebrated for 5 days, commemorating the crow, dog, cow, oxen, mountains, goddess of wealth laxmi and brothers and sisters. Isn’t this nice! It’s great to see human honouring the nature, though wish we are always respectful to nature, not just for a day!
Anyway, Happy festival of Dog and Crow!
Just to keep in touch as I have been out for some time- with a trip that I desperately needed to be out of Kathmandu and festival and other things has kept me busy. And hope to be back in touch again soon.
Good morning, good day and good night everyone!
Escaped out to Godawari, my favourite place for birding and nature exploration walk, on the 9th day (mahanavami) of the festival, we call Dashain or Vijaya Dashami in Nepal. Visited this place after 6 months, and it was wonderful. I enjoyed a lot of being out there. Godawari, on the base of Phulchauki hill, the highest valley rim 2760 m, is located to the southern outskirts of Kathmandu. Godawari and Phulchauki hill is a unique habitat for birdlife and other biodiversity, not just for Kathmandu valley but for the whole country.
Godawari and Phulchauki is not just poplar site for nature lover, students, birdwatcher, nature photographers and ornithologist but getting extremely popular for the locals, who mainly visits in weekends and other holiday time. So visiting these days or time, you will also bump with many other non nature enthusiasts, who may just go to the top to see the Mountain View or to the shrines and taking pictures. The hill top is great for panoramic Himalayan view and one could even see the Mount Everest on a very clear day in the eastern horizon. The view of rolling hills around, rising in the north to the snow-clad mountains, is just a dramatic view too. So must visit hill for you once you are here!
This beautiful area is an important Bird Area (IBA) in the country with some 300 plus birdlife. Among, which, many birds species are iconic species, national threatened and globally important birds. Some of these species are Himalayan Cutia, Hoary-throated Barwing, Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Grey-chinned and Short-billed Minivet, Parrotbills and Himalayan Vulture etc. This forest, I that hope to be in the protected area is managed by the community only that has both pros and cons of conservation of the birds here.
Talking about by birding there, the first part right after starting in the beginning and second part after some time was just great to have recorded only sixty species though we have a record of well over hundred in a whole day in this very area. Some highlights of the day were a pair of Small Niltava, Small Racket-tailed and Hair-crested Drongo, Eurasian Jay, Blue-beared Bee-eater, White-throated and Striated Laughingthrush, Nepal Fulveta, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker. Other species that I wished to see were Red-headed Trogon, Green Magpie and some forest raptors such as Mountain Hawk Eagle and Crested Serpent Eagle, but for next time, hahaha!! And Warbler, still up in the higher area and other early migratory birds, has to be next time, even though most birdwatcher as me is greedy to see and get the glimpse of many birds including the rarities all the time.
Anyway, it was a day well spent, even exploring some new corners and nooks of the area that was ignored or never thought of exploring.
It was a great day!
Birding at Boson!
Met my birding friends (Jaya and Sworup) at Sim – the starting point. Located to the southern fringe of the Kathmandu city beyond Tribhuvan University area, I took some 40 minute bike to reach at this place called Sim.
The main reason for this birding, even right after Global Bird Weekend – one I had to collect the location coordinate for the Steppe Eagle count in Kathmandu valley, that Bird Conservation Nepal is doing soon, and anticipating the arrival, sight of Steppe Eagle and other migratory raptors, even though it’s a bit early as previous record has been later in the Oct and early Nov in the valley and also to explore the Spiny Babbler our only endemic birds of the country. It’s always great to be out in nature, for birds even though, not attending an important office work, wasn’t that great! Loved this, hahaha!
As soon as we started, got the attention of some birds on a tree, located some 100 m and there saw the Grey-backed Shrike, that has already settled well after it has migrated to the valley, one of the early passerine migrants. Right next to Shrike, could see the Rufous Treepie with Common Myna and Spotted Doves flying into that tree. The Cinereous Tit, also showed its presence nearby. Taking the trail in our right, near the pheasant farm, flocks of Black Bulbul, probably the most numerous around today, that was seen and heard everywhere we walked. Himalayan Bulbul and Red-vented Bulbul were also recorded. Continuing on an easy path before starting the climb through the forest, a Common Tailor bird danced on our way with their very strong call, that was nice.
On our climb in the forest, Jayaji pointed out a raptor looking bird, not in a good view though but later while flying around, saw this individual- hepatic, female Common Cuckoo, interesting rufous morph Cuckoo. The trail emerged out to a farmland and cleared hillside for the cultivation. It is sad to see these clearings, driving the birds and other biodiversity, to disappear soon. That is the human nature!
The Himalayan Prinia and Common Rosefinch were on the sight, with an unconfirmed Warble moving inside the thickets of the upper canopy of the tree nearby. And there! Looking high above the hill, we could see some raptor soaring. Bingo, one was a Himalayan Buzzard, my first sight of this season though I have been told that it has been recorded a couple of days earlier. But I was just excited to see it for the first time of this autumn. And with the HB, we saw the Booted Eagle and few Black and Black-eared Kite (probably). This made my day, though, still hoped to see the Steppe Eagle. On the trailside wire, a juvenile Dark-sided Flycatcher entertained us for some time and later saw a Common Kestrel soaring and disappearing, just before our arrival at the top of the Boson Hill. Another small raptor, Accipiter was seen flying out across the hill
After arriving at Boson Hill top, recorded some location site, that I will be using to monitor or count of Steppe Eagle in Nov. We also enjoyed a beautiful day, beautiful views with snow clad mountains in the northern horizon, on the opposite side. There we also had a little tea break before coming down and rapping up our fantastic birding day.
We did hear the endemic bird and with record of some sixty-six species of birds on our bag, that was a great list for some, but I am never satisfied and always wished seen more and rare ones. A hungry birder I am, hahaha!!
Happy birding and enjoy the birds in their natural habitat, not in a cage!
It’s the time of the greatest event of Bird’s life- migration for survival, for food, for favourable weather and the just natural instinct to move out for some time! What ever is the reason, it’s beautiful and magical events to enjoy them, that I have been waiting for.
To mark this event, the world is celebrating the migratory bird day, the Global bird weekend. I also managed to get a few hours in the morning birding into the nearby woods and along the farmland, the southern edge of Shivapuri national park.
It was great and glad I was out. The highlight of this day was a family of Spotted Owlet, just made my day, and nearby beautiful and noisy Rose-ringed/Ring-necked Parakeet was wonderful.
Managed to see just over 30 species and enjoyed being out in nature also with the flowers and butterflies.
Happy Global Bird Weekend, 2021
Happy Earth Day 2023!
Well, at least, we have a day, to show our respect and love and think of our mother. Nepal is celebrating Mothers day today.
Happy Mother’s Day!
bridge2nature 