We would like to report on a recent 14 day bird watching trek of the Langtang Valley of Nepal. Our group of 4 was led by the well-known bird watching tour guide, Bharat Regmi of Explore Alpine Adventure Tours, the other three members of the group being amateur bird observers from Australia.
Our walk started at Dhunche (1,950 m) and followed the Langtang Valley to Kyanjin Gompa (3,800 m) where we spent two days climbing both to the top of Yalla Peak (5,540 m) and to the bottom of the South Langtang Ri Glacier (5,000 m). We then returned to Dhunche via the Gosainkund Lakes (4,370 m).
Over the 14 day period we sighted over 159 species of birds
Our most significant sightings included:
- the Nepal Wren Babbler (Pnoepyga immaculatta),
- a group of over 20 Snow Partridge (Lerwa lerwa) on Yalla Peak;
- a group of 4 Tibetan Snowcock (Tetraogallus tibetanus);
- 10 Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) at Sin Gompa (3,500 m);
- a group of 4 Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra);
- a flock of Mountain Imperial Pigeon (Ducula badia) - this is believed to be the first record of these birds above 3,048 m (at Ghoda Tabala);
- more than 20 Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii) on the Langtang Khola below Kyanjin Gompa (3,800 m);
- a Large Niltava (Niltava grandis);
- a black backed Forked Tail (Enicerus immaculatus ) an unusual record above 2,100 m (at Tholo Syabru),
- a group of 3 Black-headed Bunting ( Emberiza melanocephala), most probably the first record above an elevation of 2,050 m (at Syabru);
- a Wood Snipe (Gallinago nemoicola), and;
- the Yellow-Rumped Honeyguide (Indicator axnthonotus).
Other species of personal interest included:
The Himalayan Monal, Klij Phesant, the Black-throated Parrotbill, the Alpine Swift, a Snow Pigeon, the Rock Pigeon, the Lammergeier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, the Common Buzzard, the Oriental Honey-buzzard, the Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, 4 species of Minivert (all in the same area of bush!), the Brown Dipper, the Golden Bush-robin, the Spotted Forktail, Hodgson’s Bushchat, the White-tailed Nuthatch, the Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, 6 species of tit, the Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler, 4 species of Accentor, 5 species of Rosefinch (male and female) and several male Yellow-breasted Greenfinch.
A good time was had by all!
Chris Yates and Michelle Fletcher
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ph : 0249 731443
Address: 7 Henry Rd Morisset Park, NSW Australia, 2259
Jillian Keating
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ph : 0242 283070
Address: 5 Robsons Rd Keiraville, NSW Australia, 2500
Bharat Regmi
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://www.explorealpinenepal.com
Ph : 00977-1-4700714/4700175
Address: Explore Alpine Adventure, Kathmandu, Nepal
