jump to navigation

Birding in Bhutan and Nepal :India February 11, 2006

Unlike neighbors Nepal and India, Bhutan is politically stable, relatively free from western influences, and the natural environment is still largely intact. Bhutan regulates tourism by charging a flat rate of $200/person/day to stay in the country (all accommodations, food and local transportation are covered by this fee), and requires tourists to be accompanied by a Bhutanese guide at all times.

The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is renowned for being one of the best locations for birding. Situated within Nepal`s subtropical Terai belt, this is the smallest (175 sq km) and easternmost reserve in Nepal, it lies just to the north east of the convergence of the Sapt Koshi and Trijuga Khola rivers.

Home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, Nepal’s mountainous and hilly regions offer some of the most spectacular trekking sites in the world. The immense contrasts in altitude and climate found in the different parts of the country support an equally spectacular mix of life styles, vegetation types and wildlife. Landlocked between India and Tibet, Nepal contains some of the world’s most diverse and breathtakingly beautiful landscapes ranging from the impressive peaks of the Himalayan chain in the north, high-altitude plains and remote mountain passes, subtropical forests and national parks, terraced farmland hills and rice paddies, to the fertile plains of the Terai in the country’s south.

This trip to Nepal was our 1st to this geographical area (although we had previously birded NE India) and our 7th to Asia as a whole. The purpose of the trip was to try to see the wonderful mid to high altitude pheasant species found in Nepal (specifically Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant and Tibetan Snowcock) and to find Ibisbill and Pied Thrush on their breeding grounds Moira and Graeme Wallace report.

, , , , ,

Comments»

no comments yet - be the first?