Birdwatching around Sundarijal - Saturday, July 7, 2007

This was the birdwatching activity of BCN for Nepal River Conservation Trust to celeberate Bagmati River Festival. There were about 35 participants, mostly graduate and post-graduate students. Birdwatching was done for two hours. The river and cultivated field were flooded with last night's heavy pouring of rain, though the river looked very nice with large volume of water.

Rufous Woodpecker (Celeus brachyurus), Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica), Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea)- call only, Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), House Swift (Apus affinis), Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythroehyncha), Grey Treepie (Dendrocita formosae), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Hypothymis azurea), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Blue Whistling Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus), Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), Plumbeous Water Redstart (Chaimarrornis leucocephalus), Pied Bushchat (Saxocola caprata), Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnus malabaricus), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristris), Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), Black-throated Tit (Aigethalos concinnus), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Oriental White-eye (Zoosterops palpebrosus), Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) – call only, Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos) – call only, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus), Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga sipraja), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Black Francolin (Francolinus frangopus) – call only

Altogether 35 species of birds were sighted.

Birdwatching around Bagmati and Taudaha - Saturday, July 28, 2007

FoB member, Vimal participated the cleaning campaing around Chovar area, organized by Sustainable Tourism Network (STN). He did little birding near Bagmati and Taudaha. The river was almost full fledged due to the rain. Open areas in the river was also flooded, so it was not easy to walk along the river side. Some of birds he saw around the chovar and river areas were: yellow-breasted grrenfinch, green sandpiper, common sandpiper, common tailor bird, black kite. blur-throated barbet, chestnut-tailed starling, rock pigeon and turtle dove.

Taudaha was was very calm and quiet that day, though there were many dead silver carp fish around the edge of the lake, did not know why? He met Praveen of TYC and Keshav Shrestha owner of a resort there. Keshav assured that his resort will be environment friedly and will alway help conserving Taudah and its environment. There were stones laid around the island. The birds sighted on that day were - Black-crowned night heron (2 pairs), Indian Pond Heron, Cattle Egrets (100+), Rose-ringed Parakeet, Red-vented Bulbul, Black Drongo (seen most of the part of the walk), Red-rumped Swallow, Barn Swallow, Himalayan Swiftlet, Spotted Dove, White-throated Kingfisher, Jungle Myna, Common Myna. He could not see any coots, it was amazing.

Birds in Nar-Phu - August 10, 2007 By Rajendra Gurung

Phu Village

FOB member Rajendra Gurung recently had trek in Nar-Phu area in Manang. This area has been opened for tourists from 2003 only. Special permission is needed for tourist, which cost 90 US dollar per person per week to visit this area. Since it is new and expensive the area has not yet been commercialized. The trek starts from Beshisahar or fly up Humde and start. A week to 12 days can be spent easily around this area. The trekking area is also quiet rich in alpine flowers and birds besides their settlement pattern.

Eriophyton Wallichi, Kang-La area at 5000m.		Himalayan Blue Puppy		Leontopodium Jacotianum, Eddlewise, July 07

The birds sighted in this area are – Himalayan Griffon (20+), Eurasian Griffon (5 to 6), Golden Eagle (1), Lammergeier (3-4) in high above in rocky cliffs. Common birds like Chough-red and yellow bellied together with their chicks and others were warblers, Minivet, Thrush, finch, robin etc. Blue sheep were also seen.

Robin Accentor's nest at Khang-La Phedi,30July.07		Natural gate to Phu Village

I have asked to local people at Phu village and still they do offer dead body to vultures. then I saw other common birds like Chough- red and yellew bileled.most of them were in together with their young checks, they are teaching to how to find the foods, it was really pleasant to watch them. then others were warblers,minivet, Thrush, finch, robin etc(bird list send you later). for the wild animals, Blue sheep were a lot three groups spoted and were 300+ it was a large numbers and Pika was amaging. one day even they ate our cheese and milk too.

Birdwatching around Matatirtha - Saturday, August 18, 2007

Matatirtha		Matatirtha forest

Due to the wet season last couple of Saturdays were left out without bird walks but it has resumed again on Saturday 18' Aug 2007 (which was also a festival of Nag Panchami), to Mata Tirtha area. This area, very important ritual site for all Nepalese, is located in the western edge of Kathmandu valley. This comprises the areas like Itakhel of Mahadestan within Mata Tirtha, where the birding walk was taken. Itakhel rises along the beautiful creek descending down the hill. The slope beneath the community forest supports lush greeneries of many trees mainly Alders, figs, bamboos and beautiful ferns and the water running down in the creek, which was very natural and pristine. The highest elevation gained for the birding was 1577m, with few houses near the forest.

Flying black eagle		Gorge at Matatirtha

The birding was very fruitful inspite of the thick coverings amid monsoon time, though the weather was favourable for walk, without rain that day. The ground was very wet and muddy at some point, favouring the leach to exist well. It was about 3 hours walk (with some rest) starting at Thankot that ended at Mata Tirtha. Total 33 species of birds were recorded. These recorded species includes birds like resident, urban, forest and summer migrants, which seems still around on the valley floor, though no new migration of the falls were recorded.

Following birds were recorded on the walk:

Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus), Great Barbet (Megalaima virens) , Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica), Eurasian Cuckoo (cuculus canorus), Grey-bellied Cuckoo (Cacomantis passerinus), Asian Koel (Eudynamys thalasina), Rose-ringed Parakeet )Psittacula krameri), Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Long-tailed shrike (Lanius schach), Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), House Crow (Corvus spelendens), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus), Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalssina), Oriental Magpie Robin (Copshucus saularis), Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Red-rumped Swallow (H. daurica), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Himalayan Bulbul (pycnonotus leucogenys), Common Tailorbird (Ortothomus saularis), Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus burkii), Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus erythrogenys), Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Common Myna (Acridotheres fuscus), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres tristis).

Six member of FoB that took the bird walk includes Gopi Shrestha, Rajendra Gurung, Bhusan Shrestha, Surbendra Pachhai and Vimal Thapa.

Saturday Birdwatching around Bhimdhunga - Saturday, August 25, 2008 by Vimal Thapa

View of Bhimdhunga

This birdwalk to Bhimdhunga, towards the latter part of the monsoon also went very well with record of many beautiful species of birds. The weather was favourable for walk with no rain though getting hotter towards the end. At the moment the whole area is beautiful green with lush forest and sound cultivation with absolute natural fragrant of the nature, which provided, very comforting setting for going around.

Bhimdhunga		Bhimdhunga

Bhimdhunga located in the western part of the Kathmandu city, beyond the Ring-road of Swoyambhu and Sitapaila, is formed by the plain cultivated land and hills edging the border of the valley. One can easily reach here by the regular public transportations lined at old bus park or can also be boarded on the bus at Sitapaila Chauk at the ring road. Bhimdhunga, though, is within the easy reach from the capital but one can get the feeling that it is nowhere near.

The birdwalk was done right after the bus stop, though many regular urban birds can be easily found or seen along the roadside also. The trail in the beginning climbs to the ridge of about 1500m, which provides spectacular views of further west into the Dhadingbesi and beyond and part of Kathmandu valley in the east with the lines of ridges extending from north and south. From the ridge the trail drops down, along the western slope to the road that connects the Bhimdhunga with another town further. Then birding was done along the road to a Bhanjyang near old army camp area, that also has a community managed forest. The walk further went though the forest before coming down the Bhimdhunga along the cultivated field.

Dragon Fly		Dragon Fly
Mushroom found at Bhimdhunga		Mushroom found at Bhimdhunga

Total thirty-six species of birds were recorded in the span of about 3 hours walk. The record includes mainly forest birds and regular urban species along with few summer migrants. The lists of birds are as:

Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus), Great Barbet (Megalaima virens), Blue-throated Barbet (M. asiatica), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smrynensis), Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach tricolor), Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), Long-tailed Minivet (Pericrocotus ethologus), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucocephalus), Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aeneus), Blue-caped Rock Thrush (Monticola cinclorhynchus), Slaty-backed Forktail (Enicurus schistaceus), Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassina), Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonenis), Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis) – call only, Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Velvet-fronted Nuthatch (Sitta frontalis), Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Himalayan Bulbul (P. leucogenys), Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) – call only, Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos), White-crested Laughing Thrush (Garrulax leucolophus), Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus erythrogenys), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus flammeus).

The members who participated on this birdwalk includes Anuroop Shrestha (grade nine student), Deepak Shrestha, Gopi Shrestha, Krishna Gurung, Surbendra Pachhai, Bhusan Shrestha, Vimal Thapa and Ram Gurung.

Dolu-Hatiban Bird watching - Saturday, September 1, 2007 by Vimal Thapa

This Saturday morning of the monsoon, seemed bit unfavorable for birdwatching, scheduled at Dolu to Hatiban area, but this condition did not deter some avid bird lovers. And by the time Dolu was arrived the weather became just perfect for the walk to see and enjoy the birdwalk

The birds sighted in this area are – Himalayan Griffon (20+), Eurasian Griffon (5 to 6), Golden Eagle (1), Lammergeier (3-4) in high above in rocky cliffs. Common birds like Chough-red and yellow bellied together with their chicks and others were warblers, Minivet, Thrush, finch, robin etc. Blue sheep were also seen.

Dolu, Pharping is located along the highway that leads to the famous Dakshin Kali Temple towards the south from Kathmandu valley. Hatiban area forms the middle part of Champa Devi Hill and above the Dolu area. The Hatiban danda also offers a wonderful bird's eye view of Kathmandu valley with Shivapuri hill and mountains in the backdrop towards the northern part. The birding was done on the dirt road, from the village of Dolu to Hatiban Resort, which took about three hours of climb as it rises to the elevation of about some two thousand meters or so. The area is very pristine along the slope of dominant Pine forest, with some other species of vegetations. The bird sighting was very easy as the visibility was clear in comfortable reach.

Previous very productive birdwalk in this area was also taken about this time of the year. This healthy numbers of birds have been recorded on this walk also. The most of the sighting was on the way up, though one important sighting of two individual WOOLY- NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus) was on the way down near Dolu, high up in the sky flying to the north. Some species of birds that could not be seen includes – Brown-fronted Woodpecker, which was seen commonly on the way up in the pine forest, Kalij Pheasant and Red-billed Blue Magpie, probably due to the timing of their activities, but undoubtedly they must be around here. The following 43 species of birds were recorded on this walk

Great Barbet (Megalaima virens), Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Eurasian Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus), Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach tricolor), Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Long-tailed Minivet (Pericrocotus ethologus), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Blue-caped Rock Thrush (Monticola cinclorhynchus), Blue-whistling Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus), Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus), Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch (Sitta castanea), Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), Green-backed Tit (P. monticolus), Black-lored Tit (P. xanthogenys), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Himalayan Bulbul (P. leucogenys), Black Bulbul (Hypsipetus leucocephalus) – call only, Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius), Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos), Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus erythrogenys), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (P. montanus), Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) and Yellow-breasted Greenfinch (Carduelis spinoides)

After Dolu-Hatiban, Tau Daha was explored, which still seems empty with few regular species of birds but sighting and record of two individual of COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) that remained circling and feeding at Tau Dah lake for about 15 minute before they disappeared into the area of Boson Khola, was very interesting and important sighting as its not a regular visitors here. Following are the birds seen exclusively at Tau Dah only- White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Little Heron (Butroides striatus), Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) and Common Coot.

The members who participated on this bird walk includes - Deepak Shrestha, Gopi Shrestha, Krishna Gurung, Vimal Thapa, Ram Gurung and Robert Hanaharan (Rome, Italy)

Shivapuri National Park Bird (Shivapuri to Kapan ) watching - September 8, 2007 by Vimal Thapa

Bird watching team at Shivapuri

The dawn of Saturday broke just the way it was anticipated, without any rain. Just perfect for birdwatching tour! Though looking towards the Shivapuri, showed white clouds hovering all over the hills and dark clouds of pre-monsoon above Kathmandu valley was well evident that it might rain and at the same time the sun was also trying to break through from the eastern horizon. And it did rain for short period, during the walk in the park, which prevented the group being able to concentrate on the birds but walk before and after was very rewarding and enjoyable in the natural surrounding with perfect moisture and clean air among the birds calls. The approach to the park was done though a quieter road on the right of the main road, which also produced some good species of birds. After entering the park, the walk up the Nangi Gumba took about two hours and descends was made though the very scenic ridge of pine forest down to Kapan danda. The views, all around during the descending was truly exceptional. The birdwalk ended at Kapan, which is an extension of the ridge coming down the hill, to the valley. The area around Kapan would be also area to be explored in future there seems a way to get to Sundarijal from here.

The Shivapuri national park is certainly a fabulous natural heritage near the capital city Kathmandu, that host diverse bio-diversity. Now the park is in its healthiest form though some degradation was also found due to the natural and human cause. The park throngs with variety of flowering plants, insects and butterflies along with its richness in birds and animals.

Flower		Flower
Beetle		Butterfly

The number of birds recorded inside and in the surrounding areas of park totals 46 species of wonderful birds, which also includes a rare bird Grey-sided Laughing Thrush Garrulax caerulatus (Nepal's Forest Bird, Carol Inskipp) an important sighting of the day. The bird's list of the record includes flowing birds:

BT Barbet (Megalaima asiatica), Great Barbet (M. virens), Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops), House Swift (Apus affinis) - near Nangi Gumba, Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), Oriental Turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis), Spotted Dove (S. chinensis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis), Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach), Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos). Long-tailed Minivet (Pericrocotus ethologus), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Ashy Drongo (D. leucophaeus), Pied Thrush (Zoothera wardii) - looked like female birds down the path in a bit dark area, Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassina), Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), Plumbeous Water Redstart (Rhyacornis fulignosus), Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus), Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnus malabaricus), Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Red-rumped Swallow (H. daurica), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), Black Bulbul (Hypsipetus leucocephalus), Hill Prinia (Prinia astrogularis), Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius), Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos), hite-throated Laughingthrush (Garrulax albogularis), White-crested Laughingthrush (G. leucolophus), Grey-sided Laughingthrush (G. caerulatus), Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus ferruginous) - unconfirmed sighting, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler (P. erythrogenys), Nepal Fulveta (Alcippe nipalensis), Rufous Sibia (Heterophasia capistrata), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (P. montanus) and Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni)

And names of the participants during this walk includes- Ram Gurung, Gopi Shrestha, Krishna Gurung, Deepak Shrestha, Sujita, Maheshwor Shrestha and Vimal Thapa

Sundarijal Birdwatching September 22, 2007

Altogether 16 participants participated this birdwatching, the area covered was from Sundarijal bus park to Sundarijal water reservoir. Thirty one species of birds sighted on the day are listed below:

Great Barbet (Megalaima virens), Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aeneus), Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus), Blue Whistling Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus), Dark-sided Flycatcher (Muscicapa sibrica), Plumbeous Water Redstart (Chaimarrornis leucocephalus), Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassina), White-capped Water Redstart (Chaimarrornis leucocephalus), Slaty-backed Forktail (Enicurus schistaceus), Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), Black-throated Tit (Aegithalos concinnus), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius), Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos), Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus) – call only, House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), Rufous Sibia (Heterophasia capistrata)-call only, House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) and Brown Dipper (Cinclus pallasii).

Sundarijal Birdwatching September 29, 2007

Inspite of the being in the interrupted rain, Godawari and Phulchauki base for bird walk went off okay. This birdwalk was actually meant for tourism company- Nepal Panorama/Nepal Kaze tours, in which fourteen people including staffs and tour/trek guides actively participated. They were also give an orientation on birds/birdwatching yesterday in their office only, which probably made some effects on the birdwalk.The were 23 staffs on this day. The total number including us was 22 on today's walk. It was great to see them participating even the weather was not good and we did see some birds.

This was the first of kind birdwalk, assisted by FoB. Mr.Pitamber Gurung, from the company sponsored and arranged the private transportations and lunch for all participants.

Species like Eurasian Cuckoo, Dark-sided Flycatcher and Grey Wagtail were sighted along with Great Tit, Black-throated Tit, Black-lored Tit, Grey-hooded Warbler, Grey HC Flycatcher, Spotted Dove, BW Thrush, OM Robin, LB Crow and H Crow, Cattle Egret, Grey Treepie, RBB Magpie, C Myna , Great and BT Barbet. Call of White-crested, Striated Laughing Thrush, Nepal Babbler and GH Woodpecker were heard.

The participants were: Prithibi Shrestha, Suresh Shakya, Rajesh Kapali, Budha Saran Ranjitkar, Dinesh Maharjan, Suresh Maharjan, Karan Maharjan, Pitambar Gurung, Surya B. Tamang, Dugra B Rai, Dil B Rai, Binod Koirala, , Patna Magar, Prakash Magar, Nirmal and Mohan Shrestha from the company and from FOB side Deepak Shrestha, Gopi Shrestha, Krsihna Gurung, Vimal Thapa, Ram Raj Gurung, Achyut Dahal and Milan Gurung.

Migration watch – Saturday, November 03, 2007 by Arend/Vimal Thapa

Due to the festival season and business in their own professions, most of the FoB members have been very occupied or out of Kathmandu valley, which resulted almost no birding for last few weekends. Nonetheless, this recent gone by Saturday was used for the very important watch of this fall. The walk for the special survey called, "Migration watch" was carried out at Tau Dah Lake and surrounding areas including river Bagmati and Boson Khola.

The watch was carried by three groups formed by a first group - Bagmati and Boson areas, second group- Tau and village north of Boson Khola from Tau Dah and Tau Dah to Bagmati via village farms by third (rest of) group. The participants who contributed the migration watch records includes Arend, Jan, Gopi, Santosh Shrestha, Raj, Achyut, Prakash Timilsina, Salina Shrestha, Diksha Devkota and children fourth grader Shaksi and nursery's Ayush Shrestha, Lalit, Bhusan and Vimal.

Tau Dah (lake) is an important site for the birds that visit this valley, as far as, from Siberia. The migration usually begins at the fall but the weather change and other factors seems has been playing role in the changing trend of the migration. The migratory species mainly includes waterfowls and other shore or aquatic along with other species.

However, the lake was evidently, still deserted by our migratory winged friends but was bustling with human activities, making a bleak future of the lake. The lake only had ten or so Great Cormorants and 5 individuals of Common Coot along with 2 individual of White-breasted Waterhen, Black-crowned Night Heron, Indian Pond Heron, White-throated Kingfisher and latter also one individual of Common Kingfisher. Other regular species were seen around the lake included Jungle Myna Acridotheres tristis, Black Drongo Dicrurus, Spotted Dove Streptopelia Chinensis, Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica, Black Kite Milvus migrans, Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis etc.

After Tau Dah, the group headed down to the river Bagmati and enroute near the villages birds like Red-vented Bulbul, Oriental Magpie Robin, and Common Tailorbird were sighted. Just when the river was reached about ten individuals of Grey-headed Lapwing were seen flying over and one male and two female of Hodgson's Redstarts were recorded. Further down in the river luckily 5 individuals of Black-winged Stilt, one Gadwall and eight Common Teal along with few White Wagtails, Common Sandpiper, and Green sandpiper, Little-ringed Plover, Common Greenshanks were recorded. And on the edge of the forest near the farm two individual of Long-tailed shrike and one Common Stone Chat were seen. The other very important sighting recorded and submitted by Arend includes (total 54 sp.) - Long-legged Buzzard, Eurasian Kestrel (Peregrine Falcon probable), Northern Lapwing, Temminck's Stint, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Oriental Turtle-Dove, Eurasian Kingfisher, Red-rumped Swallow, Oriental Skylark, Rufous Treepie, Gray Treepie, Large-billed Crow, Black Bulbul, Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Aberrant Bush Warbler, Thick-billed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Dusky Warbler, Tickell's Leaf-Warbler, Hume's Warbler, White-capped Redstart, Plumbeous Redstart, Blue Whistling-Thrush, Great Tit, Olive-backed Pipit, Rosy Pipit, White-browed Wagtail, Gray Wagtail, White Wagtail, Scaly-breasted Munia, Red Avadavat and Common Rosefinch

Nagarjun Bird watching- November 17, 2007 by Vimal Thapa

It was a short birding but very productive birding trip to Nagajun forest. The participants were Gopi Shrestha, Deepak Shrestha, Anu Shrestha, Sonam Raj Adhikari, Salina Shrestha, Prakash Timilsina and Vimal Thapa.

Altogether 30 birds were sighted as follows:

Rufous Woodpecker, Blue-thraoted Barbet, Rock Pigeon, Oriental Turtle Dove, Spotted Dove, Black Kite, Long-tailed Shrike, Grey Treepie, Red-billed Blue Magpie (heard only), House Crow, Large-billed Crow, Maroon Oriole (Oriolus traillii), Scarlet Minivet, Black Drongo, Blue Whistling Thrush, Scally Thrush, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Grey Bushchat (heard), Common Myna, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Black-lored Tit, Red-vented Bulbull, Oriental White-eye, Common Tailorbird, Hume's Warbler, Grey-hooded Warbler, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler (heard only), Fire-breasted Flowerpecker and Tree Sparrow.

And the wildlife we saw or had very good sighting was one Yellow-throated Marten (Malsapro in Nepali)

Sim-Boson Danda-Tau Dah Birds ( Migratory Watch II) - Saturday, December 8, 2007 by Vimal Thapa

On the chilly morning of last Saturday meeting at Sahid Gate at 6.30Am was exciting. confronting the chilly morning, people who joined the bird hike include Gopi, Krishna and Dipu, Lynda and Ada (US) and Vimal. The drive to the end of the bus park at Kirtipur was comfortable as it was warm inside. Kirtipur even located up in the higher ground of the valley was covered in morning fog. The walk upto the phedi of Boson Danda at Sim was just a good walk, though the misty surrounding prevented us to see the birds around us but calls and song was always heard and strongly felt their presence around. Passing by Sim at phedi was interesting as there resides an artist with his family (who was not there that time). It was an experience to see his creativity, who seemed has used, virtually any kind of wood, especially one that was not useable except for fuel, was turned down into a beautiful piece of a artistic sculpture. The small or large size of wood was created as a guardian at the gate, gods and goddess, animals,birds and insects etc. And most interesting thing was that he was purely devoted to his creativity and hobby.

After appreciating the art, the group made a steep ascending through the Alder and sparse scattered Pine trees, Lapsi and Chilaune. As the climbing was gaining elevation, the view became wonderful into the northern horizon. The valley, the green hill and snow-clad mountain was extremely dramatic. The mountains visible were Gauri Shankar, Dorje Lhakpa, Langtang, Ganesh and Annapurna range in the west.

The birding was also productive, especially on the sloppy part from the base to the Bhanjyang, as hilly forest inspite of being thin, seemed supporting many species of birds. The sighting of Green-billed Malkoha was very memorable as a solitary individual boldly stayed in the sight for some time. The Tau Dah was decorated with many migratory ducks, though still not as richly as it used to in the past. The numbers of Great Cormorant was not even to the past data and were not recorded in the Bagmati premises too. The Black-winged Still, which probably was somewhere downstream and Common Redshanks were not seen. The Steppe Eagle was seen in good number of eight or more. Altogether 62 species of birds were sighted as follows on the bird hike

Tau Dah-Bagmati area

Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), Gadwall (Anas strepera), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Wigeon (Anas Penelope), Common Teal (Anas crecc), Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), Common Pochard (Aythya ferina), Ferruginous Pochard (Aythya nyroca), Common Coot (Fulica atra), Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia), Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus), Grey-headed Lapwing (Vanellus cinereus), Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

Sim-Boson Danda

Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus macei), Great Barbet (Megalaima virens), Green-billed Malkoha (Phaecophaeus tristis), Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Besra (Accipiter vigratus), Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis), Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach), Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Long-tailed Minivet (Pericrocotus solaris), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Blue Whistling Thrush (Myophonus caeuleus), Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), Hodgson’s Redstart (Phoenicurus hodgsoni), Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), Spotted Forktail (Enicurus maculates), Plumbeous Water Redstart (Rhyacornis fuligenosus), Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquata), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus), Great Tit (Parus major), Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), Black-throated Tit (Aegithalos concinnus), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Black Bulbul (Hypsipetus leucocephalus), Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), Abberant Bush Warbler (Cettia flavolivacea), Hume’s Warbler (Phylloscopus humei), Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos), Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus erythrogenys) – call only, Scally-breasted Wren Babbler (Pnoepyga albiventros), Red-billed Leothrix (Leothrix lutea), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava), White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) and Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni).

Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus macei), Great Barbet (Megalaima virens), Green-billed Malkoha (Phaecophaeus tristis), Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Besra (Accipiter vigratus), Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis), Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach), Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Long-tailed Minivet (Pericrocotus solaris), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Blue Whistling Thrush (Myophonus caeuleus), Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), Hodgson’s Redstart (Phoenicurus hodgsoni), Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), Spotted Forktail (Enicurus maculates), Plumbeous Water Redstart (Rhyacornis fuligenosus), Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquata), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus), Great Tit (Parus major), Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), Black-throated Tit (Aegithalos concinnus), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Black Bulbul (Hypsipetus leucocephalus), Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), Abberant Bush Warbler (Cettia flavolivacea), Hume’s Warbler (Phylloscopus humei), Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos), Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus erythrogenys) – call only, Scally-breasted Wren Babbler (Pnoepyga albiventros), Red-billed Leothrix (Leothrix lutea), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava), White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) and Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni).

Suryabinyak-Sipadol Birdwatching – Saturday, December 15, 2007 by Vimal Thapa

Suryabinayak

There were total 18 participants on this trip, which includes Gopi, Krsihna, Bhusan, Rajendra, Surbendra, Deepak B.K, Anil and Vimal with new members Valerie and Mick from RSBP, UK, Bipin Pradhananga, Suman Aale Dev Raj Sapkota, Binaya Shrestha, Nava Raj Sapkota, Saroj Thapa and Prakash Timilsina.

Plant		Bird
Bird Watching Team walking		Villagers

View of Bhaktapur city area from Suryabinyak

Beautiful view of Himalaya from Suryabinyak

Following 46 species of birds were recorded in the span of 3 hours of birding

Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos), Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus), Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria), Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) – call only, Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo refectus), Cattle Eagret (Bubulcus ibis), Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach), Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Large Cuckooshrike (Coracina macei), Long-tailed Minivet (Pericrocotus ethologus), Yellow-bellied Fantail (Rhipidura hypoxantha), Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher (Ficedula strophiata), Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis), Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquata), Common Myna (Acrodotheres tristis), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus), Chesnut-bellied Nuthatch (Sitta costanea), Velvet-fronted Nuthatch (Sitta frontalis), Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthosgenys), Black-throated Tit (Aegithalos concinnus), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), Black Bulbul (Hypsipetus leucocepahlus), Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius), Hume's Warbler (Phylloscopus humei), Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos), Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), White-rumped Munia (Lonchura striata), Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus)), Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Great Barbet (Meglaima virens), Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis).

Birdwatching in Taudaha – Saturday, December 22, 2007 by Vimal Thapa

FoB members Vimal Thapa and other few friends visited Taudaha and Bagmati River on this day. Large numbers of Gadwalls, 7 Ruddy shelducks (one without pair), Northern Shovler (1), F Pochard (1), Eurasian Wigeon (3), few coots and Great Cormorants (in usual number as previous years) were sighted in Taudaha as migrated birds. Down in the river, N. Lapwing, BW Stilt (5) and good numbers of GH Lapwing (20+), many Green Sandpipers and other birds were seen.