TAUDAHA

Taudaha is the only remaining living lake that sustains the birdlife though there are other two such lakes in Kathmandu valley. This lake not only holds its important in terms of nature but is equally important historically, socially, economically and ecologically. This lake lies in the south of Kathmandu; only 40 minutes drive making it very easily accessible. This lake though has lost its huge chunk of area due to human encroachment and activities, still holds great place for the winter migratory waterfowls that comes as far as Siberia. The migrations of waterfowls start from the beginning of fall that is September every year and can be seen till the late spring or summer time. Birding can be done in and around the lake, down the Bagmati riverbanks in the east and along the Bosan River in the South of Taudaha.

So far the total number of birds that has been recorded in and around it is 120 species, of which 48 species are wetland dependents like Tau Dah and river Bagmati etc. Oriental Darter (Phalacrocorax carbo), Falcated Duck (Anas falcate) and Baillon's Crake (Porzana pusilla) are the nationally threatened species recorded from Taudaha. Baikal Teal (Anas formosa), a globally threatened species was recorded here in 2005 (Arend van Riessen Gurung).

How to get there : Regular public transportation is available from Sahid Gate and Ratnapark. Get the Bus to Daxinkali either from Sahid Gate or from Ratnapark and get off at Taudaha. You can also get Tempo (Auto Rikshaw) from RNAC building upto Taudaha only.

Season : The best time for the migratory waterfowls are the winter (Dec/Jan) but can be seen from the early October till the spring in March. You can still see other types of birds around Taudaha birdwatching area even in other months.

Birds recorded: List of the birds recorded by FOB in 2003 - 2006.

S.N. Name of Bird

1 Bar-headed Goose
2 Barn Swallow
3 Black Bulbul
4 Black Drongo
5 Black Kite
6 Black-winged Stilt
7 Bonelli's Eagle
8 Cattle Egret
9 Common Coot
10 Common Greenshank
11 Common Hoopoe
12 Common Kestrel
13 Common Myna
14 Common Pochard
15 Common Redshank
16 Common Teal
17 Eurasian collared Dove
18 Eurasian Wigeon
19 Ferruginous Pochard
20 Gadwall
21 Great Cormorant
22 Great Egret
23 Grey Wagtail
24 Hodgson's Redstart
25 House Crow
26 House Sparrow
27 House Swift
28 Indian Pond Heron
29 Intermediate Egret
30 Large Cormorant
31 Large Egret
32 Little Egret
33 Little Grebe
34 Little Stint
35 Little-ringed Plover
36 Long-tailed Shrike
37 Mallard
38 Oriental Magpie Robin
39 Oriental Turtle Dove
40 Pond Heron
41 Red-vented Bulbul
42 Rose-ringed Parakeet
43 Ruddy Shelduck
44 Scaley-breasted Muniya
45 Spotted Dove
46 Spotted Forktail
47 Steppe Eagle
48 Stonechat
49 Tufted Duck
50 White Wagtail
51 White-throated Kingfisher

FOB's Birdwatching Route Map :

Photo Gallery :