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Black-necked Cranes B H U TA N Rhododendron architectural styles of chortens on the confluence of rivers. On arrival in Thimpu we will visit the colourful and very photogenic local market and the town’s archery fields to watch a little practice in the national sport; also perhaps a nunnery, from which there are wonderful views of Thimpu Dzong, the seat of the Bhutanese Government. Thimpu has excellent shopping opportunities. Days 6 to 8 We depart east, crossing over the Dochu La Pass from where on a clear day panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks can be seen. As we climb, we pass through forests of Blue Pine and, as the habitat changes in response to the greater precipitation on the higher slopes, we begin to encounter more new species. The forests of oak, hemlock, rhododendron and magnolia are a delight to the eye. We walk down a track looking for species such as Green-tailed and Mrs Gould’s Sunbirds, Ashy-throated Warbler, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Chestnuttailed Minla, White-browed and Rufous-winged Fulvettas, Rufous-vented and Stripe-throated Yuhinas, Green Shrike-Babbler, Dark-breasted Rosefinch and Spotted Nutcracker. Because of the phenomenon of altitudinal migration, it is hard to predict which species will have reached the upper slopes of the pass. Lower down, we may meet such birds as Grey-hooded and Chestnutcrowned Warblers, White-tailed Nuthatch, Black-throated Tit, Ultramarine Flycatcher and Great Barbet. The first Golden-throated Barbets, Oriental and Large Hawk Cuckoos may just be arriving from lower altitudes. We descend into the Punakha Valley for a three-night stay. During these days we visit the Tashitang Valley section of the Jigme Dorji National Park. Once we reach the broad-leaved forest, at 1,600m, we hope to see White-throated and Striated Laughingthrushes, Small Niltava, Maroon Oriole, Orange-bellied Leafbird and Whiskered Yuhina. Raptors may include Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle and Besra. The restricted Yellow-vented Warbler is common in these forests, and we hope to find both Little and Slaty-backed Forktails. There is also the chance of seeing the critically endangered Whitebellied Heron. One afternoon, on our return from birding, we will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, built at the confluence of two rivers. Days 9 & 10 Today we head for Trongsa, possibly visiting the Phobjikha Valley on our way, considered to be one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan. It is encircled by mixed oak, rhododendron and coniferous forest, while its floor is covered with a huge mire, together with a patchwork of potato fields. This valley is the wintering home of the rare and little-known Black-necked Crane. Driven off the vast open plateau of Tibet by the ferocity of its high altitude winter, the cranes find refuge here from November until April. We hope to be able to find a few birds that have not yet departed for their breeding grounds. If we know that the cranes have left, then the time may be used more productively elsewhere. We continue east, over the pass of Pele La, where Himalayan Griffons may be seen. We will look for mixed flocks, which may include a variety of warblers, fulvettas, tits and sunbirds. We will also stop at Chendibji, the site of a classical Nepalese-style chorten, which is surrounded by a scarlet forest, thanks to the rhododendrons. We stay at Trongsa, for two nights. Today we drive along the quiet, forest road towards Zhemgang. Blue Whistling Thrushes fly off the road at regular intervals; and we keep a sharp lookout for Spotted Forktails at the beautiful mossy waterfalls that are a feature of the journey. Between here and Trongsa, the forests hold raptors such as Crested Serpent, Rufous-bellied and Mountain Hawk Eagles, and are good for minivets and sunbirds. Mammals may include the local, long-furred subspecies of the Common Langur, and Assamese Macaque. Day 11 We begin our journey back west and can bird watch near Trongsa, where there is some good forest. We will cross Pele La again, and, during early morning, it is worth spending time along an old disused road, a site for Satyr Tragopan. The beautiful and bird-filled valley east of Wangdue holds Blue-capped Rock-Thrush, Mountain Bulbul, Blue-winged and Red-tailed Minlas. The forests ring with the mewing chorus of Great Barbets. We stay overnight just outside Wangdue near the River Punakha. Day 12 We continue west, concentrating on the magnificent forests of Dochu La. Along the road, we will see a different part of the forest today as during this last week new species will surely have arrived from lower altitudes: a form of migration that is fascinating to us, since it does not occur in Britain. After lunch in Thimpu, we continue to our hotel in Paro. Days 13 & 14 We fly from Paro, via Kathmandu, to Delhi. We meet up for our final dinner and stay overnight in the hotel. Our flight leaves in the morning arriving into London in the afternoon. Outline Itinerary Day 1 Depart London Day 2 Delhi Days 3-4 Paro Day 5 Thimpu Days 6-8 Punakha Days 9-10 Trongsa Day 11 Wangdue Day 12 Paro Day 13 Delhi Day 14 Depart Delhi, arrive London Party Size Maximum of 10 clients. Accommodation Comfortable accommodation in twin/double and single rooms, with private facilities and is normally the best available in the areas visited. Transport By private coach and minibus. Includes All flights, meals, accommodation, transport, entry fees, services of the leaders, airport taxes and tips. Excludes Video and camera fees charged at many parks. Gradings Ibisbill Good 200 Warm to Cool Moderate Special Moderate Excellent Moderate Scheduled To make a booking please call <strong>Ornitholidays</strong> on 01794 519445 81
N E PA L Nepal Chitwan, Koshi & Phulchowki NEPAL Saturday 07 March – Friday 20 March 2015 Leaders: Colin Bushell and local guides 2015 Cost: £3,399 single room supplement £350 Chitwan National Park Kathmandu Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve epal and Kathmandu – the names conjure up images of pagodas, Buddhist and Hindu temples and a panorama of snow-capped Himalayan N peaks. This will be <strong>Ornitholidays</strong>’ tenth visit to this magical region and although it may not be Shangri-la, it is a holiday that will provide some unforgettable sights, sounds and experiences. Kathmandu lies in a wide valley-basin, at about 1,300m in the mid-Himalayas, and the city is an interesting mix of the ancient and modern, with thousand-year-old temples juxtaposed with Internet cafés! For a small country (the size of England and Wales), Nepal has recorded an amazing proportion (almost 10 per cent) of the world’s bird species. A particular thrill will be to search for species, which are winter visitors here from their Siberian breeding grounds – such as Falcated Duck, White’s Thrush and Siberian Rubythroat. The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is one of Asia’s finest wetland sites. Nepal also possesses one of the world’s great natural parks – Chitwan, a fine example of lowland grassland and forest, and home to the world’s densest concentration of the Indian One-horned Rhinoceros. Riding on elephant back we should have good views of these vast myopic creatures and perhaps also glimpse the lord of the elephant grass – the Tiger. Most of our explorations will be in the lowlands, but we have allocated two days to visit the special birding site on the mountain above Kathmandu – Phulchowki. Here, the variety of colourful babblers is impressive; and stunning Himalayan views are often possible, with scarlet-flowering rhododendrons in the foreground. Indian Rhinoceros ITINERARY Days 1 to 3 We depart this evening from London on a scheduled flight to Kathmandu. We arrive in Kathmandu the next day and transfer to our hotel in Thamel, a colourful and friendly shopping area close to the main city centre, where we stay for two nights. Those who prefer not to spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing may have time for a little sightseeing prior to our welcome Nepali dinner this evening. The next day a short drive brings us to the lower slopes of Phulchowki, where we will spend most of the day, with a picnic lunch. Phulchowki (2,500m) is the highest peak in the valley: a wonderful birding spot. The variety of laughingthrushes, babblers, yuhinas, bulbuls, flowerpeckers, flycatchers, sunbirds, tits and warblers is tremendous. Today we will concentrate on the lower slopes and we hope to find birds such as Kalij Pheasant, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Nepal Fulvetta, Spotted Forktail and Fire-tailed Sunbird. We will look up for Black and Mountain Hawk-Eagles and scan the leafless trees for Great Barbets. The following day will be spent bird watching on the upper slopes of Phulchowki. By driving to about 2,400m (as high as is now permitted) in the early morning, we should get a good view of the snow-clad Great Himalayas. Manaslu (the world’s seventh highest peak), Langtang and part of the Annapurna Range are visible, when the weather is clear! We shall then spend the rest of the day walking down the mountain through its fine temperate and subtropical forest, with a picnic lunch en route. Commonest birds here are Rufous Sibia and Buff-barred Warbler; Orange-flanked Bush Robins can often be seen on the track. Among the colourful Himalayan babblers, we will keep eyes open for Chestnut-tailed Siva, White-browed Fulvetta, Stripe-throated and Whiskered Yuhinas and the rare Cutia, a specialist of mossy trunks. Days 4 to 7 We leave the Kathmandu Valley and take our time descending the steep and winding road towards the lowlands. Well-chosen stops may produce species such as Brown Dipper, Wallcreeper, and (if we are very lucky) Ibisbill. Our destination is Chitwan National Park, which comprises mainly sal forest and riverine grasslands, a magnificent environment with a greater variety of wildlife than any other area of Nepal. Over 480 species of birds have been recorded here, and we can expect to see nearly one third of these, as well as many mammals and reptiles. Red Junglefowl will be scratching for food on the jungle floor, while Oriental Pied Hornbills glide overhead. Crested Serpent- Eagles hunt over the forest, while Ruddy Shelduck and Open-bill Storks feed on the marshy margins. Birds of prey are found here in good numbers and we can hope to see Osprey, Grey-headed Fishing-Eagle, Crested Honeybuzzard, White-eyed Buzzard and perhaps a Collared Falconet. Mammals include the endangered Indian Rhinoceros, Wild Boar, Sambar, Muntjac, Spotted and Hog Deer, Rhesus and Grey Langur Monkeys. Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, and Gaur (wild bison) are all present and regularly seen by the lucky ones! We stay in Machan Paradise View Lodge for four 82 For a previous tour report or further information please call: 01794 519445
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ORNITHOLIDAYS 2014 49 Our Forty-Nin
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49 Our Forty-Ninth Year ORNITHOLIDA
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T O U R G R A D I N G Tour Grading
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C U B A Cuba Endemic Birds & Winter
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ORNITHOLIDAYS 29 Straight Mile Roms
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