Within the Kathmandu valley alone, over 500 species
of birds have been recorded. The surrounding hills
offer a varied ecology ranging from primary and secondary
forests to rhododendron, oak and pine forests. In
addition, the wetlands and open fields inside the
valley make up a diverse habitat for many species
of birds.
The most popular bird watching spot is the Phulchoki
hill, the highest peak on the Valley rim situated
20 km South East of Kathmandu, with some 265 species
recorded to date. The birds seen here included babblers,
warblers, tits, thrushes, minivets, woodpeckers, eagles
and many migrant birds. Godavari, at the foot of Phulchoki
hill where the Royal Botanical Garden is situated,
records over 100 species of birds including the lesser
racket-tailed drongo, Tibetan siskin and the spotted
forktail.
The Shivapuri Watershed and
Wildlife Reserve
Situated 11km to the North of Kathmandu, is another
very good location. Nagerjun Royal Forest on Jamacho
hill is situated 5 km from Kathmandu on the way to
Kakani from Balaju. It is a renowned sight for bird
enthusiasts with blue magpies, kalij pheasants, Bonelli’s
eagles, great Himalayan barbets amongst thwe many
species found here.
The Valley Wetlands
The wetlands in the valley, the banks of the Manohara
river on the way to Bhaktapur, and the Bagmati river,
which flows into the Valley from Shivapuri hill and
out through Chobhar Gorge, are good places for watching
waders and waterfowls. Harbouring 40 species of birds
mostly dependent on wetlands, Taudaha, a lake on the
way to Dakshinkali, attracts flocks of migrant birds.
Popular Bird Watching Sites
Outside the Kathmandu Valley
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
As well as other kinds of fauna, the Koshi Tappu Wildlife
Reserve is renowned for being one of the best locations
for birding. Still within Nepal’s sub-tropical
Terai belt, this is the smallest (175 sq km) and Easternmost
reserve in Nepal, just to the North East of the convergence
of the Sapt Koshi and Trijuga Khola rivers. Its situation
on the Sapt Koshi floodplain means that the environment
of this reserve varies dramatically according to the
seasons. During the Monsoon (May to September) the
flow becomes torrential and covers most of the floodplain,
while during the dry seasons, many flat, sandy islands
are exposed. The habitat is a combination of scrub
grassland and deciduous riverine forest, with over
280 species of birds recorded so far, including 20
species of duck, ibises, storks, swamp partridges
(Francolinus gularis), herons, egrets, Bengal floricans
(Eupodotis Bengalensis), and many other exotic and
migratory waterfowl not found elsewhere in Nepal.
Chitwan National Park
Is approximately five hours by road from Kathmandu
or a 35 minute flight situated in the Terai region.
It is renowned for its array of birds, with over 255
species recorded. There are many species of parakeets.
Other birds include Blue-Throat (thrush), Long-tailed
Nightjar, Indian Peafowl, Great Barbet, red-billed
blue magpie and Tickell’s red-breasted blue
flycatcher. A two night/three day package, staying
at a lodge within the park, is an ideal way to combine
bird watching with other pursuits.
Bardia National park
Bardia is also a popular destination for bird watching
situated in the far West of Nepal it is an area of
extensive jungle which is covered by sal forest riverine
and grass lands. A boat ride on the slow moving expanse
of the Karnali River provides plenty of opportunities
to view a vast variety of birds including Ruddy Shelduck,
darters, brahmini kites, brown headed gulls, cormorants,
oriental pied hornbills, night heron & purple
heron, cinnaon bitterns, orioles and majestic peacocks.
Trekking Regions
One of the best ways of viewing birds in Nepal is
a leisurely trek through the foothills of the Kingdom.
There are three main trekking areas in Nepal: the
Langtang region six hours by road North of Kathmandu,
the Solu Khumbu region eight hours by road East of
Kathmandu and the Annapurna region, six hours by road
or a 30 minute flight West of Kathmandu. Of the three
trekking regions, the Annapurna region offers the
widest variety of species. The region is also easily
accessible.
The Annapurna Conservation
Area
To set the scene a little, the Annapurna region is
a Conservation Area is the largest and most protected
region in the World (ACA), covering around 2600sq
km towards the North-central region of Nepal. The
Kali Gandaki river runs North to South through this
region, through the world’s deepest gorge, some
6000m below the high Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs,
seven of these peaks are over 7000m, the highest (Annapurna
I) at 8091m.
A few facts and figures above, but as you can imagine,
the ACA supports a remarkable but delicate biodiversity,
with 441 recorded species of birds (so far), including
the only endemic species of Nepal, the spiny babbler
(Turdoides Nepalensis). The bird habitat ranges from
the sub-tropical lowlands towards Pokhara in the south
of ACA to dry sub-alpine conditions above the tree-line
towards the North.
The Kali Gandaki valley is also a major migration
pathway in the autumn, when 40 species, including
demoiselle cranes (Anthropoides Virgo), can be seen
around Jomsom and Tukche. Happily this coincides with
one of the two trekking seasons (Spring and Autumn).
Migrating West about this time further South around
Kaare and Dhampus are about 20 identified species
of eagle and other birds of prey. The most commonly
observed are:lammergeier gypaetus barbatus (Bearded
Vulture), known as the giddha in Nepal, it frequently
occurs at 4100m.and the golden eagle Aquila Cryaetos,
known as baaj in Nepal.
There are six Himalayan pheasants to be found in
ACA: Himalayan The Monal Lophophorus impejanus satyra
Tragopan Tragopan satyra (Crimson Horned Pheasant)
Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus Koklass Pheasant
Pucrasia macrolopha Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichiiKalij
Pheasant Lophura leucomelana, are the most commonly
occurring of Nepali pheasants.