The World Birding Website

Asia - Bhutan

Bhutan lies to the north of the Indian plains and south of the Tibetan plateau. Deep valleys and towering Himalayan peaks provide a stunning backdrop to exceptional high-altitude forest birding. The 'Lateral Road' crosses Bhutan from west to east cutting through a rich diversity of forest habitats and provides the backbone for most Bhutan birding tours. April to May is the best season to visit as species return to breeding territories. The Kichu River in the east of Bhutan offers exceptional birding (according to UK-based birder, Dave Farrow) with an impressive array of pheasant species including Blood Pheasant and other specialties such as Satyr Tragopan and Himalayan Monal. The forest-cloaked mountainsides teem with birdlife. Great Parrotbills and a dozen species of laughingthrushes occupy the bamboo understorey, whilst a lucky few connect with Blue-naped Pitta. In winter some high passes are difficult to cross, although the Paro and Thimphu valleys will yield a range of worthwhile wintering high altitude species and the Phobjika valley has wintering Black-necked Cranes. A common misconception about Bhutan is that it is hard to get into. Whilst government regulations do require that birders visit with the assistance of a Bhutanese tour operator, birders may still travel independently.

Blood Pheasant © Sam Woods

Trip Reports Bhutan - April 19th – May 11th, 2010, author Gail Mackiernan (added October 12, 2010) Bhutan Oct 16-28, 2006, author Mike Nelson (added November 1, 2006) (Dochu La, Lumphini Park, Bumthang, Paro, Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan, Thimphu) Bhutan - March - April 2009 with extra days in Lampakbai and Seoul, author Lawrence Gardella (added May 17, 2009) (Red Panda, Eye-browed Wren-Babbler, Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler, Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank) Bhutan, 29 March - 15 April 2005, author Catherine McFadden (added May 16, 2005) (Pallas' Fish Eagle, Ward's Trogon, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Spot-winged Starling) Bhutan - birding the land of the thunder dragon - April 2008, author Josh Engel (link created May 14, 2008) (Tropical Birding Customised tour) Bhutan Apr 2007, author Rockjumper Birding Tours (link created March 7, 2011) Bhutan & Assam Apr 2008, author Rockjumper Birding Tours (link created March 7, 2011) Bhutan & Assam Mar-Apr 09, author Rockjumper Birding Tours (link created March 7, 2011) Bhutan & Assam Mar-Apr 2010, author Rockjumper Birding Tours (link created March 7, 2011) Bhutan - Birding Druk Yul: Land of the Thunder Dragon, 15 March to 3 April 2010, author Tom Stephenson (added March 25, 2011) (Ibisbill, Satyr Tragopan, White-bellied Heron, Palla’s Fish Eagle, Ward’s Trogon, Beautiful Nuthatch, Dark-rumped Swift, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Rufous-necked Hornbill) Bhutan March 25 - April 14, 2007, author Jon Hornbuckle (added December 8, 2007) (Satyr Tragopan, Ibisbill) Birding the pristine eastern Himalayas: Incredible Bhutan - November 2010, author Chris Lotz (added April 30, 2011) Bhutan 16 March - 5 April 2006, author Allan Drewitt (added April 30, 2006) (Bhutan, Beautiful Nuthatch, Ward's Trogon, Black-necked Crane, Rufous-necked Hornbill) Showing the 13 Most Recent Trip Reports Posted BACK TO TRIP REPORTS HOME PAGE POST A TRIP REPORT EDIT YOUR TRIP REPORTS

Recent Sightings Wandue Phodrang, White Bellied Heron (fly author Avijit Sarkhel (added March 7, 2010) Jigme Dorji National Park - 1 hour 30 minutes from Punakha, Red headed Trogon, Black Eared Shrike Babbler, author Avijit Sarkhel (added March 7, 2010) Showing the 2 Latest Recent Sightings Posted ADD SOME RECENT SIGHTINGS

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