Birdwatching trip report from Nepal - February 2002

ITINERARY

Sunday 3rd & Monday 4th February

Travel day, leaving London Heathrow 8.30pm Sunday with a 4 hour stop over at Abu Dhabi Airport before arriving at Kathmandu 5.30pm local time. Night Kathmandu.

Tuesday 5th February

Early morning at the summit and upper quarter of Pulchowki Mountain. The afternoon was spent around the lower slopes and the ravine trail. Evening visit to the Godavari Botanical Gardens. Night Kathmandu.

Wednesday 6th February

Morning and early afternoon spent along the Shivapuri ridge with late afternoon visit to the lower Nagarjung Forest trail. Night Kathmandu.

Thursday 7th February

Dawn at the entrance to the ravine trail, Pulchowki Mt. 9am to late morning at the Godavari Botanical Gardens. Late morning to late afternoon around the halfway part of Pulchowki Mountain. Night Kathmandu.

Friday 8th February

Morning on the lower slopes of Shivapuri with mid morning at the upper gate trail, Nagarjung Forest. Afternoon spent doing the tourist thing around Kathmandu. Night Kathmandu.

Saturday 9th February

Travel day south and west along the Prithwi Highway to Meghauli and Chital Lodge. Afternoon to evening around the Chital Lodge area. Night Chital Lodge.

Sunday 10th February

Day spent in Chitwan. Night Chital Lodge.

Monday 11th February

Day spent in Chitwan. Night Chital Lodge.

Tuesday 12th February

Day spent in Chitwan. Night Chital Lodge.

Wednesday 13th February

Travel day east through the Terai via Hetauda. Arrived early evening at Koshi Barrage and the flooded marshes to the east. Night Aqua Bird Tent Camp.

Thursday 14th February

Day spent in Koshi Tappu reserve with a return to the lodge for lunch. Night Aqua Bird Tent Camp.

Friday 15th February

Day around the western side of Koshi Tappu and the Pink Tower. Evening around the eastern flooded marshes and the Paddyfield around the camp. Night Aqua Bird Tented Camp.

Saturday 16th February

Travel day west to Bharatpur then north and east along the Prithwi Highway to Kathmandu with several stops along the way including Naubise. Night Kathmandu.

Sunday 17th February

Day walking from the top Pulchowki to the village at the base. Night Kathmandu.

Monday 18th February

JW & SA spent the morning at the Godavari Botanical Gardens while DK & DP went shopping in Kathmandu. Late afternoon flight from Kathmandu to Abu Dhabi before our onward flight to London, Heathrow via Bahrain.

ACCOMMODATION:

Hotel Impala, Thamel, Kathmandu

A basic but clean hotel that suited our needs whilst staying in Kathmandu. Most rooms had warm to hot running water with bath/shower or both, twin beds, TV and power points to recharge batteries. Price was $10 per person per night. It was just a short walk to the main tourist area in Thamel where plenty of restaurants, shops and moneychangers could be found.

We hired our car with driver through the hotel in advance for our visits to Pulchowki Mt, Shivapuri, Chitwan and Koshi Tappu. The cost was $730 for the 13 days and included all petrol and drivers costs including his accommodation. The vehicle was a real monster of a 4x4, an old Land Cruiser, but without which we probably wouldn't have reached the top of Pulchowki.

Our driver, Rajzu, was a real star and a really good driver although spoke little English.

Chital Lodge, Meghauli

A very basic lodge but with a character of its own. This is the best alternative to the over priced Tiger Tops based in the park, at around $140 per night. Chital is run by the excellent Jib who is very passionate about the birds of the park and area and is a very good guide, although is currently in serious need of a pair of binoculars. He has a phenomenal ear for birdcalls, as we found out within 5 minutes of leaving the lodge on our first morning.

For the 4 nights and 3 days that we stayed the cost was around $60 per person which included meals, room and guided walks in the reserve but did not included the 500 rupee entrance fee to the park itself, which is payable a the Bhimle entrance gate.

The lodge is set next to a river that had 3 species of Kingfisher on it along with numerous herons, and Black-backed Forktail. The paddies and cultivation's around the area also had interesting birds along with an evening gathering of parakeets of 3 species, several hundred were found here.

To reach Chitwan it is necessary to walk 5km to the Bhimle gate which includes three river crossings, rolling your trousers up and wading two of them. Walking to the reserve will not mean missing birds as there's much to see on the way, such as the Himalayan Rubythroats that are on the northern side of the Rapti river. If you have your own vehicle its possible to drive to the ferry crossing and walk from there to the entrance.

Aqua Bird Tented Camp, Koshi Tappu

A luxury tented camp on the boundary to the excellent Koshi Tappu reserve. This camp is a little expensive for what it actually offers however there are little alternatives nearby. The tents are high quality with comfy beds while the camp facilities included proper shower block that has hot running water in the evenings and a separate dining hall and the food was generally very good.

There's a pair or two of resident Spotted Owlets around the camp that can be heard throughout the night next to the tent area. A small patch of reeds near the dining hall has at least one pair of Striated Grassbirds in residence whilst Clamorous Reed Warblers and Brown Shrike were also present. The ponds by the observation tower were good for waterbirds with herons, storks, gallinules, waterhens, Little Cormorants and Jacana's all being present. The fields and paddies outside the camp held Olive-backed and Paddyfield Pipits and a large flock of Yellow-breasted Buntings.

Our guide, Dinesh Guri, was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the areas birds and done his best to find us new birds each day.

Apart from the price, at about $35 per day that included the tent, all meals, reserve entrance and vehicle, the only other negative aspect of the camp was the overly attentive dining hall staff that seemed to hover around us all the time.

BIRDING LOCATIONS:

Pulchowki Mountain, Kathmandu Valley

This is the highest peak in the Kathmandu valley at around 2870 meters, is completely covered in forest and is the best birding location in the area and is about 40 minutes drive from Kathmandu with a further 40 minutes to the top. We visited this site on a number of occasions and it is essential that you bird at different elevations to get the best out of it. It is also recommended that you have a good 4x4 to get you to the top, a taxi just wouldn't make it. We gained access to the army camp at the summit and had superb views of the Himalayas and our only Upland Pipits of the trip.

Our strategy was to simply walk back down the road, birding as we went. The lower you get the greater number of bird species you get, though you start to lose the higher elevation species. The area around the disused buildings, at around half way, is well known for Cutia but we failed to find any but many very good birds were found including a male Golden Bush Robin. Dawn along the road by the "ravine trail" was excellent with countless birds zipping about. The ravine trail is near the foot of the mountain and located on the right side of the road on sharp left bend as you head up the road. The ravine trail itself was a little hard work with only a few birds of real interest being found. Some of the star birds of Pulchowki include Black Eagle, Maroon Oriole, Golden Bush Robin, Orange-bellied Leafbird, male Red-flanked Bluetail, numerous Yuhinas, Fulvettas and Laughingthrushes.

Shivapuri Watershed Reserve, Kathmandu Valley

This is perhaps the second best place for birding in the Kathmandu valley after Pulchowki. This site is located about 30 minutes north of Kathmandu and can be combined with a visit to nearby Nagarjung Forest. The habitat is mainly open pine woodland with scrub covered hillsides. You have to gain access through the army camp to reach to the path on the upper slopes. Along the trail we encountered numerous mixed flocks of birds which made up from Buff-barred, Blyth's Leaf, Hume's and Lemon-rumped Warblers, various tits and Babblers. The lower slopes, before you reach the first military checkpoint, are worth investigation of their own. One morning we spent walking back down the road finding Verditer Flycatchers, Blue-capped Redstart and Magpie Robins.

Godavari Botanical Gardens, Kathmandu Valley

This was one of our favourite sites. The gardens are less than a mile from the foot of Pulchowki Mt. And consists of mainly open parkland type habitats and several fast flowing streams. You need to make an early morning visit to make the most of the place and before the school parties arrive however entry is from 9am only, even though we tried a little earlier than this. An evening visit is also well worth the effort once birding activity increases again. Some of the special birds found here were Spotted and Black-backed Forktails, Rufous-gorgetted, Slaty-backed and Rusty-tailed Flycatchers, Hodgson's Redstart, White's Thrush, Chestnut-headed and Grey-bellied Tesia, Grey Bushchat and Asian Barred Owlet amongst others. Entrance costs 25 rupees (about 20 pence) whilst bringing in a camcorder costs an extra 100 rupees.

Nagarjung Forest, Kathmandu Valley

There are two entrance gates to this impressive forest, both of which we explored. The lower gate and trail ran alongside the road for about half a mile but some top class birds were found that included White-crested Laughingthrushes, Greater Yellownape, Red-billed Blue Magpies, Grey-headed Canary Flycatchers and Great Barbets. The upper trail headed away from the road and was somewhat less noisy than the other trail. The forest here is again fairly open with several bird waves containing chestnut-capped Warbler, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo and White-bellied Yuhina's.

Prithwi Highway

This is the main highway from the lowlands to Kathmandu and is fairly busy with traffic during the day. The journey to Chitwan from Kathmandu is about 170Km but several stops along the way produced birds. About 2.5 hours from Kathmandu, just after it got light, we made a stop at Belkhu to look at the Mahesh Khola (river). Within a short period of time we had found ourselves 5 Ibisbill, 3 White-capped Water Redstarts, 4 Plumbeous Water Redstarts and River Lapwings. Several other stops along the highway to look at the river and forests produced Brown Dipper and White-bellied Drongo.

We returned along the same highway a week later finding Egyptian Vulture at Barbang Khola. At the small town of Naubise is a small stream, which we followed, upriver for about 100yards. During this short walk we had Little, Slaty-backed and Black-backed Forktails, White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstarts, Grey Wagtail and a Blue Whistling Thrush. Not bad for half an hour.

Royal Chitwan National Park

This was by far the best birding site of the trip but also the most effort, much walking involved. We used Chital Lodge as our base and walked into the park daily picking up many fine birds along the way. We would often make our way to the forest around the Tiger Tops camp where many birds were found but also explored as far as the Government Elephant Camp a further 3km away. No birding trip to Nepal can leave out this fantastic place and a minimum of three days should been given to it. The areas we covered varied from pristine forest, grassland, scrub land and rivers and some great birds were found at them all. Amongst all the avian highlights some of the best include the male White-tailed Rubythroat near the Rapti river, the pair of Chestnut-capped Babblers, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, the Great Hornbills, the unexpected Black Baza, the Necklaced Laughingthrushes, and Green Magpie. However the overall trip highlight was not a bird but a mammal, in the form a large stripy cat, sorry make that three large stripy cats. A female and two well-grown cub Tigers walked out of the elephant grass about 200yards in front of us, gave us the once over before disappearing back into the grass. If that wasn't enough we were on foot at the time.

Other mammals include the Rhino seen from our canoe as we drifted past, Grey Langur monkeys and several species of deer. An unforgettable experience.

Koshi Tappu Reserve

Another fine reserve that deserves more than a few days exploration. The main birding areas were along the raised embankment near the marshes, the river, near the Pink Tower, the barrage and the floods near the barrage. On our first day we explored the reserves embankment and managed to see the bull Asian Wild Elephants that had been present for a few months. The birding increased as the fog began to clear with some fine birds being found, such as a roosting Brown Fish Owl, Crested Buntings, Tickells Leaf and Smoky Warblers, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Cinnamon Bittern and a pair of Black-necked Storks. We followed this with a canoe ride down the river with a short stop on an island for lark watching. Birds of prey were well represented with Greater Spotted, Eastern Imperial, Booted and pair of White-tailed Eagles and 40+ Vultures of 3 species. The reserve is perhaps the best place to see Pied Harrier which is a truly great looking bird. The floods east of the Koshi Barrage held the majority of the wildfowl with hundreds of Whistling Ducks, Pintails and Red-crested Pochards while Cotton-pygmy Geese were found on the a deep water pool.

The barrage is noting more than a large dam that has created mud flats in the river. From the eastern bank we found Kentish Plovers and diving ducks and a Red-throated Diver, currently a Nepalese first. The embankment north to the Pink tower was good for warblers and chats with the highlights being a male Siberian Rubythroat and a Chestnut-eared Bunting.

Species List

1. RED THROATED DIVER 1 seen from the southern embankment at the Koshi Barrage 15/2.
This constitutes the first record for Nepal and only the second for the Indian Subcontinent.

2. LITTLE GREBE Koshi Tappu - 4 14/2 with 20 15/2

3. GREAT CRESTED GREBE Koshi Tappu - 1 13/2, 1 near the Pink Tower and 4 on the river 15/2

4. "GREAT" CORMORANT Prithwi Highway - 3 9/2
Chitwan - 1 10/2, 2 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2, 30+ 15/2,
Terai - 1 16/2

5. LITTLE CORMORANT Koshi Tappu - 30+ 13/2
Aqua Tented bird Camp, Koshi Tappu - 30+ 14/2
Numerous individuals were noted all around the Koshi Tappu area

6. ASIAN DARTER 2 Chitwan 11/2
2 Koshi Tappu 14/2
1 Aqua Bird Tented Camp, Paddyfields 15/2

7. CINNAMON BITTERN 1 seen well in a ditch Koshi Tappu 14/2

8. BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON Highway east of Bharatpur - 1 9/2
Koshi Tappu - 12+ 14/2

9. STRIATED HERON Chitwan - 1 10/2, 2 12/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2

10. INDIAN POND HERON Common and widespread:
Godavari Botanical Gardens - 1 5/2 & 18/2
Prithwi Highway - 1 9/2
East of Bharatpur - 6 9/2
Chital Lodge - 4 9/2, 2 10/2, 4 11/2, 1 12/2 & 13/2
Chitwan - 6 10/2 & 11/2 with 3+ 12/2
Koshi Tappu - common 14/2 & 15/2
Terai - numerous, seen in small groups 13/2 & 16/2

11. CATTLE EGRET Godavari Botanical Gardens - single 5/2, 7/2 & 18/2
Nagarjung Forest - 1 6/2
Shivapuri Village - 5+ 8/2
Prithwi Highway - 2 9/2
East of Bharatpur - 33 9/2
Chital Lodge - numerous 9/2
Terai - 70 13/2
Koshi Tappu, North bank and Pink Tower - 11 15/2

12. LITTLE EGRET Prithwi Highway - 2 9/2
East of Bharatpur - 2 9/2
Chital Lodge - 1 9/2, 1 11/2,
Chitwan - 2 10/2, 5+ 11/2, 6+ 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2, 10 15/2

13. INTERMEDIATE EGRET Chitwan - 1 11/2, 1 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 3 14/2

14. GREAT WHITE EGRET Chitwan - 7 10/2, 3 11/2, 5+ 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu - singles 15/2 & 16/2
Terai - numerous 16/2

15. GREY HERON Terai - 1 13/2
Koshi Barrage, floods east of barrage - 4 13/2
Koshi Tappu - several 14/2

16. PURPLE HERON Koshi Barrage - 4 13/2, 1 15/2,
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu - 1 15/2

17. ASIAN OPENBILL 4 east of Bharatpur 9/2
6 Chitwan 10/2
10 Chitwan 11/2
1 Chitwan 12/2
Numerous in the Terai 13/2
13 Koshi Tappu 14/2
1 Aqua Bird Tented Camp, Koshi Tappu 14/2

18. BLACK STORK Chitwan - 1 10/2, 3 11/2 & 12/2
Koshi Barrage - 1 15/2 west of the barrage,
Koshi Tappu - 8 15/2 on the river on the east side

19. WOOLLY NECKED STORK 2 seen in the Terai 13/2

20. BLACK NECKED STORK Pair Koshi Tappu 14/2

21. LESSER ADJUTANT East of Bharatpur - 1 9/2
Meghauli - 2 9/2
Chitwan - 1 11/2, 3 11/2
Terai - 4 13/2,
Koshi Tappu - 6 15/2,

22. BLACK IBIS Chitwan - 11 10/2, 27 12/2
25 Koshi Tappu 15/2

23. BLACK HEADED IBIS 55+ Koshi Tappu 14/2

24. SPOONBILL 3 Koshi Tappu 14/2

25. LESSER WHISTLING DUCK Koshi Barrage - 50+ 13/2 with 100+ on the floods to the east same day. 700+ on the floods 15/2

26. RUDDY SHELDUCK Chitwan - 8 10/2, 50+ 11/2, 55+ 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 20 13/2, 2 14/2, 1 15/2

27. COTTON PYGMY GOOSE Koshi Barrage - 15+ on pool east of the barrage 13/2

28. WIGEON Koshi Barrage - 10+ 13/2, 50+ 15/2 on the floods to the east of the barrage

29. GADWALL Koshi Tappu - 17+ 14/2, 200 15/2

30. TEAL Chitwan - 20+ 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 300+ 13/2, 30+ 14/2, hundreds 15/2

31. MALLARD Chitwan - pair 11/2 & 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 2 14/2

32. SPOT BILLED DUCK 3 Koshi Tappu 13/2

33. PINTAIL Koshi Tappu - 2000+ 13/2, 6 14/2, 500-600 on the river by the Barrage with a further 1000+ on the floods to the east 15/2

34. GARGANEY Koshi Barrage - immature male on the floods east of the Barrage 15/2

35. SHOVELER Koshi Tappu - 2 15/2 north of the barrage on the Koshi river

36. RED CRESTED POCHARD Koshi Tappu - 60+ 13/2, 30 15/2

37. COMMON POCHARD Koshi Tappu - 3 15/2

38. FERRUGINOUS DUCK Koshi Tappu - 20 13/2, 1 14/2, 8 15/2

39. TUFTED DUCK Koshi Tappu - 3 15/2

40. GOLDENEYE 4 males & 2 females Koshi Tappu 15/2

41. GOOSANDER Rapti River, Chitwan - 2 males & 3 females 10/2, 6 11/2, 12 12/2

42. CRESTED HONEY BUZZARD 1 over Meghauli 9/2

43. BLACK SHOULDERED KITE Terai area - 8 along the road 13/2
Koshi Barrage, Floods to the east - 2 13/2
Koshi Tappu near the Pink Tower - 2 15/2

44. BLACK BAZA Adult over the Rapti River, Chitwan 12/2

45. BLACK KITE Common across the northern quarter of Kathmandu with lesser numbers noted elsewhere.
1 Kathmandu Airport 4/2
8 Shivapuri 6/2 with 2 8/2
1 Shivapuri Village 6/2
40 Nagarjung Forest 8/2
20+ Kathmandu 8/2, 15+ 17/2
mostly singles in the lowlands with a peak of 6 along the Prithwi Highway north of Bharatpur 16/2.

46. BRAHMINY KITE Chital Lodge - immature 9/2
Chitwan - 2 immatures - 12/2

47. WHITE TAILED EAGLE Koshi Tappu - pair 14/2

48. EGYPTIAN VULTURE Adult over Barbang Khola along the Prithwi Highway 16/2

49. WHITE RUMPED VULTURE Chitwan - 1 10/2
Terai - 2 at Gibba Bridge with a further single 13/2
Koshi Tappu - 3+ 14/2, 2+ 15/2

50. LONG BILLED VULTURE 1 Koshi Tappu 15/2

51. EURASIAN GRIFFON VULTURE Terai - flock of 15+ on roadside kill at Gibba bridge 13/2
Koshi Tappu - 30-40 14/2 & 15/2
Terai - 1 16/2

52. HIMALAYAN VULTURE Chitwan - 1 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 3+ 14/2, 1 15/2

53. CINEREOUS VULTURE Koshi Tappu - 2 14/2, 1-2 15/2

54. SHORT TOED EAGLE 1 Terai 13/2

55. CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE Chitwan - 7 10/2, 2 11/2, 1 12/2
Prithwi Highway - 1 16/2

56. MARSH HARRIER Koshi Tappu - 5 13/2, 2 14/2, male 15/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu - female 15/2

57. HEN HARRIER Chitwan - male & ringtail 11/2
Terai - ringtail 13/2
Koshi Tappu - ringtail 15/2

58. PIED HARRIER Only recorded at Koshi. Male & female over floods north of Koshi Barrage 13/2.
Female Koshi Tappu in the morning with 2 males heading to roost in the evening 14/2. 2 males over Koshi Tappu reserve 15/2.

59. BESRA 1 along the ravine trail, Pulchowki Mt. 7/2
1 Shivapuri, Median Slopes 8/2

60. SPARROWHAWK Nagarjung Forest, lower trail 6/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2

61. SHIKRA East of Bharatpur - 1 9/2
Meghauli - 1 9/2
Chitwan - 1 12/2
Terai - 1 13/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2 & 15/2

62. WHITE EYED BUZZARD Singles Chitwan 11/2 & 12/2

63. COMMON BUZZARD Shivapuri - 1 6/2
Nagarjung Forest, lower trail - 1 6/2
Meghauli - 1 9/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 of the race japonicus 14/2

64. LONG LEGGED BUZZARD 1 north of the Koshi Barrage 15/2

65. UPLAND BUZZARD 1 20km east of Bhatapur 9/2

66. ASIAN BLACK EAGLE Adult Pulchowki Mt. 5/2 and again 17/2

67. LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 2 Adults Chitwan 12/2, 2 juveniles Koshi Tappu 15/2

68. GREAT SPOTTED EAGLE Adult Koshi Tappu 14/2 with 2 Adults 15/2

69. STEPPE EAGLE Shivapuri - 2 6/2
Shivapuri Village - 5 together 6/2
Nagarjung Forest - 1 6/2
Kathmandu - 1 over the city 8/2
North of Bharatpur - 3 16/2

70. "EASTERN" IMPERIAL EAGLE Adult Koshi Tappu 14/2

71. BOOTED EAGLE Shivapuri - 2 Dark phase 6/2
Nagarjung Forest, lower trail - 1 dark phase 6/2
Koshi Tappu - dark phase 14/2

72. CHANGEABLE HAWK EAGLE Adult Chitwan 10/2

73. OSPREY Chitwan - 2 10/2 & 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2

74. COMMON KESTREL Chitwan - 1 12/2
Rapti River, Hetauda - 1 13/2
Koshi Tappu - 2 14/2, 2 15/2
Terai - 2 13/2, 1 16/2

75. LESSER KESTREL 15 circling north near the Pink Tower, Koshi Tappu 15/2

76. HOBBY 1 high over Nagarjung Forest, Lower trail 6/2

77. PEREGRINE Pair Koshi Tappu 14/2 and a male Koshi Tappu 15/2. All birds were of the race calidus.

78. SWAMP FRANCOLIN Groups of 2 and 3 along the southern embankment 14/2

79. RED JUNGLEFOWL Chitwan - 18+ 10/2, 11 11/2, 2 12/2

80. KALIJ PHEASANT Shivapuri - 2 females 6/2, male 8/2
Nagarjung Forest - 1 6/2
Pulchowki Mt. - male & 2 females 7/2
Chitwan - Pair 11/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens - 2 18/2

81. INDIAN PEAFOWL Recorded at Chitwan only - 3 10/2, 13 11/2, 7 12/2

82. RUDDY BREASTED CRAKE 2 Koshi Tappu 14/2

83. WHITE BREASTED WATERHEN Chital Lodge - 1 11/2
Koshi Tappu - 2 14/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp - 5 14/2, 4 15/2, 4 16/2

84. COMMON MOORHEN Chitwan - 1 9/2 & 10/2
Koshi Tappu - Common i.e. - 70+ 14/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu - 10+ 14/2 & 15/2

85. PURPLE GALLINULE Aqua Tented Bird Camp. Koshi Tappu - 11 14/2 & 16/2, 2 15/2
Koshi Tappu - 8 14/2

86. COOT 1 Koshi Tappu 14/2

87. PHEASANT TAILED JACANA 1 on floods south of Koshi Barrage 15/2

88. BRONZE WINGED JACANA Koshi Tappu - 4 13/2, 8+ 14/2, 3 15/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu - 6 14/2, 11 15/2

89. IBISBILL 5 in the Mahesh Khola river at Belkhau along the Prithwi Highway 9/2

90. LITTLE PRATINCOLE Rapti River, Chitwan - 2 10/2, 40+ 11/2
Koshi Tappu - 80-100 14/2

91. LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Chitwan - 3 10/2, 3 11/2, 5 12/2
Koshi Barrage - 2 14/2, 1 15/2

92. KENTISH PLOVER c15 Koshi Tappu 15/2

93. RED WATTLED PLOVER Chitwan - 1 10/2, 5 11/2, 1 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2, 8 15/2

94. RIVER LAPWING 2 Belkhu, Prithwi Highway 9/2 along the Mahesh Khola
Chitwan - 2 12/2, 3 10/2
Rapti River, Hetauda - 1 13/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 13/2, 2 15/2

95. TEMMINCK'S STINT Chitwan - 6 11/2, 18 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 6 14/2, 2 15/2

96. PINTAIL SNIPE 1 Koshi Tappu 15/2

97. COMMON SNIPE Koshi Tappu - 3 14/2, 1 15/2

98. REDSHANK Chitwan - 2 11/2, 1 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 2 14/2

99. SPOTTED REDSHANK Chitwan - 2 10/2

100. GREENSHANK Chitwan - 1 10/2, 4 11/2, 38+ 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2

101. GREEN SANDPIPER Chitwan - 3 10/2, 4 11/2, 5 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 5 14/2, 2 15/2

102. WOOD SANDPIPER 1 Koshi Tappu 14/2

103. COMMON SANDPIPER Prithwi Highway - 2 9/2
Chitwan - 2 10/2, 2 12/2
Rapti River, Hetauda - 2 13/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2

104. CURLEW Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2 with 18 on the river near the barrage 15/2

105. GREAT BLACK HEADED GULL 2 adults Koshi Barrage 13/2 with a single 15/2

106. YELLOW LEGGED (Caspian) GULL Abu Dhabi Airport - 15+ 4/2
Adult Koshi Barrage 15/2

107. RIVER TERN Koshi Tappu - 5 14/2

108. BLACK BELLIED TERN Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2

109. ROCK DOVE / FERAL PIGEON Feral birds were common around larger towns and villages whilst a presumed "genuine" bird was along the Prithwi Highway east of Mugling on 16/2

110. COMMON WOOD PIGEON 3 Shivapuri 6/2, 1 Pulchowki Mt. 17/2

111. SPOTTED DOVE Shivapuri - 3 5/2
Prithwi Highway - 1 9/2
Meghauli -1 9/2
Chital Lodge - 2 9/2, 1 11/2
Chitwan - 22+ 10/2, 1 12/2
Koshi Tappu - abundant - 14/2

112. COLLARED DOVE Chitwan - 3 10/2, 1 12/2,
Koshi Tappu - 2 14/2

113. ORIENTAL TURTLE DOVE Shivapuri - 6 6/2, 7 8/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens - 1 7/2, 2 18/2
Chitwan - 1 10/2
Koshi Tappu - 2 14/2
Pulchowki Mt. - 3 17/2

114. RED COLLARED DOVE Chitwan - 2 10/2, 2 11/2
Koshi Tappu - 2 14/2

115. EMERALD DOVE Chital Lodge - 1 9/2
Chitwan - 10+ 10/2, 5 11/2

116. WEDGE TAILED GREEN PIGEON Male Pulchowki Mt. 17/2

117. ALEXANDRINE PARAKEET 2 Chitwan 10/2 with 1 12/2

118. RING NECKED PARAKEET Chital Lodge - 300+ 9/2, 8+ 12/2
Chitwan - small groups seen 10/2 to 12/2
Rapti river, Hetauda - several 13/2
Koshi Tappu - many 14/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens - 4 18/2

119. RED BREASTED PARAKEET Chital Lodge - 70+ 9/2
Chitwan - 4 10/2, 4+ 11/2, 1 12/2,

120. PLUM HEADED PARAKEET Chital Lodge - 25+ 9/2
Chitwan - 8 10/2

121. GREEN BILLED MALKOHA 2 Chitwan 12/2

122. COMMON HAWK CUCKOO Koshi Tappu - 2 14/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu - 1 15/2

123. ASIAN KOEL Male Koshi Tappu 14/2,
Male Aqua Tent Camp, Koshi Tappu 16/2

124. GREATER COUCAL Chitwan - 1 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 4 14/2, 1 15/2,

125. LESSER COUCAL Koshi Tappu - 1 13/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2

126. BROWN FISH OWL 1 roosting Koshi Tappu 14/2

127. NORTHERN EAGLE OWL 1 at dusk south of Kathmandu 16/2

128. JUNGLE OWLET Chitwan 2 10/2, 4 11/2, 2 12/2
Koshi Tappu 2+ 14/2

129. SPOTTED OWLET Aqua Bird Tent Camp, Koshi Tappu - several calling all night with 1 seen in torch light 13/2 with 3 seen early in the morning of 16/2.
Koshi Tappu - 3+ 14/2 with 2 15/2

130. ASIAN BARRED OWLET Godavari Botanical Gardens - a single bird seen on 5/2 & 7/2

131. LARGE TAILED NIGHTJAR 1 flew up in front of the car on the lower slopes of Pulchowki Mt. 17/2

132. FORK TAILED (PACIFIC) SWIFT 1 over the highway in the Terai 13/2, 40+ over Kathmandu 17/2

133. ASIAN PALM SWIFT 1 over Koshi Tappu 14/2

134. ALPINE SWIFT 1 over the highway in the Terai 13/2, c60 16km south of Hetauda 16/2

135. HOUSE (LITTLE) SWIFT Godavari Botanical Gardens - 2 5/2
Kathmandu - 2 8/2

136. CRESTED TREE SWIFT 20+ high over Chitwan 11/2

137. RED HEADED TROGON 1-2 pairs near Tiger Tops, Chitwan 11/2

138. WHITE THROATED KINGFISHER Godavari Botanical Gardens - 1 5/2, 7/2 & 18/2 Shivapuri, median slopes - 1 8/2
Shivapuri Village - 1 8/2
East of Bharatpur - 2 9/2
Meghauli - 1 9/2
Chital Lodge - 2 9/2 & 11/2
Chitwan - 4 10/2, 2 11/2 & 12/2
Terai - 3 13/2, 4 16/2
Koshi Tappu + Barrage areas - 9 13/2, 3 14/2, 3 15/2,

139. STORK BILLED KINGFISHER Chital Lodge - 1 9/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2

140. COMMON KINGFISHER Chital Lodge - 2 9/2, 3 11/2, 1 12/2
Chitwan - 2 10/2
Koshi Tappu - 2 14/2
Naubise, Prithwi Highway - 1 16/2

141. PIED KINGFISHER Chitwan - 3 10/2, 2 11/2,
Koshi Tappu - 1 13/2, 10 14/2

142. BLUE BEARDED BEE EATER 1 near Tiger Tops, Chitwan 11/2

143. GREEN BEE EATER Chital Lodge - 2 9/2
Chitwan - 7 12/2
Terai - 2 13/2, 9 16/2
Koshi Tappu - 2 13/2, 20 14/2,
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2, 2 15/2

144. INDIAN ROLLER Prithwi Highway - 1 9/2
East of Bharatpur - 3 9/2
Meghauli - 1 9/2
Chitwan - 1 12/2
Terai - 11 13/2, 12 16/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 15/2

145. HOOPOE Chitwan - 1-2 12/2
Terai, lowlands - 1 13/2 & 16/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2
West of Koshi Barrage - 3 15/2

146. ORIENTAL PIED HORNBILL Chitwan - 5 10/2, 1 11/2 and a single + a pair 12/2

147. GREAT HORNBILL Chitwan - 1 10/2 with a maximum of 8 11/2 with 1+ 12/2

148. GREAT BARBET Nagarjung Forest, lower trail - 3 6/2 with 1 along the upper trail 8/2
Pulchowki Mt, lower slopes - 2 6/2 & 1-2 7/2

149. LINEATED BARBET Chital Lodge - 1 10/2
Chitwan - 1 10/2, 3 11/2, 3 11/2

150. BLUE THROATED BARBET Shivapuri - 1 6/2, 2 8/2
Koshi Tappu - 2 14/2

151. COPPERSMITH BARBET Chital Lodge - 1 9/2
Koshi Tappu, north embankment - 2 15/2

152. WRYNECK Chitwan 2 12/2
Koshi Tappu, north embankment 1 15/2

153. SPECKLED PICULET Shivapuri 1 6/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens - 1 7/2 & 18/2

154. LESSER YELLOWNAPE Chitwan - male 10/2 and then singles 11/2 & 12/2

155. GREATER YELLOWNAPE Nagarjung Forest, lower trail - pair 6/2

156. GREY HEADED WOODPECKER Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 7/2, 2 18/2
Shivapuri 1 8/2
Chitwan 3 12/2

157. SCALY BELLIED WOODPECKER Chitwan - female in a Laughingthrush flock 10/2

158. HIMALAYAN FLAMEBACK Chitwan - singles 11/2 & 12/2

159. BLACK RUMPED FLAMEBACK Koshi Tappu - single + pair 14/2

160. GREATER FLAMEBACK Chitwan 2 10/2 and 4+ 11/2

161. FULVOUS BREASTED WOODPECKER Chital Lodge 3 9/2
Chitwan 8 10/2, 2 11/2, 1 12/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 18/2

162. DARJEELING WOODPECKER Pulchowki Mt, upper slopes 2 17/2

163. CRIMSON BREASTED WOODPECKER Pulchowki Mt. Median slopes - female 17/2

164. GREY CAPPED PYGMY WOODPECKER Chitwan 4 10/2, 4 11/2

165. RUFOUS BELLIED WOODPECKER Pulchowki Mt. 2 5/2, 5 17/2

166. RUFOUS WINGED BUSHLARK Chitwan 2 10/2
Koshi Tappu 1 14/2, 1 15/2

167. ASHY CROWNED FINCH LARK 4 males & 2 females Koshi Tappu 14/2

168. SAND LARK Chitwan 3 10/2, 3 11/2, 1 12/2
Koshi Tappu 5+ 14/2, 15+ 15/2, 10 15/2

169. CRESTED LARK Abu Dhabi Airport 2+ 4/2
Koshi Tappu 1 14/2

170. ORIENTAL SKYLARK Koshi Tappu 1+ 14/2

171. SWALLOW Shivapuri Village 5 6/2
Chitwan 1 10/2, 25+ 11/2
Koshi Tappu 15+ 14/2
Kathmandu - 25+ between the city and Pulchowki 17/2

172. RED RUMPED SWALLOW Godavari Botanical Gardens 2 5/2
Shivapuri 1 8/2
Prithwi Highway 14 9/2
Koshi Tappu 5 14/2

173. PLAIN MARTIN Belkhu, Prithwi Highway 30+ 9/2
Prithwi Highway 8 9/2
Chitwan 8 9/2, 24+ 10/2, 30+ 11/2, colony 12/2
Chital Lodge 1 11/2, 2+ 12/2
Rapti River, Hetauda - several 13/2
Koshi Barrage 30+ 15/2

174. PADDYFIELD PIPIT Kathmandu Airport 1 4/2
East of Bharatpur 2 9/2
Chitwan 6 10/2, 2 11/2, 5 12/2
Koshi Tappu 3 15/2

175. UPLAND PIPIT Pulchowki Mt, summit 5 5/2

176. OLIVE BACKED PIPIT Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 5/2, 10+ 7/2, 8+ 18/2
Shivapuri 10 8/2
Chital Lodge 8 9/2, 1 11/2
Chitwan 3 10/2
Rapti, Hetauda 2 13/2
Koshi Tappu 2 14/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu 11 15/2, 1 16/2
Koshi Tappu 10+ 15/2, 1 15/2

177. TREE PIPIT Koshi Barrage 2 15/2

178. ROSY PIPIT Chitwan 2 10/2, 12+ 11/2, 6 12/2
Koshi Tappu 1 14/2, 2 15/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp 2 15/2

179. GREY WAGTAIL Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 7/2
Belkhu, Prithwi Highway 1 9/2
Chital Lodge 1 9/2, 1 10/2, 2 12/2, 1 13/2
Chitwan 1 12/2
Rapti river, Hetauda 1 13/2
Naubise, Prithwi Highway 1 16/2

180. YELLOW WAGTAIL Chitwan - singles 12/2 & 13/2
Koshi Tappu 1 flew over calling in the fog 15/2

181. CITRINE WAGTAIL Chitwan - males 3 10/2 with singles 11/2 & 12/2

182. WHITE WAGTAIL Widespread and common :
Various races were identified from numerous sites with Chitwan having the largest counts. The races identified were as follows :
baicalensis = ( common name not known )
alboides = Masked Wagtail
leucopsis = White Faced or Amur Wagtail
personata = Hodgson's Wagtail

183. WHITE BROWED WAGTAIL Belkhu, Prithwi Highway 2 9/2
Prithwi Highway 2 9/2, 1 16/2
Chitwan 1 10/2, 3 12/2
Koshi Tappu 1 14/2

184. LARGE WOODSHRIKE Chital Lodge - a single in the wood on the other side of the river 9/2

185. BAR WINGED FLYCATCHER SHRIKE Chitwan - 40+ 10/2, 25+ 11/2

186. LARGE CUCKOO-SHRIKE Shivapuri, lower slopes 1 8/2
Chital Lodge 3 9/2, 4 10/2 & 2 11/2
Chitwan 2 10/2, 1 11/2

187. BLACK WINGED CUCKOO-SHRIKE Chitwan 2 by the Government Elephant Camp 11/2
Chitwan 1 12/2
Koshi Tappu 1 14/2

188. SCARLET MINIVET Chitwan 11 10/2, 35+ 11/2, 2 12/2

189. LONG TAILED MINIVET Pulchowki Mt. 2 males & 1 female 5/2, 1 7/2, 5 17/2
Shivapuri 12 6/2, 9 8/2,
Godavari Botanical Gardens female 7/2, pair 18/2

190. BLACK CRESTED BULBUL Chitwan 2 around the government Elephant camp 11/2

191. RED WHISKERED BULBUL Chitwan 20+ 10/2, 100+ 11/2, many 12/2

192. HIMALAYAN BULBUL Pulchowki Mt. 3 5/2, 8 8/2, 1 17/2
Shivapuri 5 6/2,
Nagarjung Forest 1 6/2
Prithwi Highway 15+ 9/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens 2 18/2

193. RED VENTED BULBUL Commonest and most widespread of the bulbuls
Highest count 40+ 8/2

194. BLACK BULBUL 5 Pulchowki Mt. 5/2, 20+ 7/2, 8 17/2
10 Shivapuri 6/2
2 Godavari Botanical Gardens 7/2, 2 18/2
1 Chitwan 10/2 & 12/2, 15 11/2,

195. ASHY BULBUL 15+ Pulchowki Mt, lower slopes 7/2

196. MOUNTAIN BULBUL Pulchowki Mt, ravine trail 5 7/2

197. COMMON IORA Chitwan 3 10/2, 11 11/2, 5 12/2
Koshi Tappu 2 14/2

198. ORANGE BELLIED LEAFBIRD Pulchowki Mt, median slopes 6 7/2

199. "WINTER" WREN singles heard Pulchowki Mt, 1 5/2 and singing Nagarjung Forest 6/2

200. BROWN DIPPER Prithwi Highway 1 seen from a bridge east of Mugling 9/2 and 16/2

201. WHITE TAILED RUBYTHROAT Chitwan - at least 2 singing males located with 1 bird down to just a few feet on the track 13/2

202. SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT Koshi Tappu, north embankment - an elusive but stunning male 15/2

203. BLUETHROAT Chitwan - singing male 12/2
Koshi Tappu 2 14/2
Koshi Tappu, north embankment 2 males 15/2
Koshi Barrage, east side of river - male 15/2

204. ORANGE-FLANKED BUSH ROBIN Pulchowki Mt. - a female and stunning male on the upper slopes with another male on the Lower slopes 17/2

205. GOLDEN BUSH ROBIN Single males were seen on Pulchowki Mt. With 1 along the ravine trail
7/2 and another by the disused buildings about half way up 17/2.

206. ORIENTAL MAGPIE ROBIN Shivapuri 1 8/2
Shivapuri Village 1 8/2
Kathmandu 1 8/2
Prithwi Highway 4 9/2
Chital Lodge - male and females were noted 9/2 to 13/2
Koshi Tappu 3 14/2, 1 15/2
Terai 1 16/2
Pulchowki Mt. 1 17/2

207. WHITE RUMPED SHARMA Chitwan 3 10/2, 5 11/2, 3 12/2

208. BLACK REDSTART Koshi Tappu - a fine dark breasted male and a female by the fish ponds 14/2

209. HODGSON'S REDSTART Godavari Botanical Gardens - male 7/2 with 2 males & 1 female 18/2

210. BLUE FRONTED REDSTART Pulchowki Mt – males on the upper slopes 5/2 & 17/2 Shivapuri singing male 6/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens - female 7/2

211. BLUE CAPPED REDSTART Shivapuri, lower slopes - female 8/2

212. WHITE CAPPED WATER REDSTART Belkhu, Prithwi Highway - 3 9/2
Prithwi Highway - 3 9/2, 1 16/2
Rapti river, Hetauda - 1 13/2
Naubise, Prithwi Highway - 1 16/2

213. PLUMBEOUS WATER REDSTART Godavari Botanical Gardens 2 males 5/2, 2 males & 2 females 7/2, 2 males & 1 female 18/2
Belkhu, Prithwi Highway 6 9/2
Prithwi Highway 2 9/2, 2 16/2
Naubise, Prithwi Highway 2 pairs 16/2

214. "SIBERIAN" STONECHAT Shivapuri, median slopes - pair 8/2
East of Bharatpur - male 9/2
Meghauli 1 9/2
Chitwan 11 10/2, male 12/2,
Koshi Tappu - 4 14/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu 1 15/2

215. WHITE TAILED STONECHAT Chitwan - male 10/2, 2 pairs + 1 male 11/2, male 12/2
Koshi Tappu 4+ 14/2

216. PIED BUSHCHAT Meghauli - pair 9/2
Chital Lodge 3 9/2
Chitwan 2 10/2, male 11/2, 2 males 12/2
Prithwi Highway - pair 16/2

217. GREY BUSHCHAT Godavari Botanical Gardens 4 males & 1 female 18/2

218. CHESTNUT BELLIED ROCK THRUSH Pulchowki Mt, lower slope - male 5/2
Shivapuri - 2 females 6/2

219. BLUE WHISTLING THRUSH Pulchowki Mt. - 1 5/2, 2 7/2, 1 17/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens - 4 5/2, 3 7/2, 6 18/2
Nagarjung Forest 2 6/2
Shivapuri 1 8/2
Prithwi Highway 1 16/2
Naubise, Prithwi Highway 1 17/2

220. GREY WINGED BLACKBIRD Pulchowki Mt, upper slopes - single male 5/2

221. WHITE'S THRUSH Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 7/2

222. SLATY BACKED FORKTAIL Naubise, Prithwi highway - 1 cracker 16/2

223. BLACK BACKED FORKTAIL Chital Lodge 1 10/2 & 1 11/2
Chitwan 1 11/2
Naubise, Prithwi Highway 1 16/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 18/2

224. SPOTTED FORKTAIL Godavari Botanical Gardens - 1 7/2

225. LITTLE FORKTAIL Naubise, Prithwi Highway - 1 16/2

226. CHESTNUT HEADED TESIA Godavari Botanical Gardens - 1 7/2

227. GREY BELLIED TESIA Godavari Botanical Gardens - 1 18/2

228. ABERRANT BUSH WARBLER Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2

229. BROWNISH FLANKED BUSH WARBLER Chitwan 1 11/2

230. GREY SIDED BUSH WARBLER Chitwan 1 11/2

231. ZITTING CISTICOLA Chitwan 3 11/2, 2 12/2
Koshi Tappu 1 14/2

232. PLAIN PRINIA Koshi Tappu 5 14/2 and 3 15/2

233. ASHY PRINIA Chitwan 6 12/2

234. GREY BREASTED PRINIA Chital Lodge 6 9/2, 3 10/2
Chitwan 1 11/2

235. GREY CROWNED PRINIA Chitwan 3 11/2

236. YELLOW BELLIED PRINIA Chitwan 5+ 12/2

237. COMMON TAILORBIRD Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 7/2 & 1 18/2
Chitwan 1 11/2 & 1 12/2
Chital Lodge 2 10/2
Koshi Tappu 2 15/2

238. STRIATED GRASSBIRD Aqua Birds Tent Camp, Koshi Tappu 1 14/2 with 2 16/2
Koshi Tappu 1 15/2

239. BLYTH'S REED WARBLER Koshi Tappu 1+ 14/2 with 8-10+ along the north embankment 15/2

240. CLAMAROUS REED WARBLER Chitwan 1 12/2
Aqua Bird Tent Camp 1 16/2
Koshi Tappu 2 14/2, 1 15/2

241. WHISTLERS WARBLER Pulchowki Mt. 2 5/2, 1 7/2, 1 17/2
Shivapuri 1 6/2
Nagarjung Forest 6 8/2
Chitwan 1 10/2 & 11/2

242. GREY HOODED WARBLER Pulchowki Mt 7 5/2, 5 17/2, 2 7/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens 5+ 18/2, 6+ 7/2
Shivapuri 10+ 6/2, 2 8/2
Nagarjung Forest 1 6/2, 1 8/2

243. CHESTNUT CROWNED WARBLER Nagarjung Forest, upper trail 2 8/2
Pulchowki Mt, Lower slopes 2+ 17/2

244. BLACK FACED WARBLER Pulchowki Mt. Ravine trail 8-12 7/2

245. GREENISH WARBLER Pulchowki 1 5/2 & 15/2
Chitwan 1 10/2, 3 11/2
Hoshi Tappu 2 14/2, 1 15/2

246. BLYTH'S LEAF WARBLER Pulchowki Mt. 3 5/2, 2+ 7/2, 1+ 17/2
Shivapuri 5+ 6/2,
Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 7/2
Chitwan 3 11/2

247. BUFF BARRED WARBLER Shivapuri 8-10 6/2
Pulchowki Mt. 2+ 7/2, 6+ 17/2
Nagarjung Forest 5+ 8/2
Chitwan 8+ 11/2

248. ASHY THROATED WARBLER Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 7/2

249. LEMON RUMPED WARBLER Shivapuri 20+ 6/2, 20+ 8/2

250. YELLOW BROWED WARBLER Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 18/2

251. HUMES WARBLER Pulchowki Mt. 10+ 5/2, 1 7/2, 5 17/2
Shivapuri 8+ 6/2
Nagarjung Forest 1 6/2
Godavari Botanical Garden 1 18/2

252. DUSKY WARBLER Koshi Tappu 6 15/2

253. SMOKY WARBLER Koshi Tappu 1 14/2 with 2+ 15/2

254. TICKELL'S LEAF WARBLER Koshi Tappu 11 14/2, 3 15/2

255. "SIBERIAN" CHIFFCHAFF Chitwan 2 10/2, 6+ 12/2
Rapti river, Hetauda 2 13/2
Koshi Tappu, north embankment 2 15/2

PHYLLOSCOPUS WARBLERS - Many small warblers were seen across Nepal but most were high up in the canopy and were best left as unidentified.

256. SMALL NILTAVA Pulchowki Mt, lower slopes - male 5/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens - male 5/2, 2 males 7/2 & 18/2

257. PALE CHINNED FLYCATCHER Chitwan 4 10/2, 1 11/2

258. RUSTY TAILED FLYCATCHER Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 seen along the approach road 18/2

259. VERDITER FLYCATCHER Shivapuri 2 6/2
Chitwan 1 10/2, 1 12/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu 1 14/2
Koshi Tappu 1 14/2

260. SLATY BACKED FLYCATCHER Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 18/2

261. RUFOUS GORGETTED FLYCATCHER Godavari Botanical Gardens male 5/2, 5 7/2, 2 18/2
Shivapuri 1 8/2
Nagarjung Forest, lower trail 1 6/2
Pulchowki Mt. 1 7/2, 2 17/2

262. RED THROATED FLYCATCHER Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 5/2, 1 7/2, 1 18/2
Chital Lodge 2 9/2, 1 10/2, 2 11/2,
Chitwan 1 10/2, 2 11/2
Koshi Tappu 3 14/2, 2 15/2,
Koshi Barrage 1 15/2

263. GREY HEADED CANARY FLYCATCHER Nagarjung Forest 4 6/2, 2 8/2
Koshi Tappu 2 14/2, 1 15/2
Pulchowki Mt. 1 7/2
Shivapuri 1 8/2
Chitwan 1 10/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 18/2

264. SLATY-BLUE FLYCATCHER Chitwan 1 11/2

265. YELLOW BELLIED FANTAIL Pulchowki Mt. Lower slopes 1 5/2, 1 7/2, 1 17/2
Nagarjung Forest 1 6/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 18/2, 1 7/2

266. WHITE THROATED FANTAIL Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 5/2
Shivapuri 2 6/2
Nagarjung Forest, upper slope 1 8/2
Pulchowki Mt. 1 7/2, 3 17/2
Chitwan 1 10/2, 1 11/2, 1 12/2
Koshi Tappu 2 12/2

267. PUFF THROATED BABBLER Chitwan 4 11/2

268. RUSTY CHEEKED SCIMITER BABBLER Shivapuri 1 5/2,
Godavari Botanical Gardens 2 18/2

269. STREAK BREASTED SCIMITER BABBLER Pulchowki Mt. 1 17/2
Shivapuri 1 6/2

270. BLACK CHINNED BABBLER Shivapuri 7 6/2, 1 8/2
Pulchowki Mt, Lower Slope 1 7/2, 1 17/2
Godavari Botanical Garden 1 18/2

271. STRIPED TIT BABBLER Chitwan 17+ 11/2

272. GREY THROATED BABBLER Shivapuri 3 6/2
Pulchowki Mt. 1 17/2

273. CHESTNUT CAPPED BABBLER Chitwan - pair 12/2

274. YELLOW EYED BABBLER Chitwan 1 12/2

275. STRIATED BABBLER Chitwan 8 11/2
Koshi Tappu 5 14/2, 2 15/2

276. JUNGLE BABBLER Chitwan 3-4 12/2, 4 10/2, 17 11/2

277. SLENDER BILLED BABBLER Chital Lodge 1 9/2
Chitwan - 4 11/2

278. SCALY BREASTED WREN BABBLER Pulchowki Mt, lower slopes 1 17/2

279. PYGMY WREN BABBLER Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 5/2

WREN BABBLER SPECIES - A number of Wren Babblers were seen fleetingly on Pulchowki Mt but could not be assigned to a particular species

280. WHITE THROATED LAUGHING THRUSH Pulchowki 150+ 5/2, 50+ 7/2, 50-70 17/2

281. GREY SIDED LAUGHING THRUSH Pulchowki 4+ 7/2

282. LESSER NECKLACED LAUGHING THRUSH Chitwan 45+ 10/2, 15+ 11/2

283. GREATER NECKLACED LAUGHING THRUSH Chitwan 15+ 10/2, 8+ 11/2 in a mixed flock with Lesser Necklaced

284. WHITE CRESTED LAUGHING THRUSH Nagarjung Forest, lower trail 5 6/2

285. STRIATED LAUGHING THRUSH Pulchowki Mt. - 6 7/2

286. STREAKED LAUGHING THRUSH Pulchowki Mt, upper slopes 1 17/2

287. CHESTNUT CROWNED LAUGHING THRUSH Pulchowki Mt. 5 5/2, 7 7/2, 6 17/2

288. RUFOUS CHINNED LAUGHINGTHRUSH Pulchowki Mt 3 17/2

289. RED BILLED LEIOTHRIX Pulchowki Mt, median slopes 2 7/2

290. SILVER EARED MESIA Pulchowki Mt, ravine trail 1 7/2

291. BLACK EARED SHRIKE BABBLER Pulchowki Mt, lower slopes 7/2

292. HOARY THROATED BARWING Pulchowki Mt, upper slopes 2 5/2 with 2 17/2

293. CHESTNUT TAILED MINLA Pulchowki Mt. 8 5/2, 10+ 7/2, 8 17/2
Shivapuri 15+ 6/2

294. BLUE WINGED MINLA Shivapuri 25+ 6/2
Pulchowki Mt. 15+ 7/2

295. RED TAILED MINLA Shivapuri 1 6/2

296. WHITE BROWED FULVETTA Pulchowki Mt, Upper slopes 16 5/2, 8 17/2

297. NEPAL FULVETTA Pulchowki Mt. 20+ 7/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens 4 7/2
Nagarjung Forest 2 8/2

298. RUFOUS WINGED FULVETTA Pulchowki Mt. 30 5/2, 20+ 7/2, 40+ 17/2, 60+ 5/2

299. RUFOUS SIBIA Pulchowki Mt, - Common at all elevations i.e. 50+ 17/2

300. WHISKERED YUHINA Pulchowki Mt. 3 5/2, 70+ 7/2

301. STRIPE THROATED YUHINA Pulchowki Mt. 5 5/2 & 17/2

302. RUFOUS VENTED YUHINA Pulchowki Mt, Upper Slopes 7 17/2

303. WHITE BELLIED YUHINA Nagarjung Forest, upper trail 1 8/2
Chitwan 1 10/2 & 11/2

304. GREAT TIT Fairly common and widespread
Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 5/2, 2 18/2
Shivapuri 2 6/2, 3 8/2
Nagarjung Forest 4+ 8/2
Chitwan 5 10/2, 1 11/2, 6 12/2

305. GREEN BACKED TIT Pulchowki 2 5/2, 2 7/2, 3 17/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 7/2

306. BLACK LORED TIT Pulchowki Mt 5 6/2, 8 7/2, 2 17/2
Nagarjung Forest 2 6/2, 3 8/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 5/2, 1 7/2, 3 18/2

307. BLACK THROATED TIT Pulchowki Mt. 9 5/2, 4 7/2, 9 17/2
Shivapuri 5 6/2
Nagarjung Forest 1 6/2, 3 8/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 5/2 & 7/2, 5 18/2

308. YELLOW BROWED TIT Pulchowki Mt - upper slopes 2 5/2 with 1 near the building, median slopes 17/2

309. BROWN THROATED TREECREEPER Godavari Botanical Gardens 4 7/2
Pulchowki Mt, Median Slopes 1 17/2

310. VELVET FRONTED NUTHATCH Chitwan 2 10/2 & 11/2 with 3 12/2

311. WHITE TAILED NUTHATCH Pulchowki Mt. 6 5/2, 2 7/2, 4 17/2
Chitwan 1 10/2

312. CHESTNUT BELLIED NUTHATCH Godavari Botanical Gardens 2+ pairs 18/2
Pulchowki Mt. 1 7/2,
Shivapuri 4 8/2
Chitwan 6 10/2, 5 11/2, 2 12/2

313. PURPLE SUNBIRD Koshi Tappu - female 15/2

314. GREEN TAILED SUNBIRD Pulchowki Mt, lower slopes - male 7/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens - 2-3 males 7/2

315. MRS GOULD'S SUNBIRD Pulchowki Mt, upper slopes - male 5/2, 7 males & 2 females 17/2

316. CRIMSON SUNBIRD Pulchowki Mt, lower slopes - male 17/2

317. FIRE TAILED SUNBIRD Pulchowki Mt. 3 5/2 4 7/2, 3 17/2
Shivapuri 3-5 6/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens 1 18/2

318. PLAIN FLOWERPECKER Pulchowki Mt. 1 5/2 & 17/2

319. FIRE BREASTED FLOWERPECKER Pulchowki Mt, median slopes - male 17/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens - 2 males 18/2

320. ORIENTAL WHITE EYE Godavari Botanical Gardens - 2 7/2, 5 18/2
Pulchowki Mt. - 7 7/2
Shivapuri - 1 8/2
Chitwan - 1 11/2, 12-15 12/2

321. MAROON ORIOLE Pulchowki Mt, median slopes - female and singing male 17/2

322. BLACK HOODED ORIOLE Chital Lodge - 2 9/2, 3 10/2, 1 11/2
Chitwan - 1 10/2, 4 11/2, 1 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp , Koshi Tappu - 1 15/2
Terai - 1 16/2

323. BROWN SHRIKE East of Bharatpur 1 9/2
Terai 2 13/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp, Koshi Tappu 1 14/2
Koshi Tappu 1 14/2, 2 15/2

324. LONG TAILED SHRIKE All birds seen were of the race tricolor
Shivapuri 1 8/2
Shivapuri Village 1 8/2
East of Bharatpur 2 9/2
Meghauli 1 9/2
Chital Lodge 1/9
Chitwan 3 10/2, 5 11/2, 1 12/2
Koshi Tappu 3 14/2, 3 15/2,
Terai 1 16/2
Kathmandu 1 on the outskirts 17/2

325. GREY BACKED SHRIKE Shivapuri 1 6/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens - singles 7/2 & 18/2
Koshi Tappu 1 14/2

326. BLACK DRONGO Fairly widespread being most abundant in the lowlands such as
Chitwan and Koshi Tappu where numerous birds were found

327. ASHY DRONGO 4 Godavari Botanical Gardens 7/2
1 Shivapuri, Median Slopes 8/2
1 Nagarjung Forest, Upper trail 8/2

328. WHITE BELLIED DRONGO Prithwi Highway north of Narayangadh - 3 in a forested area 9/2

329. BRONZED DRONGO Chitwan - 6 10/2

330. SPANGLED DRONGO Chitwan - 10 10/2, 6 11/2, 8 12/2
Rapti river, Hetauda - 1 13/2

331. GREATER RACKET TAILED DRONGO Chitwan - singles 10/2, 11/2 and 12/2

332. LESSER RACKET TAILED DRONGO Nagarjung Forest, upper trail - 1 8/2
Chitwan - 1 10/2

333. ASHY WOODSWALLOW Koshi Tappu - 12+ 14/2

334. EURASIAN JAY Pulchowki Mt. - 5 7/2 & 3 17/2

335. RED BILLED BLUE MAGPIE Nagarjung Forest - 4 6/2, 3 8/2
Shivapuri - 5 8/2,
Godavari Botanical Gardens - 8 18/2

336. GREEN MAGPIE Chitwan - 2 10/2 with a single 11/2

337. RUFOUS TREEPIE Belkhu, Prithwi Highway - 2 9/2
East of Bharatpur - 1 9/2
Chital Lodge - 1 9/2, 3 10/2, 3 11/2, 2 12/2
Chitwan - 3 10/2, 3 11/2, 3 12/2
Koshi Tappu - 3 14/2, 2 15/2
Aqua Tented Bird Camp - 2 16/2

338. GREY TREEPIE Nagarjung Forest, lower trail - 1 6/2
Godavari Botanical Gardens - 2 7/2
Nagarjung Forest - 2 8/2

339. HOUSE CROW Common and widespread being most abundant around larger towns and villages

340. LARGE BILLED CROW Fairly common and widespread

341. SPOT WINGED STARLING Koshi Tappu - 1 14/2

342. CHESTNUT TAILED STARLING Koshi Tappu - 8 14/2 with 5+ 15/2

343. ASIAN PIED STARLING Common in the lowlands being abundant around Chital Lodge, the Terai and Koshi Tappu with a high count of 50+ Chital Lodge 9/2

344. COMMON MYNA Fairly common and widespread being found around towns and villages with largest count of 100's at the back of Chital Lodge 9/2

345. BANK MYNA 15+ Chital Lodge 9/2
15+ Koshi Tappu near Pink Tower 15/2 with 3 on the east side of river 15/2

346. JUNGLE MYNA Meghauli - 1 9/2
Chital Lodge - 80+ 9/2, 4+ 9/2
Koshi Tappu - 8+ 15/2

347. HOUSE SPARROW Fairly abundant around towns and villages

348. TREE SPARROW Shivapuri Village - 2 8/2

349. PLAIN MOUNTAIN FINCH Pulchowki Mt, - singles 5/2 & 7/2

350. WHITE RUMPED MUNIA Chitwan - 5 flew over at the ferry crossing 10/2

351. SCALY BREASTED MUNIA Koshi Tappu - 60+ 14/2

352. COMMON ROSEFINCH Koshi Tappu - 2 females 14/2

353. LITTLE BUNTING Koshi Tappu - 2 14/2 & 15/2

354. YELLOW BREASTED BUNTING Aqua Bird Tent Camp, Koshi Tappu - 100+ 15/2

355. CRESTED BUNTING Koshi Tappu - 4 males & 1 female 14/2, 2 females by the pink tower 15/2

356. CHESTNUT EARED BUNTING Koshi Tappu - female / 1st winter male in rice paddies near the Pink Tower 15/2

TRIP TOTAL: 356

MAMMAL LIST

SMALL BAT SPP. Terai - Various dates

RHESUS MACAQUE Pulchowki Mt. 3 5/2
Chitwan - numerous 11/2
Terai - numerous small troops noted along the road 9/2 and 16/2

GREY LANGUR Chitwan 3 10/2, 1 11/2
Terai 3+ across the road 16/2

GOLDEN JACKAL Chitwan 3 11/2, 2 12/2

YELLOW THROATED MARTEN Pulchowki Mt, median slope 1 7/2

INDIAN GREY MONGOOSE Koshi Tappu 1 14/2

BENGAL TIGER A female and 2 well-grown cubs walked out of the elephant grass 200 yards in front of us while we walked the trail east of the Bhimle entrance, Chitwan 12/2. What's more we were on foot with only a 4 foot long stick as protection

GANGES (GANGETIC RIVER) DOLPHIN Koshi Barrage - 4 seen on the west and south side of the barrage 15/2

"Wild" ASIAN ELEPHANT Koshi Tappu - a bull seen poorly in long grass in the fog 14/2. 2 bulls (including a Tusker) seen well on the embankment 15/2.

INDIAN ONE HORNED RHINO Chitwan - A female a small calf along the Rapti River 11/2 with a single 12/2

INDIAN MUNTJAC Chitwan - 1 10/2 whilst several were heard 11/2 & 12/2

CHITAL ( SPOTTED ) DEER Chitwan - Common, seen daily 10/2 to 12/2

HOG DEER Chitwan - 8 on the Rapti river 10/2 with 4 11/2

"Wild" WATER BUFFALO Koshi Tappu - 5+ 14/2, 1 15/2

ORANGE-BELLIED SQUIRREL Chitwan - several were noted between 10th and 12th Feb

BROWN RAT Kathmandu - a single in the New Orleans Restaurant

end of report - return to top

Nepal, 5th - 18th February 2002