I live in Dharamsala which is a city located in the foothills of the Himalayas situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh, North India. It presents a fantastic opportunity for bird enthusiasts of all levels and is also an area of outstanding natural beauty and variety. In this valley some 556 birds have been recorded which accounts for more than half the entire species of birds in India and is one of the richest Birding areas in South Asia. It also boasts the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and therefore offers other tourist opportunities and interests for anyone that may be interested in Buddhism or other spiritual practices.
Listed below are the typical species that can be found here and their terrain which has been divided into 5 zones known as Kangra Valley and the Dhauladhar Hills (a range of Himalayan foothills).
Arvind Sharma is local to the area and an expert on the many birds that can be discovered in this area. He also has his own trust foundation called the Himalayan Nature Society (see www.hnsindia.com) and is an avid tour guide and would be able to provide a wonderful birding experience for anyone interested in visiting the area. Also for reference Birds of Kangra is a very informative book written by Jan Willem den Besten published by Moonpeak ,Dharamsala.
Aside from this every January/February there is a chance to take part in the Indian Government National Bird Census at Maharana Pratap Sagar Sanctuary (Pong Wetland) which is a 403 Sq km lake that attracts annually a million+ migratory birds and has over 450 species listed. Some 200 volunteers are needed each year for 2 days of counting and recording and include meals and accommodation in forest rest houses.
Having lived here for several years I can recommend from personal experience that anyone who visits would have a memorable experience and would surely want to return again and again.
Kangra Valley is divided for birdwatching into five zones and three seasons according to altitude and weather conditions. In this valley 556 species of birds are recorded which is more than half of the total of India's birds species. Kangra Valley is one of the richest birding areas in South Asia.
The five zones are:
1. Pong Wetland (Altitude 324 Mts): One of the largest (403 Sq.km) internationally recognized (RMASAR) lakes in Northern India, with protected wetland areas, open water and forested shores. A winter home for large numbers (1,000,000 to 1,400,000) of migratory water birds coming from Trans Himalayan Zones. The total number of migratory bird species has been recorded as 240 species and resident birds as 210 species.
Wintering Migratory Birds of Pong wetland (Areas are Sansarpur-Terrese, Haripur, Katiyar, Jawali, Ransar, Shahner-Barrage, Dehra, Nagrota Surian, Guler,Bangoli) : Painted Stork, Black-necked Stork, Eurasion Spoonbill, Black-headed Ibis, Asian Openbill, Lesser Adjutant, Woolly-necked Stork, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Great Cormorant, Greyleg Goose, Bar-headed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveller, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Merganser, Duck Spec, Ruddy-breasted Crake, White-breasted Crake, Eurasian Curlew, Common Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, Temminck's Stilt, Dunlin, Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Eurasian Thick-Knee. Great thick-Knee, Small Pratincole, Yellow-legged Gull, Pallas's Gull, Brown-headed Gull, Black-headed Gull, and Whiskered Tern are some of the main attractions among 240 species of migratory birds.
Spring-Summer visitors and resident Birds of Pong Wetland: Indian-Skimmer, Indian Pitta, Indian Roller, European Roller, Domisieel Crane, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Lesser Coucal, Eurasian Nightjar, Savanna Nightjar, Pied Kingfisher, Crested Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Blue –throated Barbet, Indian Grey Hornbill, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Scaly-bellied Woodpecker, Black-rumped Flameback, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpeacker, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Black-hooded Oriole, Hooded Pitta, Singing Bushlark, Indian Bushlark, Oriental Skylark, Eurasian Skylark, Greater Short-toed Lark, Sand Lark, Crested lark, Plain Martin, Wire-tailed Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Black Drongo, Spangled Drongo, Ashy Drongo, Bay-backed Shrike, Little Cormorant, Grey Heron, Cattle Eagret, Great Eagret, Intermediate Eagret, Cinnamon Bittern, Spot-billed Duck, Waterhen, Common Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Common Coot, Northern Lapwing, Red-wattled Lapwing, River Lapwing, Littleringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, River Tern, Black-bellied Tern, amongst others.
2. Shivalik Hills (Areas are Lunj, Sakoh, Sarah Tea Garden):
The beautiful region of Sarah village is surrounded by the famous Organic Tea Gardens of Kangra Valley, and is home to summer visitor birds from the plains of India who breed here.
Spring-Summer visitor and resident birds of Shivalik Hills: The beautiful blue and white Himalayan Magpie, Emerald Dove, Paradise Flycatcher, Red Jungle Fowl, Spangled Drongo, Asian Koel, Common Hoopoe, Common Iora, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Northen House Martin, Barn Swallow, Common Woodshrike, Long-tailed Shrike, Brown Shrike, Rufous-tailed Shrike, Brown Dipper,
3. Dhauladhar Hills (Altitude 2827 Mts. Areas are Galu Temple, Dharamkot, Guna Temple, Satowari, Letta, Indru Nag Tea Garden, Triund, Rehri, Kareri Village): Summer: (15th of March to 15th of June):
The grand backdrop of the mighty Himalayas provides spectacular views for walkers trekking along the many well defined paths through the forests of Deodar Cedar and Rhododenron – natives of the area.
Himalayan Monal (National bird of Nepal), can be seen in all its fabulous colours at this time of year, the breeding season, and makes sighting easy.
The Western Tragopan, now State Bird of Himachal Pradesh, is currently of interest to bird watchers, conservationists and ornithologists worldwide. The Tragopan is on the Red list of endangered species, and is unfortunately seen very rarely now – usually requiring a camp set up for watching. The Cheer Pheasant is another bird from the region which is also on the Red list of IUCN.
A major attraction of this mountainous area is the number of large birds of prey, including the huge Himalayan Griffon Vulture, the Golden Eagle, and the Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture – known for its enormous wingspan (up to 3m) and habit of dropping bones onto rocks from a height to split them for the marrow inside.
Other birds include: Kalij Pheasant, Oriental Turtle Dove, Snow Pigeon, Barn Owl, Collared Owlet, Great Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Himalayan Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Asian House Martin, White-cheeked Nuthatch, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Tawny Owl, Dark-sided Flycatcher, Common Raven, Slaty-headed Parakeet, Eurasian Cuckoo, Alpine Swift, Yellow Grosbeak, Brambling, Booted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Hume's Warbler, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Wood Pigeon, Himalayan Swiftlet, Grey Nightjar, Eurasian Hobby, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Mountain Finch, Rosefinch, Green Shrike Babbler, Rufous-vented Tit and others.
4. High Altitude Dhauladhar around Ilaqua and beyond Indrahar Pass (Altitude 4300 Mts):
Trekking up to the high passes could attract the adventurous birdwatcher – and many good local guides and organizers are available to make these trips both comfortable and fun.
Summer (15th May to 30th of September): Snow Partridge, Hill Partridge, Altai Accentor, Alpine Accentor, Himalayan Snow Cock, Koklass Pheasant, Grey-creasted Tit, amongst others are the main features of Ilaqua and Indrahar Pass.
5. Kangra Valley's Paddy Fields (Altitude 300 Mts): Monsoon (15 June to 30 August):
Displays of Sarus Crane with its juveniles and nests of Cattle Egret in colonies can be seen in the paddy fields of the Valley and surrounding forests of this lush rural area.
Indian Peafowl, the National Bird of India, can be seen in forests around the valley where it breeds. White–rumped Vulture (Red list Bird), Green Bee-eater, Spotted Forktail, Rock Bunting, Purple Sunbird, Rufous Treepie, Black Francolin, Shikra.
All in all, this region holds a wealth of sightings for any bird enthusiast – in an area of extraordinary natural variety and beauty.
Arvind Sharma is local to the area and an expert on the many birds that can be discovered in this area. He also has his own trust foundation called the Himalayan Nature Society (see www.hnsindia.com) and is an avid tour guide and would be able to provide a wonderful birding experience for anyone interested in visiting the area. Also for reference Birds of Kangra is a very informative book written by Jan Willem den Besten published by Moonpeak, Dharamsala.
Aside from this every January/February there is a chance to take part in the Indian Government National Bird Census at Maharana Pratap Sagar Sanctuary (Pong Wetland) which is a 403 Sqr km lake that attracts annually a million+ migratory birds and has over 450 species listed. Some 200 volunteers are needed each year for 2 days of counting and recording and includes meals and accommodation in forest rest houses.