Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Black-breasted Parrotbill |
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(GREG ROBERTS friarbird.roberts@gmail.com)
With Tony Palliser and Bill Watson, we spent three weeks visiting key sites in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh provinces in north-east India. We organised the trip privately with locally-based Jungle Travel Tours (http://jungletravelsindia.com/) and our guide was Abidur Rahman. The trip was arranged efficiently without any hassles and we highly recommend the services of Abid. a capable and affable young guide who has excellent knowledge of sites for key species.
We organised the trip to coincide with the beginning of the wet season because many species would be nesting and calling including our top target – Spotted Elachura, which was recently placed in its own family. That proved to be the case but the downside was that we lost 2-3 days due to heavy rain and fog, although this can happen at any time of year in the Eastern Himalayas.
A detailed, illustrated account of our trip can be found on my blog (http://sunshinecoastbirds.blogspot.com.au/) in four posts, the report here presenting our itinerary and an annotated list. We had no health or logistical problems during the trip; accommodation ranged from basic but satisfactory to comfortable. We encountered few mosquitoes or other insects though leeches were a problem in rainy conditions.
Food was plentiful and good, though a taste for curries helps. We had some long drives but that was because we wanted to cover two major but disparate hotspots – Eaglehawk Nature Reserve in the west and Mishmi Hills in the east. Communication was a problem: there was virtually zero Internet access or phone coverage once we left Kolkata, as Indian SIM cards are difficult to obtain for security reasons, and wifi was non-existent. The sun rose early (4-4.30am) so we were generally up and about very early, often having breakfast and/or lunch by the road.
With the benefit of hindsight, the only thing I may have arranged differently would be one less day in Mishmi with the option for an extra day at Sela Pass, as we missed some key species there, especially Grandala. That said, we ended up with an impressive list and saw all but a handful of our targets. It was an excellent trip.
ITINERARY
May 4 – Arrived Kolkata a day early to rest before the trip. Hotel Raj Palace near airport 2nights.
May 5 - Rest and look around Kolkata, including Victoria Museum and Jain Temple.
May 6 – Flew To Guwahati, met by Abid and driver, driven to local rubbish tip for Greater Adjutant spectacle, then to Nameri Eco Camp for 2 nights.
May 7 – AM - Nameri National Park, crossing Jia Bhoreli (river) by canoe. PM – Around the lodge.
May 8 – Long drive to Dirang via Bhalukpong (Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border crossing) and Sessa. Bamboo thickets lower down; evergreen forest, streamside vegetation. Hotel Pennaling in Dirang (1300m) 3 nights.
May 9 - Drive up steep mountain roads to Sela Pass (4500m). Alpine lake, snow, subalpine vegetation, fir forest, bamboo, evergreen forest. Had to descend mountain late morning when fogged out.
May 10 – Drive to pass on Mandala Road (3200m). Evergreen forest, bamboo, subalpine vegetation.
May 11 – AM visit to paddy fields and wetlands in Sangti Valley. Drive via Tenga to Lama Camp (2300m) in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (referred to generally as Eaglenest in the list below) for 2 nights, birding bamboo and mossy forest below camp.
May 12. Drive to Eaglenest Pass (2750m). Bird above and below Lama Camp.
May 13. Shifted to Bompu Camp (1900m), the second camp for Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, for 3 nights, driving via Eaglenest Pass and birding the road down.
May 14. Descended the road to the old camp at Sessne (1200m) and beyond through bamboo to Khelong (700m).
May 15. Rained out. Very limited birding around Bompu.
May 16. Returned to Lama Camp, birding along the way. Overnight Lama.
May 17. A long drive to Kaziranga National Park and Jupurighar Resort for 2 nights, checking out the park grasslands roadside before the resort.
May 18. Birding second-grown scrub around the resort.
May 19. A long drive to Roing, negotiating the vehicular ferry crossing over the Brahmaputra River at Saikhowa Ghat and again crossing into Arunachal Pradesh. Roing guesthouse overnight.
May 20. Ascended Mishmi Hills (referred to generally as Mishmi in the list below) passing through bamboo lower down, mossy forests, subalpine vegetation, birding as far as Mayodia Pass (2600m). Myodia Guesthouse (2300m; 2 nights).
May 21. Descended to mossy forest at 1800m; long search for tragopan.
May 22. Rained out higher up. Descended to Roing. Birded grasslands at Niniam Ghat. Roing Guesthouse (2 nights).
May 23. Rained out. Ascended to mossy forest but little seen.
May 24. Long drive, again crossing river by ferry to Tinsukia. Afternoon in canoe to reedbeds at Maguri Beel adjoining Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. Hotel Centre Point, Tinsukia, 2 nights.
May 25. Wetlands and reedbeds of Maguri Beel.
May 26. Early morning visit to second-growth scrub near Tinsukia at Digboi. Drove to Dibrugarh for flight home via Kolkata.
ANNOTATED LIST – BIRDS
[] = heard only. Species were recorded in both the western (Eaglenest) and eastern (Mishmi) mountains and/or foothills unless otherwise indicated. No annotations are provided for many of the species that are common and widespread in south Asia.
Little Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Little Egret, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Cattle Egret,
Purple Heron, Indian Pond-Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Striated Heron,
Black Bittern (several Maguri Beel), Yellow Bittern (common Maguri Beel), Cinnamon Bittern,
Asian Openbill, Woolly-necked Stork (1 Kaziranga),
Lesser Adjutant (fairly common Guwahati-Nameri drive; a few elsewhere in lowlands),
Greater Adjutant (300+ Guwahati rubbish tip; group of 8 west of Kaziranga),
Greylag Goose (1 Maguri Beel), Fulvous Whistling-Duck (small numbers in several spots roadside), Lesser Whistling-Duck (quite common), Indian Spot-billed Duck (3 Maguri Beel), White-winged Duck (1 seen well on forest pond Nameri Nat Park; 1 close overhead near Nameri lodge; 1 at Maguri Beel flying overhead was a big surprise),
Cotton Pygmy-Goose (small numbers Maguri Beel), Mallard,
Black-winged Kite (scattered individuals), Black Kite, Shikra (a couple), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1 Saikhowa Ghat),
Crested Goshawk (1 Nameri), Himalayan (Common) Buzzard (1 below Bompu), Long-legged Buzzard (1 Eaglenest),
Oriental Honey-Buzzard (2 Mishmi), Crested Serpent-Eagle (1 Nameri),
Mountain Hawk-Eagle (4-5 Eaglenest),
Changeable Hawk-Eagle (1 Nameri), Black Eagle (1 below Bompu), Western Osprey (1 Nameri),
Rufous-bellied Eagle (1 Eaglenest), Grey-headed Fish-Eagle (1 Nameri),
White-rumped Vulture (a few Saikhowa Ghat and near Tinsukia),
Slender-billed Vulture (2 on nests between Kaziranga and Saikhowa Ghat),
Himalayan Griffon (several Sela Pass), Eurasian Hobby (1 Saikhowa Ghat),
[Swamp Francolin] (Maguri Beel), Hill Partridge (2 seen Eaglenest, many heard there and Mishmi),
[Rufous-throated Partridge] (1 below Bompu),
Chesnut-breasted Partridge (1 seen Bompu on road, others heard; 1 Mishmi flushed from road),
[White-cheeked Partridge] (Nameri), Red Junglefowl (a few Nameri),
Barred Buttonquail (several Ninizam Ghat), Yellow-legged Buttonquail (2 Ninizam Ghat),
[Temminck's Tragopan] (Eaglenest Pass),
Blyth's Tragopan (glimpses of 1 near Bompu, others heard; 1 male seen well Mishmi in mid-elevation bamboo after much effort was a trip highlight),
Himalayan Monal (1 male in flight flushed roadside below Sela Pass was another trip highlight),
Snow Partridge (1 seen by Tony at Sela Pass), [Blood Pheasant] (Sela Pass),
[Grey Peacock-Pheasant] (in Sessa area and Mishmi lower down),
Kaleej Pheasant (a few below Bompu, Mandala Road, around Kaziranga lodge),
Bengal Florican (3 males + 1 female Ninizam Ghat – another trip highlight),
Slaty-breasted Rail (1 Sangti Valley; 2 Ninizam Ghat),
Black-tailed Crake (2 at swamp lower Mandala Road),
White-breasted Waterhen, Watercock (a few Maguri Beel), Purple Swamphen (several Maguri Beel), Common Moorhen,
Bronze-winged Jacana (a few Kaziranga, Maguri Beel), Pheasant-tailed Jacana (common Maguri Beel),
Oriental Pratincole (1 Saikhowa Ghat),
Great Thick-knee (2 Nameri by river), Red-wattled Lapwing, River Lapwing (a few Nameri),
Little Ringed Plover, Pacific Golden Plover, Long-billed Plover (1 Sangti Valley),
Black-bellied Tern (3 between Guwahati and Nameri), River Tern (several Nameri),
Rock Dove, Green Imperial-Pigeon (common in lowlands, Mountain Imperial-Pigeon (common in mountains), Speckled Wood-Pigeon (a few below Sela Pass), Oriental Turtle-Dove, Red Collared-Dove, Spotted Dove, Eurasian Collared-Dove (Kolkata),
Barred Cuckoo-Dove (uncommon Nameri, Eaglenest, Mishmi),
Emerald Dove (common), Thick-billed Green-Pigeon (a few Mishmi), Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon (sparse in lowlands),
Wedge-tailed Green-Pigeon (small numbers in foothills), Pin-tailed Green-Pigeon (a few below Sessne),
Vernal Hanging-Parrot (several Nameri), Rose-ringed Parakeet, Red-breasted Parakeet (common Nameri, Kazaringa),
Plaintive Cuckoo, Asian Koel, [Banded Bay-Cuckoo] (Nameri),
Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo (common Mishmi lower down), [Jacobin Cuckoo] (Nameri), Indian Cuckoo (common in lowlands), Common Cuckoo (fairy common in foothills), Himalayan Cuckoo (common in mountains), Lesser Cuckoo (common in mountains),
[Hodgson's Hawk-Cuckoo] (several Dirang, Eaglenest, Mishmi), Large Hawk-Cuckoo (common in mountains),
Green-billed Malkhoa (1 Nameri), Lesser Coucal, Greater Coucal,
Brown Hawk-Owl (2 Nameri lodge grounds), [Himalayan Owl] (Lama Camp),
[Mountain Scops-Owl] (Mishmi lower down), Spotted Owlet, Asian Barred Owlet (2 Nameri; 1 Digboi),
Collared Owlet (a few Eaglenest), [Hodgson's Frogmouth] (1 Mishmi lower down),
Grey Nightjar (common Lama Camp), [Large-tailed Nightjar] (Kaziranga lodge),
Asian Palm-Swift (widespread), Himalayan Swiftlet (widespread), House Swift,
Blyth's Swift (fairly common Eaglenest; a few Mishmi),
White-thoated Needletail (1 Mandala Road),
Indian (Black-billed) Roller (common in lowlands), Dollar-bird,
Eurasian Hoopoe, Red-headed Trogon (a few below Bompu),
Ward's Trogon (1 seen, another heard below Lama Camp; 2 below Myodia guesthouse),
[Ruddy Kingfisher] (Nameri, near Roing), White-throated Kingfisher, (Lesser) Pied Kingfisher,
Blyth's Kingfisher (1 by stream between Tenga and Nameri was a good find),
Blue-eared Kingfisher (1 Nameri), Common Kingfisher (1 Roing),
Chesnut-headed Bee-eater (common Nameri), Blue-tailed Bee-eater (a few near Guwahati),
Blue-bearded Bee-eater (a few Nameri), Green Bee-eater (uncommon Nameri),
Rufous-necked Hornbill (1 seen others heard at Sessne; 1 heard Mishmi),
Great Hornbill (a few Nameri), Wreathed Hornbill (uncommon Nameri),
Brown Hornbill (1 distant Digboi),
Coppersmith Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet (common in lowlands), Golden-throated Barbet (common in mountains), Great Barbet (common in mountains), Blue-eared Barbet (uncommon in lowlands), Lineated Barbet (a few Nameri, Kazaringa),
Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker (a few Nameri and near Dirang), Rufous-bellied Woodpecker (2 below Lama Camp),
Çrimson-breasted Woodpecker (a few Eaglenest and lower Mandala Road),
Darjeeling Woodpecker (small numbers Eaglenest, Mishmi), Greater Yellownape (a few Eaglenest), Lesser Yellownape (sparse in lowlands), Grey-headed Woodpecker (sparse in lowlands), Rufous Woodpecker (1 below Dirang; 1 Roing), [Bay Woodpecker] (Below Dirang and Eaglenest), Black-rumped Flameback (2 Nameri), Greater Flameback (1 Nameri),
Pale-headed Woodpecker (1 below Sessne; 2 in bamboo near Roing),
Long-tailed Broadbill (a few below Sessne),
Yellow-rumped Honeyguide (1 male guarding bee nest on rocky hillside Mishmi at 1800m),
Hooded Pitta (heard Nameri; 1 Ninizam Ghat),
Blue-naped Pitta (1 seen, 2 others heard near Kaziranga lodge; 1 Mishmi bamboo zone),
Bengal Bushlark (a few Nameri), Sand Lark (3 Nameri by river),
Pale (Grey-throated) Sand-Martin (common in lowlands), Nepal House-Martin (fairly common Eaglehawk), Barn Swallow, Striated Swallow (a few Kaziranga),
Citrine Wagtail, White Wagtail, Western Yellow Wagtail,
Olive-backed Pipit (uncommon Eaglenest), Rosy Pipit (common Sela Pass),
Oriental Pipit (sparse in lowlands), Blyth's Pipit (1 Ninizam Ghat), Tawny Pipit (1 Bompu),
Ashy Woodswallow (fairly common in lowlands),
Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike (2 Nameri), Large Cuckooshrike (1 Kaziranga),
Black-winged Cuckooshrike (widespread but uncommon),
Long-tailed Minivet (common in mountains), Short-billed Minivet (sparse in foothills),
Scarlet Minivet (common in lowlands), Grey-chinned Minivet (uncommon in mountains),
Red-vented Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul, (Himalayan) Black Bulbul (common in foothills),
Ashy Bulbul (scarce Mishmi), Mountain Bulbul (a few Mishmi),
White-throated Bulbul (widespread in small numbers in lowlands),
Black-crested Bulbul (a few Nameri, Mishmi),
Striated Bulbul (common in mountains at Eaglenest; less so at Mishmi),
Common Iora (common Nameri), Orange-bellied Leafbird (widespread),
Gold-fronted Leafbird (a few in lowlands), Asian Fairy-Bluebird (several Nameri, Kaziranga),
Long-tailed Shrike (widespread), Grey-backed Shrike (a few Eaglenest, Sela Pass),
Brown Shrike (1 Nameri), Black-naped Monarch (1 Kaziranga),
Yellow-bellied Fantail (a few Mishmi), White-throated Fantail (common in mountains),
Purple Cochoa (1 male mid-elevation at Mishmi was another trip highlight),
Chesnut-bellied Rock-Thrush (quite common), Blue-capped Rock-Thrush (common in mountains),
Blue Whistling-Thrush (common), Tickell's Thrush (1 below Sela Pass),
White-collared Blackbird (common Sela Pass, Mandala Road), Grey-winged Blackbird (common Mandala Road; a few Eaglenest, Mishmi), Dusky Thrush (1 unexpected at Mandala Road),
Long-billed Thrush (1 between Lama and Bompu was unexpected),
White-browed Shortwing (1 Mandala Road seen briefly; a few heard Eaglenest),
[Lesser Shortwing] (Mandala Road, below Dirang),
Blue-fronted Robin (1 Mandala Road; 1 seen others heard Eaglenest; heard Mishmi),
White-tailed Robin (1 below Dirang; 2 Mishmi), [Indian Blue Robin] (below Sela Pass),
Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin (3-4 below Sela Pass),
Golden Bush-Robin (1 below Sela Pass),
White-rumped Shama, Oriental Magpie-Robin,
Slaty-backed Forktail (fairly common in mountain streams), Black-backed Forktail (2-3 Mishmi lower down),
Spotted Forktail (a few Eaglenest),
Blue-fronted Redstart (2 Sela Pass; 1 Mayodia Pass), Plumbeous Water-Redstart (common),
White-capped River-Chat (common Sela Pass), Siberian (Common) Stonechat, Grey Bushchat (widespread),
Dark-sided Flycatcher (common in mountains), Ferruginous Flycatcher (sparse in mountains), Little Pied Flycatcher,
White-gorgeted Flycatcher (2 seen Bompu; heard Mishmi),
Ultramarine Flycatcher (several Mandala Road, Eaglenest),
Red-gorgeted Flycatcher (uncommon in mountains), Slaty-blue Flycatcher (2 Mandala Road),
Pygmy Blue-Flycatcher (a pair in mixed flock in bamboo zone, Mishmi),
Pale-chinned Flycatcher (a few Nameri), Blue-throated Flycatcher (2 below Dirang), Snowy-browed Flycatcher (1 Mishmi),
Large Blue Flycatcher (1 below Sessne; 1 bamboo zone Mishmi, others heard),
Rufous-bellied Niltava (common in mountains), Verditer Flycatcher (common),
[Pale-blue Flycatcher] (Mishmi), Small Niltava (sparse in foothills), Large Niltava (widespread in small numbers),
Bhutan Laughingthrush (common Eaglenest),
Blue-winged Laughingthrush (2 seen near Lama Camp others heard Eaglenest),
Scaly Laughingthrush (heard Eaglenest; 1 Mishmi),
Chesnut-crowned Laughingthrush (common in mountains),
Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush (1 below Lama Camp),
Red-faced Liocichla (a party below Lama Camp, others heard Eaglenest),
Bugun Liocichla (2 seen well at different spots below Lama Camp),
Spotted Laughingthrush (a few Mandala Road and Eaglenest), Black-faced Laughingthrush (sparse in mountains at high altitudes), Striated Laughingthrush (common in mountains), White-throated Laughingthrush (a few Eaglenest), Grey-sided Laughingthrush (common in mountains), White-crested Laughingthrush (sparse in mountains), Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush (sparse in foothills), Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush (sparse in foothills),
Rufous-necked Laughingthrush (small numbers near Roing),
Chesnut-backed Laughingthrush (2 Digboi),
Jerdon's Babbler (1 seen others heard Maguri Beel),
Chesnut-capped Babbler (uncommon Maguri Beel), Striped Tit-Babbler (uncommon in lowlands),
Rufous-capped Babbler (uncommon in foothills), Rufous-fronted Babbler (uncommon in mountains mid-elevation), Golden Babbler (common in mountains), Grey-throated Babbler (sparse in foothills), Striated Babbler (common in lowland grasslands),
Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler (1 Mandala Road; 1 Myodia Pass, others heard – a great bird),
Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler (heard commonly Eaglenest, a few seen; heard Mishmi),
White-browed Scimitar-Babbler (a few below Dirang; heard Mishmi),
Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler (a party below Dirang in bamboo zone),
Fire-tailed Myzornis (1 in subalpine shrubbery below Sela Pass was a trip highlight),
Silver-eared Mesia (uncommon in mountains), Red-billed Leiothrix (fairy common in foothills),
Black-chinned Yuhina (uncommon in mountains), White-bellied Erpornis (2 below Dirang),
Striated Yuhina (sparse in foothills), Whiskered Yuhina (common in mountains),
White-naped Yuhina (a few below Dirang and Mishmi),
Rufous-vented Yuhina (common Eaglenest), Stripe-throated Yuhina (common in mountains),
Rufous-winged Fulvetta (small numbers Eaglenest), Golden-breasted Yuhina (uncommon in mountains),
Yellow-throated Fulvetta (fairy common in mountains), Nepal Fulvetta_(a few below Bompu),
Brown-throated (Ludlow's)_Fulvetta (common Eaglenest; 2 Mishmi),
Manipur (Streak-throated) Fulvetta (fairly common Mayodia Pass),
Rusty-fronted Barwing (common in mountains),
Streak-throated Barwing (fairly common Eaglenest; heard Mishmi),
Rufous-backed Sibia (2 below Bompu; 1 Mishmi), Long-tailed Sibia (sparse in foothills),
Beautiful Sibia (common in mountains),
(Indian) White-hooded Babbler (parties in bamboo zones below Dirang and Mishmi),
Blue-winged Minla (sparse in mountains), Chesnut-tailed Minla (common in mountains),
Red-tailed Minla (a few Eaglenest),
Spotted Elachura (1 near Bompu; 1 lower down Mishmi, where 2 others heard – a trip highlight),
Black-headed Shrike-Babbler (1 Eaglenest Pass; heard Mishmi),
White-browed (Blyth's) Shrike-Babbler (a few Eaglenest), Black-eared Shrike-Babbler (a few Eaglenest and Mishmi),
Himalayan Cutia (2 near Bompu; 1 Lama Camp; 2 Mishmi),
Winter Wren (1 Sela Pass),
Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler (1 Mandala Road; heard Mishmi), Pygmy Wren-Babbler (sparse in mountains),
Mishmi (Rusty-throated) Wren-Babbler (1 Mishmi, others heard),
Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler (1 near Lama Camp; 1 near Bompu, others heard),
Bar-winged Wren-Babbler (1 Mandala Road; 1 Mayodia Pass – different races),
Long-billed Wren-Babbler (1 below Dirang; 1 below Sessne; heard Mishmi),
Blackish-breasted (Sikkim Wedge-billed) Wren-Babbler (2 near Bompu),
Chevron-breasted (Cachar Wedge-billed) Wren-Babbler (1 Mishmi lower elevations, others heard),
Spot-throated Babbler (1 Khelong),
Marsh Babbler (1 Maguri Beel seen after much effort),
[Abbott's Babbler] (Nameri), Puff-throated Babbler (common Nameri, Karizanga),
Grey-breasted (Black-throated) Parrotbill (party above Bompu),
Black-browed (Lesser Rufous-headed) Parrotbill (party below Sessne),
White-breasted (Greater Rufous-headed) Parrotbill (a few below Dirang, below Sessne),
Black-breasted Parrotbill (1 at Maguri Beel was a trip highlight),
Golden-headed Cisticola, Zitting Cisticola, Striated Grassbird,
Grey-breasted Prinia, Plain Prinia, Yellow-bellied Prinia,
Black-throated (Hill) Prinia (small numbers in mountains),
Hume's Bush-Warbler (2 near Mayodia Pass),
Brownish-flanked Bush-Warbler (common in mountains), [Russet Bush-Warbler] (Mandala Road),
Grey-sided Bush-Warbler (2 Sela Pass; 2 Mandala Road),
Spotted Bush-Warbler (1 at Maguri Beel was unexpected),
Chesnut-crowned Bush-Warbler (2 Mandala Road),
Common Tailorbird, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Mountain Tailorbird (common in mountains),
Slaty-bellied Tesia (2 seen poorly others heard Eaglenest),
Grey-bellied Tesia (sparse in mountains), Chesnut-headed Tesia (common in mountains),
Broad-billed Warbler (2 Eaglenest; 1 Mishmi),
Black-faced Warbler (small numbers Mandala Road, Eaglenest),
Rufous-faced Warbler (in bamboo - 2 below Dirang; 1 below Sessne; 2 Mishmi),
Yellow-bellied Warbler (sparse in bamboo in foothills), Chesnut-crowned Warbler (common in mountains),
Grey-hooded Warbler (2 below Dirang), Grey-cheeked Warbler (sparse in mountains),
Whistler's Warlber (common in mountains),
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher (sparse in mountains), Tickell's Leaf-Warbler (a few in lowlands), Large-billed Leaf-Warbler (common in mountains), Blyth's Leaf-Warbler (common in mountains), Western Crowned Warbler (1 Bompu),
Buff-barred Leaf-Warbler (common in mountains), Lemon-rumped Leaf-Warbler (sparse in mountains),
Ashy-throated Leaf-Warbler (fairly common in mountains),
Yellow-vented Warbler (2 in bamboo below Dirang; 1 Mishmi),
Rufous-vented Tit (a few Sela Pass), Coal Tit (2 Sela Pass), Green-backed Tit (common in mountains),
Great Tit (widespread but sparse), Black-throated Tit (common in mountains),
Rufous-fronted Tit (small party at Eaglenest Pass),
Yellow-cheeked Tit (common in mountains), Sultan Tit (fairly common below Bompu), Yellow-browed Tit (a few Eaglenest),
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch (several Nameri), White-tailed Nuthatch (sparse in foothills),
Chesnut-bellied Nuthatch (sparse in lowlands),
Beautiful Nuthatch (2 in mossy forest below Bompu; heard Mishmi),
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (a few Mishmi),
Oriental White-eye, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird (common Sela Pass),
Green-tailed Sunbird (common in mountains), Gould's Sunbird (common in mountains),
Black-throated Sunbird (sparse in foothills), Streaked Spiderhunter, Little Spiderhunter,
Rufous-breasted Accentor (a few Sela Pass), Crested Bunting (sparse in lowlands),
Plain Mountain-Finch (several Sela Pass), Common Rosefinch (2 below Dirang),
Blanford's Rosefinch (2 below Dirang),
Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch (a few below Sela Pass), Dark-breasted Rosefinch (2 below Sela Pass),
Crimson-browed Finch (party below Sela Pass),
Scarlet Finch (common in mountains), Golden-naped Finch (sparse Eaglenest),
Brown Bullfinch (1 below Eaglenest Pass),
White-winged Grosbeak (1 below Sela Pass),
Black-headed Munia, White-rumped Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia,
Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Russet Sparrow (sparse in foothills), Eastern Baya Weaver (common in lowlands),
Maroon Oriole (a few below Bompu and Mishmi), Black-hooded Oriole,
Black Drongo, Ashy Drongo, Bronzed Drongo (sparse in foothills),
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (sparse in lowlands), Hair-crested Drongo (2 Mishmi),
Chesnut-tailed Starling (common in lowlands), Asian Pied Starling, Common Myna, Jungle Myna, Bank Myna,
White-vented Myna, Common Hill Myna (widespread but uncommon), Spotted Nutcracker (sparse in mountains),
Red-billed Chough (common Sela Pass), House Crow, Large-billed Crow (fairly common in mountains), Eastern Jungle (Large-billed) Crow (common in lowlands),
Eurasian Jay (1 Mayodia Pass), Common Green-Magpie (sparse in foothills),
Yellow-billed Blue-Magpie (uncommon in mountains), Grey Treepie, Rufous Treepie,
Collared Treepie (2 Digboi).
413 species.
MAMMALS
Rhesus Macaque (common in lowlands),
Arunachal Macaque (parties Mandala Road and Eaglenest),
Capped Langur (common Nameri),
Hoolook Gibbon (party of 4 Mishmi),
Indian Muntjak, Hog Deer, Swamp Deer (1 Karizanga),
Asiatic Wild Buffalo (2 Karizanga; 1 Maguri Beel),
Asian Elephant (heard Nameri),
Indian One-horned Rhinoceros (8 Karizanga),
Bengal Tiger (fresh footprint Nameri), Leopard (footprints/scat Eaglenest Pass),
Yellow-throated Marten (1 Lama Camp),
Malayan Giant-Squirrel (2 Nameri), Five-striped Palm-Squirrel,
Himalayan Striped-Squirrel (common Eaglenest),
Orange-bellied Squirrel (common in mountains),
Hoary-bellied Himalayan Squirrel (fairly common Eaglenest),
Large-eared Pica (a few Sela Pass),
Himalayan Rat Rattus nitidus (1 Lama Camp),
Gangetic River Dolphin (1 Maguri Beel).