This was my first time experiencing birding in the monsoon season, and it was an absolute delight. The ever-changing weather—from rain and fog to sudden bursts of sunshine—added an exciting element to the adventure. Though I don't consider myself a hardcore birder, this session was a learning experience for me. I gained valuable insights from both our enthusiastic guests and our driver, Pawan Ji, who shares a deep passion for birding.
Day 1: August 9th, 2024 - Pangot (Cheer Point and Tigda Baba)
Our birding adventure began at Cheer Point in Pangot, despite the rainy weather. The foggy conditions added a mystical atmosphere to our birding experience. Notable sightings included:
- Koklass Pheasant
- Kalij Pheasant
- whiskered yuhina
- Grey-hooded Warbler
- Crested Hawk Eagle
- Green-backed Tit
- Coal Tit
- Himalayan Woodpecker
- Rufous-bellied Woodpecker
- Ashy drongo
- long-tailed broadbill
Ebird checklist - https://ebird.org/checklist/S190753687
Day 2: August 10th, 2024 – Sattal and chafi
The second day took us to the serene surroundings of Sattal. The rain continued, but we were rewarded with excellent sightings:
- Tawny Fish Owl
- White-crested Laughingthrush
- Green-tailed Sunbird
- Fire-breasted Flowerpecker
- Crested kingfisher
- Green-backed tit
- Asian barred owlet
- Velvet fronted nuthatch
Day 3: August 11th, 2024 - Pangot (Cheer Point and bagad)
We returned to Cheer Point with high hopes of spotting the elusive Cheer Pheasant. Although we were unsuccessful, we did encounter:
- brown wood owl
- Blue-winged Minla
- Coal Tit
- Yellow-browed Warbler
- Black-faced Warbler
- Great barbet
- striated laughingthrush
- black-throated tit
Day 4: August 12th, 2024 - Maniya Village & saur village
On the fourth day, we ventured to Maniya Village, 4 km from Cheer Point, to search for raptors. Although the raptor sightings were limited, we observed:
- Yellow-breasted Greenfinch
- House Martin
- Blue-winged Minla
- Brown-fronted Woodpecker
- black-throated tit
- Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo
- Long-tailed Shrike
- Slaty-backed Forktail
Day 5: August 13th, 2024 - Sattal
A return visit to Sattal on the fifth day yielded new species:
- Green Magpie
- Brown Dipper
- Common Kingfisher
- grey treepie
- white-throated kingfisher
- lineated barbet
- Blue-throated barbet
- spotted forktail
- grey-headed woodpecker
Day 6: August 14th, 2024 – Kaladhungi and killbury
The final day of our tour was dedicated to searching for hornbills in Kaladhungi. The monsoon season made birding challenging, but we were successful in spotting:
- Pied Hornbill
- Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
- Green Bee-eater
- Himalayan Flameback
- Lesser Yellownape
- Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
- Chestnut crowned warbler
- black crested bulbul
- bar-winged flycatcher shrike
Additional Highlights:
Besides the incredible bird sightings, we experienced the unique ambiance of birding in the monsoon, surrounded by lush greenery, blooming monsoon flowers, and a variety of butterflies such as:
- Chocolate Pansy
- Common Emigrant
- Common Mormon
Conclusion:
Despite the challenges posed by the monsoon weather, this birding tour was a success with a total of more than 93 species sighted. The diverse habitats of Pangot, Sattal, and Kaladhungi provided an enriching experience for the guests, showcasing the rich avian diversity of the region.
Birds checklist from 9th - 14th august
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Date: August 8th-15th, 2024
Report By: Jagjeewan Singh Dhami, Research Intern
Destinations: Pangot, Sattal, and Kaladungi