![]() We spotted over a dozen of Himalayan Monals, along with long-tailed Minivets, Himalayan Bluetail, Rock Buntings, Black & Yellow Grosbeak, Chestnut-bellied Rock thrush, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Varigated Laughingthrush, Grey-crested tits and White-collared Blackbird.Īs we reached the Tunganath Temple, we were greeted by a huge flock of Altai Accentors, Rosy Pipits and a couple of Red-billed Choughs. We started trekking by 6:00 AM and have to say that Negiji’s timing was just perfect. We started Day 2 journey in dark, at 5:00 AM as we had planned to do the 3 KM Tunganath trek as early as possible, so that we are 1st to climb the trek and have good chance of sighting and clicking the royal Himalayan Monal. It was Kalij Pheasant crossing the road in style and that was a perfect end to Day 1. As we were returning, Bipin (Negiji’s son) made a screeching stop. Just as we thought we are done for the day, two of the most colourful birds showed up – the Mrs Gould’s Sunbird and the Fire-breasted Flowerpecker. Other birds we managed to capture here included the Green-backed tit, Black-throated tit and Rufous Sibia. ![]() We waited almost an hour hoping it would show up a bit in open, but it did not. What a beauty it was, but all I could manage is a record shot as it was moving around inside the thick bushes. As we were exploring by the road side, we got to see the Golden Bush Robin for the 1st time. We also got the 1st glimpse of Eurasian Jay here. As we arrived at Makku farm, Negi’ji spotted the beautiful Mistle Thrush. Birding along the way we encountered the White-throated Laughingthrushes, Greater Yellownape Woodpecker, Black-headed Jay, Bar-tailed Treecreeper and a 1st glimpse of the Kalij Pheasant. Post lunch, we started off to a place called Makku Farm. Exploring next 3-4 hours around Chakki bend resulted in sightings of the Dark-sided Flycatcher, Black Bulbuls, Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Striated Laughingthrush, Common Stonechat, Oriental White-eyes, Verditer Flycatcher, Whiskered Yuhinas and Dark-chinned Babblers. We also did some birding en-route where we came across two of our key highlights Chestnut-headed Tesia and Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler. We got lucky to observe and click this beautiful species from close quarters to our hearts content.Ī sumptuous Aloo paratha breakfast and we were on our way to a place called Chakki bend. We ran towards the field, albeit taking cover of an old stony structure. We were completely mesmerised as they flew in sync and as we were observing, all landed in an open field. ![]() ![]() But what kicked off our trip was the huge flock of Snow Pigeons. We were up by 5:30 AM and as we came out of the room, we were greeted by Himalayan Bulbuls, Streaked Laughingthrushes, Grey Bushchats, Common Stonechats, Common Rosefinches, Grey Treepie and loud calls of Black Francolin and Great Barbets. Key sightings included the Pygmy Wren & Scaly-breasted Babblers, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Bearded Vulture, Red-billed Chough, Golden Bush Robin, Koklass Pheasant, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Mistle Thrush, Snow Pigeons, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Himalayan Monals, Kalij Pheasant and more….ġst day of birding and our excitement was sky high. Travelling as part of Wild India Eco Tours, we sighted over 140 species of birds, the beautiful clad Himalayas, and some stunning landscapes with the lovely hospitality of Mr. Birding in Himalayas was very high on our list and we finally managed to visit Chopta – Uttarakhand this summer. ![]()
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