Bird with Bonpo : 2017

A report by Chewang Bonpo (chewangrinchen@gmail.com)

The Kingdom of Bhutan in the eastern Himalayas is one of the last and a unique country that has been conserving her beautiful landscape, rich culture and high diverse flora and fauna. The country‘s 70 percent land mass is covered by green thus making the country a carbon-negative. I have been visiting the country since 2012 and on my observation over the year the country has deep rooted her custom and beliefs on her way to development.

Our tour was planned to focus on winter migrants and birds easier to photograph in winter. The tour was 10 Nights & 11 days duration from 18th February 2017 to 1st March 2017.

The Main Highlight of the Tour was the following species:

White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis)
Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis)
Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)
Solitary Snipe (G. s. solitaria)
Blood pheasant both (I. c. affinis ) & (I. c. tibetanus) race
Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus)
Beautiful Rosefinch (Carpodacus pulcherrimus)
Golden Langur or Gee's golden langur (Trachypithecus geei)

The Tour program covered the following area:

Thimpu-Paro- Cheli-la

We spend two nights and one full day birding in Cheli-la and Thimpu, the highlights of the area was around 5 Blood Pheasant (I. c. affinis), couple of White-winged Grosbeaks (M. c. carnipes), Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus), White-throated Redstart (Phoenicurus schisticeps), Solitary Snipe (G. s. solitaria) and Black-tailed Crake (Zapornia bicolor).

Punakha- Phobjikha Valley

We headed to Punakha in search of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) which looked tough at first but with the help of Phub,Sonam , Jas and Leki found one bird perched on Chir pine on opposite river bank along with a lifer for all of us a female Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) on the bank of Pho-chu. Next morning we had some great views of the Heron in better light . We spend a night in Phobjiklha Valley to photograph Black necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) which was in hundreds (555 Cranes – Phub’s data) spread out in the valley.

Bhumthang

Earlier in the trip we had not planned Bhumthang but unsatisfied with Peli-la (disturbances due to stone quarry ) we decided to spend a night which turned out to be two nights as we were treated with some amazing pictures of Himalayan Monal (2 males and 3 females ) ,Red crossbill (L. c. himalayensis) about a dozen , Snow Pigeons (C. l. gradaria) around 20 , Spot-winged Grosbeak (Mycerobas melanozanthos), Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris), White-browed Rosefinch (C. t. thura),Common Magpie (P. p. bottanensis) , Beautiful Rosefinch (C. p. pulcherrimus) dozen birds. We had an early morning venture around 3 AM searching for hooting Himalayan Owl (Strix nivicolum) near our resort but were in vain.

Phrumsengla National Park

As per our plan we had maximum days kept for Phrumsengla NP covering Thrumshing La Pass, Sengor and Youngkhola. The bird activities in the national park was slow but the species like Rufous-necked Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis), Scaly Laugingthrush (T. s. subunicolor),Blue-winged Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron squamatum), Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush (I. r. rufogularis),Rufous-breasted Bush-robin (Tarsiger hyperythrus) , Grey chinned Minivet (P. s. solaris) kept us occupied . The search for Sikkim Wedged billed Babbler or Blackish-breasted Babbler (Sphenocichla humei) which was our main target was in vain. We spend a night in the freezing cold in Sengor (2095 meters) and we had an early start towards Thrumshingla pass where we encountered around 4 flocks (10+individuals) of Blood Pheasants (I c. tibetanus)but thick fog made photography difficult .

Trongsa-Zhemgang – Tingitibe-Gelephu

The day was well spend in travelling from Trongsa to Zhemgang despite our early start was stuck due to road work. The vegetation and attitude change to low foothill and mid elevation sub-tropical forest made the temperature pleasant. The highlight of the area was mainly the endangered Golden Langur or Gee's golden langur (Trachypithecus geei), and few of the mid altitude species like Green-tailed Sunbird (A. n. koelzi), Yellow-vented Warbler (Phylloscopus cantator), Rufous-faced Warbler (Abroscopus albogularis), Himalayan Cutia (Cutia nipalensis), White-browed Shrike-babbler (P. f. validirostris) and Yellow-cheeked Tit (Parus spilonotus).

We the tour participants Biswapriya Rahut, Satish Thayapurath , Mousumi Dutta & Chewang Bonpo would like to thank Phub Drorji, Sonam Dorji, Jas Bdr Rai and Leki Wangdi for all the support and being a part of the team.

Amazing Landscape & Habitat for Wildlife

Facts about Touring in Bhutan :

Tour Prices: Bhutan has an official policy of ‘limiting tourism through price’. The prices for accommodation, food and guide are high on comparison to Indian subcontinent standards but in turn the standard of accommodation is high for the price one pays.

Rates applicable till Feb 2017

280$ per person per day for foreign nationality which include accommodation, transport, food and local guide; 100 $ for a professional Birdguide.

For Indian Nationality (May apply for SAARC countries)

INR 69,000 per pax for 10 nights for 2 person on twin sharing which include accommodation, transport and a professional Bird guide (Food is not included in the cost)

INR 40,000 per pax for 10 nights for 4 person on Twin sharing which include accommodation, transport and a professional Birdguide(Food is not included in the cost )

Food cost varies from INR 100 to INR 500 per meal.

Transport from Gelephu (on exist) to nearest airport or railway station is not included in the cost.

Climate: Hot and humid at lower altitudes, pleasant at middle altitudes and cool or even minus temperature at high altitudes. Days are sunny, overcast, rain and snow.

Road & Transport: A good powerful SUV vehicle is preferred for the present bad road condition due to road widening .Minimum travel time to get to a location is 3 -5 hours provided one is not stuck on road work.

Birding & Bird-photography: Earlier Birding and Bird-photography was based on the main highway but now due to the massive road widening work some of undisturbed pockets along the highway remain good for birding and bird-photography.

Equipment: Focal length of above 300 mm is highly recommended for photographing birds and other wildlife in Bhutan. I used Nikon D750 & Nikon 600 mm lens. I often use 1.4X Tele convertor with the lens to shoot birds like White-bellied Heron , Mandarin Duck which was at great distance , I would prefer 2X Tele convertor in some situations.

Note: My equipment is available on hire for 3000 INR per day if you tour with me.

Bhutan offers some finest Hotels

List of Bird seen/heard & photographed in the trip

Sr.No	Common name	Scientific name	Conservation status	Heard/ Seen/Photograph
1.	Hill Partridge	Arborophila torqueola	LC	H
2.	Rufous-throated Partridge	Arborophila rufogularis	LC	H
3.	Himalayan Monal	Lophophorus impejanus	LC	S/P
4.	Blood Pheasant	Ithaginis cruentus	LC	S/P
5.	Goosander	Mergus merganser	LC	S/P
6.	Ruddy Shelduck	Tadorna ferruginea	LC	S/P
7.	Mandarin Duck	Aix galericulata	LC	S/P
8.	Red-crested Pochard	Netta rufina	LC	S
9.	Tufted Duck	Aythya fuligula	LC	S
10.	Gadwall	Mareca strepera	LC	S
11.	Eurasian Wigeon	Mareca penelope	LC	S
12.	Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	LC	S
13.	Northern Pintail	Anas acuta	LC	S
14.	Rock Dove	Columba livia	LC	S
15.	Snow Pigeon	Columba leuconota	LC	S/P
16.	Speckled Woodpigeon	Columba hodgsonii	LC	S
17.	Ashy Woodpigeon	Columba pulchricollis	LC	S
18.	Oriental Turtle-dove	Streptopelia orientalis	LC	S
19.	Western Spotted Dove	Spilopelia suratensis	LC	S
20.	Barred Cuckoo-dove	Macropygia unchall	LC	S
21.	Grey-capped Emerald Dove	Chalcophaps indica	LC	S
22.	Himalayan Swiftlet	Aerodramus brevirostris	LC	S
23.	Pacific Swift	Apus pacificus	LC	S
24.	Black-tailed Crake	Zapornia bicolor	LC	S/P
25.	Black-necked Crane	Grus nigricollis	VU	S/P
26.	Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	LC	S
27.	White-bellied Heron	Ardea insignis	CR	S/P
28.	Little Cormorant	Microcarbo niger	LC	S
29.	Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	LC	S/P
30.	Ibisbill	Ibidorhyncha struthersii	LC	S/P
31.	River Lapwing	Vanellus duvaucelii	NT	S/P
32.	Greater Painted-snipe	Rostratula benghalensis	LC	S
33.	Solitary Snipe	Gallinago solitaria	LC	S/P
34.	Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	LC	S
35.	Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	LC	S
36.	Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia	LC	S
37.	Pallas's Gull	Larus ichthyaetus	LC	S
38.	Collared Owlet	Glaucidium brodiei	LC	S
39.	Asian Barred Owlet	Glaucidium cuculoides	LC	S/P
40.	Mountain Scops-owl	Otus spilocephalus	LC	H
41.	Himalayan Owl	Strix nivicolum	LC	H
42.	Crested Serpent-eagle	Spilornis cheela	LC	S
43.	Himalayan Griffon	Gyps himalayensis	NT	S/P
44.	Mountain Hawk-eagle	Nisaetus nipalensis	LC	S
45.	Black Eagle	Ictinaetus malaiensis	LC	S
46.	Crested Goshawk	Accipiter trivirgatus	LC	S
47.	Eurasian Sparrowhawk	Accipiter nisus	LC	S
48.	Pallas's Fish-eagle	Haliaeetus leucoryphus	VU	S
49.	Red-headed Trogon	Harpactes erythrocephalus	LC	H
50.	Ward's Trogon	Harpactes wardi	NT	H
51.	Rufous-necked Hornbill	Aceros nipalensis	VU	S/P
52.	Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	LC	S
53.	Crested Kingfisher	Megaceryle lugubris	LC	S/P
54.	Great Barbet	Psilopogon virens	LC	S
55.	Golden-throated Barbet	Psilopogon franklinii	LC	S/P
56.	Blue-throated Barbet	Psilopogon asiaticus	LC	S
57.	White-browed Piculet	Sasia ochracea	LC	H
58.	Bay Woodpecker	Blythipicus pyrrhotis	LC	S/P
59.	Greater Yellownape	Chrysophlegma flavinucha	LC	H
60.	Lesser Yellownape	Picus chlorolophus	LC	H
61.	Grey-capped Woodpecker	Picoides canicapillus	LC	H
62.	Darjeeling Woodpecker	Dendrocopos darjellensis	LC	S/P
63.	Common Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus	LC	S
64.	Oriental Skylark	Alauda gulgula	LC	S
65.	Nepal House Martin	Delichon nipalense	LC	S
66.	Rosy Pipit	Anthus roseatus	LC	S
67.	Olive-backed Pipit	Anthus hodgsoni	LC	S
68.	White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	LC	S
69.	White-browed Wagtail	Motacilla maderaspatensis	LC	S
70.	Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	LC	S
71.	Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike	Coracina melaschistos	LC	S
72.	Grey-chinned Minivet	Pericrocotus solaris	LC	S/P
73.	Long-tailed Minivet	Pericrocotus ethologus	LC	S
74.	Short-billed Minivet	Pericrocotus brevirostris	LC	S
75.	Scarlet Minivet	Pericrocotus flammeus	LC	S
76.	Striated Bulbul	Pycnonotus striatus	LC	S
77.	Black-crested Bulbul	Pycnonotus flaviventris	LC	S
78.	Red-whiskered Bulbul	Pycnonotus jocosus	LC	S
79.	Himalayan Bulbul	Pycnonotus leucogenys	LC	S
80.	Red-vented Bulbul	Pycnonotus cafer	LC	S
81.	Mountain Bulbul	Ixos mcclellandii	LC	S
82.	Ashy Bulbul	Hemixos flavala	LC	S/P
83.	Himalayan Black Bulbul	Hypsipetes leucocephalus	LC	S
84.	Golden-fronted Leafbird	Chloropsis aurifrons	LC	S
85.	Orange-bellied Leafbird	Chloropsis hardwickii	LC	S
86.	Brown Dipper	Cinclus pallasii	LC	S/P
87.	Northern Wren	Troglodytes troglodytes	LC	S
88.	Alpine Accentor	Prunella collaris	LC	S/p
89.	Rufous-breasted Accentor	Prunella strophiata	LC	S/p
90.	Rufous-throated Thrush	Turdus ruficollis	LC	S/p
91.	White-collared Thrush	Turdus albocinctus	LC	S/P
92.	Plain-backed Thrush	Zoothera mollissima	LC	S
93.	Blue Whistling-thrush	Myophonus caeruleus	LC	S
94.	Blue-capped Rock-thrush	Monticola cinclorhynchus	LC	S
95.	Chestnut-bellied Rock-thrush	Monticola rufiventris	LC	S/p
96.	Blue Rock-thrush	Monticola solitarius	LC	S
97.	Orange-flanked Bush-robin	Tarsiger cyanurus	LC	S
98.	Rufous-breasted Bush-robin	Tarsiger hyperythrus	LC	S/P
99.	White-browed Bush-robin	Tarsiger indicus	LC	S
100.	Oriental Magpie-robin	Copsychus saularis	LC	S
101.	White-capped Water-redstart	Chaimarrornis leucocephalus	LC	S
102.	Hodgson's Redstart	Phoenicurus hodgsoni	LC	S/P
103.	Blue-fronted Redstart	Phoenicurus frontalis	LC	S/P
104.	White-throated Redstart	Phoenicurus schisticeps	LC	S/p
105.	Plumbeous Water-redstart	Rhyacornis fuliginosa	LC	S/P
106.	Common Stonechat	Saxicola torquatus	LC	S
107.	Grey Bushchat	Saxicola ferreus	LC	S
108.	Little Forktail	Enicurus scouleri	LC	S/P
109.	Slaty-backed Forktail	Enicurus schistaceus	LC	S
110.	Spotted Forktail	Enicurus maculatus	LC	H
111.	Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher	Ficedula strophiata	LC	S
112.	White-gorgeted Flycatcher	Ficedula monileger	LC	H
113.	Rufous-bellied Niltava	Niltava sundara	LC	S
114.	Large Niltava	Niltava grandis	LC	S
115.	Small Niltava	Niltava macgrigoriae	LC	S
116.	Pygmy Blue-flycatcher	Muscicapella hodgsoni	LC	H
117.	Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher	Culicicapa ceylonensis	LC	S
118.	Yellow-bellied Fantail	Rhipidura hypoxantha	LC	S/P
119.	White-throated Fantail	Rhipidura albicollis	LC	S
120.	Common Tailorbird	Orthotomus sutorius	LC	S
121.	Hill Prinia	Prinia atrogularis	LC	S
122.	Chestnut-headed Tesia	Oligura castaneocoronata	LC	S
123.	Slaty-bellied Tesia	Tesia olivea	LC	H
124.	Ashy-throated Warbler	Phylloscopus maculipennis	LC	S
125.	Yellow-browed Warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus	LC	S
126.	Yellow-vented Warbler	Phylloscopus cantator	LC	S/P
127.	White-spectacled Warbler	Seicercus affinis	LC	S
128.	Grey-hooded Warbler	Seicercus xanthoschistos	LC	S
129.	Grey-cheeked Warbler	Seicercus poliogenys	LC	S
130.	Chestnut-crowned Warbler	Seicercus castaniceps	LC	H
131.	Rufous-faced Warbler	Abroscopus albogularis	LC	H
132.	Black-faced Warbler	Abroscopus schisticeps	LC	S
133.	Yellow-bellied Warbler	Abroscopus superciliaris	LC	H
134.	Golden-breasted Fulvetta	Lioparus chrysotis	LC	S
135.	White-browed Fulvetta	Fulvetta vinipectus	LC	S
136.	Black-chinned Yuhina	Yuhina nigrimenta	LC	S
137.	Stripe-throated Yuhina	Yuhina gularis	LC	H
138.	Rufous-vented Yuhina	Yuhina occipitalis	LC	S
139.	White-naped Yuhina	Yuhina bakeri	LC	S
140.	Whiskered Yuhina	Yuhina flavicollis	LC	S/P
141.	Nepal Fulvetta	Alcippe nipalensis	LC	S
142.	Grey-throated Babbler	Stachyris nigriceps	LC	S
143.	Sickle-billed Scimitar-babbler	Xiphirhynchus superciliaris	LC	H
144.	Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-babbler	Pomatorhinus erythrogenys	LC	S
145.	Streak-breasted Scimitar-babbler	Pomatorhinus ruficollis	LC	H
146.	Coral-billed Scimitar-babbler	Pomatorhinus ferruginosus	LC	S/P
147.	Bar-winged Wren-babbler	Spelaeornis troglodytoides	LC	S
148.	Rufous-throated Wren-babbler	Spelaeornis caudatus	NT	H
149.	Spotted Wren-babbler	Elachura formosa	LC	S
150.	Scaly-breasted Wren-babbler	Pnoepyga albiventer	LC	S
151.	Pygmy Wren-babbler	Pnoepyga pusilla	LC	H
152.	Golden Babbler	Stachyridopsis chrysaea	LC	H
153.	Rufous-capped Babbler	Stachyridopsis ruficeps	LC	H
154.	Puff-throated Babbler	Pellorneum ruficeps	LC	H
155.	Long-billed Wren-babbler	Rimator malacoptilus	LC	S
156.	Yellow-throated Fulvetta	Pseudominla cinerea	LC	S/P
157.	Rufous-winged Fulvetta	Pseudominla castaneceps	LC	S/P
158.	Himalayan Cutia	Cutia nipalensis	LC	S/P
159.	Grey-sided Laughingthrush	Dryonastes caerulatus	LC	S
160.	Rufous-necked Laughingthrush	Dryonastes ruficollis	LC	S
161.	White-crested Laughingthrush	Garrulax leucolophus	LC	S/P
162.	White-throated Laughingthrush	Garrulax albogularis	LC	S/P
163.	Striated Laughingthrush	Grammatoptila striata	LC	S/p
164.	Bhutan Laughingthrush	Strophocincla imbricata	LC	S
165.	Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush	Ianthocincla rufogularis	LC	S/P
166.	Spotted Laughingthrush	Ianthocincla ocellata	LC	S/P
167.	Scaly Laughingthrush	Trochalopteron subunicolor	LC	S/P
168.	Blue-winged Laughingthrush	Trochalopteron squamatum	LC	S/p
169.	Black-faced Laughingthrush	Trochalopteron affine	LC	S
170.	Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush	Trochalopteron erythrocephalum	LC	S
171.	Crimson-faced Liocichla	Liocichla phoenicea	LC	S
172.	Bar-throated Minla	Chrysominla strigula	LC	H
173.	Red-tailed Minla	Minla ignotincta	LC	S
174.	Blue-winged Siva	Siva cyanouroptera	LC	S
175.	Red-billed Leiothrix	Leiothrix lutea	LC	S
176.	Rufous Sibia	Malacias capistratus	LC	S
177.	Hoary-throated Barwing	Actinodura nipalensis	LC	S
178.	Rusty-fronted Barwing	Actinodura egertoni	LC	S
179.	Black-headed Shrike-babbler	Pteruthius rufiventer	LC	H
180.	White-browed Shrike-babbler	Pteruthius flaviscapis	LC	S/P
181.	Black-eared Shrike-babbler	Pteruthius melanotis	LC	H
182.	White-bellied Erpornis	Erpornis zantholeuca	LC	S
183.	Brown Parrotbill	Paradoxornis unicolor	LC	S/P
184.	Black-throated Parrotbill	Paradoxornis nipalensis	LC	S
185.	Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill	Paradoxornis ruficeps	LC	S/P
186.	Rufous-vented Tit	Periparus rubidiventris	LC	S/P
187.	Coal Tit	Periparus ater	LC	S/p
188.	Grey-crested Tit	Lophophanes dichrous	LC	S
189.	Green-backed Tit	Parus monticolus	LC	S
190.	Yellow-cheeked Tit	Parus spilonotus	LC	S/P
191.	Yellow-browed Tit	Sylviparus modestus	LC	S/P
192.	Sultan Tit	Melanochlora sultanea	LC	S
193.	Black-throated Tit	Aegithalos concinnus	LC	S/P
194.	Rufous-fronted Tit	Aegithalos iouschistos	LC	S/P
195.	Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch	Sitta cinnamoventris	LC	S
196.	White-tailed Nuthatch	Sitta himalayensis	LC	S
197.	Velvet-fronted Nuthatch	Sitta frontalis	LC	S
198.	Wallcreeper	Tichodroma muraria	LC	S/P
199.	Hodgson's Treecreeper	Certhia hodgsoni	LC	S/p
200.	Rusty-flanked Treecreeper	Certhia nipalensis	LC	S
201.	Sikkim Treecreeper	Certhia discolor	LC	S
202.	Green-tailed Sunbird	Aethopyga nipalensis	LC	S
203.	Black-throated Sunbird	Aethopyga saturata	LC	S
204.	Streaked Spiderhunter	Arachnothera magna	LC	S
205.	Fire-breasted Flowerpecker	Dicaeum ignipectus	LC	S
206.	Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius schach	LC	S
207.	Grey-backed Shrike	Lanius tephronotus	LC	S
208.	Bronzed Drongo	Dicrurus aeneus	LC	S
209.	Greater Racket-tailed Drongo	Dicrurus paradiseus	LC	S
210.	Hair-crested Drongo	Dicrurus hottentottus	LC	S
211.	Ashy Drongo	Dicrurus leucophaeus	LC	S
212.	Black Drongo	Dicrurus macrocercus	LC	S
213.	Yellow-billed Blue Magpie	Urocissa flavirostris	LC	S/P
214.	Common Green Magpie	Cissa chinensis	LC	S
215.	Grey Treepie	Dendrocitta formosae	LC	S/P
216.	Common Magpie	Pica pica	LC	S/P
217.	Spotted Nutcracker	Nucifraga caryocatactes	LC	S/p
218.	Red-billed Chough	Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax	LC	S
219.	House Crow	Corvus splendens	LC	S
220.	Large-billed Crow	Corvus macrorhynchos	LC	S
221.	Common Myna	Acridotheres tristis	LC	S
222.	House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	LC	S
223.	Russet Sparrow	Passer rutilans	LC	S/P
224.	Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus	LC	S
225.	White-rumped Munia	Lonchura striata	LC	S
226.	Yellow-breasted Greenfinch	Carduelis spinoides	LC	S
227.	Plain Mountain-finch	Leucosticte nemoricola	LC	S/P
228.	Dark-breasted Rosefinch	Carpodacus nipalensis	LC	S
229.	Common Rosefinch	Carpodacus erythrinus	LC	S
230.	Beautiful Rosefinch	Carpodacus pulcherrimus	LC	S/P
231.	Dark-rumped Rosefinch	Carpodacus edwardsii	LC	S/P
232.	White-browed Rosefinch	Carpodacus thura	LC	S/p
233.	Red Crossbill	Loxia curvirostra	LC	S/p
234.	Red-headed Bullfinch	Pyrrhula erythrocephala	LC	S/P
235.	Collared Grosbeak	Mycerobas affinis	LC	S
236.	Spot-winged Grosbeak	Mycerobas melanozanthos	LC	S/P
237.	White-winged Grosbeak	Mycerobas carnipes	LC	S/P