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Birding Trek to Langtang National Park: October 2014

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Birding Terk to Langtang National Park:  October, 2014) Langtang National Park with 1710 km 2 as the first national park in the mountain region of Nepal was established in 26 March 1976. The main aim of its establishment is to protect the central Himalayan ecosystem of Nepal. It is the nearest national park and is only 117 km north from the Kathmandu by road. The park encloses the catchment of two river system : one draining west into the Trisuli and other east to Sun Koshi. The Park is bisected east-west to south-east by the Gosaikunda Lake (4300m) and Dorje Lhakhpa (6888m) range in the north. Langtang Lirung (7245m) is the highest point in the park. The park has recorded 46 species of mammalian fauna including Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Assamese Monkey. Till now, 58 species of Butterfly, 10 species of spider, 30 species of fish and 11 species of herpeto -fauna is recorded. Park harbors more than 1000 species of plant including Larix nepalensis, Rhodode

Midwinter Waterbird Count 2020

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The result of the mid-winter water bird count has been published for Koshi Tappu and its adjacent wetland areas. The water bird count is an annual event that is celebrated across the globe from 4th-19th January. This edition is the 34th such event of its kind. Team Koshi for Midwinter Waterbird Count 2020 The event was organized around the Koshi area from 10th-14th January, 2020. This event was supported by more than 30 volunteers from Koshi Bird Society, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Himalayan Nature, Nepalese Ornithological Union, Koshi Tappu Birdwatching Camp, Pokhara Bird Society, Koshi Camp and Koshi Bird Observatory.   Boating in Koshi River This edition of mid-winter water bird count was conducted in Mangalbare and Betana wetland area of Morang, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Chatara, Tarahara and Barjutaal of Sunsari, Koshi Barrage, Bharhdaha wetland area and Kamalpur Lake of Saptari, and Bhagalpur wetland area of Udaypur. This year’s count recorded low number of bird

Lifer in a busy city

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Brown-breasted Flycatcher by Aditya Pal In the middle of Kathmandu, a busy and noisy city, something exciting was buzzing among us bird lovers. We heard whispers about a special bird called the Brown-breasted Flycatcher, a rare visitor to Nepal. This bird had been spotted in a tiny forest area hidden away in the middle of the city, a sort of nature hideout amid all the buildings and noise. So, my friends Hem Bahadur Katuwal, Aditya Pal, and I decided to go on a little adventure. We wanted to see this rare bird and add it to our birdwatching achievement list. As we stepped into the forest, the loud sounds of the city started to fade away. We were filled with excitement, guided by the news from the day before about where the bird was seen. Hem got in touch with a friend who knew more about the bird's whereabouts. The forest became our playground, and we split up, each going in different directions, hoping to catch a glimpse of our special feathery guest. Listening carefully, I str

Mid Winter Waterbird Count in East Nepal.

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The result of the mid-winter water bird count has been published for Koshi Tappu and its adjacent wetland areas. The water bird count is an annual event that is celebrated across the globe from 5th-20th January. This edition is the 33rd such event of its kind. Counting Waterbirds in Barju Lake The event was organized around the Koshi area from 5th-11th January, 2019. This event was supported by more than 30 volunteers from Koshi Bird Society, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Himalayan Nature, Nepalese Ornithological Union, and Koshi Camp. Boating in Koshi River This edition of mid-winter water bird count was conducted in Mangalbare and Betana wetland area of Morang, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Chatara, Tarahara and Barjutaal of Sunsari, Koshi Barrage, Bharhdaha wetland area and Kamalpur Lake of Saptari, and Bhagalpur wetland area of Udaypur. This year’s count recorded high number of birds. What are the results? This year’s count recorded a total of 21,774 w

My Lumbini Visit after 6 years

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I have visited Lumbini many times since 2007. I had an opportunity to participate in National Workshop on Mid Winter Water Bird Count which was held in Lumbini Buddha Garden (LBG), Lumbini for the first time. Since then I was connected with Dr. Hem Sagar Baral and did many birdsurveys and awareness programs around this area.   Golden Temple at Lumbini Lumbini is one of the world heritage site of Nepal where lord Buddha was born. Lumbini is also known as Important Bird and Biodiversity area with more than 350 species of bird and 18 of them are globally threatened. My last visit was in 2012, since then I haven't got any oppertunity to visit here. After 6 years Lumbini Bird Festival call me to the land of Sarus Crane; a tallest flying bird of the world. Sarus Crane "The tallest flying bird of the world" My accomodation was arranged by Lumbini Buddha Garden where I had spent many times during my surveys in past years. When I entered from the entrance I found v

North India Birding Tour: February 2018

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NORTH INDIA BIRDING: TRIP REPORT FEBRUARY 2018 By Sanjib Acharya A female Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomenalos hamiltonii, a resident himalayan bird. Overview : An exciting tour set for us around some natural and religious places in Kumaon valley Uttarakhand, a new destination for the participants. Uttarakhand is very rich in culture, history and indeed flora and fauna. We visited some great destination during the trip, the famous national park Corbett, important birding hotspots in uttarakhand such as Pangot and Sattal, and a very famous temple Jageshwar. The tour connected with so many beautiful and rare birds such as Ibisbill , Wallcreeper , Pallas's Fish Eagle , Brown Dipper , Cheer , Koklass and Kalij Pheasants , Hill and Rufous-throated Partridge , Scaly-breasted and Pygmy Wren-babbler, Chestnut-headed Tesia , White-tailed and Siberian Rubythroat and a very rare bird indeed the Grey-crowned Prinia . We focused on quality birding instead of quanti

Birding in Bharatpur: A dream became true

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A dream was set in early childhood when I heard a name of the place from some great birders and ornithologist of Nepal, which is famous for birds in India was not other than Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Since then I was dreaming to be in that place one day. When I offered by Asian Adventures to work in India I thought that this is the call for Bharatpur, I'll not get any best offer than this and I decided to move to India in 2016. Although I didn't manage to visit there in last year but heard more about it from other birders of India, specially Shyam Sharma who belongs to Bharatpur and a great Naturalist of North India. I then got to know it is called as Keoladeo National Park or Ghana as well and made a plan to visit with help of Shyam. With Shyam at the main gate of Park Keoladeo National Park(Bharatpur/Ghana) is one of the best birding hotspot of India. Once who can get more than 120 species of birds in a single birding day. KNP is only one place in Indian subcontinent wher