Bird watching is an amazing wildlife activity. As birds are charming creatures and watching them in their natural habitat seems like magical thing as they hoover in the mid-air and amazes everyone. They are mostly active during day time and it is easy to witness them easily as they aren’t hiding in holes. The birds are just beautiful, some are extraordinarily beautiful, different colored and attractive.
Nepal is often recognized as birdwatchers heaven. Being home to 887 species of birds, the diverse landscape of Nepal have many rare and beautiful birds residing in different place of country. The rare spices like Impeyan Pheasant, Crimson horned Pheasant and many others are found in Himalayas. Similarly Hill partridge, Arborophila torqueola are some of the birds of hills and lastly hissing vultures are something to look after in Terai region of Nepal.
Starting from Kathmandu to many other parts of country from plains of Terai to high up in Himalayas the diverse land topography have plenty of birds residing and consist of many migrating birds from many places in the world. Places in Kathmandu like Phulchowki, Nagarjun, Taudaha and many other place are well known for bird watching. It is said that over 500 spices of birds can be spotted. However in the national parks like Chitwan and Bardiya are also very popular place in order to spot some of the exotic birds. Lastly Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve is the home to many birds both migrating and non-migrating birds. Birds like Lhopophorous, eagle, Dusky, Fish eagles, Barn owls, Honey Guides, Hawks, Storks, Cranes, Bulbbul, Sparrows, Swifts and many other variety of birds can be spotted.
Here are some of the bird watching tours from which one can get ideas of birds regarding their life span, migrating patterns as well as many other information with pleasuring wildlife activity.
Being one of the smallest wildlife reserve of Nepal with an area of 176sq.km. at the bank of Sapta Koshi river. In spite of being smallest the place has high amount of contribution for conserving the wildlife and their natural habitat. Recorded as home to 14 endemic spices including 20 spices of Duck, 30 Shore Birds, 144 Water birds and endangered partridge, Bengal Florican and many others. The Koshi Barrage is also home to many migrating birds including 87 winter and trans-Himalayan migrating birds. During winter many migrating birds can be seen in banks of Koshi River. Migration usually takes place and peaks around the time of mid-march. The dusk and dawn can be the best time to see this beautiful creatures.
Apart from the variety of birds the reserve is also famous for wild buffalo and many other aquatic life. The best time to visit Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve for bird watching is from September to February. Many migratory birds can be seen in their natural habitat during these months of the year.
This trip is designed for wildlife and Birds lover as this short trip will take you to one of the major hotspot for many birds where they resides in their natural habitat where they can be in their natural behavior.
Recorded as home to 540 species Chitwan National park is true paradise for birdwatchers. This place is also considered as one of the best place to observe and study the various and rare spices of birds. Best time to encounter such beautiful and colorful creatures usually starts in October and ends at May. However migration usually takes place and peaks around the time of mid-march. The dusk and dawn can be the best time to see this beautiful creatures.
The place is important for several grassland species like Bengal Florican, Grey-crowned Prinia, Prinia cinereocapilla and Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides longirostris, and also for Lesser Adjutant. It is the only Nepalese locality where the Slender-billed Babbler has been recorded and it may support a larger population than any other area in the Indian subcontinent.
Chitwan is the only Nepal site where Grey-crowned Prinia is common and it may also hold the largest population in the species. The globally threatened Indian Spotted Eagle has bred in the park, one of its few known breeding localities in Nepal. The large proportion of 15 out of 23 of Nepal’s near-threatened birds has been found in Chitwan. Well over half of them are wetland birds. Kashmir Flycatcher, a rare passage migrant to Chitwan, is the only restricted-range species recorded in the park and is also globally threatened.
Walking on the quite jungle and listening the chirping birds while hearing the crisp of dried leaves and watching many birds moving around their natural habitat doing their daily activity is somewhat lively experience that you will cherish forever.
Overlooking the birds in huge part in the wilderness on Nepal’s most unspoiled and protected area. Located in mid-western part of Nepal province 5, with an area of 968 sq. km. Royal Bardiya National Park is the largest and most undisturbed wilderness in the Terai plain. Almost three quarters of the park is covered with forest, grassland and riverine forest. The park is established in order to protect and conserve the ecosystem and conserving the habitat wildlife and their prey along with other vegetation.
The best time starts from October and ends at May. Well this place is home to variety of spices of birds where as some live here and some migrate from different place of world and stop here for a while. Some of available birds are endemic such as Lesser Whistling Duck, Graylag Goose, Knob-billed Duck, Ruddy Shelduck and many others.
Walking on the quite jungle and listening the chirping birds while hearing the crisp of dried leaves and watching many birds moving around their natural habitat doing their daily activity is somewhat lively experience that you will cherish forever.
As we all know the outskirt of Kathmandu have many hills and filled with dense forest where many birds resides. Bird watching in Kathmandu valley is itself is wonderful experience as short hike on the trail adds on the experience of bird watching. The valley has good record of birds which can be observed in destinations like Sivapuri National park, Phulchowki, Tau daha and many other places as the climatic condition along with green forest make ideal habitat for variety of species birds. Among these places, Sivapuri National Park and Phulchowki Hill have also been recognized as Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International. Variety of migrant and residing birds can be heard and seen in valley of Kathmandu.
Fly to Biratnagar and drive to Koshi Tapu Wildlife Reserve.
Today after breakfast, we catch flight to Biratnagar which is about 40 minutes followed by 2 hours’ drive to Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve. You can get plenty of information about birds and other wildlife as well as about wild life reserve at information center. The reserve is one of the places of Nepal where the birds from Siberia, China, and Mongolia during winter. These winter migratory birds are also one of the major attractions of this small protected area.
Full day activity.
Today you will get out for the excursion on boat and off road vehicle and see waders, waterfowl, birds of prey, marsh crocodile, otters, wild water buffalo and Gangetic Dolphins including a visit to Pink Tower.
Activities in Koshi Tappu.
After a delicious breakfast you move to reserve forest for watching birds. Birds like swamp partridge, black necked stork, buntings, bulbuls etc. can be seen. During the afternoon you can either continue bird watching or enjoy watching other wildlife if the reserve like Arna, the wild water buffalo, blue bull, hog deer, fishing etc.
Back to Kathmandu.
Today we catch a flight from Biratnagar in order to get to Kathmandu. Rest of the time you can do some shopping and chill around the streets of Thamel. You could buy some souvenir for your people back home.
Flight to Bharatpur & Drive to Chitwan National Park/ Drive to Chitwan.
The 25 minutes flight from Kathmandu domestic airport to Bharatpur and 32km drive will take you to Chitwan National Park. Rest of the day we will chill and stroll around Chitwan and we can watch beautiful sunset. If you choose to take a drive from Kathmandu it will take around 6 hours approx.
Bird tracking day.
Today after breakfast we move inside the jungle where we will be greeted by lot of chirps of birds. You can see many birds and shoot them, of course with your camera while sharp eyes and good knowledge of your guide will help you to encounter many birds. Today we encounter birds like Giant horn bill, grey crown Prinia, eagles, woodpeckers, bee eaters and many others.
Bird watching Day.
Today you will be moving towards Bis Hazari Tal (twenty thousand lakes) where you will see variety of birds. There is also chance of encountering Tigers as well. So get your camera ready and move quietly to see some birds. In this part there live many shy variety of birds so we try to make sure we don’t disturb them. We may encounter species like Grey headed Fish Eagle, Rocky Tail Drango, Sherant Eagle, Hoopie, and many others.
Drive or fly back to Kathmandu.
Today after breakfast we come back to Kathmandu and you will be taken to your hotel and rest of the day you can chill on bars and cafes at street of Thamel.
Flight to Nepalgunj, Drive to Nepalgunj.
Today you will be flying to Nepalgunj which is about 1 hour flight and hop on a vehicle that’s waiting for you in airport which is going to take you on a ride for 3-4 hours taking you to Bardiya National park.
After refreshment and lunch you will be meeting your professional Guide who give information about birds and how your activity is going to be carried out for rest of the day. You then will be taken to river banks where you will be seeing variety of birds. During evening you can relax with peaceful sound of jungle.
Bird watching Day.
Today we enter jungle on foot after having breakfast. While moving to jungle you will be greeted by lot of chirps of birds. You can see many birds and shoot them, of course with your camera while sharp eyes and good knowledge of your guide will help you to encounter many birds. If you visit during the time of migration of birds you could see some Siberian birds as well.
Bird watching Day.
Today you will be moving deeper in woods with the help of our guides where you will be travelling to place which are less visited by humans where you will see variety of birds. There is also chance of encountering Tigers as well. So get your camera ready and move quietly to see some birds. In this part there live many shy variety of birds so we try to make sure we don’t disturb them. From waterfowl to eagles to warblers and songbirds, which can be found in Bardiya where our main purpose is to see those colorful creatures. Lastly you will be enjoying Tharu cultural show in the evening.
Drive back to Nepalgunj and Fly back to Kathmandu.
So after breakfast we move towards airport in order to get to Kathmandu. You will be transferred to your hotel by one of our representatives safely.
Drive to Phulchowki and Godavari Botanical Garden.
This popular destination is just around 20 km away from the heart of tourist destinations in Kathmandu. It is one of the highest hill surrounding the valley in south eastern part. Babbler, Minivets, variety of eagles, woodpeckers along with some migratory birds can be seen in this part of Kathmandu. It is said that the hill hosts few hundred species of birds whereas the garden is host to hundreds of spices of birds.
Shivapuri National park.
The north side of Kathmandu valley situated at few kilometers from core Kathmandu’s hotspots. The is well known for its hiking trails and bird enthusiast as birds like Blue Magpies, Khali pheasants, Bonellis Eagles, great Himalayan Barbets and many other migrating birds are available in the areas.
Tau Daha Area.
The place is interesting in itself and is famous place to encounter some different spices of birds. The peaceful lake resides more than 40 variety of birds and often visited by many migrating birds. Along the way the small gorge of Chovar is also good stop in order to check out some birds. Ideal time for encountering birds in this area is during morning time.
