Site
Details
Site information is generally well described in Kazmierczak & Singh [7]. This does not include all sites visited; in particular the excellent lowland reserves of Gorumara National Park and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, plus the Teesta Barrage at Gazoldoba are not covered. In addition the first week was spent mostly exploring little known sites. The following sections provide information for all sites visited; where the site is included in Kazmierczak & Singh [7] only brief
notes are given here.
Suntalekhola, West Bengal
Suntalekhola is situated in West Bengal at an altitude of 750 metres. It is 75 kilometres from Bagdogra Airport. We did our birding on the south-eastern fringe of the Neora Valley National Park. A trail leads to the left from the first bend of the tar road approached from the bungalows and ends at Lava after a three-day trek (which needs permission from the Wildlife Department). The trail leads steeply through thick broadleaved tropical and semi-tropical forests via Mouchouki,
Rechila Top (4500m), Alubari and Pankhasari Ridge. Four double room cottages with non-attached toilets are available at Suntalay Khola Wilderness Camp.
Selected sightings: Grey Nightjar, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Maroon Oriole, Grey-chinned and Short-billed Minivets, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Slaty-backed Forktail, Sultan Tit, Ashy Bulbul, Yellow-vented, Golden-spectacled and Chestnut-crowned Warblers, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Long-tailed Sibia, White-naped and Black-chinned Yuhinas.
Samsing, West Bengal
Samsing is the Range Office of the Neora Valley National Park, 3kms before Suntalekhola. Some mature broadleaved trees and some scrub surround the Range Office and the Forest Rest House. It is generally good for bee-eaters and orioles amongst other species.
Selected sightings: Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Green-billed Malkoha, Thick-billed Warbler.
Bindu, West Bengal
At 600m, Bindu is a small village on the border with Bhutan. It is 80kms from Siliguri and has developed based on a hydroelectric (hydel) power project. The River Jaldhaka, forming the India – Bhutan border, provides some good birds and can be viewed well from the barrage.
Selected sightings: Eurasian Wryneck, Crested Kingfisher, Brown Dipper, Hodgson's Redstart, Slaty-backed Forktail, Little Forktail, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush (actually over the border in Bhutan).
Todey, West Bengal
Todey is a village one hours drive from Bindu and is situated at an altitude of 1300 – 1500m. It comprises of secondary forest cover and extensive cardamom cultivation.
Selected sightings: Large Hawk Cuckoo, Green Magpie, Large Niltava, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Black-throated Sunbird.
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal
Chapramari is a small wildlife sanctuary opposite the Gorumara National Park and consists mostly of teak and other timber species. It is situated 62kms from Siliguri.
Selected sightings: Long-tailed Broadbill, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Chestnut-headed and Grey-bellied Tesias.
Karmi Farm, West Bengal
Karmi Farm is a small private property owned by a British expatriate. The farm is located about 2½ hours drive from Darjeeling via Bijonbari. It is at an altitude of 1500m and has moderate broadleaved tree cover and cardamom plantations. It hosts some good birds such as Grey-throated Babbler and Speckled Piculet and is a very pleasant, relaxing place to stay. Particularly recommended is the
homemade tongba, an alcoholic drink made from millet and drunk from a bamboo tankard!
Selected sightings: Speckled Piculet, Northern Goshawk, Black Eagle, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Yellow-browed Tit, Black-eared Shrike Babbler, Blue-winged, Chestnut-tailed and Red-tailed Minlas, Nepal House Martin, Fire-tailed Sunbird.
Tiger Hill, West Bengal
Tiger Hill is the famed sunrise point 11kms from Darjeeling. It reaches a height of 2485m and on a clear morning one can get spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga range. The habitat here is mainly ringal bamboo and oak. It is a good place to see Brown Parrotbill and we were also delighted to see Gould’s Shortwing. A site with great birding potential.
Selected sightings: Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, White-collared Blackbird, Gould's Shortwing, Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, Broad-billed Warbler, Spotted and Blue-winged Laughingthrushes, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Brown Parrotbill.
Kalijhora, West Bengal
Kalijhora is a small area of forest on the northern edge of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, at an altitude of 300m. It is one hours drive from Bagdogra. A small Forest Rest House and a PWD bungalow are the only places to stay nearby. A good place to see several lowland forest species.
Selected sightings: Oriental Pied Hornbill, White-rumped Vulture, Greater Spotted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Black Stork, Grey-backed Shrike, Maroon Oriole, Short-billed Minivet, Brown Dipper, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, White-rumped Shama, Hill Myna, Yellow-vented Warbler, Striped Tit Babbler, Crimson Sunbird, Streaked Spiderhunter.
Pemayangtse, Sikkim
Pemayangtse is just 1km from Pelling. A trail opposite the Mount Pandim Hotel encircles the Pemayangtse Gompa (monastery). The trail is dark and wet and provides a good chance of seeing some of the laughingthrushes and other skulking forest birds.
Selected sightings: Mountain Hawk Eagle, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Golden Bush Robin, Rusty-fronted and Hoary-throated Barwings, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rufous-breasted and Maroon Accentors.
Pelling, Sikkim
Pelling is a small but fast-growing tourist destination. It is situated at 2060m and is 10kms from the district headquarters of West Sikkim, Geyzing.
Sangachoeling, Sikkim
The Sangachoeling Gompa is about 2kms trek from Pelling helipad. The uneven trail is quite open at the beginning and then goes through dark and moist forest for the last ½ km. It is a splendid trail for birds and can also be taken well beyond the monastery itself.
Selected sightings: Slaty-headed and Blossom-headed Parakeets, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Steppe Eagle, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Long-tailed Minivet, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, Blyth's Leaf, Whistler's, Grey-cheeked and Chestnut-crowned Warblers, Grey-sided and Black-faced Laughingthrushes, Streak-breasted and Slender-billed Scimitar Babblers, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler,
White-browed Shrike Babbler, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Little Bunting.
Rabdentse, Sikkim
Rabdentse, near Sikkim, is now an archaeological site and was the second capital of the Kingdom of Sikkim. The footpath leading up to the ruins passes through good forest and scrub. The scrub at the rear of the throne proved a good spot to see hunting parties in action and the high viewpoint was a good place to observe migrating Steppe Eagles.
Selected sightings: Steppe Eagle, Striated Bulbul, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Black-eared Shrike Babbler, Dark-breasted Rosefinch.
Khecheopari Lake, Sikkim
Khecheopari Lake is a sacred lake 29kms from Pelling and at an altitude of 1800m. Undisturbed forests and reeds surround the lake. The path leading to the lake was good for tesias and wren-babblers, although both were heard more often than seen.
Selected sightings: Mallard, Goosander, Bay Woodpecker, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Hodgson's Redstart, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Little Bunting.
Mount Narsing (Ravangla), Sikkim
Mount Narsing is a couple of kilometres west of Ravangla. It is situated amidst an unused Tea Garden and some scrub. Apparently it has spectacular views of the Himalayas, although we didn’t see much (scenery or birds) due to poor weather conditions.
Selected sightings: Barred Cuckoo Dove.
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Sikkim
Maenam is approximately 65kms from Gangtok. The Sanctuary starts from 2575m and climbs up to 3120m. The forest is thick with oak and rhododendron. It is a home of Himalayan Black Bear and Red Panda, and has a good population of Satyr Tragopan.
Selected sightings: Kalij Pheasant, Ashy Wood Pigeon, Broad-billed Warbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Hoary-throated Barwing, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rufous-breasted and Maroon-backed Accentors, Dark-breasted and Pink-browed Rosefinches.
Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary, Sikkim
Fambong Lho is 25kms from Gangtok and covers an area of 51.76 square kilometres. The main vegetation here is oak, rhododendron and thick bamboo and ferns. It proved a great place to see several species of laughingthrush including Red-faced Liocichla. We actually spent most of our birding time outside the sanctuary from close to the approach road.
Selected sightings: Golden Bush Robin, Striated and Mountain Bulbuls, Brownish-flanked and Grey-sided Bush Warblers, Yellow-browed Warbler, several Laughingthrushes including Blue-winged, Black-faced and Red-faced Liocichla.
Rumtek, Sikkim
Rumtek, situated 24kms from Gangtok at a height of 1700m, is well known for its monastery. It is actually situated outside the south-eastern edge of Fambong Lho. The dirt road to Song mentioned in Kazmierczak and Singh [7] has now been tarred and had relatively heavy traffic. Birding was a bit disappointing here.
Selected sightings: Whistler's Warbler, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Himalayan Griffon, Common Buzzard, Sapphire Flycatcher, Buff-barred and White-spectacled Warblers, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Striped Tit Babbler.
Lava, West Bengal
The Lava area is, of course, a very well known birding site and forms part of most itineraries in this region. We birded on the Lava to Algarah Road (where a Eurasian Woodcock was a good sighting) and also trekked up the trail leading from behind the Forest Rest House to Tiffindara, where we saw several Maroon-backed Accentors.
Selected sightings: Eurasian Woodcock, White-browed Bush Robin, Winter Wren, Goldcrest, Maroon-backed Accentor.
Neora Valley National Park, West Bengal
The National Park at Neora Valley covers an area of 88 km2 and has an altitudinal range from 200m to 3200m. We birded along the fringes at Rashet and at the 14th mile checkpost near Pankhasari Ridge areas. Both the areas are accessible from Lava by jeep. The jeep track is the best place to bird.
Selected sightings: Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Plain-backed Thrush, White-collared Blackbird, Rufous-vented Tit, Goldcrest, Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, Grey-cheeked Warbler, Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Golden Babbler, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Black-throated Parrotbill, Mrs Gould's Sunbird, Maroon-backed Accentor, Spot-winged Rosefinch.
Gorumara National Park, West Bengal
Gorumara is 62kms from Siliguri and is primarily a grassland habitat. This small National Park is the host for large herds of Gaur and currently 16 Rhinos. It is a good place to watch various pigeons and doves from the Rhino Observation Point watch tower in front of the Forest Rest House. In 2002 we recorded the little-known and endangered Slender-billed Babbler at Gorumara.
Selected sightings: Red Junglefowl, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Lesser Coucal, Green-billed Malkoha, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Red-breasted Parakeet, Himalayan Swiftlet, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Green Imperial Pigeon, River Lapwing, Greater Painted Snipe, Lesser Fish Eagle, Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Long-tailed Broadbill, Ashy Woodswallow, Large and Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Lesser and Greater Racket-tailed Drongos, Large Woodshrike,
Grey-bellied Tesia, Thick-billed Warbler, Yellow-vented Warbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker.
Gazoldoba (Teesta Barrage), West Bengal
Gazoldoba is an hours drive from Siliguri and is a large barrage on the River Teesta. It has an excellent wintering population of ducks, including all regular plus a few unusual species, and a few waders. It was a good place to see migrating and wintering raptors, plus grebes.
Selected sightings: Common Shelduck, Falcated Duck, Garganey, Red-crested Pochard, Ferruginous Pochard, Lesser Sand Plover, Northern Lapwing, Osprey, Western and Eastern Marsh Harriers, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Great Crested and Black-necked Grebes.
Systematic List
of Birds observed
The taxonomy, sequence
& nomenclature in this report follow Grimmett, Inskipp &
Inskipp [1].
Note that where estimates of numbers of birds seen are given,
these are largely based on personal
observations. Hence the actual numbers seen on the trip by the
group is likely to be greater in many instances. In addition,
where a species was only seen by one member
of the group (which, typically for forest birding, happened on a
number of times) this is usually indicated in the text below.
1.
Hill Partridge
Arborophila torqueola
One calling bird heard from the Lava to Algarah road
was the only record.
2.
Rufous-throated Partridge
Arborophila
rufogularis
Heard calling from near Pelling and from the Lava to
Algarah road.
3.
Red Junglefowl
Gallus gallus
At least four were heard calling from the Khunia
watchtower at Gorumara, with one heard also
from the Rhino Observation Point nearby the following day.
4.
Kalij Pheasant
Lophura leucomelana
Ones or twos recorded from Pemayangtse, Maenam, Rashet
and Lava but never seen well enough to
determine the subspecies. Likely to have been
lathami based
on range.
5.
Indian Peafowl
Pavo cristatus
At least ten seen from the Khunia watch tower at
Gorumara with a few other sightings in the
Gorumara area.
6.
Lesser Whistling-duck
Dendrocygna
javanica
A family party of five were seen on a small pond from
the Khunia watch tower at Gorumara.
7.
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferruginea
Four on the Teesta river at Kalijhora, about five along
the river at Gorumara and large numbers (at
least 200) at Gazoldoba.
8.
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadorna
A very noteworthy sighting was of seven on the Teesta
river at Gazoldoba on 23/11.
9.
Gadwall
Anas strepera
Seven on the Jaldhaka river at Bindu consisted of three
males and four females and coincidentally
seven seen on the Teesta river near Kalijhora were also of the same
composition. Otherwise it was probably the commonest duck at
Gazoldoba with at least 2500 there.
10.
Falcated Duck
Anas falcata
An excellent sighting of this very rare winter
visitor to northern India was of a pair at
Gazoldoba. Mike had just picked out two female Garganeys there and
passed the scope for Bill to see them, only
for a fantastic drake Falcated Duck to be swimming
through the view as Bill looked through, immediately obscuring
any thoughts of looking at the Garganeys!
Very good views were had of both male and female.
11.
Eurasian Wigeon
Anas penelope
Approximately 40 seen at Gazoldoba.
12.
Mallard
Anas platyrynchos
Common amongst the ducks at Gazoldoba, an estimate of
about 400 being a noteworthy number in
India. One lone male was seen on Khecheopari Lake.
13.
Spot-billed Duck
Anas
poecilorhyncha
About 80 seen at Gazoldoba.
14.
Northern Shoveler
Anas clypeata
Common at Gazoldoba, although not the dominant duck
species there as is often the case further
west in north India. Approximately 300 were seen.
15.
Northern Pintail
Anas acuta
About 200 were at Gazoldoba.
16.
Garganey
Anas querquedula
Two females were quite a good sighting at Gazoldoba
since Garganeys generally winter much
further south in India, with relatively few mid-winter records from
northern parts.
17.
Common Teal
Anas crecca
Very common, at least 2000, at Gazoldoba.
18.
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufina
At least 50 were seen at close range at Gazoldoba.
19.
Common Pochard
Aythya ferina
About 150 at Gazoldoba.
20.
Ferruginous Pochard
Aythya nyroca
About 100 were seen at Gazoldoba, making this an
important wintering site for this species,
classified as ‘near-threatened’ by BirdLife International.
21.
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligula
The scarcest of the diving ducks at Gazoldoba, although
there were still about 80 seen.
22.
Common Merganser
Mergus
merganser
Nine birds were seen on Khecheopari Lake.
23.
Eurasian Wryneck
Jynx torquilla
One seen from the balcony of the Shivaji Tourist Inn in
Bindu flew across the river into Bhutan. It
was noted as being especially brown above and therefore was
probably of the
chinensis subspecies, which is known to be a winter visitor
to eastern India [4].
24.
Speckled Piculet
Picumnus
innominatus
One was seen well in a mixed species feeding flock at
Karmi Farm.
25.
Grey-capped Pygmy
Woodpecker
Dendrocopos canicapillus
Two or three seen on both days at Gorumara. The
subspecies would have been
semicoronatus
although no specific note was made of the more extensive red at the
sides of the crown.
26.
Lesser Yellownape
Picus
chlorolophus
Two seen at Suntalekhola, one at Khecheopari Lake and
one at Rumtek. The latter at least showed a
slight orangey tinge to the yellow nape typical of the nominate
subspecies, although Ali & Ripley [4] do state that there is a
cline between this and the more westerly
simlae.
27.
Greater Yellownape
Picus
flavinucha
Singles seen at Suntalekhola, Kalijhora and
Sangachoeling.
28.
Grey-headed Woodpecker
Picus canus
Singles seen, or more commonly heard, at Sangachoeling,
Rabdentse, Khecheopari Lake, Rashet and
Lava.
29.
Black-rumped Flameback
Dinopium
benghalense
The only sighting was of one at Gorumara.
30.
Greater Flameback
Chrysocolaptes
lucidus
A calling bird was heard near the Samsing Forest Rest
House, one seen on shade trees in a tea
plantation between Gorumara and Gazoldoba and three seen on the
Mahakal Trail at Gorumara.
31.
Bay Woodpecker
Blythipicus pyrrhotis
Two noisy birds were seen briefly in the forest above
Khecheopari Lake. The distinctive bill was
not seen, although extensive red on the back of head of the male
confirms this species and not Rufous Woodpecker. The black
barring on brown plumage was quite similar
to a hepatic female cuckoo.
32.
Great Barbet
Megalaima virens
Commonly heard calling and seen on a number of
occasions. Recorded from all sites visited
in the hills in both North Bengal and Sikkim.
33.
Lineated Barbet
Megalaima lineate
Only seen at Gorumara, with at least eight there.
34.
Blue-throated Barbet
Megalaima
asiatica
Five were seen at Suntalekhola and singles were at
Rumtek and Gorumara. Also one en-route
sighting in North Bengal and one in Sikkim.
35.
Coppersmith Barbet
Megalaima
haemacephala
The only record was of seven seen by a single observer
at Gorumara.
36.
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Anthracoceros
albirostris
Two were seen in trees by the Teesta river at Kaljhora
and more seen at Gorumara included four from
the Khunia watch tower.
37.
Indian Roller
Coracias benghalensis
Small numbers seen en-route in the lowlands of North
Bengal on a few occasions.
38.
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
One was seen in Sikkim on a river en-route from
Rabangla to Gangtok. Not seen again until
singles daily at Gorumara with one also at Gazoldoba.
39.
Stork-billed Kingfisher
Halcyon
capensis
One seen, by a single observer, by the small
stream on the Mahakal Trail at Gorumara was
the only sighting.
40.
White-throated Kingfisher
Halcyon
smyrnensis
Aside from one at Khecheopari Lake, only recorded from
the Gorumara area including three at Khunia
and en-route from Gorumara to Bagdogra.
41.
Crested Kingfisher
Megaceryle
lugubris
Two were seen on the Jaldhaka river south of Bindu and
one was present at Bindu itself, both on the
Indian and Bhutan sides of the river. There are few records for the
state of West Bengal, although birds are presumably resident in
these underwatched areas. In Sikkim, three
were seen en-route between Gangtok and North
Bengal on 20/11.
42.
Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
One seen in flight at Gazoldoba was the only sighting.
43.
Green Bee-eater
Merops orientalis
Just one record of four seen en-route in the lowlands
on 10/11.
44.
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Merops
leschenaulti
Four near Samsing Forest Rest House were the only ones
seen.
45.
Large Hawk Cuckoo
Hierococcyx
sparverioides
Very good views of a late migrant at Todey on 9/11.
46.
Green-billed Malkoha
Phaenicophaeus
tristis
One near the Samsing Forest Rest House and one at
Gorumara.
47.
Greater Coucal
Centropus sinensis
One seen at Kalijhora was the only sighting of the
trip.
48.
Lesser Coucal
Centropus bengalensis
Two were seen in the grasslands from the Khunia watch
tower at Gorumara and also heard calling
from there. One bird was seen perched for a few seconds,
although only the head and neck were visible. Otherwise brief
flight views were obtained on two occasions.
49.
Vernal Hanging Parrot
Loriculus
vernalis
Seen on both days at Gorumara and pleasingly gave good
perched views, typically hanging upside-down
from a tree trunk.
50.
Alexandrine Parakeet
Psittacula
eupatria
Following three in flight at Samsing the only records
were from Gorumara, where it was relatively
common.
51.
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Psittacula
krameri
Surprisingly the only record from the entire
trip was of two at Gorumara.
52.
Slaty-headed Parakeet
Psittacula
himalayana
A flock of at least 40 parakeets was seen between
Pelling and Sangachoeling on 15/11. It was
difficult to get good views but flight views showed obvious yellow in
the tail, particularly from below, and at
least one bird had a red upper mandible. At least
some were therefore Slaty-headed, and it seems likely that most
were.
53.
Blossom-headed Parakeet
Psittacula
roseata
One bird from the flock between Pelling and
Sangachoeling that was seen particularly
well had a pale grey head and yellow bill, plus a small
maroon-coloured shoulder patch. This
combination of features mostly closely fits female Blossomheaded,
although some of the literature referred to since states that
the lower mandible is supposed to be
greyish.
54.
Red-breasted Parakeet
Psittacula
alexandri
15 were seen at Samsing and up to 30 at
Gorumara.
55.
Himalayan Swiftlet
Collocalia
brevirostris
Up to five seen on both days at Gorumara.
56.
Asian Palm Swift
Cypsiurus
batasiensis
A flock of about ten over palms en-route to Gorumara,
plus five at Gorumara Jungle Camp.
57.
Asian Barred Owlet
Glaucidium
cuculoides
Due to its relatively diurnal nature birds were seen on
several occasions, including Suntalekhola,
Pemayangtse (two there), Khecheopari Lake, Fambong Lho, Lava
and Gorumara.
58.
Jungle Owlet
Glaucidium radiatum
Single birds heard at both Kalijhora and Gorumara.
59.
Spotted Owlet
Athene brama
One heard calling at Gorumara Jungle Camp.
60.
Grey Nightjar
Caprimulgus indicus
One bird was seen well in flight after dusk at
Suntalekhola on 6/11. There was only one
other nightjar recorded on the entire trip: one in flight over fields
near Gorumara was most likely to have been a
Savanna Nightjar.
61.
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
Common in all but the most forested areas.
62.
Ashy Wood Pigeon
Columba
pulchricollis
Three were seen in flight
at Maenam, followed by sightings at Lava and Neora
Valley.
63.
Oriental Turtle Dove
Streptopelia
orientalis
Considerably less common
than last year (when it was recorded nearly every day):
two at Karmi Farm were the only sighting during the first week.
Seen more frequently in Sikkim although only
one sighting, six at Rumtek, was of more than
one bird. More common at Gorumara with up to 40 there. The grey
sides and tip to the tail eliminate the
subspecies meena
and the obvious pinkish colour of the head,
neck and underparts suggest the more easterly
agricola.
64.
Spotted Dove
Streptopelia chinensis
Small numbers seen en-route in both North Bengal and
Sikkim but not common. One recorded from
Suntalekhola and up to three from Gorumara.
65.
Red Collared Dove
Streptopelia
tranquebarica
Quite common at Gorumara with up to 15 there, the only
other record being from Siliguri.
66.
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia
decaocto
Surprisingly only one was seen on the entire trip, and
that just outside Bagdogra.
67.
Barred Cuckoo Dove
Macropygia
unchall
Two were seen in flight at dusk at Mount Narsing. As
last year, when we recorded just one
probable, this species is presumably difficult to find at this time of
year: it is frequently reported in the
spring.
68.
Emerald Dove
Chalcophaps indica
One was seen by a single observer at Gorumara.
69.
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Treron
phoenicoptera
Only recorded from Gorumara where about 50 birds were
seen from the Rhino Observation Point as
they came to salt in the morning along with other pigeons and
doves. The northern subspecies
phoenicoptera is
quite distinctive with obvious separation
between the grey belly and the mustard-yellow breast.
70.
Pin-tailed Green Pigeon
Treron apicauda
One, lacking the “pin-tail”, was seen with other
pigeons at Gorumara.
71.
Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon
Treron
sphenura
About six at Sangachoeling, two at Maenam, four at Lava
and a flock of 20 seen in flight at
Gorumara.
72.
Green Imperial Pigeon
Ducula aenea
Very good views of 18 with other pigeons and doves at
Rhino Observation Point, Gorumara. Also seen
from the Khunia watch tower and on the Mahakal Trail.
73.
White-breasted Waterhen
Amaurornis
phoenicurus
One heard calling from the Khunia watch tower at
Gorumara was the only record.
74.
Common Coot
Fulica atra
Only recorded from Gazoldoba where at least 150 were
seen.
75.
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax
rusticola
An excellent record was of one feeding by the roadside
towards dusk along the Lava to Algarah road
on 20/11. It flew up and landed in the leaf litter, although was
only seen again in flight when we flushed it from there whilst
attempting to refind it.
76.
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinago
Two were seen in flight at Gazoldoba.
77.
Common Redshank
Tringa totanus
Seven were seen at Gazoldoba.
78.
Common Greenshank
Tringa
nebularia
One was seen on the river at Gorumara and a large flock
of at least 150 was at Gazoldoba.
79.
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropus
One seen at Gorumara was the only sighting.
80.
Common Sandpiper
Actitis
hypoleucos
Two were seen at Gazoldoba.
81.
Temminck’s Stint
Calidris
temminckii
A flock of about 20 were present at Gazoldoba.
82.
Greater Painted Snipe
Rostratula
benghalensis
Brief flight views were had of one seen from the Khunia
watch tower at Gorumara on 22/11.
83.
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius
dubius
Two were seen along the river at Gorumara and three at
Gazoldoba.
84.
Lesser Sand Plover
Charadrius
mongolus
A non-breeding plumaged bird was present with Little
Ringed Plovers at Gazoldoba.
85.
River Lapwing
Vanellus duvaucelii
A flock of seven were seen along the river at Gorumara.
86.
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus
vanellus
An unusual bird in West Bengal, so a total of 200 at
Gazoldoba was a remarkable record. 90 were
present on a sand bar there and two flocks totalling 110 flew over.
87.
Red-wattled Lapwing
Vanellus
indicus
Surprisingly scarce with just two birds seen from the
Khunia watch tower at Gorumara and none at
all en-route in the lowlands.
88.
Black-headed Gull
Larus
ridibundus
One was present with ducks and waders on a sand bar at
Gazoldoba.
89.
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Excellent views of one in flight at Gazoldoba.
90.
Oriental Honey-buzzard
Pernis
ptilorhynchus
One was seen and photographed from Sangachoeling on
16/11 and five singles flew over Rumtek on
20/11. These were all seen apparently migrating and looked
larger and longer-winged than the sedentary Indian birds,
typical of the migratory Siberian subspecies
orientalis.
91.
Black Kite
Milvus migrans
Just small numbers recorded en-route in the lowlands.
92.
Lesser Fish Eagle
Ichthyophaga
humilis
One immature was seen soaring over the edge of the
forest and grassland at Gorumara on 23/11.
Difficult to distinguish from Grey-headed Fish Eagle at this age,
but the uniform dark brown tail suggests that it was a Lesser.
93.
White-rumped Vulture
Gyps
bengalensis
Birds seen en-route in the North Bengal lowlands
on three occasions, including six on 22/11
and an impressive soaring flock of 24 at Bagdogra on 24/11.
94.
Slender-billed Vulture
Gyps
tenuirostris
Five birds were seen soaring with White-rumped Vultures
at Bagdogra on 24/11.
95.
Himalayan Griffon
Gyps
himalyensis
One adult was seen not far from Kalijhora, two birds at
Rumtek and one at Gorumara.
96.
Crested Serpent Eagle
Spilornis
cheela
Singles were seen en-route in North Bengal on two
occasions, two calling birds in flight at
Lava and daily sightings at Gorumara. Also two birds were seen
together en-route in Sikkim.
97.
Eurasian Marsh Harrier
Circus
aeruginosus
A female or immature was seen at Gazoldoba.
98.
Eastern Marsh Harrier
Circus
(aeruginosus) spilonotus
One bird was seen very well at Gazoldoba on 23/11. A
female or immature bird, it clearly showed
off-white patches on the primaries below much like a
buteo, plus
whitish upper-tail coverts. Size and structure appeared
identical to Eurasian Marsh Harrier and its
behaviour was exactly the same, quartering over the reeds with
wings held in a V and alighting on several occasions.
99.
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneus
A superb adult male flew directly through at Gazoldoba
on 23/11, making this an excellent site for
a variety of harriers!
100.
Shikra
Accipiter badius
The only record was of one en-route in North Bengal
that was seen to catch a passerine, probably
a myna.
101.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus
Singles at Suntalekhola, Karmi Farm, Rabdentse,
Khecheopari Lake, Rumtek, Rashet and Lava,
plus two at Maenam. One of the Maenam birds was
photographed at close range and may have been a female of the
wintering subspecies
nisosimilis rather
than the Himalayan
melaschistos (which was also
recorded).
102.
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter
gentilis One in flight over
Karmi Farm typically had a steady flapping flight without the flap-and-glide
of a Eurasian Sparrowhawk.
103.
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
One was seen very well en-route to Kalijhora.
Thereafter a presumably migrating individual
overflew Rumtek on 20/11 and one was seen in the Gorumara
grasslands.
104.
Black Eagle
Ictinaetus malayensis
One seen briefly at Karmi Farm with a Eurasian
Sparrowhawk and good views of one seen
en-route between Khecheopari Lake and Mount Narsing.
105.
Greater Spotted Eagle
Aquila pomarina
Two individual migrating birds were seen within ten
minutes of each other over Kalijhora on
14/11.
106.
Steppe Eagle
Aquila nipalensis
Migrating birds were seen on a few occasions with eight
at Karmi Farm, one at Kalijhora, 12 in the
late afternoon at Rabdentse and six nearby at Sangachoeling
the following morning, and one also at Fambong Lho. There is
probably a considerable passage through this
region although the dates would suggest that the
peak is probably a few weeks earlier. Birds were flying between
west and south. Whether these birds continue
west to winter in northeast Africa with the bulk of the
Steppe Eagle population, or are part of the smaller population
that winters in India, is unknown.
107.
Mountain Hawk Eagle
Spizaetus
nipalensis
Singles of the nominate Himalayan subspecies
were seen at Sangachoeling, Pemayangtse,
Rumtek and Neora Valley, and en-route sightings in Sikkim included
four between Khecheopari Lake and Mount Narsing.
108.
Common Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Single birds were seen at Bindu (including in Bhutan),
Kalijhora, Maenam and enroute in both North
Bengal and Sikkim on two occasions each.
109.
Peregrine
Falco peregrinus
Two birds were seen at Gorumara from the Rhino
Observation Point on 23/11 and two were also
seen at Gazoldoba later the same day. One of the Gorumara birds
was constantly mobbed by Ashy Woodswallows.
110.
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis
Two were seen at Gazoldoba.
111.
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps
cristatus
Eight were seen at Gazoldoba on 23/11.
112.
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps
nigricollis
Three were seen at Gazoldoba on 23/11. Few records from
West Bengal, but undoubtedly overlooked as
in much of the rest of north India.
113.
Little Cormorant
Phalacrocorax
niger
Only seen in the lowlands with a couple of records
en-route plus birds seen at Gorumara and
Gazoldoba.
114.
Indian Cormorant
Phalacrocorax
niger
At least one was seen at Gazoldoba, but probably
overlooked here.
115.
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo
Four seen on the river at Kalijhora, small numbers
en-route on the rivers in Sikkim, plus a few
at Gazoldoba.
116.
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
Only recorded en-route once and with a single on the
river at Gorumara.
117.
Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
One was seen at Gazoldoba.
118.
Great Egret
Casmerodius albus
A single at Gazoldoba and one at Gorumara.
119.
Intermediate Egret
Egretta
intermedia
Up to three at Gorumara were the only ones seen.
120.
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Recorded on a few occasions in the lowlands of North
Bengal, but not seen in Sikkim.
121.
Indian Pond Heron
Ardeola grayii
Recorded at Gorumara but only one other en-route
sighting in North Bengal.
122.
Black Ibis
Pseudibis papillosa
Two were seen at Gorumara, probably the easternmost
point of their range.
123.
Asian Openbill
Anastomus oscitans
About eight were seen at Gazoldoba.
124.
Black Stork
Ciconia nigra
A single was seen on the river at Kalijhora and two
were at Gorumara National Park.
125.
Asian Fairy Bluebird
Irena puella
A pair seen in the early morning of 24/11 on the
Mahakal Trail was Mike’s
450th
species in the last 29 days in
India!
126.
Long-tailed Broadbill
Psarisomus
dalhousiae
Good views of six during a brief stop at Chapramari on
10/11 and at least three on the Mahakal
Trail on 24/11.
127.
Golden-fronted Leafbird
Chloropsis
aurifrons
One was seen at Khecheopari Lake and three at Gorumara
and the Mahakal Trail.
128.
Orange-bellied Leafbird
Chloropsis
hardwickei
A pair were seen at Suntalekhola, two also at
Sangachoeling and one at Rashet in the lower
Neora Valley.
129.
Brown Shrike
Lanius cristatus
A few sightings en-route in the lowlands, including
four on 22/11.
130.
Long-tailed Shrike
Lanius schach
Recorded three times en-route in North Bengal and twice
in Sikkim. Otherwise two were seen from the
Khunia watch tower and two at Gazoldoba. All birds were of the
black-headed subspecies
tricolor.
131.
Grey-backed Shrike
Lanius
excubitoroides
Singles at Bindu, Karmi Farm and Sangachoeling, two
from the Khunia watch tower and a number of
en-route sightings; the commonest shrike species encountered.
132.
Yellow-billed Blue Magpie
Urocissa
flavirostris
Two noisy birds at Tiger Hill, four at Fambong Lho and
one at Neora Valley. Not seen well enough to
note the subspecies, although presumably they would have
been the nominate, with pale yellow underparts and a greyer
mantle than the western
cucullata.
133.
Green Magpie
Cissa chinensis
Although not recorded last year ones or twos
were seen at several sites this year,
including Suntalekhola, Bindu, Todey, Karmi Farm, Rabdentse,
Khecheopari Lake, and ten were seen at the
botanical garden at Rumtek.
134.
Rufous Treepie
Dendrocitta vagabunda
A few sightings in the lowlands, including Gorumara,
but only one sighting, of two birds at
Suntalekhola, at any significant altitude.
135.
Grey Treepie
Dendrocitta formosae
Much the commoner treepie seen with records from most
hill sites visited in both North Bengal and
Sikkim.
136.
House Crow
Corvus splendens
Generally common especially in the lowlands, but with a
few also seen around habitation in the
hills.
137.
Large-billed Crow
Corvus
macrorhynchos
Small numbers regular at several sites. No notable
counts were made. All the birds seen
appeared to be “Jungle Crows”, i.e.
culminates or
levaillantii, with
none approaching the more raven-like
tibetosinensis.
138.
Ashy Woodswallow
Artamus fuscus
About six seen at Suntalekhola with a similar number at
Samsing and up to 15 at Gorumara, where they
did not tolerate the presence of a Peregrine there.
139.
Golden Oriole
Oriolus oriolus
One was seen and heard briefly on the Mahakal Trail.
140.
Black-hooded Oriole
Oriolus
xanthornus
Two near the Samsing Forest Rest House and up to four
at Gorumara and the Mahakal Trail were the
only ones recorded.
141.
Maroon Oriole
Oriolus traillii
Excellent views of two at Suntalekhola, singles seen at
Kalijhora, Pemayangtse, Khecheopari Lake,
Maenam and up to four at Gorumara and the Mahakal Trail.
142.
Large Cuckooshrike
Coracina macei
Two noisy birds were seen and heard (a call not unlike
that of Plum-headed Parakeet) at Gorumara.
Presumably they were of the Himalayan foothills
subspecies nipalensis.
143.
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Coracina
melaschistos
One was seen at Samsing Forest Rest House and up
to four were at Gorumara National Park and
the Mahakal Trail.
144.
Grey-chinned Minivet
Pericrocotus
solaris
One male was seen amongst other minivets at
Suntalekhola on 7/11, although it is quite
possible that others were overlooked there.
145.
Long-tailed Minivet
Pericrocotus
ethologus
Two were seen at Sangachoeling.
146.
Short-billed Minivet
Pericrocotus
brevirostris
A good sighting of about 100 came from Suntalekhola and
there were also six at Kalijhora.
147.
Scarlet Minivet
Pericrocotus flammeus
About 40 were seen at Suntalekhola with Short-billed
Minivets and small numbers were recorded at
Samsing, Chapramari, Karmi Farm and Kalijhora. At Gorumara
there was up to 60 seen, and a flock of 40 was seen en-route in
North Bengal. There was just one en-route
sighting of four in Sikkim.
148.
Bar-winged
Flycatcher-shrike
Hemipus picatus
Six at Suntalekhola, six at Bindu and eight at
Kalijhora showed a brown mantle and were
clearly of the capitalis
subspecies.
149.
Yellow-bellied Fantail
Rhipidura
hypoxantha
Three were seen at Sangachoeling, singles at
Khecheopari Lake, Maenam, Fambong Lho and
Rumtek, and three at Rashet.
150.
White-throated Fantail
Rhipidura
albicollis
Singles, of one the dark-breasted races, seen at
Suntalekhola, Karmi Farm, Kalijhora,
Pemayangtse, Rumtek and Gorumara.
151.
Black Drongo
Dicrurus macrocercus
Recorded en-route on a few occasions, in the lowlands
only, and in the Gorumara area.
152.
Ashy Drongo
Dicrurus leucophaeus
Small numbers seen at Suntalekhola, Samsing, Bindu,
Kalijhora and Gorumara in North Bengal, with
Sikkim records restricted to one at Fambong Lho and about six
at a stop en-route between Khecheopari Lake and Mount Narsing.
These were a distinctive paler grey than the
more western birds and were therefore probably of
the hopwoodi
subspecies.
153.
Bronzed Drongo
Dicrurus aeneus
Common at Suntalekhola where up to eight were seen.
Also seen at nearby Samsing and Bindu, with
ones or twos from Kalijhora, Lava and Gorumara. The only
Sikkim record was of two en-route between Khecheopari Lake and
Mount Narsing, seen together with Ashy
Drongos.
154.
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus
remifer
Two were seen on the Mahakal Trail.
155.
Spangled Drongo
Dicrurus hottentottus
Up to three were seen at Suntalekhola, Samsing, Bindu,
Chapramari and Kalijhora, with daily
sightings from the Gorumara area including six near the Khunia watch
tower. One seen briefly with the Ashy and Bronzed Drongos
between Khecheopari Lake and Mount Narsing
was the only one recorded from Sikkim
156.
Greater Racket-tailed
Drongo
Dicrurus paradiseus
One was seen well at Suntalekhola and there were brief
sightings of two at Gorumara on two
occasions.
157.
Black-naped Monarch
Hypothymis
azurea
Three were seen at Suntalekhola and there was one at
Chapramari.
158.
Common Iora
Aegithina tiphia
The only records were of four at Kalijhora and one at
Gorumara.
159.
Large Woodshrike
Tephrodornis
gularis
Good views of a feeding flock of 15
pelvica birds on
the Mahakal Trail.
160.
Brown Dipper
Cinclus pallasii
Seen on the river Jaldhaka at Bindu, both in India and
in Bhutan, and also seen briefly at
Kalijhora.
161.
Chestnut-bellied Rock
Thrush
Monticola rufiventris
A pair were seen at Karmi Farm with another pair at
Sangachoeling, then singles at Khecheopari
Lake and twice en-route stops in Sikkim.
162.
Blue Rock Thrush
Monticola
solitarius
Two were seen from the balcony of Shivaji Tourist Inn
at Bindu and singles were seen at Kalijhora,
twice en-route in Sikkim, at Gazoldoba and at Gorumara.
163.
Blue Whistling Thrush
Myophonus
caeruleus
Common with records from nearly every site visited. An
interesting lowland sighting was of one in a
tea plantation between Gorumara and Gazoldoba.
164.
Plain-backed Thrush
Zoothera
mollissima
One was seen by a single observer at Rashet in the
lower Neora Valley.
165.
White-collared Blackbird
Turdus
albocinctus
Brief sightings of one at Tiger Hill and one at Rashet.
166.
Gould’s Shortwing
Brachypteryx
stellata
The undoubted highlight of
the trip for Mike and Sujan was one seen well at Tiger
Hill. First seen by Mike it gave excellent views for about 30
seconds, plus a few seconds for a breathless
Sujan who arrived just in time after hearing Mike’s frantic
shouts! This species is mentioned for Tiger Hill by Kazmierczak
and Singh [7] although there are very few
records.
167.
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Muscicapa
sibirica
Two were seen at Suntalekhola, two at Bindu and one at
Todey, although there were no sightings
after these.
168.
Slaty-backed Flycatcher
Ficedula
hodgsonii
A pair were seen at Khecheopari Lake and one at
Maenam.
169.
Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher
Ficedula
strophiata
Several sightings included three at Karmi Farm and at
Fambong Lho, plus ones or twos at Tiger
Hill, Pemayangtse, Sangachoeling, Khecheopari Lake, Rumtek,
Rashet and Lava.
170.
Red-throated Flycatcher
Ficedula
(parva) albicilla
[Taiga Flycatcher]
Ones or twos were seen at Suntalekhola, Samsing, Bindu,
Kalijhora, Khecheopari Lake and Rashet, with
three at Gorumara. About one bird in four were seen well
enough to assign to subspecies and all of these were, as
expected based on range,
albicilla.
171.
Ultramarine Flycatcher
Ficedula
superciliaris
Singles were seen at Sangachoeling and Pemayangtse.
172.
Slaty-blue Flycatcher
Ficedula
tricolour
Two seen at Bindu, one in India and one in Bhutan, were
the only definite sightings.
173.
Sapphire Flycatcher
Ficedula
sapphire
A single observer sighting of one at Rumtek was the
only record.
174.
Verditer Flycatcher
Eumyias
thalassina
One bird was seen at Karmi Farm and two were at the
botanical gardens in Rumtek, plus there was
one en-route sighting in North Bengal.
175.
Large Niltava
Niltava grandis
A pair was seen briefly not far from Bindu and singles
were seen in Sikkim at Sangachoeling and
Maenam.
176.
Small Niltava
Niltava macgregoriae
One was at Suntalekhola, two at Bindu and one at Rumtek.
177.
Rufous-bellied Niltava
Niltava sundara
Singles at Suntalekhola and Todey, followed by two at
Kalijhora, one at Rumtek and an en-route
sighting in Sikkim.
178.
Grey-headed Canary
Flycatcher
Culicicapa ceylonensis
Seen at all sites visited in North Bengal except Tiger
Hill, the Lava area and Gazoldoba, the
maximum being four at Kalijhora. Interestingly in Sikkim we only
recorded one bird, at Pemayangtse
179.
Orange-flanked Bush Robin
Tarsiger
cyanurus
One bird at Kalijhora was giving short bursts of song
and was presumed to be an immature male.
Otherwise one was seen at Sangachoeling with two in the Neora
Valley.
180.
Golden Bush Robin
Tarsiger
chrysaeus
A male was seen in the garden of Mount Pandim hotel,
Pemayangtse, on two occasions, and two were
seen at Fambong Lho.
181.
White-browed Bush Robin
Tarsiger
indicus
A female was seen briefly from the trail to Tiffindara
at Lava.
182.
Oriental Magpie Robin
Copsychus
saularis
Recorded from Bindu and Gorumara, with en-route
sightings in both North Bengal and Sikkim on
a couple of occasions.
183.
White-rumped Shama
Copsychus
malabaricus
Seen and heard singing at Kalijhora and on three
occasions in the Gorumara area.
184.
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochruros
One female seen at Suntalekhola was the only sighting.
185.
Hodgson’s Redstart
Phoenicurus
hodgsoni
Excellent views were had of four at Bindu, including
one in Bhutan. One was also seen at
Khecheopari Lake.
186.
Blue-fronted Redstart
Phoenicurus
frontalis
One was s
