An East Asian proverb "The journey is the reward" is nowhere truer than when you're birding in Bhutan. The forests surrounding the mountain roads are brimming with bird activity, and you're likely to spot birds if you stop at almost any place. Moreover, as I'm not very familiar with Himalayan birds, I'm almost certain to find lifers every time.
Sunday, 9th April, 2023
Bhutan
Paro & Tiger's Nest
Paro is the location of Bhutan's international airport, which brings visitors to the country. It's also the closest hub for visiting the Tiger's Nest, or Paro Taktsang, as it's known in the local language. The trek to this 17th-century monastery takes you through rhododendron forests at the base, providing an opportunity to photograph birds that are quite accustomed to human presence, thanks to this site's popularity with tourists
Yellow-billed blue, or gold-billed Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris)
These magpies were a constant presence at all the resorts we stayed in. This one was shot during our trek back from Tiger's nest.
Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)
On our way back from the Tiger's Nest, our guide spotted a whole family of these pheasants in the undergrowth. Was fortunate to get at least one picture.
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
Spotted this Kestrel on top of a pine tree during our trip from Paro to Punakha.
White-browed Fulvetta (Fulvetta vinipectus)
This fulvetta seemed to be collecting material for its nest and was so engrossed in that activity that it didn't mind all the shuffling I had to do to get a shot of this bird.
Grey-winged Blackbird (Turdus boulboul)
Spotted this on our journey back from Chelala pass near Paro.
Dochula and Lamperi
Dochula is a high altitude pass that we crossed on our way to Phobjikha. On our stop there we learned of a botanical garden called Lamperi that we happened to stop at. I ended up photographing quite a few birds in the couple of hours we spent there.
Rufous-breasted Accentor (Prunella strophiata)
This accentor was foraging for worms behind a cafe at Dochula, seemingly impervious to me and a few other birders who joined me in trying to photograph it.
Blue-fronted Redstart (Phoenicurus frontalis)
Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
This Eurasian Jay revealed itself when it was calling noisily to its mate from the foliage.
Black-throated Bushtit Bushtit (Aegithalos concinnus)
This Black-throated Bushtit was settling down to devour a juicy caterpillar. In this subspecies (manipurensis) there's a lot more rufous in the underparts.
White-tailed Nuthatch (Sitta himalayensis)
White-throated Laughingthrush (Pterorhinus albogularis)
Found this individual in a mixed flock that was scavenging behind a cafe where we had stopped for refreshments.
Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus speciosus)
Phobjikha
Most tourists visit Phojikha for a chance to see the Black-necked cranes in their winter habitat, but we were late for that sight. The birds had left for their summer grounds in Tibet. Still the wetlands here yielded a lot of new birds for me.
Grey-backed Shrike (Lanius tephronotus)
Himalayan Vulture (Gyps himalayensis)
This individual was part of a large flock of vultures that was circling the skies over Phobjikha grasslands, displaying their awe-inspiring wingspans. The numbers indicated that this was a very healthy ecosystem.
Wanted to include this picture just to show how much bigger Himalayan Vultures are compared to crows.
Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii)
Found this pair of Leafbirds in a thicket on a random stop on our journey from Phobjikha back to Paro. Here's the male...
...and the female.
Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)
Russet or Cinnamon Sparrow (Passer cinnamomeus)
Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch (Carpodacus thura)
Punakha
Punakha is home to one of Bhutan's most beautiful fortresses. But we got to stay by a river bank which was teeming with birds. Most of the collection here is from the balcony of our hotel. We also did a little hike to a nearby monastery in the early morning, which also turned out to be very productive birding-wise.
Grey-hooded Warbler (Phylloscopus xanthoschistos)
Crested Bunting (Emberiza lathami)
Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria)
Happened to spot this in flight while we were driving near Punakha. It took us at least 15 minutes before we could spot it again as it crept up a rock face next to the road. This was the best photo I could manage. The brighter wing coverts indicate that this individual is getting into its breeding plumage.
Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla)
Whiskered Yuhina (Yuhina flavicollis)
Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)
The late evening light glimmering on the river surface didn't make for the best conditions to photograph this pair, but here's the female...
...and the male.
Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)
Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus)
Blue Whistling Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus)
