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Broadbill - Birdwatcher's site |
Birding in Bhutan May 2011 |
As my organization has started a new cooperative project with Royal Society
for Protection of Nature (RSPN) in Bhutan, I obtained an opportunity to
visit Bhutan from May 2011. Bhutan is a still retired country and not easy
to visit due to the unique tourism system, which is standard rate for visitors
($250/day for each tourist). However, Bhutan is attractive enough for nature
lovers, especially flower and bird watchers. On the way to go up to Pele La, we picked up a few interesting species, including Blue-throated Barbet, Great Barbet, Long-tailed Minivet and Blue-capped Rock Thrush (photo above right). Particularly, Blue-capped Rock Thrush was impressive. The small rock thrush perches normally exposed branches. Brilliant blue and rufous is distinctive in the forest. Another impressive bird was Yellow-rumped Honeyguide. Its colour is not so distinctive enough to find in mossy and dark environment. So, I spent nearly ten minutes to focus it into my binoculars after my guide repeatedly found it.  Toward Pele La, weather changed to be rainy. Pele La is one of my birding destinations of this trip. Accordingly the guide, his guests and he saw Himalayan Monal and Satyr Tragopan during the last trip, just about a week ago. Pele La is about 3,300m. There is an old road which is not used much recently. When we arrived at Pele La, weather was cloudy. We drove into the old road but was obliged to park due to a fallen log on the road. We started walking on the road downward. After walking on the road for a few minutes, we saw a sandy grey bird with white throat flew down to the valley. My first pheasant in Bhutan was a female Himalayan Monal! Along the road, we were able to see Grey-sided Bush Warbler, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher and two species of yuhinas. After walking for a while, we decided walking back to our vehicle due to change of weather. Our decision brought us good luck. On the slope about 40m away from us, we found a crimson red big bird. My guide said "Look it, Satyr Tragopan! It was still here!". The tragopan is so hard to miss. Scarlet red underparts with white spots and blue face are so hard to describe. I concentrated on photographing until it disappeared into the bush. He said he saw it just several meter away from here last time. We arrived in a farm house in Phobjikha after driving another one hour from Pele La. |
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Continue to "Birding in Bhutan May 2011" 2 |
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Due to increase of traffic, main route between Thimphu - Dochu La - Wandue
Phodorang is no more attractive birding spot. However, the habitat is still
good for montane birds. We left Thimphu at 7:30 a.m. and arrived at Dochu
La before 8:30. Green-tailed Sunbird and Rufous-fronted Tit were first
birds in the trip. In the Royal Botanic Garden near Dochu La, we walked
around the park. Due to early in the morning, there were few people. Highlight
in the park was doubtlessly a male Scarlet Finch, which was sitting on
the branch, 5 meter from the ground, with three Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon.
According to my guide, the finch normally perches on top of a tree rather
than lower branch. The finch is bright scarlet red entirely and was beautiful
contrast with green in the forest.