BIRD WATCHING AREAS AND SEASONS
Bhutan has a rich birdlife owing mainly to its undisturbed habitat. Since the first ornithological exploration in 19th Century by Captian R.B Pebberton, the bird count has been increasing ever seen. 770 species of them are probable in Bhutan. At least sixteen are considered as threatened.
The areas listed below are readily accessible, but remember that any good-quality forest with mature trees and well-developed understorey-especially subtropical forest, warm and cool broadleaved forests, oak, fir and hemlock forests-is likely to be a good area for birdwatching.
Forests along Road from Sengor to Lingmethang, Sengor (3050m) to Namling (2360m)
Habitat: Hemlock forest, cool broadleaved forest.
Best time to visit: April/May.
Birds: Satyr Tragopan, Bar-winged Wren Babbler, fire-tailed Myzornis (rare).
Namling (2360 m) to Yongkhala (1700 m)
Habitat: Cool broadleaved/warm broadleaved forest.
Best time to visit: November-early May.
Birds: Chestnut-breasted Partridge (rare), Yellow-rumped Honeyguide (rare), Rufous-necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon (rare), Collared Treepie (rare), Lesser Shortwing, White-gorgeted Flycatcher (rare), Rufous-breast Bush Robin, Blue-fronted Robin, Purple Cochoa, Broad-billed Warbler,Grey-sided laughingthrush, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler (rare), Cutia, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, White-naped Yuhina, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill.
Yongkhala (1700 m) to Lingmethang (650 m)
Habitat: Warm broaleaved Forest
Best time to visit: November-early May.
Birds: Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle (rare), Collared Treepie (rare), Yellow-vented Warbler.
Forests along Road from Narphung la to Samdrup Jongkar, Narphung la (1700 m) to Deothang (850 m)
Habitat: Warm broadleaved and subtropical forest.
Best time to visit: November-early May.
Birds: Rufous-necked Hornbill,White-gorgeted Flycatcher (rare),Beautiful Nuthatch,Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Yellowed-throated Fulveta, White-naped Yuhina, Gold-naped Finch.
Deothang (850 m) to Samdrup Jongkhar (250 m)
Habitat: Subtropical forest.
Best time to visit: November-early May.
Birds: Pale-headed Woodpecker (rare), Blue-eared Barbet, Wreathed Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon (rare), Blyth’s Kingfisher (rare), Violet Cuckoo (rare), Dark-rumped Swift (rare), Rufous-bellied Eagle (rare), Pied Falconet (rare), Silver-breasted Broadbill (rare), Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Yellow-vented Warbler,White naped Yuhina,Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill.
Forests along Road from Rimchu to Tashithang, Mo chu Valley North of Punakha (1700 m) Jigme Dorji National Park
Habitat: Warm broadleaved forest.
Best time to visit: November to early May.
Birds: White-bellied Heron (rare),White-gorgeted Flycatcher (rare),Yellow-vented Warbler.
Mo chu valley 5-6 km North of Wangdue Phodrang (c.1300 m)
Habitat: River
Best time to visit: November¬-early April.
Birds: Variety of ducks and other waterbirds.
Tashithang (1700 m) to Laya (3850 m) Jigme Dorji National Park
Habitat: Cool broadleaved forest.
Best time: April-early May.
Birds:
Tashithang (1700 m) to Damji (2430 m)
Habitat: Warm broadleaved forest.
Birds: Ward’s Trogon,Lesser Shortwing.
Damji (2430 m) to Gasa (2770 m)
Habitat: Cool broadleaved forest.
Birds: Black-tailed Crake (Gasa), Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Golden-breasted Fulveta, Brown Parrotbill.
Gasa (2770 m) to Koina (3200 m) to Laya (3850 m)
Habitat: Cool broadleaved, mixed broadleaved/coniferous, fir, spruce and juniper forest.
Birds: Satyr Tragopan, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Purple Cochoa, Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler,Fire-tailed Myzornis, Fulvous Parrotbill, Gold-naped Finch.
Trek from Drukgyel Dzong (2580 m) to Janggothang (4090 m) (Jigme Dorji National Park)
Best time: May-June
Recommended time for trek: 8 days (returning same way and including 6 days trekking).
Birds: Good for alpine-zone species around and above Jangothang, Tibetan Snowcock, Tibetan Partridge, Ibisbill, Himalayan Griffon, Golden Eagle, White-throated Dipper, Grandala, White-bellied Redstart.
Forests above Dodena (2575 m) below Cheri Monastery on Trail towards Shodu, Thimphu Valley (Jigme Dorji National Park)
Habitat: Oak forest.
Best time to visit: April-May.
Birds: Spotted Laughingthrush, Fire-capped Tit, Golden-breasted Fulveta, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, Maroon-backed Accentor (winter).
Phobjikha Valley (3050 m)
Habitat: Marsh Land.
Birds: Japanese quail (in crops May-July), Black-necked Crane (marshes,Late October-mid-April).
Forests on East Side of Dochu La (3115 m) along the Pack-horse Trail
Habitat: Fir, rhododendron, oak and bamboo forest.
Best time to visit: April/May.
Birds: Satyr Tragopan, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Gold-naped Finch.
Forests by Road over Pele la (3390 m)
Habitat: Fir, rhododendron and bamboo forest.
Best time to visit: April/May.
Birds: Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Brown Parrotbill, Great Parrotbill,Maroon-backed Accentor (winter).
Forests by Road over Yutong La (3520 m)
Habitat: Fir, rhododendron and bamboo forest.
Best time to visit: April/May.
Birds: Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Great Parrotbill, Maroon-backed Acentor (winter).
Bumthang Valley (2600 m)
Habitat:Fields,river.
Best time to visit: March-May, October-early November.
Birds: Ibisbill. Spring and autumn migrants e.g.pipits.
Torsa River at Phuntsholing (150 m)
Habitat: River and Shingle banks and islands.
Best time to visit: November – April.
Birds: Good for passage migrants and wintering waders, wagtails, pipits; also egrets, Small Pratincole.