Web-address: http://www.oocities.org/adventure4research/ E-mail: <adventure4research@yahoo.com> Kathmandu, NEPAL

Especial Package Program

"NEPAL is a land of great altitudinal and scenic contrasts.  Jagged peaks, the highest in the world, delineate the northern border while placid streams meander through hot, tropical forests and lowland cultivations in the south.  Within this unique setting live nearly 800 species of birds.

Nepal can boast of exceptional beauty as well as unusual diversity in its flora and fauna.  This variety is due to altitude fluctuations and also to Nepal’s geographical Position in Asia.  In a bio-geo-graphical sense, Nepal is at the center of Asia.  This can be seen from a study of its birds, ..............., are Accentors from north Asia, Barbets of tropical, southeast Asia, numerous Timaliids, from east Asia as well as Nuthatches from Europe and west Asia and Storks from south Asia.

Nepal shares its fauna and flora with other areas.  In fact, as a meeting point of Asian animals and plants, it is so unusual that of all the birds here only the Spiny Babbler is thought to be endemic to the country.  This means that studies of particular species as well as conservation principles evolved for Nepalese fauna and flora will be of interest far beyond the borders of the country.

The work of conservation in Nepal has been strongly underlined by the recent formation of a National Parks system under the en-lightened leadership of His Majesty King Birendra and his Govern-ment.  National Parks along with Wildlife Preserves and Sanctuaries protect the vital habitat upon which birds as well as other species depend for their living.

Birds form an important part of Nepal’s natural beauty…….."

"Bird watching in Nepal can be a very re warding experience for colorful birds live here amid one of the most scenic regions on earth.  Bird watching is an activity which requires some energy but little equipment.  Binoculars, though are essential; we tend to choose lightweight varieties due to the Nepalese terrain.  Successful bird watching centers on the principle: “don’t frighten the quarry.” This means that one should proceed as quietly and inconspicuously as possible.  Numbers of 6ndemic Himalayan laughing-thrushes, babblers, yuhinas and pheasants are quite shy; your chances of seeing them increase if you move slowly.

Identifications of most adult birds in good light and at close range should not be difficult.  Once you have studied the book, you will be looking for important points including size, shape, behavior and plumage details.  You will note eve-rings, wingbars and special color combinations.  A positive identification may be impossible, though, if the bird does not cooperate.  Birds often slip away too soon; - one learns to be patient.  Identifications will come more easily and accurately with increased experience, especially if you are able to recognize bird calls.  Many visually secretive Himalayan species, interestingly enough, are often quite vocal; their presence can be detected instantly by a trained ear.

Getting to the birds is often a challenge in Nepal.  From Kathmandu one can drive comfortably to suitable forest areas in the Valley. ........ Nepal, though, is the land of the trekker.  The term “trek” as used in Nepal denotes an extended hike lasting several days.  Supplies usually are carried along with the party.  We find this an excellent way to see the country, its people and its flora and fauna.
Several treks offer fine introductions to Nepal and its bird life.  Among these, the Everest area presents spectacular mountains along with high altitude birds.  Dhaulagiri and Annapurna peaks are striking on the Kali Gandaki trail and one may see Tibetan species of birds around Jomosom which is north of the great Himalayan chain.  Main trails of Nepal, especially the Everest, Kali Gandaki, Helumbu and Langtang routes, now sustain heavy tourist pressure.  Fortunately there are innumerable other spectacular areas which receive little publicity and so are visited only rarely.

For one interested in seeing as many different birds as possible, we recommend going from low to high elevations.  A concentrated three-week visit in Nepal should produce a bird list of between 300 to 400 species.

If one is interested in discovering new data regarding Nepalese birds, there are several places where one could concentrate his efforts.  The “Rara-Ringmo finger” is a western belt of coniferous forest that points into the country as far east as Dhaulagiri.  Here the vegetation-pine, cedar, juniper, spruce, cypress, yew and fir-reminds one of Kashmir, or even parts of Europe or North America.  This entire area needs thorough investigation.

Other places of special interest include the Mai Valley in Ilam District and the southeastern Lowlands in Jhapa and Sunsari Dis-tricts.  The Tailed Wren Babbler and the Ellack-spotted Yellow Titmouse are known in Nepal only from the Mai Valley.  Likewise the rare Purple Cochoa occurs here.  The southeast Lowlands has abundant animal life.  Fairy Bluebirds, Blue-eared Barbets and Little Spiderhunters are specialities of the area.

While the bird life, mountains, wildflowers, butterflies and other colorful living.things, make Nepal beautiful, it is the people that g’. ive the country its distinctive character.  The open courteousness and the friendliness of the Nepalese has been publicized widely; it is no exaggeration. We have traveled comfortably throughout Nepal during the past 25 years and have found Nepal to be a truly remarkable country with a remarkable people."

(Source: "Birds of Nepal, with reference to Kashmir & Sikkim", Thrid Edition, By Fleming, L.R. Sr., Fleming, L.R. Jr., & Bangdel, L. S.)

Also, Nepal is a bird watcher’s paradise with over 800 species (almost 10% of the world total) of birds. And among them, almost 600 are found in the Kathmandu Valley alone. The surrounding hills offer a varied ecology ranging from primary and secondary forests to rhododendron, oak and pine forests. In addition, the wetlands and open fields inside the Valley make up a diverse habitat for many species of birds.

The most popular bird watching spot is the Phulchoki hill, the highest peak on the Valley rim situated 20 km southeast of Kathmandu, with some 265 species recorded till date. The birds seen here include babblers, warblers, tits, thrushes, minivets, woodpeckers, eagles and many migrant birds. Godavari, at the foot of Phulchoki hill where the Royal Botanical Garden is situated, records over 100 species of birds including the lesser Racket-tailed drongo, Tibetan siskin and the spotted forktail.

The Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve (Ph: 977-1-371644), situated 11 km to the north of Kathmandu, is another exciting location. Entrance fee is Rs. 250 for foreign visitors. Nagarjun Royal Forest, also known as Jamacho or Rani Ban, is situated 5 km from Kathmandu on the way to Kakani from Balaju. It delights bird enthusiasts with Blue magpies, kalij pheasants, Bonelli’s eagles, Great Himalayan barbets and other exotic birds. Entrance fee is Rs. 5. Gokarna forest, 7 km to the northeast of Kathmandu, boasts the speckled Mountain thrush, orange-headed ground-thrush, brown wood owl and the white-bellied yuhina among other colorful varieties.

As for the wetlands in the Valley, the banks of the Manohara river on the way to Bhaktapur, and the Bagmati river, which flows into the Valley from Shivapuri hill and out through Chobhar Gorge, are good places for watching waders and waterfowls. Harboring 40 species of birds mostly dependent on wetlands, Taudaha, a lake on the way to Dakshinkali, attracts flocks of migrant birds.