Birds of Himalayas - Dhanolti

We started birding in the afternoon but soon was hit by dense fog.  The Eco park at Dhanolti looked like a nice place that would host a lot of birds.

We were not disappointed as we saw the Rock buntings and Mistle thrushes that evening.


From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti


The next day we too a trek up Surkunda Devi. At a height of 9500 feet it provided a stunning view of the entire west Himalayan range.On our steep trek of 1.5 km we saw some really diverse bird life including a fleeting glance of the Himalayan Monal.


From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti

The Blue fronted redstart (female), the Himalayan Woodpecker, Warblers ( Lemon rumped and Leaf), Tits, etc.



From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti





From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti



From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti



Once we reached the top it was a Raptor paradise. We saw the Mountain hawk eagle, one being chased by a common Kestrel, an arm's length view of the Eurasian Griffon and the Himalayan Griffon.


From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti



From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti



From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti



From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti


Next day we went to Magra and Swakholi. On our way we saw laughing thrush, Rock buntings and finches


From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti




From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti



From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti


At Magra we saw Brown fronted Woodpeckers, Black Bulbuls, Minivets, Nuthatches (Chestnut bellied) and Mistle Thrushes.


From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti





From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti



From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti



The last evening in a forest area near Dhanolti we saw Bar tailed tree creepers, Blue capped Redstarts, grey hooded warblers.


From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti




From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti



From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti


The final day quick birding nearby we could see the Khalij Pheasant, Common Kestrel and wood pigeons and red rumped swallows


From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti



From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti




From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti



A very nice trip finaly came to an end but the magnificient Himalayas will stay in my mind.


From 2011 Nov Pangot, Sattal, Dhanolti

2 comments:

Treks in Himalayas in India said...

The Himalayas, home of the snow, is the most impressive system of mountains on the earth, and for centuries the setting for epic feats of exploration and mountain climbing / treks.

Anonymous said...

Great pictures!
I've posted some pictures of birds on my blog and will post more. Maybe you'd like to take a look?
Dorinda (lakesideindia)