Himalayan Birding– with Jungle Trail
Himalayan Birds in the Indian Subcontinent Region largely covers the whole of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Leh Ladakh Areas
This Article will cover the most comfortably accessible birding hotspots also called as the birder’s paradise – Sattal and its vicinity
Sattal and its adjoining areas of Shyamkhet, Chanfi, Pangot, Ranikhet stretching upto Munsiyari is in very birders wish list. Each destination offers its own unique charm and opportunities to spot a unique variety of bird species. These birding areas has recorded around 400+ species of birds – resident and migratory.
Sattal, which literally translates to Seven Lakes. In Hindi Language, Saat (Seven) Taal (Lake). A cluster of 7 interconnected lakes nestled in the Kumaon region with in the Himalayan foothills. This serene highland offers a unique blend of accessibility and avian diversity, making it an ideal spot for both amateur and experience birders.
The forest areas surrounding Sattal are a symphony of the bird calls, the Chirps of the tits, the shrieks of the Black Francolin, the melody of the thrushes and flycatchers, the drumming of the woodpeckers, the shrill whistling of Green & Blue Magpie, the chattering of the Jays, creating a captivating soundscape.
Sattal Bird Hides: It’s always been a subject of debate on which hide is the best one at Sattal as there are few prominent ones around. Jungle trails says, as the hide is largely meant for bird photographers and keen birders to observe the behaviour of the birds, hence apart from the hide attracting all or most of the birds in the vicinity, its important to note the natural light falling on the hide especially during the early morning and at dusk.
Do we have one such hide? Yes, it is the “Jungle Trails Prabhu’s Bird hide” a perfect forest location setup by our partner Mr Prabhu Hazara the best guide and birder of Sattal and also owner of a premium homestay.
Some of the prominent birds at Sattal are Green Magpie, Fire Breasted Flowerpecker, Rufous Bellied Niltava, Small Niltava, Black Francolin, Rufous Throated Partridge, Himalayan Blue Tail, Black Lore Tit, Grey Winged Black bird, Khalij Pheasant, Greater and Lesser Yellownape, Black headed Jay, Rufous chinned Laughingthush, Straited Laughingthrush, Great Barbet
Jungle trail takes you to the nearby areas for targeted birding to:
Shyamkhet for Maroon Oriole, Wedge Tailed Green Pigeon, Yellow Breasted Green Finch, European Goldfinch, Himalayan Woodpecker
Chanfi (The river area) for Himalayan & Siberian Rubythroat, Yellow Bellied Fantail, Brown Dipper, Bar Tailed treecreeper, Crested Kingfisher, Spotted Forktail, Little Forktail, Asian Barred Owlet, Wallcreeper
Ranikhet for Cheer Pheasant, Upland Pipit, Himalayan Vulture, Steppe Eagle, Himalayan Woodpecker, Wedge Tailed Green Pegion, Brown Wood Owl, Common Rosefinch, Golden Eagle, Himalayan Prinia, Chukar
Pangot for Koklass Pheasant, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Scaly bellied Woodpecker, Rock Bunting, Spot Winged Grosbeak, Golden Bush Robin, Alpine & Himalayan Accentor, Mistle Thrush, Rufous Bellied Woodpecker, Speckled Piculet, White tailed Nutthach, Green-tailed Sunbird, Black Francolin.
Munsiyari an emerging birding hotspot– Its name refers to a ‘place with snow’. Situated on the banks of Goriganga River, in Pitoragrah district of Uttarakhand. it is a fast-growing tourist destination, and mountaineers, glacier enthusiasts, high altitude trekkers and nature lovers commonly use it as their hub or base camp.
Birders typically explore the Gori River, farms, meadows and of course the snow beds of the hilly regions. The Gori River basin harbours many rare, endemic, globally threatened, and endangered bird species.
Targeted birds at Munsiyari are Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Cheer Pheasant, Koklass Pheasant, Chukar Partridge, Hill Partridge, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Bearded Vulture, Golden Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, Streak-throated & Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-gorgeted flycatcher, Ultramarine Flycatcher, White-throated Tit, White-browed Fulvetta, White-collared Blackbird, Variegated and Streaked Laughing Thrush, Oriental and Large-hawk Cuckoo, Winter Wren, Golden Bush Robin, Alpine Accentor, Altai Accentor, Black-throated Accentor, Rufous-breasted Accentor, European Goldfinch, Pink-browed Rosefinch, Spot-winged Rosefinch, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Beautiful Rosefinch, Collared Grosbeak, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Grandala, Himalayan Snowcock.
Jungle Trails suggests, minimum of 2 full days of birding at Munsiyari, which itself may not be enough to get your checklist all marked up.
Travelling to Munsiayri: We take a scenic road trip to Munsiyari from Sattal, with pit stops on the way for birding OR we run to Haldwani take a helicopter ride to Munsyari and come back the same way, the choice is all yours.
Explore Sattal with Jungle Trail:
We pick you up from Pant Nagar Airport or Delhi Airport or Kathgodam Railway station, OR you reach directly at our Premium home stay.
You will have relaxing session at our premium Homestay with Ghar ka Kahana and fellow birders. You stay with us and we offer you exclusive access to the best bird hide of Sattal “Jungle Trail Prabhu’s Hide” and inhouse hide at our home stay.
We get our best guides and driver engaged for you, so as not to miss any slightest chance for our targeted birds in the targeted areas.
JUNGLE TRAIL, offers you the most adventurous close encounters with the Himalayan birds. Our expert-guided tour offers a unique opportunity to discover a rich diversity of bird species and wildlife in their native habitats. Whether you’re a seasoned birder, nature enthusiast, or simply seeking solace from urban life, our carefully curated itinerary promises an unforgettable journey through some of the region’s premier birding hotspots.
What are you waiting for – Lets Go Birding!!
