Benazir Ahmed Siddique

For many, the idea of bird-watching does not seem an important task, but for others, it is a strong positive habit. So they run from one end of the country to the other part to seeing the birds. You can ask that many birds can be seen by looking at the surrounding environment, then what is the need to go far to see the birds.

Yes, of course, apart from this, some unique birds live in some places at different times and all birds are not available everywhere all the time. Therefore, in search of these birds, a group of bird lovers roam around the country for the whole year.

For a country of 147,516 sq. km, there is a fantastic diversity of birdlife in Nepal. Its wetlands, national parks, sanctuaries, lakes, rivers, and mountains offer a first-class bird watching experience. Nepal is famous for its mountains and unique flora and fauna. It also boasts of highly-rated natural heritage sites in the world.

It provides shelter to more than 885 species of birds. About nearly 10% of the bird population of this planet exists in this small landlocked country. Of 885 species, there are 42 globally threatened birds in Nepal. About 165 species are nationally threatened.

For many years, the birds of Nepal were unknown and unexplored. Foreigners played significant roles in exploring birdwatching in this country. The history of ornithology in Nepal began in 1948 in the Kailali district by S. Dillon Ripley.

In 1793, Colonel William Kirkpatrick collected a few bird skins for observation, which inspired Nepali ornithologists for the research. Nowadays bird watching in Nepal is one of the good wildlife activities. Bird Life International with Bird Conservation Nepal has identified 27 important bird areas throughout the country that are considered as the country's diverse and rich birdlife. Let us explore some wonderful bird watching places in Nepal.

Kathmandu Valley
Phulchowki, Godavari, Nagarjun, Shivapuri, and Taudaha are the more familiar birdwatching spots in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Valley alone has over 500 species of birds. Rare birds to be seen include Yellow-Throated Minivet, Tibetan Siskin, Red-necked Falcon, Greater Adjutant Stork, Indian Courser Indian Skimmer, Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Hodgson’s Bushchat, Black-necked Stork, and others.

Due to the valley's weather, not only in winter that the valley sees foreign birds but also in summer Eurasian cuckoo, Asian koel, White-breasted water hen, common moorhen can be seen. Shivapuri Nagarjun was declared a national park in 2003 and is famous mainly for Rhododendron Oak and Pine.

The Wren-Babbler and Spiny Babbler (two endangered species endemic to Nepal) are found here. Nagarjun forest is popular for a wide range of birds like Blue Magpies, Kalij Pheasants, Bonelli's Eagles, Great Himalayan Barbets, etc.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Established in 1987, is situated in eastern Nepal. The area is mainly wetland, suitable for many species of birds. Around 485 species of birds are living. Kamaldaha pond, Nandan pond, Indian Camp Pond and Koshi River are the main places for bird watching in this area. Among the 485 bird species watercock, Indian nightjar, dusky eagle owl, black-headed cuckoo shrike, white-tailed stonechat, striated grassbird, large adjutant stork, Pallas's fish eagle, common golden-eye, gull-billed tern, Swamp francolin, rufous-vented grass babbler, Bengal floricans etc. are found.

Chitwan National Park
Chitwan (the first national park) was established in 1973 and is a popular area for birdwatching. It is home to more than 549 species of birds. Narayani River, Rapti River, Bish Hazari Lake, Greenery forests are the main birding destinations in Chitwan national park.
There are around 160 species of migrating birds such as the greater spotted eagle, eastern imperial eagle and Pallas's fish eagle. They arrive in the winter from afar. When the season changes, few species of migrating birds fly back to their home. Bengal Florican, Grey-crowned Prinia Slender-billed Babbler, brahminy ducks, Bengal pittas, paradise flycatcher are available in Chitwan National Park.

Taudaha Lake
Around 50 species of birds have been recorded. Of these 17 (like Black Kite, Black Drongo, Cattle Egret, Oriental Magpie Robin, Common Myna, Jungle Crow, Rose-ringed Parakeet, White-throated Kingfisher and Red-vented Bulbul) are residents, 2 (like Barn Swallow and Indian Cuckoo) are summer migrants and the rest are winter migrants like Great Cormorant, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall, Eurasian Coot, Northern Pintail and Common Teal.

Bardiya National Park
It was established in 1988. It is the largest national park of Nepal, it covers 968 km2 alone and a total protected area of 1,437 square km together with the neighbouring Banke National Park. Unlike Chitwan National Park, it is a less disturbed national park in Nepal. It is also a home of more than 540 species of birds including endangered species like Lesser Florican, Bengal florican, Silver-eared Mesia, Sarus Crane, white-rumped vulture, jungle prinia, golden-headed cisticola, etc.

Shuklaphanta National Park
Initially, it was a hunting spot of the Royal family of Nepal and was known as Royal Hunting Reserve. More than 450 species of birds are found in Shuklaphanta National Park. Several endangered species like the Lesser Adjutant, Bengal Florican, White-rumped Vulture, Sarus Crane and Finn’s Weaver are spotted in the park along with Swamp Francolin, Jerdon's Bushchat, Jerdon's Babbler, Yellow-eyed babbler, Dusky eagle owl, White-naped woodpecker, White-rumped vulture, Slender-billed vulture, White-capped water redstart, Rufous-gorgeted flycatcher and many more.

Phewa Lake
The magnificent Phewa lake is the ideal site for bird watching in Pokhara. You can move around the forests of Phewa lake and get great views of the birds. You can find Egrets, Pipits, Herons, Buntings, and others in winters. Besides that, the hoards of Gulls, Ducks, Terns, and Falcons also make the area their home in winters.

Begnas Lake
You can find vast ridged hills and forests around the lake. Many rare species of birds like Hoppie Grey-bellied Tesias, common pintail snipe, pheasant-tailed jacana, bulbuls, large-billed crows, bulbul, Chukar, vulture, etc and other diverse range of birds are spotted.

Time For Bird Watching In Nepal
March to May (Temperature:- Maximum 33 Degree, Minimum 8 Degree): Spring represents mildly warm temperature with a clear sky. Maximum bird watchers of Nepal like to roam around this period.
June to August (Temperature:- Maximum 34 Degree, Minimum 18 Degree): During this period the path and trails are hazardous and slippery with the birds also hiding towards shelter to stay safe from rain. Uncertain rainfall makes the trip more challenging. September to November (Temperature:- Maximum 30 Degree, Minimum 2 Degree): Autumn represents a very pleasant temperature with clear weather. Landscapes including mountain views on the Himalayas and farming lands on Tarai are spectacular. One of the excellent periods for bird watching in Nepal.

December to February (Temperature:- Maximum 19 Degree, Minimum -2 Degree):- Winter season offers cold weather and the sky with mist and fogs. During this season, migrated birds can be found. It is better to avoid this season for bird watching.

Birdwatching tourism is one of the new segments that have not been fully explored, and it is an opportunity to propagate birdwatching tourism worldwide. In recent years, Nepal's parks and reserves have dramatically attracted many visitors. Therefore, incoming days birdwatching tourism will be vivacious and ensured the contribution to the economy of Nepal.

(Author is a pharmacist, writer and social activist)