Arunachal Pradesh and Assam,

north-east India

8th – 24th April 2011

Leaders: James Eaton and Frank Lambert

Participants: Stuart Anderson, Elena Babij, Nick Davies,

Michael Duffy, Wil van den Hoven, Adrian Pitches and Olaf Soltau

Ward’s Trogon, Eaglenest © James Eaton/Birdtour Asia

This region and ‘Eaglenest’ in particular have become a hot birding destination over the last few years but it is still difficult to convey in words the excitement of birding in this largely unexplored, ornithological wilderness. We recorded a total of 459 species including 18 heard only, surely the largest species count possible on any 17-day Asian birding tour. This actual number (including 15 laughingthrushes, 11 galliforms, 15 woodpeckers, 29 warblers, and 22 raptors actually seen) is less important of course then

the great views we had of nearly all of our target species which left the most lasting memories. We started in east Assam where a visit to the highly threatened grasslands at Dibru Saikhowa was rewarded by a raucous pair of Black-breasted Parrotbill, along with Jerdon’s and Marsh (for some) Babblers and Ganges River Dolphin. Digboi Oilfields is a rather odd setting for a birding visit but nevertheless turned up several rare Chestnut-backed Laughingthrushes, along with Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Asian Emerald Cuckoo and Collared Treepie before we headed south-west to the famous

Kaziranga National Park. Once we had had our fill of Rhino’s, Elephants, Swamp and Hog Deers the birds

came to the fore; the highly prized Slender-billed Babbler, Swamp Francolin, grotesque Greater Adjutants, Pale-chinned Flycatcher, Bengal Florican and, most surprisingly, two displaying Bristled Grassbirds. The hour-long views of a huge male Tiger took some beating though!

Moving into Arunachal Pradesh our first three nights based at Dirang, exploring a range of habitats,

produced plenty of highlights; a flock of confiding male Grandala, crepuscular Solitary Snipe, Blood Pheasant, Spotted Laughingthrush, Black-tailed Crake, confiding Bar-winged Wren Babbler and a vocal male Himalayan Monal.

The focal point of the tour – Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary situated in western Arunachal Pradesh – did not disappoint. By the end of our first morning views of the recently discovered Bugun Liocichla were secured and the remainder of the ‘big four’ showed themselves in equal glory; Beautiful Nuthatch, Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler and ‘bird-of-the-trip’ Ward’s Trogon, along with a supporting cast that included Rufous-

necked Hornbill, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Long-billed Wren Babbler, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Himalayan Cutia and a real bonus in the form of a glorious male Blyth’s Tragopan in the middle of the road for everyone to enjoy. Finally, an overnight stop at Nameri produced the finale, a relatively confiding White-winged Duck giving walk away views!

After meeting up in Delhi we departed for Dibrugarh in east Assam, where in total contrast to last year we

were greeted by blue skies, dry weather and information that it had been like this for some time. With a couple of spare hours in the afternoon we visited Dibru-Saikhowa. Near our vehicles both grey-backed and black-backed (Tibetan Wagtail) races of Citrine Wagtail were much in evidence, and of great satisfaction were the close-up views of a Pale Martin, flashing its frosty, scaled rump at us. A brief, foray

ashore after a short boat-ride secured our first views of Striated Babbler (we would see them several times again) but little else in the gathering gloom.

Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush and Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Digboi

Our first full day saw us in the unusual location of Digboi Oilfields, the oldest oilfield in the world and still in operation. Walking through the heavily-logged forest that has an open-museum feel about it, gave some excellent birding. A bit of birding during our breakfast outside the oilfieds introduced us to some common species of the region; Jungle and White-vented Myna, Chestnut-tailed Starling, Blue-throated Barbet and several Yellow-footed Green Pigeons gorging themselves on fruit. Once inside the oilfields it

didn’t take long to locate a Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush, a species ranging in a thin line from here to the Burmese border, occasionally perching on open branches before retreating to the tangled thickets to

duet with its partner. The second reason to visit here, Collared Treepie, was soon located – the first of several pairs throughout the day. We located a bare tree that colourful birds couldn’t resist; Thick-billed and Pin-tailed Green Pigeons, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Maroon and Black-hooded Orioles, Crimson Sunbird, Golden-fronted Leafbirds and a Speckled Piculet close-by. Cuckoos are conspicuous here; Asian Drongo, Asian Emerald, Banded Bay and Plaintive Cuckoo all perched out for us. Further occasional splashes of colour enlightened the day – Sultan Tits, Blue-throated

Flycatcher, Red Junglefowl and Greater Flameback. Other noteworthy species included several White-throated Bulbul along with 5 other bulbuls species including Ashy, a good sized group of Nepal Fulvetta moved through the roadside vegetation and towards the end of the day a large flock of Greater Necklaced Laughingthrushes. Migration was still underway with several Tickell’s, Yellow-browed and Greenish Warblers, Grey-backed Shrikes and Taiga Flycatchers still around. Overhead a mixed flock of Silver-backed and Brown-backed Needletails swooped through the air just

above us though a pair of Oriental Honey Buzzard were rather more distant. After having our fill inside the forest our next target favoured the scrubby periphery, and it took just a few minutes before a Rufous-necked Laughingthrush popped up behind us, eventually giving stunning views.

Before heading further west along the Brahmaputra we returned to Dibru-Saikhowa and boarded our boat

to chug along what was left of the evaporating River Dibru. Our quest for Sand Lark was made very easy as we had to walk for a kilometre across the sandbank to reach the elephant grass! As the sun started to heat up the surroundings vultures kept coming past at eye-level just in front of us, the vast majority being

late-returning Himalayan Griffons but also a pleasing number of Slender-billed and White-rumped Vultures. Once in the elephant grass it became apparent that most of our targets were breeding as it took some time before we managed to entice a grass-munching Black-breasted Parrotbill without his partner into view, while admiring him a beautiful male Pied Harrier circled over us to remind us there were other

birds still to see. Next up was Marsh Babbler, a renowned super-skulker – true to form they crept around us, circled us at knee-height, at times within a matter of feet though the best many of us could get were glimpses and occasionally flashes of their streaky breasts, the song is better than the bird anyway! Surprisingly Jerdon’s Babbler was silent so we jumped back into our boat to try a different area, walking back large numbers of Small Pratincole swirled around us and Sand Larks were in full voice. Fortunately, despite the heat, Jerdon’s Babbler proved relatively straight-forward, perching up in full song as another

male Pied Harrier quartered close-by. A Ganges River Dolphin around our boat was a nice way to finish off our coffee-less morning! Our next destination was a three night stay at Kaziranga World Heritage Site, a long drive west, although travelling through rural Assam was full of birds, a nice contrast for those of us used to birding further east.

Tiger (!), Kaziranga © James Eaton/Birdtour Asia Kaziranga is justly renowned for its huge number of mammals, in particular Indian Rhinoceros, Swamp

Deer and Asiatic Water Buffalo, we also enjoyed a huge variety of birds along with the umpteen Rhino photo opportunities.

With two days to enjoy Asia’s closest thing to the Serengeti where better to spend our first morning than the local tea-estate! Though the pittas were notable by their lack of vocal activity we still enjoyed the mornings birding as the open habitat allows for good views of the birds. An Asian Barred Owlet was the first bird of the morning to shine, shortly followed by a number of other, expected species – Puff-throated and Rufous-fronted Babblers, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush and White-browed Scimitar Babbler but a

singing Pale-chinned Flycatcher would have to wait for some of us. By mid-morning we decided to head into Kaziranga proper, spending time to pick up our first big game; heavily-armoured Indian Rhino’s, Asian Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo, and Swamp and Hog Deer all lined up for the cameras. Our first Pallas’s and Grey-headed Fish Eagles perched out prominently and, importantly, a pair of Swamp Francolin slowly crossed the road in front of us. Water-birds appeared by way of Black-necked Storks, Greater and Lesser Adjutants, Spot-billed Pelicans, River Terns and the ultra-

keen amongst us picked out Ruff and Long-toed Stints. On the way back eagle-eyed Wil picked out a roosting Brown Boobook close-by. Kaziranga is known for its frustrating, limited opening times, though a phone call changed all this as we dashed straight back into the park after lunch as a Tiger had been found sleeping in the central range –

we knew it would be a 30 minute ride, so we held on tight and our jeeps zoomed along as fast as they possibly could without totally destroying the chassis and suspension!

A call every 5 minutes from the National Geographic cameraman videoing the tiger confirmed it was still

sleeping as the excitement buzzed around everyone – even more exciting as none of the participants had seen a Tiger before. Braking quickly and running up the view-tower revealed no rush was required as the huge male Tiger lay half-submerged, dozing in the water hyacinth. For the next hour and a half we

watched him as he slowly woke, occasionally yawning, revealing his huge dentures, hordes of excited locals came and went, the tiger was there for so long, Adrian even spent the time picking out a drake Wigeon (which nobody else bothered with!), before the huge beast stud-up, looked at us, then disappearing into the elephant grass, vanishing back into the wild..

After jumping back in our jeeps, trying to get onto a pair of skulking Slender-billed Babbler felt like an anticlimax, despite them putting in a few appearances along with the much more common and conspicuous (and better-looking!) Chestnut-capped Babblers. On our way out a pair of Kalij Pheasants and Streak-throated Woodpecker fed close to the road. A most enjoyable start to the mornings birding on elephant back produced point-blank looks and hundreds

of photos of the larger game, displaying Bengal Bushlark, Oriental Skylark and Golden-headed Cisticola though the star-of-the-show was an unfamiliar distant call and display-flight that led us to two territorial Bristled Grassbirds that continued to display around us as we waltzed through their territories. A few wintering migrants were still moving around the grasses including a spanking male Himalayan Rubythroat for one luck elephant-load. As the usual male Bengal Florican was nowhere to be seen we headed off to the Western Range as soon as we could and headed to a strategic vantage, where eventually a male

florican appeared between the tall grassy tussocks. Afterwards a Pale-chinned Flycatcher sang away for as

long as we wanted by the roadside. Quite a sight was a trackside pool overflowing with mega-fauna as over 40 Greater Adjutants, Lesser Adjutants, Black-necked Storks, Spot-billed Pelicans, Woolly-necked Storks, Rhinos, buffalos and elephants all vied for best position – nowhere else in Asia is a scene like this possible.

Bristled Grassbird and Himalayan Rubythroat, Kaziranga On our final afternoon some of the group unsuccessfully searching for the tea-pitta again while others who

headed back to the Western Range enjoyed a number of new species including Black-rumped Flameback,

Blossom-headed Parakeet, Small Minivet, a migrant Blyth’s Reed Warbler and for those that missed it earlier, a gorgeous confiding male Himalayan Rubythroat. Building on from yesterday we had great views of Swamp Francolin as the sun began to set. A full day drive the next day took us over the Bramhaputra River at dawn, watching River Lapwing and River Terns over breakfast, and across the state border into the hills of Arunachal Pradesh, twisting our way up the windy roads into the beautiful vistas and untouched forests. As the scenery became more

spectacular the short roadside birding stops provided a bit of entertainment between the dust and roadworks, especially as one of the birds was a roadside male Black-headed Shrike Babbler below eye-level! Our favourite cabbage patch produced a few Bhutan Laughingthrush (though the best thing about this species is its name!), Common Rosefinch, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler and, pleasingly, a flock of Yellow-breasted Greenfinches and chirping Russet Sparrows. A pair of Blue-capped Rock Thrush showed themselves shortly before a huge rock fell down from above, narrowly missing one of our vehicles making

us side-step the landslide! As we rescanned for the birds Wil somehow spotted a roosting Grey Nightjar downslope, curled up against the trunk.

At a lofty 4200m above sea level, the Sela Pass gave us a shot at a variety of species occurring above the tree-line. We feared the worse as the clouds stared down at us until the mid-morning when the sun

attempted to burst through and finally the birds appeared for us. In the gloomy early morning passerines

were keeping low, even the rosefinches were scarce with just single female Himalayan White-browed and Dark-breasted, some striking Collared Grosbeaks passed through, Blue-fronted Redstarts twinkled, a Rufous-breasted Bush Robin made a typically brief appearance, unlike the White-browed Bush Robin that

sang from an open perch with a Hodgson’s Treecreeper below. Some distant Blue Sheep were easily picked out, silhouetted against the sky. We were suddenly startled as 14 Snow Partridges flew straight towards us, raucously calling and veering round with a Northern Goshawk in hot pursuit. The partridges got back up again as the Goshawk went through the flock, scattering the partridges in all directions!

A biting wind ‘greeted’ us over the pass though this mattered little when we realised the birds fly-catching on the icy shores of the lake were male Grandala. Large flocks of Brandt’s Mountain-Finches fed close-by as a party of Ruddy Shelduck battled against the wind and 44 Brown-headed Gulls also passed over. Very satisfied with the views of Grandala we headed down slope, as Snow Pigeons passed by us. Our next stop proved one of the most productive of the whole trip as a confiding male Grandala greeted us, being hugely outnumbered by some 80 Tibetan Blackbirds, a species virtually unknown in Arunachal Pradesh until last

year. A huge sigh of relief came next as a male Himalayan Monal announced his presence by flying over, landing above us and spending the next half an hour staring down at us. We then flushed a snipe, fortunately flying slow enough to confirm what it was and where it landed – the much wanted Solitary Snipe – a real result as we were able to stalk it to within 10 metres as it presumed its camouflage had got the better of us. After it disappeared round the corner a wonderful pair of Blood Pheasant finally appeared out of the trees and slowly crossed a snow patch just above us.

Driving back we were amazed to find some male Grandala feeding actually at the roadside, they even

allowed us to get out of the car and happily fed, totally unconcerned as we all got our point-n-shoots and before long we were surrounded by 50 males and a solitary female, Alpine Accentor and, finally, a couple of Plain Mountain Finches. As the weather looked a bit iffy we decided to head down and back to Dirang to let our heads settle, admiring a fishing Crested Kingfisher on the way down along with a couple of Plain-backed Thrush and White-collared Blackbird.

Solitary Snipe and Grandala, Sela pass

Another full day birding out of Dirang took us in a different direction, this time toward the village of Mandala. Our first roadside stop proved fortuitous as a swarm of Black-throated Parrotbill numbering over 30 birds buzzed through the bamboo around us, certainly more exciting than the Russet Bush Warbler that sat up for us after a patient wait. Our first feeding flocks passed through; Yellow-cheeked Tits, Black-faced Warblers, Yellow-bellied Fantails, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Blue-winged Siva, Black-throated Tits, Chestnut-tailed and Red-tailed Minlas and White-tailed Nuthatch were all regular components with

occasional goodies like a small party of Fire-capped Tits. The bamboo came up trumps again as an inquisitive Broad-billed Warbler buzzed around us, Common Cuckoo sat up calling for some of us, a roadside feeding Rufous-bellied Niltava, brief Grey-sided and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes (more of those a few days later) and 3 Fire-capped Tits became agitated with each other, though Blue-fronted Robin remained as a distant heard only. Along the burnt out ridge-top a few flowering rhododendrons enlightened an otherwise apocalyptic scene

and it was sad to see that our favoured myzornis area had recently been cleared of all the rhododendrons. This did help us with a Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler that had nowhere to hide from though! The feeding flocks in this habitat showed a shift in species composition; Rufous-vented and Stripe-throated Yuhinas,

Buff-barred, Simla Leaf and Whistler’s Warblers now appeared in numbers with gorgeous Ludlow’s Fulvetta, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper and Grey-sided Bush Warbler making appearances, as did several pairs of the sought-after Rufous-fronted Tit – much more conspicuous than previous years – and what

appeared to be a pair of tape-virgin Spotted Laughingthrush, James’s favourite Asian species (does

anyone need reminding??) and it didn’t take long for everyone to appreciate why this bird is his mobile phone ring-tone as the pair belted out their wonderful whistled-duet, perching up and gliding around us in typically spectacular style.

A relaxed lunch was followed by a ridiculously confiding pair of Bar-winged Wren Babbler that zipped around us, pausing on numerous occasions, puffing their head feathers out, tucking their bills down their chests and calling away. Next up was one of the regions drabbest but greatest songsters as a Hume’s

Bush Warbler sang his little heart out at just a few feet away, giving us his full breath-in and breath-out repertoire. A flurry of ticks followed as we entered an area of flowering bushes. Within 5 minutes we had several striking Gold-naped Finch, Dark-breasted and a single Dark-rumped Rosefinch, Grey-headed Bullfinches, showy Chestnut-headed Tesia and fighting male Slaty-blue Flycatchers all around us just before the clouds started to close-in.

A late afternoon ramble below the clouds in the fertile valley bottom brought about yet another shift in avifauna, singing Blue-capped Rock Thrush, pair of Ferruginous Flycatcher, Rufous-breasted Accentor, a roving flock of White-throated Laughingthrush, Eurasian Jay and a troop of the recently described Arunachal Macaque for Frank, a real grip-off for James, though not really for anyone else! Before departing the Dirang Valley, we spent the early morning at Sangti Valley, a secluded, fertile valley

tucked away behind a deep, narrow gorge. The fertile pastures here are a wintering ground for a small

number of Black-necked Crane. Though these had long gone our main reason for a visit certainly hadn’t as 3 Black-tailed Crake fed out in the open for as long as we needed. Heading to the river’s edge 3 Long-billed Plover fed cautiously nearby, looking like they were ready to breed again after we discovered the first breeding record for the subcontinent at this location three years ago.

Bar-winged Wren Babbler and Rusty-fronted Tit, Mandala The focal point of the tour was our 7-nights camping inside Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary. An old logging

road cuts through the heart of the sanctuary and by utilising this road we camped at two different spots,

covering a range of altitudes. This area shot into fame in 2006 with the discovery of a new bird to science, the Bugun Liocichla. Obviously locating this bird was a major aim of our visit but the wonderful forest here offers so much more than this single species. Our first camp - Lama Camp - is a largely degraded, logged-over area but this is the preferred habitat for the liocichla. Following our first of many excellent outdoor meals, our first foray into the forest was very rewarding. We were soon picking up our first species included a pair of Hoary-throated Barwing and, surprisingly, the usually elusive Blue-winged Laughingthrush feeding out in the open, ‘unfortunately’ just

as the bird dropped down before we all cottoned onto it, the shout of ‘barwings’ had us scrambling back up the track. It is well-known that in order to find the liocichla, life is made much easier by following the back end of the Rusty-fronted Barwing flock, and indeed we promptly found the liocichla but it remained oh so elusive and eventually vanished before we could get the desired views. After enjoying several White-breasted Parrotbills (a recent split from Greater Rufous-headed, primarily based on its distinctive vocalisations) the barwing flock reappeared and after some very patient waiting in the gathering gloom we

all obtained some sort of a view of the liocichla as it popped its head up right as we were expecting it to as it sneaked into view, typically following at the back of the flock.

Returning to the same spot the following morning we soon relocated a pair of liocichla, culminating in the pair feeding on the downslope half way up a large, lone tree, often sitting out on open perches as they fed

unassumingly. During our wait some Ashy Woodpigeons flew past and a stonking male Scarlet Finch flew-

in and landed above us – lucky as this was to be our only perched sighting of the tour. With the pressure of that one bird now off, we relaxed slightly and sought out the other 100 or so new species on offer! Pleasingly a group of Grey-sided Laughingthrush came bounding forward through the

undergrowth, giving bursts of song and chattering that is so wonderful to listen to it almost compares to Spotted Laughingthrush! Not quite so exciting but new and showy none-the-less was a singing Black-throated Prinia and more Bhutan Laughingthrushes. Entering a beautiful area of forest we sat down and let the birds come to us – Red-billed Leiothrix, Grey-winged Blackbird, our first of zillions of Yellow-

throated Fulvetta and Grey-cheeked Warbler, Lesser Shortwing, and after a patient wait and careful positioning a pair of Rufous-throated Wren Babbler including one brave soul that sat out and sang for as long as we needed. Following these early successes we decided to head to the higher realms of the sanctuary for the afternoon and following morning. Here bamboo-dominated undergrowth, rhododendrons and burnt forest

held much smaller numbers of feeding flocks and birds to previous years, perhaps because of the lack of flowering rhododendrons and magnolia, or maybe the birds were already breeding. Feeding flocks contained much the same as our visit to Mandala; warblers, yuhinas, tits, more Ludlow's Fulvetta and Rufous-fronted Tits but we also added a few new species to the list.

Gold-naped Finch and Broad-billed Warbler, Mandala A Golden Bush Robin accompanied the usual Blue-fronted Redstarts by the trackside on arrival as the mist gently descended on us, swirling in and out around us. The ridiculous-looking Slender-billed Scimitar

Babbler gave unusually prolonged and close views though the mist both hampered and helped us with such views but the following morning was even better as a pair fed close-by, proving great fun, showing us why they have the bill that they do, peering through cuts in the bamboo before poking their bills inside to obtain their food. Unobtrusive Crimson-browed Finches also started to appear, feeding quietly, predominantly Pine Grosbeak-like females but a group of 3 males did show up, shortly after James was telling the group there was no chance of seeing any males as he has only see 2 in his life, anywhere!

The barwings up here are a lot of fun, especially during dull, bird-less periods (!), plenty of variation of

what is supposedly ‘Streak-throated’ Barwing here, and we noted some good candidates of pure Streak-throated and Hoary-throated as well as a whole bag of things in-between. Typically this area was the best spot for Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush and we obtained numerous excellent views, along with smaller numbers of Black-faced Laughingthrush. Wil also struck lucky here by jamming in on a pair of Fire-tailed Myzornis at the trackside on his way to breakfast, that frustratingly failed to reappear for the rest of us as we were seconds too late. Shortly afterwards, some strategic positioning almost worked after hearing a rather distant ‘crying baby’ call – a Temminck’s Tragopan. It did

come in but only Frank, James and our local guide, Abid were in a position to see it, the only 3 to have seen the species previously! Moving down to our next camp, Sunderview, for lunch, we wasted no time before venturing back into the forest A tragopan ran across in front of Frank, yet more agonising bad luck and things weren’t looking much brighter as the mist swept in. A distant call of a Ward’s Trogon gave us a glimmer of hope to rescue

the day and after some careful planning and waiting a pair of trogons swooped-in, past James and landed in front of the group, who were situated 50 metres behind him. After soaking in the pink hues of the

gorgeous male and yellows of the slightly less co-operative female the mist came and went, clearing enough for us to realise there were 4 perched together in the same tree, fly-catching! At times the male

would be just 5 metres away at eye-level giving mind-blowing views of this eastern-Himalayan jewel, it

really is a very mega bird! Due to atrocious weather down low at Sessni, it took time to locate all of our desired targets but we got

there in the end, persistence generally pays off in the end, even if it can get rather repetitive at times! Our first day down started with high hopes having had a ‘baby-kiwi’ - Long-billed Wren Babbler sat up calling away just above our heads and watching it flick away leaves in search of food on a little cliff in the undergrowth. Unfortunately in the poor weather we saw little other than a few of the expected species –

lots of fun-to-watch Yellow-throated Fulvetta jumping around the nettles, looking down the orange tonsils of a bouncing-ball Slaty-bellied Tesia, nest-building Long-tailed Broadbills and some distant views of Rufous-necked Hornbill. A calling Cutia flew over a good 200m above us just about summed up the afternoon! Heading back down in the gloom the next morning wasn’t looking too promising either, but it is amazing the difference one bird can make – a bright red blob in the middle of the road had us scrambling out of

the vehicles– a male Blyth’s Tragopan was in the road! It was suffered from a ‘chicken in the headlights’ syndrome and didn’t know what to do but keep turning left-and-right allowing all of us to have full frontal and side-on views of this awesome bird. Our galliform day continued with a few Kalij Pheasant thereafter and, once out the of the vehicles a calling Chestnut-breasted Partridge was enticed onto the track in front of us, even walking towards us along the road verge – views so good James was totally in awe of the view and forgot about his camera besides him of this rarely seen eastern-Himalayan endemic. Some of us also

had a Rufous-throated Partridge later in the day but it wasn’t as co-operative. As the weather was rather

mixed through the morning, leaving us in two minds about where we should go, it broke out at just the right moment as a Green Cochoa was found calling from an open-snag, flying over to land by the group just as Frank and James had run back to get the scopes which were no longer required.

Long-billed Wren Babbler and Beautiful Nuthatch, Eaglenest Another lunch at the Sessni clearing was rather more scenic than the previous fogged-filled day, Rufous-necked Hornbills flew around us and a pair of White-crested Laughingthrush made a surprising appearance

in a lone, big tree. We had two glaring omissions from our list, and we set about searching for them again in the afternoon. Amazingly, the very same tree as last year was a source for joy once again as an exquisitely-marked Beautiful Nuthatch was neatly perched on a mossy covered branch before flying over us to feed and call from another roadside branch – big smiles and huge relief all-round, particularly as it was the most-wanted bird for some of us. One of our tour nemeses was Spotted Wren Babbler (a sense of deja-vu for James!), so it was great that we clapped eyes on one, it must have been about 6th time lucky! Though some calling Crimson-faced Liocichla refused to co-operate and yet more Blue-winged

Laughingthrush would only show themselves to James a cracking pair of Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler were busy feeding with Rusty-fronted Barwing and Silver-eared Mesia – the race here is a sure-fire split from their Indochinese counterparts. Because the area below Sessni was out-of-bounds this year (so no chance of Blyth’s Kingfisher or Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill) we spent yet another morning around Sessni, I kept insisting that perseverance and persistence with the same tactic usually pays off, and finally it did, in some style too, as a pair of Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler simply couldn’t get enough of us, in the very same place we had been trying

for the previous two days! This pair initially crept around us until eventually they regularly perched out for

us, briefly, but in a predictable pattern that gave us all better views of yet another eastern Himalayan mega than we could ever have expected. Returning for another look at the Beautiful Nuthatch, which was still present, and even courtship feeding with his/her mate we finally found a couple of pairs of Himalayan Cutia that took an hour but eventually

moved into a bare-tree to sing – why can’t they just do this to begin with! A singing Rufous-backed Sibia

(that surely isn’t a sibia!) was an added bonus on our return. A bit of an additional surprise was the Malayan Porcupine that decided to stroll towards us along the track, completely oblivious to the fact that 9 birders were stood in front of his path until it stopped, sniffed

around a bit, then hopped back in to the undergrowth – our mammal list was bulging slightly after repeated views of some playful Yellow-throated Martens the previous day. After all the excitement and success of the past couple of days we spent the final full day up-top seeking

the myzornis which most were still missing but unfortunately it was to remain that way. We added little new to the trip total but did get repeated views of several species we had previously enjoyed – Spotted Laughingthrush being the most notable, along with Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Gold-naped Finch and all those wonderful species that make up the numerous feeding flocks, oh, and some more barwings! In the evening a mysterious singing zoothera still has James thinking…

A final night at Lama Camp gave us a final hour of birding the following morning – the pair of Bugun Liocichla were as predictable as they have been the past 3 years and gave us an excellent showing, unlike another pesky Blue-winged Laughingthrush! At breakfast a male Cutia perched up and sang for us while 14 juvenile Common Crossbill attempted to cling on to the power-lines, something none of us had seen before, and the same could be said for the crossbills, as some were even clinging on upside-down! Bidding a fond-farewell to the mountains took us back down the lush valleys and back into humidity,

though not before a couple of stops gave us two new warblers – firstly a spritely Yellow-vented, followed

later by the bamboo-loving Rufous-faced Warbler – interestingly the Himalayan birds sound nothing like their Chinese counterparts. Leaving Arunachal Pradesh behind, we spent our final night in the lowlands at Nameri Eco-camp with a welcome hot shower (well, for some of us!), and proper bed. After a quick change into lighter-weight clothing and admiring the confiding Capped Langurs we entered Nameri Tiger(-less) Reserve for a march along the riverside. Time was running short due to a long wait for the wind to calm down before crossing

the Borelli River, as we hoped to reach a secluded, forest pond for the increasingly rare White-winged Duck. A ranger saw us coming and excitedly told us he knew a pond where they were currently feeding, and for once in this country, he wasn’t telling us porkies as he led us straight to open pool with a duck in plain view feeding! After half an hour-or-so of watching this huge farmyard-goose (sorry guys, I couldn’t resist!) at increasingly close-range we backed off to leave her alone in peace and head back to celebrate, though typically this proved rather protracted as a number of birds got in our way – first a pair of Great

Thick-knees flying downriver, then a pair of Blunt-winged Warbler, here of the poorly-known resident

stevensi race and surely will become another Brahmaputra floodplain endemic, Wreathed Hornbill and hundreds of Small Pratincoles swirling around us as a Great Hornbill flew low overhead at dusk. Our final morning passed-by rather pleasantly and added a few new species, Abbott’s Babbler and Plain Flowerpecker being the most notable, before we drove back across the Brahmaputra to Guwahati Airport to connect with our onward flights.

Capped Langur, Nameri © James Eaton/Birdtour Asia

More tour photos;

Black-breasted Parrotbill, Dibru-Saikhowa and Brown-backed Needletail, Digboi (top) Blood Pheasant and Grandala, Sela pass (middle)

Greater Adjutant and Swamp Francolin, Kaziranga (bottom)

Pale-chinned Flycatcher and Rosy Pipit, Kaziranga

Indian Rhinoceros, Kaziranga

Long-billed Plover, Sangti Valley and Brown Boobook, Kaziranga

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher and Ludlow’s Fulvetta, Mandala

Green-tailed Sunbird and Hume’s Bush Warbler, Mandala

Crested Kingfisher and Siberian Stonechat, roadside birding

Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Mandala and Black-headed Shrike Babbler, Tenga

Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler and Spotted Laughingthrush, Mandala

Blue-winged Siva and Green Shrike Babbler, Eaglenest

Ferruginous Flycatcher and Malayan Porcupine, Eaglenest (top) Striated Laughingthrush and Black Eagle, Eaglenest (middle)

White-winged Duck, Nameri © tour participant Olaf Soltau (bottom)

Systematic Bird List

PELECANIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis

CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Eastern Great Egret Ardea [alba] modesta Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus Striated Heron Butorides striata Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus

CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae Black Stork Ciconia nigra

Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

White-winged Duck Asarcornis scutulata Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Eurasian Teal Anas crecca Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha Northern Pintail Anas acuta Gadwall Anas strepera

FALCONIFORMES: Pandionidae Osprey Pandion haliaetus

FALCONIFORMES: Accipitridae Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes

Himalayan Buzzard Buteo burmanicus Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus Black Kite Milvus migrans govinda Pallas's Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos Shikra Accipiter badius poliopsis Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus melaschistos Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis Rufous-bellied Eagle Aquila kienerii Changeable Hawk Eagle Nisaetus limnaeetus Mountain Hawk Eagle Nisaetus nipalensis

FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Red-headed Falcon Falco chicquera Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus peregrinator

GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae Blue-breasted Quail Coturnix chinensis

Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa Common Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola Chestnut-breasted Partridge Arborophila mandellii Rufous-throated Partridge Arborophila rufogularis Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus tibetanus Blyth's Tragopan Tragopan blythii molesworthi Temminck's Tragopan Tragopan temminckii heard only

Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus Kaleej Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos lathami Grey Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum heard only

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus

Black-tailed Crake Amaurornis bicolor Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

GRUIFORMES: Otididae Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis

CHARADRIIFORMES: Jacanidae Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Burhinidae Great Thick-knee Burhinus recurvirostris

Indian Thick-knee Burhinus indicus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Glareolidae Small Pratincole Glareola lactea

CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Long-billed Plover Charadrius placidus Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius jerdoni

CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae Solitary Snipe Gallinago solitaria Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura Common Redshank Tringa totanus Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Ruff Philomachus pugnax Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta

CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Sternidae River Tern Sterna aurantia

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota

Ashy Woodpigeon Columba pulchricollis Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis agricola Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Barred Cuckoo Dove Macropygia unchall Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicopterus phoenicopterus Pin-tailed Green Pigeon Treron apicauda Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia

PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria

Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseata Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vernalis

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus

Large Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus sparverioides Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus nisicolor Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus heard only

Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus Asian Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculatus Asian Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris lugubris Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia sunia heard only

Brown Wood Owl Strix [leptogrammica] newarensis heard only

Chinese Tawny Owl Strix nivicola heard only

Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei garoense heard only

Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides Brown Boobook Ninox scutulata burmanica

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka

APODIFORMES: Apodidae Himalayan Swiftlet Aerodramus brevirostris brevirostris

White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus nudipes Silver-backed Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis Pacific Swift Apus pacificus House Swift Apus [affinis] nipalensis

TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus

Ward's Trogon Harpactes wardi

CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis capensis White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis perpulchra Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris guttulata

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus

Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti

CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae Black-billed Roller Coracias [benghalensis] affinis

Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis cyanicollis

CORACIIFORMES: Upupidae Hoopoe Upupa epops

CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris heard only

Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus

PICIFORMES: Capitonidae Great Barbet Megalaima virens

Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata Golden-throated Barbet Megalaima franklinii Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala

PICIFORMES: Picidae Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla

Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus Grey-capped Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei macei Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus hyperythrus Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos cathpharius Rufous Woodpecker Microptemus brachyurus phaioceps Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus chlorolophus Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha lavinucha Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus hessei Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus guttacristatus Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis

PASSERIFORMES: Eurylaimidae Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae Blue-naped Pitta Pitta nipalensis heard only

Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae Bengal Bushlark Mirafra assamica

Sand Lark Calandrella raytal raytal Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula vernayi

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Pale Sand Martin Riparia diluta

Grey-throated Sand Martin Riparia chinensis Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica gutturalis Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae White [Himalayan] Wagtail Motacilla alba alboides

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola citreola Tibetan Wagtail Motacilla [citreola] calcarata Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava thunbergi Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni hodgsoni

Anthus hodgsoni yunnanensis

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus

PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei nipalensis Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus peregrinus Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus laetus Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevirostris Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus semiruber Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae Striated Bulbul Pycnonotus striatus

Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer White-throated Bulbul Alophoixus flaveolus Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavala flavala Mountain Bulbul Ixos mcclellandii mcclellandii Himalayan Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus

PASSERIFORMES: Chloropseidae Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons aurifrons

Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii hardwickii

PASSERIFORMES: Aegithinidae Common Iora Aegithina tiphia

PASSERIFORMES: Cinclidae White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus przewalskii

Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii dorjei

PASSERIFORMES: Troglodytidae Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes nipalensis

PASSERIFORMES: Prunellidae Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris

Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella strophiata

PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae Blue-capped Rock Thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus eugenei Plain-backed Thrush Zoothera mollissima mollissima Tibetan Blackbird Turdus maximus White-collared Blackbird Turdus albocinctus Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx leucophrys nipalensis White-browed Shortwing Brachypteryx montana

PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis tytleri Black-throated Prinia Prinia atrogularis atrogularis Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris flaviventris Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis stewarti Plain Prinia Prinia inornata fusca

PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae Chestnut-headed Tesia Tesia castaneocoronata

Slaty-bellied Tesia Tesia olivea Grey-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer heard only

Hume's Bush Warbler Cettia [acanthizoides] brunnescens Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler Cettia fortipes fortipes Grey-sided Bush Warbler Cettia brunnifrons muroides Spotted Bush Warbler Bradypterus thoracicus Russet Bush Warbler Bradypterus mandelli Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Blunt-winged Warbler Acrocephalus concinens stevensi Mountain Tailorbird Orthotomus cuculatus heard only

Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Alpine [Tickell's] Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis Simla (Lemon-rumped) Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus chloronotus chloronotus Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides trochiloides Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris Blyth's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides reguloides Yellow-vented Warbler Phylloscopus cantator Grey-hooded Warbler Phylloscopus xanthoschistos Whistler's Warbler Seicercus whistleri whistleri Grey-cheeked Warbler Seicercus poliogenys Chestnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaniceps Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris Black-faced Warbler Abroscopus schisticeps flavimentalis Broad-billed Warbler Tickellia hodgsoni Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris Bristled Grassbird Chaetornis striata

PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica

Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla White-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula monileger monileger Ultramarine Flycatcher Ficedula superciliaris aestigma Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor tricolor Sapphire Blue Flycatcher Ficedula sapphira Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina Large Niltava Niltava grandis heard only

Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara Pale-chinned Flycatcher Cyornis poliogenys Pale Blue Flycatcher Cyornis unicolor Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides rubeculoides Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Himalayan Rubythroat Luscinia pectoralis tschebaiewi Bluethroat Luscinia svecica svecica Himalayan Bluetail Tarsiger rufilatus Golden Bush Robin Tarsiger chrysaeus chrysaeus White-browed Bush Robin Tarsiger indicus Rufous-breasted Bush Robin Tarsiger hyperythrus Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis erimelas White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus indicus Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros rufiventris Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus Blue-fronted Robin Cinclidium frontale heard only

Grandala Grandala coelicolor

Black-backed Forktail Enicurus immaculatus Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus guttatus Green Cochoa Cochoa viridis Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maura maurus

Saxicola maura stejnegeri

Saxicola maura przewalskii

Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea haringtoni

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha

White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis

PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea

Asian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi

PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae Bhutan Laughingthrush Trochalopteron imbricatum

Scaly Laughingthrush Trochalopteron subunicolor Blue-winged Laughingthrush Trochalopteron squamatus Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush T. erythrocephalus nigrimentum Black-faced Laughingthrush Trochalopteron affinis bethalae Spotted Laughingthrush Lanthocincla ocellatus ocellatus Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush Dryonastes nuchalis Rufous-necked Laughingthrush Dryonastes ruficollis Striated Laughingthrush Grammatoptila striata White-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax albogularis albogularis White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus leucolophus Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger monileger Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax pectoralis pectoralis Grey-sided Laughingthrush Garrulax caerulatus caerulatus Crimson-faced Liocichla Liocichla phoenicea heard only

Bugun Liocichla Liocichla bugunorum Abbott's Babbler Malacocincla abbotti abbotti Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps Marsh Babbler Pellorneum palustre Large Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus hypoleucos heard only

White-browed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis godwini Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus [ferruginosus] ferruginosus Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler Xiphirhynchus superciliaris Long-billed Wren Babbler Rimator malacoptilus Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler Pnoepyga albiventer Pygmy Wren Babbler Pnoepyga pusilla Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler Sphenocichla humei Rufous-throated Wren Babbler Spelaeornis caudatus Bar-winged Wren Babbler Spelaeornis troglodytoides sherriffi Spotted Wren Babbler Spelaeornis formosus Rufous-fronted Babbler Stachyris rufifrons ambigua Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyris ruficeps ruficeps Golden Babbler Stachyris chrysaea Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps nigriceps Pin-striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense sinense heard only

Jerdon's Babbler Chrysomma altirostre griseigulare Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides longirostris Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris argentauris Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea calipyga Himalayan Cutia Cutia nipalensis Rusty-fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis Streak-throated Barwing Actinodura waldeni daflaensis Blue-winged Siva Siva cyanouroptera cyanouroptera Chestnut-tailed Minla Chrysominla strigula yunnanensis Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta Golden-breasted Fulvetta Liparus chrysotis chrysotis Yellow-throated Fulvetta Pseudominla cinerea Rufous-winged Fulvetta Pseudominla castaneceps

Ludlow's Fulvetta Fulvetta ludlowi Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe nipalensis nipalensis Rufous-backed Sibia Heterophasia annectens Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides Beautiful Sibia Heterophasia pulchella nigroaurita Striated Yuhina Staphida castaniceps rufigenis White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri Whiskered Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis Stripe-throated Yuhina Yuhina gularis gularis Rufous-vented Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis Black-chinned Yuhina Yuhina nigrimenta Fire-tailed Myzornis Myzornis pyrrhoura

PASSERIFORMES: Paradoxornithidae Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis flavirostris Black-throated Parrotbill Sinornis nipalensis poliotis White-breasted Parrotbill Psittiparus ruficeps

PASSERIFORMES: Aegithalidae Red-crowned (Black-throated) Tit Aegithalos concinnus rubricapillus

Rufous-fronted Tit Aegithalos iouschistos

PASSERIFORMES: Paridae Coal Tit Periparus ater aemodius

Grey-crested Tit Lophophanes dichrous dichrous Rufous-vented Tit Parus rubidiventris Grey Tit Parus [major] cinereus nipalensis Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus Yellow-cheeked Tit Parus spilonotus Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea

PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis

Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta formosa

PASSERIFORMES: Certhiidae Hodgson's Treecreeper Certhia hodgsoni mandellii

Rusty-flanked Treecreeper Certhia nipalensis Hume's Treecreeper Certhia discolor heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Remizidae Fire-capped Tit Cephalopyrus flammiceps

PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Chalcoparia singalensis

Mrs Gould's Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae isolata Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis nipalensis Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata assamensis Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja labecula Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum minullum

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum

PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus

PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus

Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii

PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella

PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus cristatus

Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach tricolor Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus

PASSERIFORMES: Prionopidae Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis

Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus albrictus

Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus hopwoodi Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus hottentottus Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus grandis

PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius interstinctus

Yellow-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa flavirostris flavirostris Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda vagabunda Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae himalayensis Collared Treepie Dendrocitta frontalis Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes macella Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax House Crow Corvus splendens splendens Eastern Jungle Crow Corvus [macrorhynchos] levaillantii Large-billed Crow Corvus [macrorhynchos] japonensis

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa peninsularis

Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus White-vented Myna Acridotheres grandis Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Asian Pied Starling Gracupica contra Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica

PASSERIFORMES: Ploceidae Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus burmanicus

PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae Black-headed Munia Lonchura atricapilla

PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla

PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae Plain Mountain Finch Leucosticte nemoricola

Brandt's Mountain Finch Leucosticte brandti Crimson-browed Finch Pinicola subhimachala Dark-breasted Rosefinch Carpodacus nipalensis Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus roseatus

Carpodacus erythrinus erythrinus

Dark-rumped Rosefinch Carpodacus edwardsii Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus thura Yellow-breasted Greenfinch Carduelis spinoides Grey-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythaca Collared Grosbeak Mycerobas affinis Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra himalayana Gold-naped Finch Pyrrhoplectes epauletta Scarlet Finch Haematospiza sipahi

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Russet Sparrow Passer rutilans Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

PASSERIFORMES: Vireonidea Black-headed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius rufiventer

White-browed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis Green Shrike Babbler Pteruthius xanthochlorus Black-eared Shrike Babbler Pteruthius melanotis White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca

Mammals Royle's Pika Ochotona roylei

Black Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolor Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel Dremomys lokriah Perny's Long-nosed Squirrel Dremomys pernyi Pallas's Squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus Irrawaddy Squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus Himalayan Striped Squirrel Tamiops macclellandi Malayan Porcupine Hystrix brachyura Tiger Panthera tigris Smooth Otter Lutrogale perspicillata Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula Hog Badger Arctonyx collaris Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta Arunachal Macaque Macaca munzala Ganges River Dolphin Platanista gangetica Eurasian Wild Pig Sus Scrofa Red Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak Swamp Deer Cervus duvaucelii Hog Deer Axis porcinus Blue Sheep Pseudois nayaur Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee Indian Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis Asian Elephant Elephas maximus

Bird-of-the-tour 1 Ward's Trogon

2 Blyth's Tragopan 3 Grandala 4 Beautiful Nuthatch 5= Blood Pheasant 5= Spotted Laughingthrush 7 Bugun Liocichla 8 Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler 9 Himalayan Monal 10 White-winged Duck

459 species recorded including 18 heard only

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