Nepal 20th February - 10th March 2005
by John van der Dol
Itinerary
Day 1 (Feb 20 2005)
Left London 1715 hours en route to Kathmandu via Doha with Qatar Airways
Day 2
Arrived Kathmandu 1600 hours and were transferred to Greenwich Village Hotel
Day 3
Godavari Gardens (am) and Phulchowki (pm) Welcome dinner
Day 4
Flew from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj where we charted a helicopter to Bardia
Day 5
Am and pm walks in the Bardia area
Day 6
Tractor and trailer ride to National Park followed by am walk. Afternoon Elephant ride the other side of the river from the village
Day 7
Tractor and trailer ride to the Sal forest for am walk, pm walk by the river
Day 8
Helicopter flight to Nepalgunj followed by charter flight for most of the group to Biratnagar and for two of us scheduled flight via Kathmandu. Transfer by landrovers to Koshi Camp
Day 9
Am walk along embankment and a pm drive in the opposite direction also along embankment
Day 10
Am Koshi embankment followed by Barrage and Pink Tower in the afternoon
Day 11
Sapta Koshi Raft trip followed by afternoon riverside pools for some while others did the village tour
Day 12
Drove from Koshi camp to Chitwan. Arrived at Royal Park Hotel, Sauhara about 17.30
Day 13
Morning walk across the river at Chitwan followed by Elephant Drive in the afternoon
Day 14
All day Jeep Drive at Chitwan
Day 15
Canoe ride followed by walk and short talk on Elephants at the breeding centre. Game safari in the afternoon
Day 16
Left Chitwan at 0700 and drove to Kathmandu arriving at Greenwich Village Hotel at about 1600. Stopped for Ibisbill, Wallcreeper and Brown Dipper on the way
Day 17
Full day on Phulchowki followed by farewell dinner in the Nepalese Kitchen
Day 18
Free day for shopping before flying back to London on the evening flight arriving next morning at 0630
SYSTEMATIC LIST (all photographs by Brian Short)
The systematic list follows the nomenclature of Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp: Birds of Nepal (Helm 2000)
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Recorded from Koshi only on three dates with up to 10 counted on the fishponds near the camp, while there were 40 at the barrage
Great-crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Sixty-eight at the barrage and eight on the Koshi River trip were the only birds seen
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Seen on most days when suitable habitat was visited. Highest counts of 100 at the barrage, 25 en route to Chitwan from Koshi and 75 at Chitwan itself
Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger
Single figures at Bardia, 30 along the Koshi embankment and 70 at the barrage
Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster
Two at the barrage were followed with small numbers of between one and eight at Koshi and Chitwan
Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Singles were seen on three occasions all at the Koshi Camp
Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis
Two single sightings at Koshi Camp were the only records
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
About 145 were counted at Lami Tal roosting in the marginal grasslands of the lake, while there were singles at Bardia and Chitwan and two along the embankment at Koshi
Little (Green-backed) Heron Butorides striatus
A single was seen at Bardia followed by between one and three at both Koshi and Chitwan on five dates
Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii
As usual present in most areas and not really counted although 50 were estimated on the day we visited the barrage
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
As with the previous species, never really counted, but 100 were logged on the barrage visit
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Seen on most days with a maximum count of 50 on the barrage day
Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia
An estimate of 200 on our visit to the barrage and very small numbers thereafter at Koshi and Chitwan
Great Egret Egretta alba
Between one and forty on ten dates
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Between one and seven on seven dates in all areas
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
One or two on five dates at both Koshi and Chitwan
Asian Openbill Stork Anastomus oscitans
Not recorded at Bardia but up to 30 at Koshi along the embankment and round the camp, while smaller numbers were recorded at Chitwan
Black Stork Ciconia nigra
Between one and five were seen seen of this winter visitor on five dates in all areas
Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
One or two on seven dates in all areas
Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
A local but rare breeder. Although it has a large world distribution right down to Australia it is thinly distributed throughout the Indian Subcontinent. A single adult was seen at enormous range from the Koshi embankment whilst the following day on our raft trip we saw both adults with their four young
Lesser Adjutant Stork Leptoptilos javanicus
Seen both at Chitwan and Koshi in small numbers. Counts of between a single and 14 were noted on seven dates and a number of nests were seen with scruffy youngsters on them
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Black (Red-naped) Ibis Pseudibis papillosa
A single at Bardia was followed by eleven along the Koshi embankment, 58 on the raft trip at Koshi and between one and four on four dates thereafter at Koshi and Chitwan
Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus
Four at Koshi embankment were followed by flocks totalling 150 on the raft trip along the Koshi River
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Just two roosting with Egrets and Cormorants along the Koshi embankment represents a poor show this year
Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica
A flock of 120 frequented the fishing ponds at Koshi Camp but by far the biggest count were the 3000 at the barrage. Smaller flocks could also be found in the riverside ponds along the Koshi embankment
Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus
Better numbers than our previous two trips. Four were seen at the barrage, 36 on the raft trip, and three on two dates at Chitwan
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
Seen on 12 dates in small numbers but there were high counts of 120 on the barrage day and 282 at Chitwan on both the Rapti and Dungree Rivers
Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus
Just nine birds were counted on the pools near the Koshi Barrage
Eurasian Wigeon Anas Penelope
A count of 110 at the Koshi Barrage was the only record
Gadwall Anas strepera
An estimated 1000 at the barrage were followed by 25 the next day on the raft trip and four on the river at Chitwan
Common Teal Anas crecca
A count of 300 at the barrage was followed by another 100 on the Koshi raft trip
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Up to nine on four dates
Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha
Recorded for the first time in Nepal by our group. There were eleven seen on one of the sandbanks in the middle of the Koshi River on our raft trip
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Up to 30 at Bardia and Koshi whilst there were 860 counted at the barrage
Garganey Anas querquedula
Thirty-eight amongst the duck flock at the barrage was the sole record
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
A count of 57 at the barrage and a single the next day from the rafts
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
Counts of 28, 33 and 55 at Bardia and another 45 at the barrage
Common Pochard Aythya farina
A single at the Koshi Camp fishponds and seven at the barrage were the only records
Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca
Counts of 56 and 37 at Koshi Camp and vicinity, 40 at the barrage and 50 the following day in the riverside pools along the embankment
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Twenty at the barrage were the only birds seen
Goosander (Common Merganser) Mergus merganser
Between one and four on seven dates in all areas plus 13 on the drive from Koshi to Chitwan
Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus
Three at Bardia followed by a single there the next day, a single between Koshi and Chitwan and then two threes and a two at Chitwan itself. All appeared to be dark phase birds
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
Between one and five on ten dates in all areas
Black Kite Mivus migrans
Not that common apart from within Kathmandu where the biggest numbers were seen. Other counts never exceeded six but they were seen virtually daily
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
A single immature was seen while on our raft trip down the Koshi River
Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
A single adult was seen both perched and in flight at the riverside at Bardia whilst there were two seen on a small lake in the jungle at Chitwan on our jeep drive
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Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
An adult and an immature were seen at Nepalgunj airport, two adults over the lodge at Bardia and another adult there the next day
White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis
Five in a mixed Vulture flock along the Koshi embankment followed by three singles also at Koshi and another one en route to Kathmandu
Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus
A very poor and worrying showing of this species. Just a single at Bardia
Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus
Smaller numbers than in previous years with just between one and eight on six dates in all areas
Himalayan Griffon Vulture Gyps himalayensis
Seen on four dates with a maximum of 28 at Koshi, ten from the raft trip and another 20 between Koshi and Chitwan.
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Eurasian Black Vulture Aegypius monachus
Three at Nepalgunj airport, two at Bardia and two singles at Koshi represents a good series of records
Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus
A single at Bardia in a purple patch for raptors was the only record of this scarce species
Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus
Four on the raft trip at Koshi were the sole record
Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela
Probably the commonest eagle of the area. Between one and five seen on ten dates
Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Two at Koshi were followed by another single there and represents a poor showing
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus
A single ringtail was identified on the Koshi raft trip
Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucus
A single male was seen from the Koshi embankment near the camp on our first evening there. Disappointingly this was the only record
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentiles
A single at Phulchowki was followed by a female at Koshi
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
A single was seen on our morning walk at Chitwan
Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivigatus
Singles at Bardia and Koshi on three occasions
Shikra Accipiter badius
Between two and four on most days in all areas except Kathmandu
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Besra Accipiter virgatus
Just one single shot through over the ponds near the barrage and was seen by one or two people
White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa
A single on the banks of the Koshi River was followed by two birds on the day we visited the barrage and then there was another single at Chitwan
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
One or two on seven dates in all areas
Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinous
A single at Nepalgunj airport, another along the Koshi embankment and two on the barrage day
Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis
A single bird at Phulchowki and two there on our penultimate day
Indian Spotted Eagle Aquila hastata
One on the raft trip represents a recent split from Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina)
Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga
Two at Nepalgunj airport were followed by two singles at Bardia, a further single and a two at Koshi
Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis
Six individuals spread across all areas represents quite a low number compared with previous years but excellent views were obtained of some of them
Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
A distant single bird along the embankment at Koshi was followed by two on the raft trip. The single was an old bird with distinct white braces and a very pale nape, possibly the same individual as was seen in the same area two years ago
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
Single dark phase birds were seen at Nepalgunj,Koshi and two on the day of the raft trip
Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus
A pair of adults were seen at Phulchowki on our first visit there
Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus
Two singles at Bardia followed by another on the drive between Koshi and Chitwan and two from the jeeps at Chitwan
Mountain Hawk Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis
Two at Phulchowki on our penultimate day, one of which was perched at some distance but with modern scopes we were able to scrutinise all the details
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Between one and five on six dates in all suitable areas
Collared Falconet Microhierax caerulescens
Just a single this year was seen perched on the crown of a tree along the Koshi eastern embankment
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Between one and five on most dates
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni
Just one single along the embankment at Koshi
Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera
A brief view of one from the Pink Tower was seen by just a few people whereas the next day excellent views were obtained of one from our rafts along the banks of the River Koshi
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo
Just one sighting of a bird at Chitwan
Peregrine Falco peregrinus
One or two on six dates in all areas
Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus
One heard at Bardia was followed by a beautiful male calling from the top of a log. At Chitwan another was heard followed by one heard and one seen the next day
Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis
Four were seen along the embankment by Koshi camp, seven from the Pink Tower, and another six along the embankment
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus
One was seen from the elephant ride at Bardia, seven from the elephants at Chitwan, ten from the jeep safari at Chitwan and another 25 from the jeeps during our game drive the next day
Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelana
An amazing six males and three females seen crossing the road on Phulchowki were followed by six on there on our subsequent visit
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
Up to three at Bardia but far more common in Chitwan National Park with up to 50 seen on four dates
Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca
A single at Koshi was the sole record
Brown Crake Amauromis akool
Just one bird at Lami Tal, Chitwan
White-breasted Waterhen Amauromis phoenicurus
Commonly seen in all suitable habitat with counts of up to five recorded on eight dates
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Commonly encountered in all suitable areas
Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio
A single bird in the Koshi Camp fishponds was seen on four dates and 25 were noted in the riverside pools along the Koshi embankment
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
Five at Koshi Camp pools was the only record
Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Six at the pools by the barrage were the only birds seen
Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus
Much more commonly encountered than the previous species with counts of up to 20 on four dates in the Koshi area and there was a single at Chitwan
Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis
Just one single female in the riverside pools along the Koshi embankment
Ibisbill Ibidorhhyncha struthersii
This is the bird people come to Nepal for as it is very difficult to see anywhere else. It breeds high up in the mountains of Nepal and China and winters in small numbers in the fast running boulder-strewn rivers of the lowlands of Nepal. Two birds were seen in the same area as two years ago between Kathmandu and Chitwan and with quality telescopes good views were possible. We were lucky as it was getting a little late for this species
Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris
Fantastic views were had of a single on the Koshi riverbank while we were drifting along in our rubber rafts. These are rare birds in this area and we were indeed lucky to see one of an estimated total Koshi River population of about six or seven birds
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Commonly seen with counts up to eight birds on eleven dates
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
Counts of up to seven on five dates
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva
A flock of 30 were seen from the rafts along the Koshi River
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
A flock of 56 were counted along the Koshi embankment constituting our first record of the species in Nepal
River Plover Vanellus duvaucelli
Up to six on four dates at Bardia, two at the Ibisbill site and another one or two at Chitwan
Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus
An uncommon to rare winter visitor but we found five near the barrage
Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malarbaricus
Another unusual winter visitor to these parts. Two were seen along the eastern embankment
Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus
Found in all wetland areas with up to 10 or so noted per day but there were 20 in the barrage area
Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus
A group of seven were watched at some length along the eastern embankment of the Koshi River. This is a rare bird in this area although it does occasionally breed in small numbers but we were delighted to connect with the species
Small Pratincole Glareola lactea
A summer visitor to Nepal and not seen on previous trips. Spectacular arial displays were witnessed at Bardia in the evenings along the river where flocks estimated at over 1000 were wheeling around like starlings or knot. Small numbers were seen in all suitable areas while on a sandbank in the middle of the Koshi River we encountered birds which had recently arrived to breed. About 500 were estimated at the latter site. Up to four were seen at Chitwan
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Little Stint Calidris minuta
Five along the riverbank at the courser site
Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii
Commonly seen on nine dates with a maximum count of 13 at Chitwan from the canoes
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Six along the Koshi embankment one afternoon were the only birds recorded
Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Seen in small numbers throughout with counts up to a 15 a day and a maximum count of 80 on the raft trip day
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Between one and four on eleven days
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Between one and three on four dates but there was a count of ten on the riverside pools at Koshi
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Seen most days with a maximum of 20 from the canoes at Chitwan
Pallas’s Gull Larus ichthyaetus
An adult in breeding plumage at Bardia on three dates probably referred to the same individual
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
This is an occasional winter visitor. A single first adult in breeding plumage was seen at Chitwan
Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans
An immature bird was seen from the Pink Tower
River Tern Sterna aurantia
A single from the Koshi camp on two days was followed by five birds on the day we visited the barrage and another two from the raft trip
Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda
Four in full summer plumage were seen on the raft trip and were truly stunning birds
Little Tern Sterna albifrons
Ten and 25 on consecutive days in the Koshi River
Rock Dove Columba livia
About ten birds in the mountains between Kathmandu and Chitwan were one of the highlights of the trip. Interestingly Nepalese Rock Doves do not show white rumps making them difficult to separate from Street Pigeons in Kathmandu
Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
The commonest dove seen virtually daily
Red Turtle Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica
Seen far more frequently than on previous trips with up to 15 on seven dates at Koshi and Chitwan
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
Seen on six dates in numbers up to a dozen but 30 were noted on the day of the raft trip
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
Commonly found in most areas and not really counted
Emerald Dove Chacophaps indica
A single from the elephants at Bardia, eight on the elephant drive at Chitwan and two and three over the next two days also at Chitwan
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta
A single male was seen at Bardia
Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron pompadora
One male and two females were seen on our morning walk at Chitwan
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera
Seen only at Bardia on three dates with a maximum of 60 birds and at Chitwan where the biggest count was 23
Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenura
Uncommon in Kathmandu Valley but good views were had of a male in the Godavari Gardens
Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria
Good numbers were seen at Bardia with counts of up to 25 and smaller numbers at Chitwan. As usual many records involve fly-overs
Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri
Seen almost daily and often not even counted
Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala
Smaller numbers than the previous species but still seen regularly although less often at Koshi
Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula Alexandri
Five at Chitwan was followed by 20 there the next day
Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis
Two of these were seen on the jeep drive at Chitwan
Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius
Recorded on six dates with up to seven birds a day, but mostly heard and only occasionally seen, and then mostly in flight. Not recorded at all in Bardia
(Large Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides)
A single heard only at Phulchowki on our second visit there
Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis
Commonly seen throughout with counts of up to 20 birds in a day
Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis
A single at the Pink Tower was followed by two further singles at Chitwan
Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis
Two from the elephants at Chitwan and another two at their nest site along the Koshi River embankment
Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei
A single was called in by tape at Phulchowki. This is a beautiful little owlet and excellent views and photographs were obtained. For some this was the bird of the trip
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Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum
Up to four on five dates out in the open during daylight hours
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Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides
Two seen in the Godavari gardens
Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata
One heard at Bardia, a pair seen along the Koshi embankment and another heard at Chitwan
Spotted Owlet Athene brama
Up to six seen on six dates. They breed in Koshi camp
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Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus
Heard on five different nights while one or two were seen at Bardia on a couple of evenings but only briefly or in silhouette
House Swift Apus nipalensis
A single at Bardia was followed by 50 between Chitwan and Kathmandu, another two in Kathmandu and several hundred on our last day in Nepal
Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis
Two at Koshi was the only record of this uncommon resident
Crested Tree Swift Hemiprocne coronata
A dozen at Chitwan on the jeep drive included perched birds and was our only encounter this year
White-rumped Spinetail Zoonavena sylvatica
Two on two consecutive days at Chitwan were the only records
White-breasted Kingfisher Halycon smyrnensis
The commonest kingfisher and seen virtually on a daily basis in good numbers with a maximum count of 18 on the road from Koshi to Chitwan. Someone was not asleep!
Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis
One to three on eleven dates
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Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
One to five on most dates
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
This beautiful bird is plentiful in this area and up to eight were seen on ten dates but there was a count of 15 on the Day of the Koshi River trip
Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni
Fantastic views were had of a single in the open forest near Bardia and another there the next day while at Chitwan there were two days when two further birds were seen
Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis
Counts of up to 20 seen on most days
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti
Seen on four dates all at Chitwan with counts of between 15 and 30
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Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis
Counts of between one and six on most dates
Hoopoe Upupa epops
Between two and four on most date
Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus
Two at Bardia were hard to get good views of but between three and five on three dates at Chitwan gave us spectacular views
Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris
Between five and seven on three days at Bardia constitutes a new species for our groups
Great Barbet Megalaima virens
Four on our first visit to Phulchowki was our only record
Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata
Two on two days at Chitwan were the only sightings
Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica
Only occurs in the west where they are faily common. Between five and 20 on three dates at Bardia
Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica
Between one and six on six dates were recorded
Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala
Recorded on seven dates with a maximum of three seen, although often heard rather than seen
Wryneck Jynx torquilla
Two along the eastern embankment at Koshi were followed by another single there and a further one at Chitwan
Lesser Yellow-nape Picus chlorolophus
Three at Chitwan on the jeep drive and another two there the next day
Greater Yellow-nape Picus flavinucha
Two singles at Chitwan were the sole record
Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus
A male in the Godavari gardens was followed by three and four on consecutive days at Chitwan
Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus
A single in the Sal forest at Bardia was the only record. The first year we came to Nepal we saw none, last trip there were nine and this year only one
Himalayan Flameback Dinopium shorii
Two days of four birds and a single all at Chitwan
Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense
Between one and eight on seven dates all at Bardia or Koshi
White-naped Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes festivus
An uncommon species of the far west. One was seen on one of our walks at Bardia and this represents a new species in Nepal for our group
Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus
A gang of seven noisy birds were encountered in the Sal Forest of Bardia where fantastic prolonged scope views were possible of this, the biggest woodpecker in the world
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Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei
One of the commonest woodpeckers encountered with up to seven on seven dates in all areas
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Brown-fronted Woodpecker Dendrocopos auriceps
Just one was unfortunately only seen by the writer of this report at Phulchowki on the last visit there
Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus
One or two on three consecutive days all at Chitwan
Brown–capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopus nanus
Only really seen in the west where we had between one and five on four dates
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus
One Phulchowki on our penultimate day gave stunning views. This must be one of the prettiest woodpeckers of the region
Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis
A lovely name for a lovely bird. Two were seen on Phulchowki on our second visit there
Rufous-winged Bush Lark Mirafra assamica
Only seen in the eastern lowlands with two in arable fields on the way to the courser site and another single the next day
Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Eremopterix grisea
Only seen at Bardia and Koshi with up to five on five dates
Sand Lark Calandrella raytal
Up to six on seven dates in all suitable areas
Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula
One or two on five dates in all areas but a dozen were noted on the barrage day
Plain Martin Riparia paludicola
Commonly seen throughout
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Also commonly seen throughout with the highest count being 150 at Chitwan