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A Report from birdtours.co.uk

North East India 17 April – 9 May 2009 ,

Henk Hendriks

INTRODUCTION

I intended to visit the region for a couple of years already, but when I met Joseph Brooks and Uthai Treesucon on Sumba in July 2008 my plan became more concrete.

Joseph had arranged a 3 week trip with Peter Lobo in April/May 2009 and he invited me to join him.

Back home I was able to take leave in this period and so I joined them. Because of working commitments Uthai had to step out and I asked several birders I knew to come along. Stijn de Win a Belgian birder, currently living in Bangkok and Dutch birder Jan Hein van Steenis, currently living in London stepped in and so we had a fine 4 member team.

This trip report is a reflection of my own experiences on this trip, complemented by notes written by Jan Hein van Steenis.

The trip started under a bad omen as a good birding friend of mine, Rob Goldbach, was killed by an elephant in Panbari Forest just 10 days before our trip took off. The ironic thing is that I initially asked him to come with me on this trip, but he had already booked a trip to Eaglenest with a regular bird tour company. I talked to several people, present at the incident, and I strongly have the impression that the whole attack could have been prevented if the group had paid more attention to the warnings of the local guides and guards.

In general western birders ( me included, until recently) tend to say that local people overreact in confrontations with wildlife, but we all forget while we visit these regions once and a while, they live there all year round.!!

There are many incidents with elephants in Assam because there is a constant strong conflict between the local farmers and elephants entering their agriculture fields. The same day Rob was killed, in another incident an elephant killed 3 children. Anyway it is sad that Rob can no longer undertake the birding trips he so deeply enjoyed.

I had visited Assam and Meghalaya in March 1998 and as Joseph did Assam and Namdapha in 2006, we focussed on the Dirang area, Eaglenest and last but not least the Mishmi Hills.

Our itinerary worked out fine and in the end we spent an extra day in Kaziranga because we did so well in the Eaglenest area.

I also spent an extra day at the start of the trip at Sultanpur near Delhi to try for Sind Sparrow, which worked out fine and Stijn and I also added an extra day at the end of the tour for a visit to Dibru-Saikhowa and Digboi.

The whole trip was perfectly organised by Peter Lobo and his crew, During the first 2 weeks he and his guide Abid accompanied us and during the Mishmi Hills leg of the tour we were guided by Abid alone. We were very well taken care of and all we had to do was birding.

The birding was fantastic. Not only did we see some extraordinary species but all that against a back drop of undisturbed pristine forest, especially at Eaglenest and the Mishmi Hills. We mainly birded from the road or a wide track with NO traffic (Eaglenest) or just a few cars daily (Mishmi Hills).

I was a bit worried about the timing of our visit because most bird tours visit the region in March and April but it all worked out fine. Some species were more vocal than earlier in the year and as a result easier to observe.

Of course we also dipped some species: no sign of the two tragopans. But you can judge for yourself when looking at our annotated bird list.

Highlights were many but the sighting of a male Blue-naped Pitta in full view for at least 30 seconds, less than 10 meters away in a gully in the tea garden near Kaziranga stands out.

But we also saw Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, the endemic Chestnut-breasted Hill Partridge, Black-tailed Crake, Long-billed Plover, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Pale-headed Woodpecker, Snow Pigeon, Blue-naped Pitta (3 birds!!), Purple Cochoa, Blyth’s Kingfisher, Blue-fronted Robin, Rusty-bellied Shortwing, Grandala, Bugun Liocichla, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Manipur Fulvetta, Black-headed Shrike Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Slender-billed Babbler, Marsh Babbler, Himalayan Cutia, Collared Treepie, 15 species of Laughingthrush (including the rare and localised Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush),9 species of Wren-Babblers including the 2 Wedge-billed’s and the recently rediscovered Mishmi Wren-Babbler, an unexpected male White-bellied Redstart, Ward’s Trogon, Broad-billed Warbler, Beautiful Nuthatch, Scarlet Finch and Crimson-browed Finch.

In total we recorded 476 species of which 10 were only heard.

VISA

You do need a visa for India. I obtained it through my local travel agency and this was valid for 3 months.

GETTING THERE – FLIGHT

I flew with KLM from Amsterdam to New Delhi. A return ticket cost me €820,- including all taxes. When I flew out of Delhi I unexpectedly had to pay an additional €19,- departure tax.! (since May 1 2009) I also flew from New Delhi to Guwahati and from Dibrugarh to New Delhi with Jet Airways. Cost me around €220,-

MONEY

The currency used in India is the indian rupee. During our stay the exchange rate was: 1000 Indian Rupee = 15 €
We hardly used any money as we paid for the whole trip to Peter Lobo.
Only for drinks we had to pay. I took some cash Euros which I changed in Delhi.

GETTING AROUND – CAR – ACCOMMODATION – FOOD & DRINKS

As all logistics were arranged by Peter we did not have to bother about all this. I booked a room in New Delhi (hotel Lohmod), close to the airport.
A room cost $60,-
Transportation was by 2 Tata jeeps. These were ok but in the highlands they produced a lot of fumes which was not nice for the people in the second car.
Accommodation was in either good hotels, a basic lodge in the Mishmi Hills and twice in a tented Camp where every evening we were provided with hot water for washing/showering.
Generally we had good to excellent meals. The first day in the field I was surprised to round a corner on the road, only to find a nicely dressed table with lunch just next of the road. This turned out to be the routine for the whole trip. We had lunch and most breakfasts out in the field, every day.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Though some areas in Assam are still considered to be unsafe because of tribal unrest we had no problems in this respect.
I used to state in many reports that I was never sick during my stay etc., but not this time.
During the first day I got sick, probably of some food along the road between Guwahati and Tezpur. I had serious stomach problems for the first 4/5 days and it took at least 7/8 days before I was really fit again.
During that period we also birded the area around the Sela Pass (4200m) and I was really struggling in that area. Stijn had also some stomach problems and Joseph had some problems with the altitude.
I did take prophylaxis against malaria while we were in the lowlands, though apparently the risk is rather low.
Wildlife can be dangerous, especially elephants at Panbari Forest, where Rob Goldbach was killed. But elephants also occur at Eaglenest, so you have to be careful.

WEATHER

We were very lucky with the weather.
Only during our first visit to the Sela Pass we encountered a nasty drizzle and fog at the pass.
We also drove most part of the day in the rain when we drove out of Eaglenest to Kaziranga. But that was a travelling day.
At Mishmi Hills we had some rain and fog one day in the area near the Mayodia Pass.
Most days the temperatures were very pleasant and actually perfect for birding. It was cold at Sela Pass and early mornings/evenings at Lama Camp and the lodge area in Mishmi Hills.
In the lowlands near Kaziranga it was hot during the day and it was very hot in Delhi.

EQUIPMENT

We had 3 scopes in the group and Stijn did quite some digiscoping.
I carried a Canon 40d with Canon 300f4 is with 1.4 extender.
We both succeeded in photographing a large number of species we encountered.
Stijn also recorded a nice selection of songs during this trip (Sony MK 300 + Philips voicetracer) This selection can be heard at www.bird2asia.com.
Joseph and I had also collected a good selection of vocalisations on an I-Pod. Both Peter and Abid had also good recordings of most target species on an I-pod.

REFERENCES

Books:

Birds of the Indian Subcontinent.  Richard Grimmett, Carol & Tim Inskipp.
Birds of South Asia: the Ripley guide     P.Rasmussen & Anderton
A Birdwatcher’s Guide to India. Krys Kazmierczak

Trip reports & articles

We used several trip reports of recent trips of some of the Bird tour companies.
Birding Hotspots-Kaziranga           Maan Barua-BirdingASIA 3 June 2005
Birding Hotspots-Eaglenest           Ramana Athreya – Birding ASIA 4 December 2005
New Liocichla found in India at     B.R.Sykes – Birding ASIA 6
Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary         December 2006 -         Arunachal Pradesh             
Birding Hotspots revisited             Simon Allen & Mike Catsis
On the trail of the Bugun             Birding ASIA 7 – June 2007
Liochichla L.bugunorum in North-east India                        
Streak-throated Fulvetta Fulvetta  Mathias Ritschard
cinereiceps in north-eastern Aru-   Birding ASIA 8 December 2007

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all I like to thank Peter Lobo and his crew, especially Abid, for organising this great birding trip for us.

Further my birding companions, Stijn de Win, Jan Hein van Steenis and Joseph Brooks. Together we saw an incredible number of quality species.

Especially Jan Hein for compiling the mammal list and to make comments and corrections to the original text.

USEFULL ADRESSES

Peter Lobo for organising your trip to north-East India. peterlobo65@gmail.com or birdingindia@gmail.com

SITES (Map of Route.)

Introduction

The Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary has become a popular birding destination in recent years. After the discovery of a new Liocichla in 2005 many birders made the birding pilgrimage to this north-east corner of India.

If you combine Eaglenest with the Dirang Area, birders are able to score an incredible number of rare and/or range-restricted birds of the Eastern Himalayas.

Another advantage is that it can be done at a very reasonable price, certainly if you compare this to the costs you have to make to bird neighbouring Bhutan. You can see all the Bhutan species and more. And yet another advantage is that you can combine these sites easily with other areas in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya.

Areas like Nameri, Kaziranga, Dibru-Saikhowa in Assam, Namdapha and the Mishmi Hills in Arunachal Pradesh, Shillong area in Meghalaya and even a visit to Nagaland is possible. We opted for a 5-day extension to the beautiful, undisturbed forests of Mishmi Hills.

EAGLENEST

Eaglenest got its name from a general Singh of the Indian Army who was fighting the Chinese in the India-Chinese war in 1960 and who had his base in this area. Actually the track where you bird along is an old army road, built to transport troops through the region.

At Eaglenest you bird along this wide track from Lama Camp (2300 m) up to Eaglenest Pass (2700 m) and then down to  Bhompu (1900 m), Sessni (1200 m), Khellong and further down to the Doimara River (700 m).

We stayed in tented camps at Lama Camp and Bhompu and from these camps we birded along the different stretches of the road. The birding along this track with no traffic and through mostly undisturbed, pristine habitat was absolutely fabulous.

DIRANG AREA

Dirang (1500 m) is a small town in western Arunachal Pradesh, which is your base from where you bird the Sela Pass Rd. (Sela Pass at 4200 m), Mandala Rd. (Mandala Pass at 3200 m.) and from where you can visit the Sangti Valley (±1500 m). We stayed at a nice, small hotel (Hotel Pemaling) in Dirang.

Along the Sela Pass Rd. you also bird at different altitudes but the most interesting part is the roughly 10 km stretch before the actual pass and at the pass and its immediate surroundings itself. Here you find the species you most likely will not encounter at the other sites.

We found the birding along the Mandala Rd. very productive, but along this road you already encounter some disturbed patches.

The Sangti Valley is nice to visit in an early morning or late afternoon, as we did. The specialties of this valley are the occurrence of Black-tailed Crake at a swampy area and along the stony riverbank Long-billed Plover is found to be breeding.

MISHMI HILLS

This area can be reached from Dibrugarh with some difficulty. You have to transport your vehicle(s) over the river Brahmaputra with a ferry boat.

It takes some skill to drive the car over some planks on the boat. But to reach the shores of the river is the trickier part. After heavy rain the tracks to the river all almost impassable for a normal car. Trucks and busses make deep ruts in the mud and we saw busses, trucks and cars stuck in the mud.

When you succeed in crossing the Brahmaputra you continue over a very bad, potholed road to the small city of Roing. From there you start climbing into the Mishmi Hills up to the Mayodia pass. (2500 m) From the start of the road to the pass is a little more than 50 km. A couple of km before the pass is a basic lodge where you can stay overnight.

Along the road you still find large tracts of undisturbed forests. Many of the species you find here, you are familiar with from the Eaglenest and Dirang area but the star bird of the area is the enigmatic Mishmi Wren Babbler. This species was rediscovered by Ben King & Julian Donahue in late November/early December 2004 after being lost for more than 57 years. We had good views of it and I even succeeded in taking some photographs.

Another specialty of the area is Blyth’s Tragopan. It is said to be a reliable area to encounter this species but we dipped. Sclater’s Monal has also recently been found at higher altitudes but it takes a tough hike of several hours to reach this site.

KAZIRANGA

Kaziranga is of course one of India’s most famous wildlife parks and this alone merits a visit to this park. Besides, it harbours a lot of (some special) birds. We did not plan to visit Kaziranga as Joseph and I had visited the park in the past and we thought we needed the time elsewhere. But because we did so well at Eaglenest we decided to revisit Kaziranga and we were not to be disappointed. We even recorded a life bird, Slender-billed Babbler, in the park and had an unexpected female Blue-naped Pitta on the track in full view. We made 3 game drives in the park.

KAZIRANGA TEAGARDEN

The only reason to visit this site was to find Blue-naped Pitta.

DIBRU-SAIKHOWA

At the end of the trip Stijn and I visited Dibru-Saikhowa for a full birding day. It is easily reached from Dibrugarh (30 minutes)

We had a great day and found 3 out of 4 target species. Good views of Black-breasted Parrotbill, Marsh Babbler and Jerdon’s Babbler but we failed to find Swamp Prinia. Other good birds were a pair of Jerdon’s Bushchat, Black Bittern, a male Watercock, Greater Painted Snipe and a few Black-faced Buntings.

I was lucky to observe a Ganges Dolphin, because I was looking in the right direction at the right time.

DIGBOI

On our last morning we spent 2 hours at Digboi Oilfields and our only target was the rare and localised Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush. We first heard one but failed to tape it in, but another bird was found nearby which turned out to be more cooperative and gave great views. Digboi is also readily accessible from Dibrugarh (45 minutes)

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Friday April 17                 Geldrop – Amsterdam – New Delhi

I took the 7.10 am train from Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport.

Left Amsterdam on a KLM flight at 11.10 am and arrived at New Delhi at 22.50 pm where, after I had collected my luggage, I met my old friend Raj. In the past I have made several trips in India with him. We drove to nearby hotel Lohmod which I had prebooked through internet and had some drinks. He promised to pick me up in the early morning for my visit to Sultanpur.

Day 2: Saturday April 18   New Delhi – Sultanpur.

At 6.00 am I drove with Raj to Sultanpur where we arrived at 7.00 am. We had a quick breakfast and I phoned one of the local guides (Sanjay) to help us find Sind Sparrow. The guard at the entrance told us where the general area was where the sparrows are mostly observed.

We walked to this site and were soon joined by Sanjay. A soon as we reached the core area I heard the familiar call of a sparrow and within seconds I located a pair of Sind Sparrows, which gave good views for the next 10 minutes. After this early succes we birded the area until 11.00 am when it became pretty hot.

After some drinks at the restaurant we drove back to Delhi where I had a late lunch with Raj. Some reading in my hotel room and in the evening Joseph Brooks and Jan Hein van Steenis arrived from Los Angeles and Londen.

Day 3: Sunday April 19               New Delhi – Guwahati – Tezpur.

After an early breakfast we left New Delhi at 10.10 am for the flight to Guwahati where we arrived at 13.00 pm. Here we met Peter Lobo and his guide Abid and we briefly saw the remaining part of the tour group of which Rob Goldbach formed part of. But time was too short to have a real conversation, as they had missed their plane and were trying to get on the next one.

We left Guwahati and paid the “famous” rubbish dump a short visit, where we enjoyed the sight of many Greater Adjutants and smaller numbers of Lesser Adjutants. Bengal Bushlark was another nice addition.

We initially had planned to stay overnight in the tented camp of Nameri but because of a social conflict this had to be changed. Instead we drove to a hotel in the town of Tezpur. During this drive we made a short road stop were we ate and drank something and unfortunately this was in my opinion the cause of my health problems for the next week or so.

Day 4: Monday April 20     Tezpur – Tenga – Bomdila - Dirang

After an early breakfast we left the Assam Plains to Bhalukpong, where we passed the border with Arunachal Pradesh.

The first part of the road went to wet forest, along the edge of the Sessa Orchid Sanctuary. A stop in a bamboo patch yielded great views of Pale-headed Woodpecker, with a Crimson-winged Liocichla at the next location.

The valleys got drier and in scrubby vegetation beyond Bomdila the recently-split and unimpressive Bhutan Laughingthrush was a lifer for all of us. We also had a good view of Indian Blue Robin.

After we dropped our gear at hotel Pemaling in Dirang we immediately left for the nearby Sangti Valley. Here we quickly scored Black-tailed Crake which gave good views in the scope. We then descended to the shores of the stony river to look for Long-billed Plover. This species can be difficult to find but we were lucky as within minutes after our arrival we found one. After this success we tried in vain to locate Wood Snipe in a corner of the swamp. I did not feel very well in the evening and I spent quite some time in the bathroom that night.

Day 5: Tuesday April 21    Mandala Road

At dawn we started to bird the lower stretches of Mandala Road. We spent all day along this road, birding up to 3000 m.

The first of many Beautiful Sibias was recorded and Jan Hein was the only one who saw a male Fire-capped Tit in a flock.

After some effort most of us had good, but brief views of a male Blue-fronted Robin. We had an excellent lunch along the road before we continued up the road. At an open patch of disturbed forest we found the distinctive local race of Spotted Nutcracker and a lone Blue-capped Rock-Thrush.

The real star of the afternoon was a female Ward’s Trogon. First heard at a distance but after some playback the bird flew straight to the road side and gave excellent and prolonged views.

Higher, near the pass, a bushy slope with a very dramatic backdrop of huge cedars held both Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler and Spotted Laughingthrush. Other nice finds were a female Crimson-browed Finch, a singing Large-billed Leaf-Warbler, our first Ludlow’s Fulvetta and a single Rusty-flanked Treecreeper.

Day 6: Wednesday April 22        Sela Pass Rd – Sela Pass

Early morning we drove up to the Sela Pass, which is about a 4 hours drive from Dirang. We made several bird stops along this road but unfortunately the weather was bad, with much fog. At the pass, it was even worse with strong winds and drizzle. We had some compensation in the form of some very tame Alpine Accentors but best were a few Grandalas, including some gorgeous males. Because of the bad weather and also because some of us did not feel that well, we drove down to bird the lower areas along the road. On the way down we got stuck (almost 3 hours) because of the recovery of a military truck which had driven off the road (amazingly no fatalities).

Day 7: Thursday April 23  Mandala Road

In the early morning we drove straight up to the Mandala Pass. On the way up we observed a single Eurasian Jay.

After having breakfast at the pass we started to bird the forest just before and just after the pass. A large flock of Plain Mountain-Finches was seen but highlight was the superb observation of a very responsive pair of Bar-winged Wren Babblers. We also observed 2 male Collared Grosbeaks and had great looks at a pair of Spotted Laughingthrushes. Most of the bamboo had died after flowering, much reducing our chances of some bamboo loving species.

In the afternoon we birded down the road but did not add any new birds to our list.

Day 8: Friday April 24                 Sela Pass Rd.

This morning we made another trip to the Sela Pass. We were a bit nervous because we did not know what the weather would do at the pass and we had also planned a short hike into Monal territory and that is no sinecure at this altitude. But the weather was fine.

During a birding stop on the way up we had our only, rather distant views of a couple of Snow Pigeons.

During our hike, slowly ascending along a slope, we had excellent views of Plain-backed Thrush and a small covey of Snow Partridges. While watching the partridges through the scope, a large bird came sailing down the slope, calling loudly: a female Himalayan Monal which landed on a nearby cliff and could be studied for a few minutes before it walked out of sight.

We decided it would not be a good idea to continue, as the altitude was taking its toll. The mammal highlight was the observation of some Blue Sheep.

We decided to drive a few km down from the pass and to start walking from there. Amazingly when Peter played some squeeky sounds of Fire-tailed Myzornis in habitat which seemed perfect for this species, we got an immediate response when Jan Hein shouted Myzornis and soon we all enjoyed great and close views of a male Fire-tailed Myzornis flitting about in the bushes before us.

Day 9: Saturday April 25   Dirang – Lama Camp

Today we drove from Dirang to Lama Camp in Eaglenest, which took less than 5 hours, despite stopping for Himalayan Greenfinches and succesfully visiting a good site for Crested Kingfisher.

A few Indian birders were just departing, leaving all of Eaglenest for us alone! Apparently quite different from earlier in the season, when there were four groups at the same time…

We spent the afternoon walking back along the road we came in by, looking for the one bird which gave Eaglenest its fame: Bugun Liocichla.

In a nice secluded spot we found a gorgeous male Sapphire Flycatcher, that did not get the attention it deserved because a Gould’s Shortwing had been seen at the same spot recently. Of course, this probable migrant did not show, although Peter had a brief view of one nearby. Unfortunately we did not succeed in persuading the bird to show it self again but we did have excellent views of a pair of very cooperative Himalayan Cutias.

We stopped at a broad gully where the Liocichla is regularly observed, and after some waiting, a four-note whistle announced the arrival of a Bugun Liochichla. I was lucky to be looking at the right spot when the bird popped up. Meanwhile I was trying to explain to the others where to look, but only Joseph got on to the bird before it disappeared, never to be seen again that afternoon. Of course that was not very encouraging for the mood of the other 2.

Day 10: Sunday April 26    Lama Camp – Eaglenest Pass

At dawn we were back at the same gully where we quickly located a Blue-winged Laughingthrush. However, it did not take long before we all had good views of a pair of responsive Bugun’s Liochichlas. We even saw another male nearby. Apparently the species is rather vocal at the end of April.

To complete the successful early morning, a responsive Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler scrambled up the slope into the road verge and gave good views.

After a late breakfast we drove up to Eaglenest Pass (about 30 min. from Lama Camp alt. 2700 m) where we failed to attract Temminck’s Tragopan, but had some compensation in the form of 2 very tame Brown Parrotbills and a singing Hume’s Bush-Warbler.

We walked towards Lama Camp and found a Streak-throated Barwing. But highlight of the afternoon was the male Black-headed Shrike-Babbler, which gave “the greatest performance of the trip”. At one time the bird almost hit Joseph when the bird flew in in response of playback of its call. Other nice species we recorded were Darjeeling Woodpecker and 2 Scaly Laughingthrushes emerging from the thick vegetation.

It was a rather cold, starlit night and in the early morning a Himalayan Wood Owl was calling but nobody wanted to get up to try to tape it in.

Day 11: Monday April 27   Lama Camp – Eaglenest Pass – Bhompu

After a bit of birding around Lama Camp where a couple of Brown Bullfinches were the highlight, we continued to Eaglesnest Pass. Again not a sniff of Temminck’s Tragopan at the pass, but a Spot-winged Grosbeak was some consolation.

Bhompu (1900 m) lies at a distance of 30 km from Lama Camp. On the way to Bhompu Camp, at Sunderview, a circular walk through lots of flowering knotweed was good for a ridiculous amount of Green-tailed Sunbirds, but little else.

Continuing to Bhompu we recorded our first of many Yellow-throated Fulvettas and at about 2300 m we observed another Ward’s Trogon and again a female. A Ferruginous Flycatcher showed well on a log and then we all got very excited as we heard the long, low whistle of Purple Cochoa, a lifer for all of us. After some frenetic searching and after some near-misses and poor flight views we got our bird of the day: a male Purple Cochoa which showed well in the scope. It was Jan Hein’s first and my last Cochoa.

Day 12: Tuesday April 28 Bhompu – Sessni – Khellong – Doimara River

We slowly made our way down to the lowest point in Eaglenest that can be reached by road: the Doimara River (27 km or 1.30 h from Bhompu at 700 m). A scary landslide blocks the road here, right at an obvious viewpoint over the Doimara River.

The drivers became quite excited when fresh elephant dung was found just below Bhompu Camp, and fire crackers and matches were laid out on the dashboards. We walked long stretches through beautiful forests and we stopped regularly at streams with tall herbs that looked perfect for wren-babblers. At one of this stream we taped in a Long-billed Wren-Babbler which sat motionless for at least a minute in full view. But we failed to find Sikkim Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler.

We also had our first views of the impressive Rufous-necked Hornbill. A surprise addition to the mammal list was a dhole in the middle of the track, of which I could take a record shot before it disappeared into the thick vegetation.

After earlier flight views, a Hodgson’s (Whistling) Hawk-Cuckoo feeding on a caterpillar, gave fantastic views (Peter’s best views ever). We spent a few hours near the river, looking for the Blyth’s Kingfisher seen here earlier in the year but we had to settle for Crested Kingfisher and some other lowland species.

As evening fell, we headed back to a stake-out for Hodgson’s Frogmouth. After some playback a bird flew in on a bare branch. Sometimes it can be so easy...

Day 13: Wednesday April 29     Bhompu - Sessni

Early morning we tried again at one of the favourite gullies of the Wedge-billed W.B. This time we were successful and had good and lengthy views of one, singing its heart out, right in the open.

We spent the rest of the day walking the road between Bhompu and Sessni, with birding quite slow at times.

Once we got the adrenaline running when Stijn discovered a Beautiful Nuthatch, a species which had eluded us sofar, but we failed to obtain satisfactory views of the bird.

At one time we located a franticly calling Chestnut-breasted Partridge in a small patch of scrub/forest between a hairpin and a landslide, but the bird refused to show. In a joint operation of drivers, guides and birders we all succeeded in seeing this rare endemic. At one time the bird passed me at a distance of 1 meter!! As we continued along the road we finally located several Beautiful Nuthatches which were much more obliging and showing very well.

A mystery bird song kept us occupied for some time. We were convinced that it had to be a Laughingthrush but we could not identify the song at the time. Stijn made a recording and it turned out to be the song of Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush. Despite playback it never showed.

Day 14: Thursday April 30                   Bhompu - Sessni – Khellong – Doimara

We decided to drive straight down to the lower reaches of Eaglenest to catch up with a few species we had missed on the 28th. In a bamboo patch we finally caught up with White-hooded Babbler.

At about 9.30 am we arrived at the landslide (700 m) just above a nice viewpoint over the Doimara River. Our plan was to walk down to the location we had occupied on the 28th to try again for the Blyth’s Kingfisher. This seemed a better idea than scanning the river from the viewpoint. However, a high-pitched call from the river below followed by : “Kingfisher!” led of course to a change of mind. We all rushed to the edge of the cliff and I saw a Blyth’s Kingfisher briefly perched on a rock in the middle of the river, just below us. The kingfisher than flew upriver, landing twice briefly – long enough for everyone to see it.

We later checked an area upstream and flushed a Blyth’s Kingfisher again which was only briefly seen by Stijn.

We slowly birded our way back up, where the find of a male White-bellied Redstart was a huge surprise. We also scored the more expected Rufous-faced Warbler and Yellow-vented Warbler. Both species are more easier to find from the end of April onwards than earlier in the season.

We heard Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler but this species would elude us.

Joseph had birded the area above Bhompu after seeing the Kingfisher, but although he encountered some impressive flocks, no sign of a tragopan. With the chance of lifers now quite slim, we had decided to leave Eaglenest a day earlier than planned, so we would have an extra day in the Kaziranga area.

Day 15: Friday May 1 Bhompu – Lama Camp – Tenga - Kaziranga

Our decision to leave Eaglenest was a good one, as it was raining heavily when we left (at 4 am), foggy and rainy on the way and still raining when we reached Kaziranga nine hours later. On the way, we said goodbye to Peter who had to leave to assist Birdseekers in seeking birds; our drivers left us in Kaziranga.

In the afternoon we made a game drive in Kaziranga NP (Western Range), luckily not in an open jeep, as it was still raining from time to time. During our stay in Kaziranga we stayed at the pleasant Jupuri Ghar hotel.

Day 16: Saturday May 2    Tea garden – Kaziranga (Central Range)

We started rather late this morning: 7 am. It was with great anticipation that we left for a nearby teagarden to look for Blue-naped Pitta. Besides Abid we were accompanied by another local guide, Rafik. We went straight for a bamboo-filled gully, where a few weeks earlier Chris Goodle (The birder who is on a year-long quest to score all the pittas of the world in just one year) saw one. It was warm and rather quiet birdwise and best species were some Rufous-necked Laughingthrushes. After a single response from our target (but no further sign) and some checking of other nearby gullies we decided to descend to the bottom of the gully where we had our first response and wait there. Motionless (as motionless as one can be with all the leeches present!) we waited, but nothing happened. When we discussed the best strategy and we were about to leave, Abid suddenly saw some movement and after some tantalising moments we had excellent views of a female Blue-naped Pitta and I also saw briefly a second bird, probably the male .

What a relief and especially for Joseph, who failed to find the species a few years earlier, despite the fact that he spent days at Namdapha and Kaziranga, looking for the Pitta (and hearing it daily).

Both birds had disappeared up the slope and Rafik decided to circle around and to try to push the birds back towards us. I was rather sceptical about this move but to my surprise at one time a pitta flew straight in and perched completely in the open on a horizontal bamboo stem at a distance of less than 8 meters. When I raised my binoculars I had exceptional views of a male Blue-naped Pitta. We all did and the bird even obliged more to turn around to show off its blue nape. We observed it for at least 30 seconds before it flew off again.Incredible. I never thought that we would be able to observe this species so well with a group.

After this great success we returned to our hotel and enjoyed the feeling of actually being on a holiday for a few hours.

After lunch we made another game drive in the Central Range of Kaziranga, where we made good use of the photographic opportunities in the park, also because of the excellent weather conditions. We checked many patches of reed, and eventually succeeded in finding a few Slender-billed Babblers, along with many of the more common resident marsh birds.

We failed to find Bengal Florican at a site where it had recently been seen.

Day 17: Sunday May 3 Kaziranga (Central Range)–drive to Tinsukia

We made another, not so early-morning visit, to the Central Range. The park only opens at 7.30 am, which is three hours after sunrise!! We drove a “long route” which gave a chance of vultures, which we did not see.

The open forest we passed through held some nice birds like Blue-bearded Bee-eater, but the real surprise was a female Blue-naped Pitta, drinking or feeding at the edge of a puddle, right in the middle of the track. I even succeeded in taking some photographs of the bird before it hopped off into the adjoining scrub. Three different Blue-naped Pittas in 2 days!!

At about 11.00, we left for the long uneventful drive to Tinsukia with two new drivers, though a single Greater Adjutant was seen on the way.

In Tinsukia we stayed at a rather nondescript hotel in the center of town.

Day 18: Monday May 4 Tinsukia – Roing – Mishmi Hills

It had stormed a great deal of the night with heavy rainfall and lightning according to the others, but I had slept through it all without noticing.

We left before dawn for our trip to Mishmi Hills. The road ended close to the Brahmaputra, after which a myriad of muddy tracks led us to the bank from where the ferries depart. Our three cars were driven sideways onto a rather battered, old boat.

When Jan Hein descended the stairs into the hull of the boat, the stairs gave way beneath him and he was very lucky that he was not injured when he fell down!

Slowly the captain navigated along and between the sand banks to the other shore of the Brahmaputra. Getting ashore turned out to be a real problem because, as a result of the storm, the shore had been crumbled away, but eventually we were dropped a bit further upstream: the crossing had taken three hours!

Over a very bad, potholed road we continued to Roing, Arunachal Pradesh.

Beyond Roing, a few destroyed bridges marked the entrance to the Mishmi Hills, which rise to 3000 meters. A few hundred meters up, we stopped at a bamboo patch where we quickly found our target species: Collared Treepie. Instead of the hoped for Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler we observed a single Red-billed Scimitar-Babbler.

An interesting blue flycatcher which mostly looked like Hill Blue was observed but we had to leave the i.d. open.

Stijn and Jan Hein who were in the second car had excellent views of a male Western Hoolock Gibbon.

At about 1500 m, Abid heard a Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler, and it did not take long for us to have good views of it.

We reached our “lodge” (2300m), which is roughly 2 km before the Mayodia Pass, just before nightfall. In the garden we saw the captive Mishmi Takin, which is very rarely seen in the wild.

Day 19: May 5   Mishmi Hills

At dawn we started at the area around the Mayodia Pass (2600 m), where we quickly found the local specialty, the rather unimpressive Manipur Fulvetta. We spent the morning beyond the pass and though the scenery was impressive the birding was slow.

After lunch, we drove back down to a bridge at 2000 m and from there walked further down. This area is known to hold Blyth’s Tragopan, but we had no sign whatsoever, despite three days of trying. We kept on checking gullies, and on the edge of a large clearing we heard a Mishmi Wren-Babbler singing and 2 of us (not me) saw the bird briefly.

Luckily a little later a second bird showed much better and we all had good views. This species was rediscovered in November 2004 by Ben King and Jonathan Donahue, after it had gone missing for more than 57 years.

Day 20: May 6   Mishmi Hills

We spent most of the day walking down from the 2000 m bridge. Before we got there, we had already seen a flock of Speckled Wood-Pigeons.

Right at the bridge we saw a Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler perched on a rock, just next to the road. Fast and silently we covered about 5 km in the hope to find a Blyth’s Tragopan along this stretch but to no avail.

At one time Jan Hein heard a Rusty-bellied Shortwing and after some playback we all had reasonable views of the bird. Most of the birds we encountered today were familiar species from Eaglenest but it is no punishment to have again excellent views of a pair of Beautiful Nuthatches.

Day 21: May 7   Mishmi Hills

Today we visited the lower reaches of the Mishmi Hills, which meant a few more foothill species for the trip list. The most interesting species we observed was that mystery blue flycatcher we saw and heard a few days earlier. We found two birds at 700 m which we thought most likely to be Chinese Blue Flycatcher( e.g. orange of breast not sharply demarcated from white of belly, bill not heavy) but it caused a lot of discussion.

Stijn made a recording of its song and afterwards he concluded that it was not Chinese Blue, not Hill Blue, but Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher! On the way back, we entered thick fog at 2200 m but from the car I spotted a large Trogon, which was probably flushed by our passing car.

Just moments later we had very good and close views (despite the fog) of a male and later also a female Ward’s Trogon. At the same site we also had incredible close views of a Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler.

Day 22: May 8 Mishmi Hills – drive to Tinsukia

We started the day with another good look at the pair of Ward’s Trogon but only heard Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler.

We also failed to find the local race of Bar-winged Wren-Babbler but a little raptor watching from the terrace of our lodge gave us some nice raptors, including a female Amur Falcon.

Then it was time to leave for our return trip to Tinsukia. The crossing of the Brahmaputra again was problematic, with one of our cars getting very stuck on a muddy track. And our car was not the only vehicle bogged down. Cars, trucks and busses ploughed through the muddy plain towards the shore of the river. This time we needed 3½ hours for the crossing. On the sandbanks we observed Lesser Sand Plovers and a flock of Pacific Golden Plovers.

In Tinsukia, I said goodbye to Jan Hein and Joseph who would fly out tomorrow to New Delhi and on to London and LA. Stijn and I would stay another day and bird Dibru-Saikhowa tomorrow.

Day 23: May 9   Dibru-Saikhowa

At dawn we drove the short distance to Dibru-Saikhowa where we had breakfast at the shore of the Brahmaputra.

We spent all morning in the grassland areas of the park and scored all our targets: Jerdon’s Bushchat, Marsh Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler and best of all Black-breasted Parrotbill. The latter proved to be rather elusive and it took some time before we had excellent views of one.

We also flushed a Barred Button-Quail twice.

On our way back I was the lucky one who saw a Ganges Dolphin surfacing close to the boat. We also had a flock of Slender-billed Vultures from the boat.

After lunch, where we met one of the local birders from Tinsukia we visited another area in search of Swamp Prinia. We unexpectedly bumped into some semi-domestic Buffaloes, which caused some havock and a hasty retreat. It turned out that the grassland area where the Prinia was observed earlier in the season, had been burnt and as a result we dipped.

We birded all afternoon at the reserve and really enjoyed it. We saw a male Watercock in flight, several Black Bitterns, Greater Painted Snipe and at least 2 Black-faced Buntings.

Later afternoon we returned to Tinsukia.

Day 24: May 10 Digboi – Tinsukia – Dibrugarh – New Delhi

In the early morning we drove (45 min. drive) to Digboi where we had 2 hours to find our target: the scarce and local Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush.

First we heard the species but it did not really respond to the tape but finally after one hour we located a single bird which gave excellent views. So satisfied we returned to our hotel to pack our stuff for our flight home.

At 11.00 am we left for the drive from Tinsukia to the airport of Dibrugarh. We said goodbye to Abid and at 14.05 I flew from Dibrugarh to Delhi, via Guwahati. Stijn changed flights in Guwahati for his flight to Calcutta and on to Bangkok. Around 18.00 pm I landed in Delhi where I met Raj again. We had dinner together and at 00.50 am I flew from New Delhi to Amsterdam where I arrived at 6.00 am the next morning.

Day 25: May 11

Landed at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam at 6.00 am. Took the train home, where I arrived just before 9.00 am.

Henk Hendriks - hhendriks@onsmail.nl

Geldrop, 12 June 2009

SHORT ITINERARY

17-04        Geldrop – Amsterdam by train. Amsterdam – New Delhi. Arrival at 23.00 pm. Hotel Lohmod.
18-04        Visit to Sultanpur, one hour out of Delhi, with my friend Raj. Birded from 7.00 – 11.00 am. Scored Sind Sparrow.
19-04        Flight New Delhi – Guwahati. Arrival at 13.00 pm. Visit to Rubbish Dump. Drive to Tezpur.
20-04        Drive from Tezpur – Dirang (hotel Pemaling) Visit to Sangti Valley. (15.00 – 18.00 PM)
21-04        All day on the Mandala Road. Up to the summit (3200 m.)
22-04        All day on the road up to the Sela Pass. (4200 m.)
23-04        All day on the Mandala Road. Morning at the other side of the pass (3200 m.) and between 3000 – 2600 m. in the afternoon.
24-04        Walked 2 km. along a track which started at the Sela Pass. Birded down along the road (last 7 km.) from the Sela Pass.
25-04        Drive Dirang to Lama Camp (2300 m.) at Eaglesnest.Late afternoon birding around Lama Camp.
26-04        Early morning around Lama Camp and later along the road towards Eaglesnest Pass. (2700 m.)
27-04        Birded along the road to Eaglesnest Pass and down to Bhompu.
28-04        Birded all day along the road from Bhompu to Sessni and further down to Khellong.
29-04        All day along the road from Bhompu to Sessni.
30-04        All day along the road from Bhompu to Sessni, Khellong and further down to Doimara.
01-05        Long drive from Bhompu to Kaziranga. Afternoon drive in western range of Kaziranga.
02-05        Early morning visit to teagarden for Blue-naped Pitta. Afternoon drive in central range of Kaziranga.
03-05        Morning drive (to 10.00 am) in central range of Kaziranga. Long drive to Tinsukia.
04-05        Drive from Tinsukia via ferry over the Brahmaputra to Roing and on the the Mayoda Pass in the Mishmi Hills.
05-05        Early morning at Mayodia Pass and beyond. Afternoon along the road down between 2000 – 1850m.
06-05        All day along the road from the bridge (2000 m.) down to 1550 m.
07-05        Birded down from the bridge to 700 m.
08-05        Birded along the road between 2200 – 2300 m.(5.00 – 7.30 am). Long drive from Mishmi Hills to Tinsukia via Roing.
09-05        All day at Dibru Saikowa.
10-05        Early morning at Digboi Oilfields (6.30 – 9.00 am) Flight from Dibrurgarh to New Delhi. Arrival at 18.00 pm.
11-05        Flight from New Delhi to Amsterdam. Departure at 1.00 am and arrival at Amsterdam at 6.00 am. Train to Geldrop where I arrived at 8.45 am.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF OBSERVATIONS

PODICIPEDIDAE

Little Grebe Podiceps ruficollis
On 9-05 a total of 15 exx. observed at Dibru-Saikhowa.

PHALACROCORACIDAE

Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
On 1-05 a single bird was observed on transit close to Kaziranga.

Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger
Small numbers were observed on transit in the Assam Plains and common during the drives into Kaziranga NP.

Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis
A total of 30 exx on 2 dates in the central range of Kaziranga.

ANHINGIDAE

Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster
On 18-04 2 exx at Sultanpur.
A total of 14 exx on 3 dates in Kaziranga.
On 09-05 1 ex at Dibru-Saikhowa

ARDEIDAE

Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Small numbers in the Assam lowlands and up to 10 exx daily at Kaziranga and Dibru-Saikhowa.

Great Egret Casmerodius albus
As previous species.

Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedius
Single birds at Kaziranga and 4 exx on 09-05 at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus
Commonly encountered in the plains of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
On 18-04 a few at Sultanpur
A single bird on 1-05 in Kaziranga.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
One or two birds daily at Kaziranga.
On 09-05 a single bird at Dibru-Saikhowa.
On 18-04 a few at Sultanpur

Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii
Up to 20 exx daily in the plains of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
On 18-04 3 exx at Sultanpur.
On 02-05 heard near our hotel, Kaziranga
On 08-05 2 exx Tinsukia and on 09-05 a single bird at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Striated Heron Butorides striatus
On 09-05 6 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa

Black Bittern Dupeter flavicollis
On 09-05 2 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa

Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
On 01-05 a single bird near Tezpur
On 09-05 10 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis
On 09-05 15 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

CICONIIDAE

Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans
On 19-04 20+ between Guwahati-Tezpur.
Up to 50 exx daily at Kaziranga.
On 09-05 4 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala
On 18-04 2 exx at Sultanpur

Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
On 02-05 2 exx at Kaziranga.

Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
On 18-04 1 ex at Sultanpur.
A total of 10 exx on 3 dates at Kaziranga.

Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus
On 19-04 10 exx at the Guwahati rubbish dump and a few on transit to Tezpur.
Up to 10 exx daily at Kaziranga.
On 04-05 1 ex near Rohing.
On 09-05 1 ex at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius
On 19-04 30+ at the Guwahati rubbish Dump.
On 03-05 2 exx between Kaziranga-Tinsukia.

THRESKIORNITHIDAE

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
On 18-04 1 ex at Sultanpur

Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus
A few at Sultanpur
On 02-05 1 ex at Kaziranga

Indian Black (Red-naped) Ibis Pseudibis papillosa
On 18-04 3 exx at Sultanpur.

ANATIDAE

Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus
On 22-04 3 exx migrating over the road to the Sela Pass.

Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor
On 04-05 and 08-05 up to 30 exx along the Brahmaputra.
On 09-05 10+ at Dibru-Saikhowa

Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica
Common at Kaziranga, along the Brahmaputra and Dibru-Saikhowa.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
On 22-04 8 exx along the road to the Sela Pass.
On 25-04 3 exx at the Sela Pass.
Up to 10 exx daily at Kaziranga.

Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotis
On 18-04 20+ at Sultanpur.

Garganey Anas querquedula
4 exx at Sultanpur.

Northern Pintail Anas acuta
On 09-05 1 male at Dibru-Saikhowa

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
2 exx at Sultanpur.

Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha
Up to 10 exx along the Brahmaputra on 04 and 08-05.
On 09-05 10 ex at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus.
A total of 7 exx on 2 dates at Kaziranga.

ACCIPITRIDAE

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
On 1-05 2 exx Kaziranga.
On 09-05 1 ex Dibru-Saikhowa

Black Kite Milvus migrans
Rather scarce. Common on 19-04 at the Guwahati rubbish dump.
Small numbers in the Assam plains and a total of 17 exx on 3 dates in the Mishmi Hills. (On 07-05 10 exx)

Black-eared Kite Milvus lineatus
A few identified at the Guwahati rubbish dump.

Shikra Accipiter badius
Single birds on 02 and 03-05 in Kaziranga.

[Besra Accipiter virgatus]
On 08-05 probably this species at Mishmi.

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentiles
On 08-05 1 ex Mishmi Hills.

Sparrowhawk accipiter nisus
On 27-04 1 ex near Lama Camp.

Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus
On 27-04 1 ex and on 28-04 2 exx Eaglenest area.

Himalayan Buzzard Buteo burmanicus
2 single birds in the Dirang area.
On 25-04 2 exx. near Lama Camp.

Oriental Honey-Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus
On 18-04 2 exx at Sultanpur.
On 02-05 a single bird at Kaziranga.
On 06-04 6 exx and on 08-04 4 exx at the Mishmi Hills.

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela
A total of 3 exx in the Kaziranga area.
On 05-05 a single bird at Mishmi.
On 10-05 a single bird near Tinsukia.

Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii
On 27-04 1 imm. above Bhompu, Eaglenest.

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
On 18-04 1 ex at Sultanpur.

Mountain Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus nipalensis
A total of 4 exx on 4 dates at Eaglenest.
On 06-05 1 ex at Mishmi Hills.

Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus limnaeetus
A total of 6 exx on 3 dates at Kaziranga.

Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis
Single birds on 2 dates in the Dirang area.
Daily up to 4 sightings in the Eaglesnest area.
Single birds daily at Mishmi Hills.

Grey-headed Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
A total of 10 exx on 3 dates at Kaziranga.

Pallas’s Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus
Single birds on 3 dates at Kaziranga.

White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis
A single bird on 09-05 at Dibru-Saikhowa was the only observation.

Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris
A group of 15 exx on 09-05 at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Himalayan Griffon Vulture Gyps himalayensis
On 05-05 1 ex and on 08-05 2 exx at the Mayodia Pass, Mishmi.

FALCONIDAE

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
On 25-04 1 ex on transit from Dirang to Lama Camp.
On 09-05 3 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Oriental Hobby Falco severus
On 09-05 1 ex at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Amur Falcon Falco amurensis
On 07-05 possibly this species lower slopes of Mishmi Hills.
On 08-05 1 female passed by at close range over our lodge at Mishmi.

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
On 08-05 1 ex Mishmi Hills.

PHASIANIDAE

Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus
A few observed at Sultanpur on 18-04.

Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis
A total of 6 exx on 3 dates at kaziranga. Some nice views.

Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa
On 24-04 at least 6 exx right at the Sela Pass (4200 m.)
Some great views in the scope.

Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola
Commonly heard at Eaglenest and Mishmi.
On 24-04 1 ex Dirang area h.

Chestnut-breasted Partridge Arborophila mandelii
Regularly heard at Eaglenest and Mishmi Hills.
On 29-04 I got great views of one bird after a joint action of the entire
crew. This species is considered Vulnerable by Birdlife International.

Rufous-throated Partridge Arborophila rufogularis
Heard at Eaglenest and Mishmi Hills.

Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus
Heard at the lower part of the Eaglenest area.
Heard and seen daily at Kaziranga.
On 10-05 heard at Digboi.

Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus
On 24-04 1 female observed in the scope at The Sela Pass.

Grey Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum
On 28 and 30-04 heard at Eaglenest. Mainly around the Sessni area.

Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos
A total of 10 exx on 3 dates at Eaglenest.
On 04-05 1 female at Mishmi Hills.

Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
Observed at Sultanpur.

TURNICIDAE

Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscicator
On 09-05 2 exx flushed at Dibru-Saikhowa

GRUIDAE

Sarus Crane Grus antigone
On 18-04 1 pair at Sultanpur.

RALLIDAE

Black-tailed Crake Amaurornis bicolour
On 20-04 nice views in the scope of 1 bird in the Sangti Valley.
Several more birds were heard.

White-breasted Waterhen  Amaurornis phoenicurus
Observed at Kaziranga.

Brown Crake Amaurornis akool
On 18-04 1 ex at Sultanpur.

Watercock Gallicrex cinerea
On 09-05 1 male flew by at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus
On 03-05 20+ between Kaziranga and Tinsukia.

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
On 02-05 1 ex at Kaziranga.
On 03-05 20+ between Kaziranga and Tinsukia.
Observed at Sultanpur.

Common Coot Fulica atra
Observed at Sultanpur.

JACANIDAE

Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus placidus
On 09-05 10+ at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus
On 19-04 3 exx between Guwahati and Tezpur.
Daily up to 10 at Kaziranga.
On 09-05 a few at Dibru-Saikhowa.

GLAREOLIDAE

Small Pratincole Glareola lacteal
On 01-05 4 exx on transit between Eaglenest and Kaziranga

CHARADRIIDAE

Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus
Regularly observed in the Assam plains.

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva
On 08-05 50+ on sandbanks at the Brahmaputra river crossing.

Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus
On 08-05 10+ on sandbanks at the Brahmaputra river crossing.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
On 08-05 4 exx on sandbanks at the Brahmaputra river crossing.

Long-billed Plover Charadrius placidus
On 20-04 1 ex along the river in the Sangti valley.

SCOLOPACIDAE

Common Greenshank Tringa nebualaria
Single birds at Kaziranga, along the Brahmaputra and Dibru-Saikhowa.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
On 18-04 1 ex at Sultanpur.
On 02-05 3 exx at Kaziranga.

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
On 18-04 10+ at Sultanpur

Common Redshank Tringa totanus
On 01-05 a single bird at Kaziranga.
On 04-05 a group of 10 exx along the Brahmaputra.
On 09-05 2 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
On 04-05 4 exx and on 08-05 2 exx along the Brahmaputra.
On 09-05 5 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii
On 02-05 1 ex at Kaziranga.

RECURVIROSTRIDAE

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
On 18-04 10+ at Sultanpur.

ROSTRATULIDAE

Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis
On 09-05 1 male at Dibru-Saikhowa

LARIDAE

Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus
On 08-05 20+ along the Brahmaputra.

STERNIDAE

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida
On 03-05 4 exx at Kaziranga
On 09-05 30+ at Dibru-Saikhowa.

COLUMBIDAE

Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota
On 24-04 3 exx at the Sela Pass.

Speckled Wood Pigeon Columba hodgsonii
On 06-05 15 exx upper part of Mishmi Hills.

Ashy Wood Pigeon Columba pulchricollis
On 26-04 1 ex near Lama Camp.

Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
Daily recorded in the Dirang area.

Red-collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica
On 01-05 1 ex Kaziranga.
On 09-05 recorded in small numbers at Dibru-Saikhowa.
On 10-05 4 exx at Digboi.

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
Observed throughout.

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
On 18-04 observed at Sultanpur.

Barred Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia unchall
On 26-04 1 ex Eaglenest Pass.
On 29-04 5 exx between Bhompu and Sessni.
Single birds on 2 dates in the Mishmi Hills.

Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica
Single birds Sangti Valley, Eaglenest, Kaziranga, Mishmi Hills + Digboi.

Pin-tailed Green-Pigeon Treron apicauda
Twice a single bird at Eaglenest below Sesni/Khellong.

Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon Treron bicinctus
On 09-05 1 pair at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Wedge-tailed Green-Pigeon Treron sphenurus
Single birds on 2 dates at Eaglenest.

Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon Treron phoenicopterus
Common at Sultanpur and up to 5 exx daily at Kaziranga.
3 exx. on 2 dates at the Mishmi Hills.

Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea
Observed in small numbers at Kaziranga and Dibru-Saikhowa.

Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia
A total of 16 exx on 3 dates in the Eaglenest area.

PSITTACIDAE

Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseate
A total of 6 exx on 2 dates at Kaziranga.

Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
Common at Sultanpur.
A few observed at Kaziranga.

Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria
Daily 5 to 10 exx at Kaziranga.
On 09-05 4 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri
Common at Kaziranga. On 10-05 10+ at Digboi.

CUCULIDAE

Large Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus sparverioides
Recorded on 16 dates. Many heard and at least 5 exx seen well.

Whistling (Hodgson’s) Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus nisicolor
Heard on 4 dates in the Eaglenest area. On 28-04 excellent and close views of 1 bird.
Also heard on 2 dates in the Mishmi Hills.

Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus
Heard on 15 dates and twice actually seen.

Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Heard on 15 dates and at least 9 birds seen.

Himalayan(Oriental) Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus
Heard on 13 dates and at least 3 exx seen.

Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus
Heard on 10 dates and Stijn was the only one who saw it.

Asian Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculates
On 30-04 4 exx below Khellong, Eaglenest.
On 06-05 1 ex Mishmi Hills.

Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus
On 03-05 1 ex at the entrance of Kaziranga.

Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris
On 02-05 4 exx at Kaziranga.
Commonly heard at the lower part of Mishmi Hills and at least 5 seen well.

Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus
Common in the lowlands.

Green-billed Malkoha Rhopodytes tristis
On 03-05 1 ex at Kaziranga.
On 10-05 1 ex at Digboi.

Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis
A few at Kaziranga and Dibru-Saikhowa.

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis
More common than previous species.

STRIGIDAE

Mountain Scops-Owl Otus spilocephalus
Heard on 4 nights in the Bhompu area, Eaglenest.

Brown Wood-Owl Strix leptogrammica
On 27-04 1 ex flushed between Khellong and Bhompu.

Himalayan Wood-Owl Strix nivicola
On 26/27-04 heard near Lama camp.

Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei
Heard on 10 dates throughout this trip.

Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides
Twice a single bird at Kaziranga.
On 05-05 1 ex at Mishmi Hills and on 10-05 1 ex at Digboi.

Spotted Owlet Athene brama
On 18-04 2 exx at Sultanpur.
On 01-05 2 exx Kaziranga and on 08-05 1 ex near Roing.

PODARGIDAE

Hodgson’s Frogmouth Batrachostomus hodgsoni
On 28-05 1 ex spotlighted below Khellong, Eaglenest.

CAPRIMULGIDAE

Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka
Heard every night at our hotel in Dirang and at Lama camp.
In the early morning of 24-04 we had 2 exx in the headlights of our car
near Dirang.

APODIDAE

Himalayan Swiftlet Collocalia brevirostris
On 25-05 a large flock (100+) near Dirang.
A total of 18 exx on 3 dates in the Mishmi Hills.

Little Swift Apus affinis
On 19-04 10 exx near Guwahati.

Pacific (Fork-tailed) Swift Apus pacificus
Recorded on 7 dates, mainly in the Dirang and Eaglenest area.

White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus
On 29-04 3 exx between Bhompu and Sessni, Eaglenest.

Silver-backed Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis
On 27-07 6 exx Eaglenest.
On 04 and 05-05 10 and 4 exx at the Mishmi Hills.

Asian Palm-Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis
On 19-02 2 exx near Guwahati and a few daily at Kaziranga.
On 08-05 5 exx near the Brahmaputra.
On 09-05 10 exx Dibru-Saikhowa.

TROGONIDAE

Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus
On 28 and 30-04 1 female lower down Eaglesnest area.
On 04-05 1 ex heard at lower part of Mishmi Hills and on 07-05 1 female seen at Mishmi Hills.

Ward’s Trogon Harpactes wardi
Great views of a very responsive female along the Mandala Road on 21-04.
On 27-04 another female was seen between Lama Camp and Bhompu.
On 07-05 and 08-05 1 pair was observed at Mishmi Hills. (2250 m.alt.)

ALCEDINIDAE

White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
Regularly encountered in the Assam lowland areas.

Crested Kingfisher Ceryle lugubris
On 25-04 2 exx along a river between Dirang and Lama camp.
On 28 and 30-04 2 exx along the Doimara River, Eaglenest area.

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
Single birds at Kaziranga and on 09-05 5 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Blyth’s Kingfisher Alcedo herculus
On 30-04 1 ex along the Doimara River. (700 m.alt.)
This bird was seen briefly perched on a rock in the river and later flew
upstream.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
1 ex near Guwahati and single birds along the Brahmaputra and Digboi.
MEROPIDAE

Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis
Single birds at Kaziranga.

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaultia
A total of 7 exx on 3 dates at Kaziranga.

Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus
A total of 5 exx on 2 dates at Kaziranga.

Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctiornis athertoni
Twice a single bird at Kaziranga.

CORACIIDAE

Black-billed Roller Coracias affinis
Common in the Assam plains.

Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis
Twice a single bird at Kaziranga.

UPUPIDAE

Common Hoopoe Upupa epops
Common at Sultanpur.

BUCEROTIDAE

Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris
On 10-05 1 ex at Digboi.

Great Pied Hornbill Buceros bicornis
On 20-04 1 ex near Nameri.
On 28-04 2 exx below Khellong.
On 02-05 1 ex Kaziranga.

Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis
A total of 17 exx on 3 dates in the Eaglenest area. Some great views.

Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulates
On 28-04 2 exx along the Diomara River, Eaglenest area.

Indian Grey Hornbill Tockus birostris
On 18-04 2 exx at Sultanpur.

CAPITONIDAE

Great Barbet Megalaima virens
Commonly recorded in the hill areas. Heard almost daily and regularly seen as well.

Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineate
On 19-04 1 ex seen at a roadside stop between Guwahati and Tezpur.
Heard and seen at Kaziranga, Dibru-Saikhowa and 1 at Digboi.

Golden-throated Barbet Megalaima franklinii
Recorded on 5 days at Eaglesnest and on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills.
Some birds gave excellent views.

Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica
On 28-04 2 exx around 700m. in the Eaglenest area.
Heard and seen at Kaziranga, Dibru-Saikhowa and Digboi.
On  07-05 4 exx lower area of Mishmi Hills.

Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala
Common at Sultanpur.
Recorded daily at Kaziranga and also heard at Dibru-saikhowa and Digboi.

PICIDAE

Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus
On 07-05 1 ex lower part of Mishmi Hills.

White-browed Piculet Sasia ochracea
On 30-04 2 exx Eaglenest.
On 07-05 1 ex at Mishmi Hills.

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopus canicapillus
On 01-05 1 ex Kaziranga.

Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei
On 02-05 3 exx at Kaziranga.

Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus
On 21-04 1 ex and on 23-04 2 exx along the Mandala Road, Dirang area.

Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis
Single birds observed on 3 dates at Eaglenest.
Single birds observed on 2 dates in the Mishmi Hills.

Rufous Woodpecker Microptemus brachyurus
On 04-05 1 ex at Mishmi Hills.

Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus
Single birds on 3 dates at Kaziranga.

Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus
On 01-05 1 ex at Kaziranga.
On 10-05 1 ex at Digboi.

Grey-faced (headed) Woodpecker  Picus canus ssp. hessei
On 30-04 heard Eaglenest area.
Single birds seen on 2 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense
On 18-04 2 exx Sultanpur.
On 19 and 20-04 single birds on transit between Guwahati-Tezpur and
Tezpur to Tenga.
On 03-05 1 ex near Kaziranga.

Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus
On 30-04 1 ex at the river Doimara, Eaglenest area.

Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis
Regularly heard and also 4 seen on 2 dates in the Eaglenest area.
Heard and twice a single bird seen at Mishmi Hills.

Pale-headed Woodpecker Cecinulus grantia
On 20-04 one male gave great views between Tezpur and Dirang.
On 07-05 another ex. was seen at Mishmi Hills.

EURYLAIMIDAE

Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae
On 29-04 2 exx and on 30-04 3 exx at Eaglenest.

PITTIDAE

Blue-naped Pitta Pitta nipalensis
On 02-05 a pair of this enigmatic species gave superb views in a gulley in
a tea garden near Kaziranga. The male was perched in full view for 30
seconds at a distance of less than 10 meters.! Highlight of the trip.
On 03-05 a female was photographed from the jeep on a track in
Kaziranga, during a game drive in the park.

ALAUDIDAE

Bengal Bushlark Mirafra assamica
On 19-04 2 exx at the Guwahati Rubbish Dump.

Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula
On 04-05 2 exx along the shore of the Brahmaputra.

HIRUNDINIDAE

Grey-throated Sand Martin Riparia chinensis
Common at Kaziranga and Dibru-Saikhowa.
Also observed on transit in the lowlands and along the Brahmaputra.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Up to 10 exx at Kaziranga.

Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
Observed at Sultanpur.

Nepal House-Martin Delichon nipalense
On 22 and 24-04 20+ along the road to the Sela Pass.

MOTACILLIDAE

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
On 20-04 2 ex. near Dirang.
On 27-04 1 ex Eaglenest area.

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola ssp. citreola
A single bird at Guwahati Rubbish Dump.
A total of 10 exx on 3 dates at Kaziranga.
On 09-05 7 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa

Black-backed (Tibetan) Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola ssp.calcarata
On 03-05 1 ex at Kaziranga.
On 09-05 1 ex at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Himalayan Wagtail Motacilla alba ssp.alboides
On 20-04 2 ex. along the river at the Sangti Valley.
On 24-04 2 exx along the road to the Sela Pass.

White Wagtail Motacilla alba ssp.dukhunensis
On 04-05 1 ex along the Brahmaputra River.

Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus
On 19-04 2 exx near Guwahati.
A few at Kaziranga and on 08-05 2 exx along the Brahmaputra.

Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
Observed throughout the trip.

Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus
On 20-04 10 exx at the Sangti Valley.
On 22 and 24-04 5 to 10 exx in fields along the road to the Sela Pass.
On 04-05 3 exx near the Brahmaputra.

CAMPEPHAGIDAE

Large Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina macei
Single birds on 2 dates in Kaziranga.

Black-winged Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina melaschistos
On 25-04 2 exx near Lama Camp, Eaglenest.
On 06 and 07-05 a total of 3 exx Mishmi Hills.

Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis
On 07-05 1 ex Mishmi Hills.

Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike Hemipus picatus
On 28-04 2 exx between Sessni and Khellong.

Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
On 18-04 3 exx at Sultanpur.

Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris
On 21-04 2 exx near Dirang.
Single birds seen on 3 dates at Eaglenest.

Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus
Observed in the Dirang area. A total of 20 exx on 4 dates.
On 25-04 10 exx near Lama Camp.
On 05-06 1 ex Mishmi Hills.

Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevirostris
On 21-04 4 exx along the Mandala Road, Dirang area.
On 30-04 1 ex near Bhompu.
A total of 4 exx on 2 dates Mishmi Hills.

Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus
On 27 and 29-04 a few at the lower stretches of Eaglenest.
Daily a few in the Kaziranga area.
On 07-05 2 exx lower part of Mishmi Hills.

PYCNONOTIDAE

Striated Bulbul Pycnonotus striatus
Single birds along the Mandala Road, Dirang area.
Common and daily recorded at Eaglesnest.
A total of 13 exx on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris
On 02-05 1 ex Kaziranga.

Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus
A few near Tezpur on 20-04.
Common near Kaziranga, Dibru-Saikhowa and Digboi.
Also recorded at lower elevations Mishmi Hills.

Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer
Commonly recorded. Seen on 15 days.

White-throated Bulbul Alophoixus flaveolus
On 28-04 1 ex near Khellong and on 30-04 2 exx Doimara
river, Eaglenest area.
On 02-05 6 exx tea garden Kaziranga.
On 07-05 3 exx lower part of Mishmi Hills.

Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavala
On 07-05 2 exx lower part of Mishmi Hills.

Mountain Bulbul Hypsipetes mcclellandii
Daily up to 10 exx at Eaglenest.

Himalayan Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus
Common in the hilly regions. Recorded on 15 dates.

CHLOROPSEIDAE

Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii
On 29 and 30-04 4 and 1 ex between Bhompu and Sessni, Khellong.
A total of 4 exx on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills.

CINCLIDAE

Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasi
On 22-04 2 exx above Dirang on the way to Sela Pass.
On 30-04 a single bird observed along the Doimara River, Eaglenest.

TROGLODYTIDAE

Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes ssp.nipalensis
On 22-04 heard at Sela Pass. On 24-04 at least 6 exx seen at the Sela
Pass (4200 m.alt.). This is the dark nipalensis race.

PRUNELLIDAE

Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris
On 22 and 24-04 3 and 6 exx at the Sela Pass.

Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella strophiata
A total of 9 exx on 4 dates in the Dirang area.

TURDIDAE

Blue-capped Rock Thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus
A total of 4 exx on 3 dates in the Dirang area.
On 01-05 1 ex Eaglenest.

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris
A total of 23 exx on 8 dates in the hilly regions.

Plain-backed Thrush Zoothera mollissima
On 24-04 1 pair at the Sela Pass.

Small-billed Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma
On 21-04 2 exx. along the Mandala Road.

White-collared Blackbird Turdus albocinctus
A total of 13 exx on 3 dates in the Dirang area, mainly along the Mandala
Road.

Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul
A total of 4 exx on 2 dates along the Mandala Road, Dirang area.

Blue Whistling-Thrush Myophonus caeruleus
Common in the Dirang area, Eaglenest and Mishmi Hills.

Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx leucophrys ssp.nipalensis
On 29-04 2 exx seen between Bhompu and Sessni.
Also heard on 2 more dates.
On 05-05 1 ex observed at Mishmi Hills.

White-browed Shortwing Brachypteryx Montana
On 26 and 27-04 a male was seen in the area around Eaglenest Pass.
Heard on 2 dates at Mishmi Hills

Rusty-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx hyperythra
On 06-05 1 ex observed at Mishmi Hills.
On 07-05 1 ex and on 08-05 2 different birds were heard.

[Gould’s Shortwing Heteroxenicus stellatus]
On 25-04 Peter Lobo briefly saw this species just below Lama Camp.
We did not succeed in taping it in.

CISTICOLIDAE

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
On 19-04 2 exx near Guwahati.
A few at Kaziranga and common at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Plain Prinia Prinia inornata
On 18-04 a few at Sultanpur.
On 01-05 1 ex at Kaziranga.

Black-throated Prinia Prinia atrogularis ssp.atrogularis
This is a split from the Hill Prinia Prinia superciliarus
Daily a few seen and heard at Eaglenest.

Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis ssp.stewarti
On 02-05 2 exx At Kaziranga

Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii
On 02-05 2 exx at Kaziranga.
On 08-05 10 exx in the Brahmaputra area.

Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris ssp.flaviventris
On 02 and 03-05 3/4 exx at Kaziranga.
On 09-05 10 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

SYLVIIDAE

Chestnut-headed Tesia Tesia castaneocoronata
On 22-04 heard along the Sela Pass road.
On 26 and 27-04 2 and 3 exx seen at Eaglenest. Regularly heard.
On 05-05 1 ex seen at Mishmi Hills.

Slaty-bellied Tesia Tesia olivea
Seen and heard on 3 dates at Eaglenest. Perfect views.
On 07-05 1 ex observed at Mishmi Hills.

Grey-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer
Only heard on 3 dates at Eaglenest.
Heard and one seen in the Mishmi Hills.

Hume’s Bush Warbler Cettia (acanthizoides) brunnescens
On 23-04 1 ex seen near the pass of Mandala Road, Dirang.
On 26-04 heard and on 27-04 great views of 1 ex. near Eaglenest Pass.

Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler Cettia fortipes
Recorded on 14 dates. Dirang area, Eaglenest and Mishmi Hills.

Grey-sided Bush Warbler Cettia brunnifrons ssp.muroides
Heard on 6 dates and on 21-04 1 ex seen well along the Mandala Road.
On 05-05 1 ex at Mishmi Hills.

Russet Bush Warbler Bradypterus mandelli
Single birds on 2 dates seen along the Mandala Road.
On 22-04 1 ex observed along the Sela Pass road. A few more heard.

Indian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus brunnescens
On 03-05 1 ex at Kaziranga.
On 08-05 1 ex near the Brahmaputra.

Thick-billed Warbler Phragmaticola aedon
On 01-05 1 ex at Kaziranga.

Mountain Tailorbird Orthotomus cuculatus
Heard on 2 dates in the Dirang area.
Heard and 1 seen on 3 dates in the Eaglenest area.
Daily heard and a few seen at Mishmi Hills.

Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius
On 19-04 2 exx near Guwahati.
On 10-05 1 ex at Digboi.

Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis
On 10-05 1 ex at Digboi.

Tickell’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis
On 20-04 2 exx near Dirang.
On 21-04 5 exx along the Mandala Road.
On 07-05 1 ex Mishmi Hills.

Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher
A total of 7 exx on 2 dates along the Sela pass road.
On 27-04 a single bird at Eaglenest.
On 05-05 a single bird at Mishmi Hills.

Mandelli’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus (humei) mandellii
On 23-04 heard along the Mandala Road.

Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis
A total of 5 exx on 2 dates along the Mandala Road.
A total of 7 exx on 3 dates in the Eaglenest area.
On 05-05 2 exx at Mishmi Hills.

(Simla) Lemon-rumped Warbler Phylloscopus chloronotus ssp.chloronotus
A total of 5 exx on 2 dates along the Mandala and Sela Pass road.
On 27-04 a single bird at Eaglenest.

Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides ssp.trochiloides
Single birds on 2 dates in the Mishmi Hills.

Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris
Regularly heard along the Mandala and Sela Pass road. 2 exx seen well.
On 05-05 1 ex seen at Mishmi Hills.

(Southern) Blyth’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides
Common.Recorded on 10 dates in the Dirang area, Eaglenest and Mishmi.

Yellow-vented Warbler Phylloscopus cantator
On 30-04 2 exx between Sessni and Khellong.
On 07-05 3 exx seen at Mishmi Hills.

Grey-hooded Warbler Phylloscopus xanthoschistos
Single birds seen along the Mandala Road and Eaglenest (2 dates)

Whistler’s Warbler Seicercus whistleri
Recorded on 8 dates along the Mandala/Sela Pass road, Eaglenest and
the higher areas of Mishmi Hills. Locally common.

Grey-cheeked Warbler Seicercus poliogenys
A total of 26 exx on 4 dates at Eaglenest.
A total of 20 exx on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Chestnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaniceps
On 21-04 a single bird along the Mandala Road.
On 25 and 28-04 a single bird at Eaglenest.

Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis
On 30-04 2 exx below Khellong. Eaglenest area.
On 07-05 1 ex Mishmi Hills.

Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris
A single bird at Eaglenest and Mishmi Hills.

Black-faced Warbler Abroscopus schisticeps ssp.flavimentalis
On 21-04 6 exx and on 23-04 2 exx along the Mandala Road.
On 24-04 1 ex along the Sela Pass road.
On 25-04 4 exx near Lama Camp. Eaglenest.
A total of 7 exx on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Broad-billed Warbler Tickellia hodgsoni
On 21-04 2 exx along the Mandala Road.
On 30-04 a single bird between Sessni and Khellong.
A total of 3 ex. on 2 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris
On 19-04 3 exx near Guwahati and a single bird at Kaziranga on 01-05.
On 04 and 08-05 2 exx and 10 exx near the Brahmaputra.
On 09-05 10+ at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
On 18-04 1 ex at Sultanpur.

MUSCICAPIDAE

Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica
Regularly recorded in the Dirang area (Mandala Road), Eaglenest and 1
ex. at Mishmi Hills on 07-05. A total of 23 exx on 8 dates.

Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea
Single birds on 27 and 29-04 at Eaglenest, near Bhompu and Sessni.

Slaty-backed Flycatcher Ficedula hodgsonii
On 21-04 1 ex along the Mandala Road.

Orange-gorgetted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata
A total of 14 exx in the Dirang area, mainly along the Mandala Road.
On 05-05 2 exx Mishmi Hills.

Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla
Twice a male near Sessni, Eaglenest.

White-gorgetted Flycatcher Ficedula monileger
On 28-04 1 ex between Sessni – Khellong.
On 06-05 1 ex. Mishmi Hills.

Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni
A total of 6 exx on 4 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Ultramarine Flycatcher Ficedula superciliaris
A total of 6 exx on 3 dates in the Dirang area, mainly along Mandala
Road. On 25-04 1 ex near Lama Camp.

Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor
A total of 4 exx on 3 dates in the Dirang area.

Sapphire Flycatcher Ficedula sapphire
On 25-04 great views of a male near Lama Camp.
On 27-04 a male near Bhompu.

Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina
Common in the hilly regions. Recorded on 13 dates.

Large Niltava Niltava grandis
On 27-04 1 male near Bhompu.
On 05 and 06-05 2 exx at Mishmi Hills

Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae
On 28-04 2 exx near Sessni.
A total of 7 exx on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara
Single birds on 6 dates in the Dirang area and Eaglenest.
On 06-05 4 exx Mishmi Hills.

Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher
On 04 and 07-05 2 singing male lower part of Mishmi Hills.

Pale-chinned Flycatcher Cyornis poliogenys
On 01-05 1 ex heard at Kaziranga.

Pale Blue Flycatcher Cyornis unicolor
A total of 7 exx on 3 dates in the area between Bhompu and Khellong.
On 07-05 1 ex Mishmi Hills.

Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides
On 27-04 1 ex Eaglenest.

Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis
Single birds along the Mandala Road.
A total of 10 exx on 3 dates at Eaglenest.
On 05-05 2 ex at Mishmi Hills.

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
On 18-04 4 exx at Sultanpur.

Indian Blue Robin Luscinia brunnea
On 20-04 1 male near Dirang and on 22-04 1 male along the Sela Pass road.
On 24-04 heard along the Sela Pass road.

Golden Bush-Robin Tarsiger chrysaeus
A total of 5 exx. on 2 dates along the Sela Pass road.
On 23-04 1 ex. along the Mandala road.

White-browed Bush-Robin Tarsiger indicus
On 23-04 twice a female along the Mandala Road.
On 26-04 heard and on 27-04 1 near Bhompu, Eaglenest area.

Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis
Scattered observations in the lowlands.

White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus
On 07-05 1 ex at Mishmi Hills.
On 10-05 2 exx at Digboi.

Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata
On 18-04 a few at Sultanpur.

Hodgson’s Redstart Phoenicurus hodgsoni
On 21-04 1 ex along the Mandala Road.

Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis
A total of 10 exx on 3 dates in the Dirang area.

White-capped Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus
A total of 11 exx in the Dirang area. Also on transit in the mountains.

White-bellied Redstart Hodgsonius phaenicuroides
On 30-04 superb views of a male near Khellong, Eaglenest area. Rare.

Plumbeous Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus
As for White-capped Redstart.

White-tailed Robin Cinclidium leucurum
Regularly heard in the Dirang area and Eaglenest.
On 21-04 1 ex seen along the Mandala Road.
On 07-05 heard Mishmi Hills and on 05 and 08-05 1 ex seen.

Blue-fronted Robin Cinclidium frontale
Regularly heard along the Mandala Road, Eaglenest and Mishmi Hills.
On 21-04 1 ex taped in along the Mandala Road which gave brief but
good views. On 27-04 astonishing views of a singing male just above Bhompu.

Grandala Grandala coelicolor
On 22-04 good views of at least 4 exx (3 male + 1 female ) of this most wanted
species right at the Sela Pass.
On 24-04 again 4 birds in the same area.

Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus immaculatus
A total of 5 exx on 2 dates in the Eaglenest area.

Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculates
On 20-04 2 exx near Dirang.
On 28-04 1 ex Eaglenest.

Purple Cochoa Cochoa purpurea
On 27-04 we observed a male between Eaglenest Pass and Bhompu. (finally)
We had good views in the scope.
On 05 and 08-05 heard at Mishmi Hills.

Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maura
On 18-04 2 exx at Sultanpur.

Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata
On 18-04 observed at Sultanpur.

Jerdon’s Bushchat Saxicola jerdoni
On 09-05 a pair at Dibru-Saikhowa gave great views.

Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea
Daily up to 6 exx In the Dirang area.

RHIPIDURIDAE

White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis
Small numbers recorded on 8 dates in the hill region.

Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha
Up to 10 exx daily in the Dirang area (Mandala Road) and Eaglenest.

TIMALIIDAE

Bhutan Laughingthrush Trochalopteron imbricatum
A total of 31 exx on 8 dates in the Dirang and Eaglenest area.

Scaly Laughingthrush Trochalopteron subunicolor
A total of 4 exx on 3 dates at Eaglenest.

Blue-winged Laughingthrush Trochalopteron squamatus
Heard on 3 dates at Eaglesnest. Single birds seen on 26 and 27-04.
On 30-04 2 exx seen near Sessni.
Single birds seen on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Chestnut-crowned (Red-headed Laughingthrush)
Trochalopteron erythrocephalus nigrimentum
A total of 24 exx on 6 dates in the Dirang and Eaglesnest area.
On 05 and 06-05 2 exx and 1 ex at Mishmi Hills.

Black-faced Laughingthrush Trochalopteron affinis
A total of 14 exx on 4 dates along the Mandala and Sela Pass road.

Rufous-chinned laughingthrush Lanthocincla rufogularis
The mystery laughingthrush heard and tape recorded on 29-04 below
Bhompu, turned out to be this species

Spotted Laughingthrush Lanthocincla ocellata
On 21-04 a single bird along the Mandala Road.
On 23-04 fantastic, close views of a pair, next to the road, Mandala pass.
On 24-04 a single bird along the Sela Pass Road.

Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush Dryonastes nuchalis
On 10-05 good views of a single bird at Digboi.

Rufous-necked Laughingthrush Dryonastes ruficollis
On 02-05 3 exx tea garden near Kaziranga.
On 08-05 1 ex in scrub along the Brahmaputra.
On 09-05 2 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa and on 10-05 10 exx at Digboi.

Grey-sided Laughingthrush Dryonastes caerulatus
On 21-04 2 exx. and on 23-04 1 ex along the Mandala Road.
On 24-04 a single bird along the Sela Pass road.
A total of 6 exx on 2 dates at Eaglenest area.
A total of 7 exx at 2 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Striated Laughingthrush Grammatoptila striata
A total of 8 exx on 3 dates at Eaglenest.
A total of 11 exx on 4 dates at Mishmi Hills.

White-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax albogularis
Single birds on 2 dates along the Mandala Road.
On 24-04 3 exx along the Sela Pass Road.
On 27-04 4 exx between Lama Camp and Bhompu.

White-crested Laughingthrush garrulax leucolophus
Heard a few times at Eaglenest. A total of 9 exx on 2 dates.
On 07-05 5 exx at Mishmi Hills.

Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger
On 30-04 4 exx near Khellong, Eaglnest.
Heard on 2 dates at Mishmi Hills.
On 10-05 6 exx at Digboi.

Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax pectoralis
On 28-04 1 ex seen between Bhompu and Sessni, Eaglenest.

Crimson-faced Liocichla Liocichla phoenicea
On 20-04 1 ex. near Dirang.
A total of 5 exx. on 3 dates at Eaglesnest. Below Bhompu.
Heard on 2 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Bugun Liocichla Liocichla bugunorum
In the afternoon of 25-04 1 ex briefly seen in a gully near Lama Camp.
In the morning of 26-04 great views of a vocal pair in the same area.
Later a different bird was observed nearby.

Abbott’s Babbler Malacocincla abbotti
On 09-05 2 exx Dibru-Saikhowa.

Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps
On 02 and 03-05 2 exx at the Mishmi Hills.

Marsh Babbler Pellorneum palustre
On 09-05 we heard several birds and glimpsed 2 exx, before I had
extremely close views of 1 bird in the grasslands of Dibru-Saikhowa.

White-browed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps
On 02-04 twice heard in the tea garden, Kaziranga.

Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis
Regularly heard in the Dirang area (Mandala Road and Sela Pass Rd.) and
on 23-4 I saw 2 exx along the Mandala Rd.
Also heard at Eaglesnest and a total of 7 exx seen on 3 dates in this area.
Heard on 05-5 and a single bird seen on 06-05 at Mishmi Hills.

Large Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus hypoleucos
On 29-04 1 ex observed between Bhompu and Sessni, Eaglenest.
On 07-05 heard at Mishmi Hills.

Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ferruginosus
On 30-04 briefly heard at Eaglenest.
Heard on 07 and 08-05 at Mishmi Hills. Too far unfortunately.

Red-billed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps
On 28 and 30-04 single birds seen at Eaglenest.
On 04-05 3 exx and on 07-05 2 exx in a bamboo patch, Mishmi Hills.
We had good and lengthy views in the scope.

Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler Xiphirhynchus superciliaris
On 21-04 1 bird gave good views at Mandala Pass.
Twice heard at Eaglenest.
On 05-05 heard at Mishmi Hills and on 07-05 superb, close views of a very
responsive bird at Mishmi Hills.

Long-billed Wren-Babbler Rimator malacoptilus
On 28-04 excellent views of this species below Bhompu, Eaglenest area.
Also heard on 2 other dates.

Streaked Wren-Babbler Napothera brevicaudata
On 30-04 1 ex heard at Eaglenest.

Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler Pnoepyga albiventer
On 21-04 heard along the Mandala Rd.

Pygmy Wren-Babbler Pnoepyga pusilla
Commonly heard at Eaglenest and Mishmi Hills. Several birds seen well.

Sikkim Wedge-billed Wren Babbler Sphenocichla humei
On 29-04 1 ex seen very well at Eaglenest.

Cachar Wedge-billed Wren Babbler Sphenocichla roberti
Single birds were seen on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills. One bird even perched
right in the open on a rock, just next to the road.

Rufous-throated Wren Babbler Spelaeornis caudatus
Recorded on 4 dates in the Eaglenest area. Twice a single bird gave good views.

Mishmi Wren Babbler Speleaornis badeigularis
This enigmatic species was seen on 2 consecutive days in the Mishmi Hills.
The second day I was able to take some photo’s of this species.

Bar-winged Wren Babbler Speleaornis troglodytoides
A very responsive pair was observed on 21-04 at Mandala pass.
Also heard on 26-04 in the Eaglenest area.

Spotted Wren Babbler Speleaornis formosus
On 26-04 1 ex was briefly heard at Eaglenest but did not respond.
On 06-05 great views of a very responsive bird at Mishmi Hills.

Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyris ruficeps
Recorded on 10 dates on this trip.

Golden Babbler Stachyris chrysaea
A total of 30+ exx on 3 dates at Eaglenest.
A total of 7 exx on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps
On 28-04 heard near Khellong. Eaglesnest area.

Pin-striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis
Daily heard at Kaziranga and Dibru-Saikhowa.
On 10-05 1 ex observed at Digboi.

Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata
On 02-05 4 exx at Kaziranga.
On 09-05 2 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense
On 02-05 1 ex. at Kaziranga.

Jerdon’s Babbler Chrysomma altirostre
On 09-05 1 ex seen well at Dibru-Saikhowa. A few more were heard.

Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides longirostris
On 02-05 4 exx at Kaziranga. More were heard but very skulky.

Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei
On 01-05 5 exx and on 02-05 2 exx at Kaziranga
On 09-05 4 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Large Grey Babbler Turdoides malcolmi
On 18-04 a flock at Sultanpur.

Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus
On 18-04 observed at Sultanpur.

Fire-tailed Myzornis Myzornis pyrrhoura
On 24-04 extended views of a male along the upper part of the Sela Pass
Road.

Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris
On 20-04 2 exx between Tezpur and Dirang.
A total of 30+ on 3 dates in the area below Bhompu, Eaglenest area.
On 07-05 5 exx Mishmi Hills.

Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea
On 21-04 2 exx and on 23-04 1 ex along the Mandala Rd.
A total of 5 exx on 3 dates in the upper part (above Bhompu) of
Eaglenest.

Himalayan Cutia Cutia nipalensis
On 25-05 5 exx near Lama Camp, Eaglenest.
Also heard on another 3 dates in the Eaglesnest area and on 30-04 we
observed another 2 exx between Bhompu and Sessni.
On 04-05 heard and on 06-05 4 exx seen at Mishmi Hills.

Black-headed Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius rufiventer
On 26-04 we taped in a male , which gave exceptional fine and close views.

White-browed Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis
On 21-04 a pair along Mandala Rd.
On 26 and 27-04 heard at Eaglenest and on 29-04 2 exx seen.
A total of 4 exx on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Green Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius xanthochlorus
Single birds seen on 21 and 23-04 along Mandala Rd.
On 26-04 3 exx at Eaglenest and heard on 27-04.

Black-eared Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius melanotis
A total of 4 exx on 3 dates at Eaglenest.
Single birds on 05 and 07-05 at Mishmi Hills.

Indian White-hooded Babbler Gampsorhynchus rufulus
On 28-04 heard at Eaglenest and on 30-04 2 exx of this bamboo loving
species seen well near Khellong.
On 04-05 2 exx and on 07-05 4 exx in a large bamboo patch, Mishmi Hills.

Rusty-fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni
On 21-04 2 exx along the Mandala Rd. and on 24-04 2 exx Sela Pass Rd.
A total of 25 exx on 3 dates in the Eaglenest area.
A total of 17 exx on 4 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Streak-throated Barwing Actinodura waldeni ssp.deflaensis
On 26-04 1 ex. and 27-04 4 exx at Eaglenest.

Blue-winged Siva Siva cyanouroptera ssp.cyanouroptera
On 21-04 5 exx along the Mandala Rd.
A total of 17 exx on 6 dates in the Eaglenest area.
On 05-05 4 exx at Mishmi Hills

Chestnut-tailed Minla Minla strigula ssp.yunnanensis
A total of 25 exx on 4 dates in the Dirang area.
A total of 26 exx on 3 dates in the Eaglenest area.
On 05-05 4 exx at Mishmi Hills.

Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta
On 21-04 5 exx and on 23-04 2 exx along Mandala rd.
A total of 8 exx on 3 dates in the Eaglenest area.

Golden-breasted Fulvetta Alcippe chrysotis ssp.chrysotis
On 21-04 6 exx and on 23-04 4 exx along the Mandala Rd.
A total of 10 exx on 3 dates in the Eaglenest area.
On 05-05 2 exx at Mishmi Hills.

Yellow-throated Fulvetta Alcippe cinerea
A total of 45 exx on 4 dates in the Eaglenest area.
A total of 50+ on 4 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Rufous-winged Fulvetta Alcippe castaneceps
A total of 21 exx on 5 dates in the Eaglenest area.
On 05-05 4 exx at Mishmi Hills.

Ludlow’s (Brown-throated) Fulvetta Alcippe ludlowi
A total of 12 exx on 4 dates in the Dirang area.
On 26-04 a single bird near Eaglenest pass.
On 05-05 a single bird at Mishmi Hills.

Manipur Fulvetta Alcippe manipurensis
On 05-05 3 exx of this restricted species near Mayodia Pass, Mishmi.

Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe nipalensis ssp.nipalensis
A total of 3 exx on 2 dates at Eaglenest.
A total of 4 exx on 2 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Rufous-backed Sibia Heterophasia annectens
A total of 6 exx on 3 dates at Eaglenest.
On 07-05 2 exx at Mishmi Hills.

Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides
Up to 20 exx daily in the lower parts of the Eaglenest areas.

Beautiful Sibia heterophasia pulchella ssp.nigroaurita
Common. Recorded on 15 dates on this trip.

Striated Yuhina Yuhina castaniceps ssp.rufigenis
On 07-05 4 exx at Mishmi Hills

White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri
A total of 8 exx on 3 dates at Eaglenest. All below Bhompu/Sessni.
A total of 19 exx on 4 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Whiskered Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis
Recorded on 11 dates in the Dirang area, Eaglenest and Mishmi Hills

Stripe-throated Yuhina Yuhina gularis ssp.gularis
A total of 13 exx on 2 dates in the Dirang area.
A total of 6 exx on 2 dates at Eaglenest.
On 05-05 4 exx. at Mishmi Hills.

Rufous-vented Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis
A total of 50+ on 4 dates in the Dirang area.
A total of 16 exx on 2 dates at Eaglenest.

Black-chinned Yuhina Yuhina nigrimenta
A total of 13 exx on 4 dates in the Eaglenest area.

PARADOXORNITHIDAE

Brown Parrotbill Cholornis unicolor
On 26-04 fantastic views of 2 exx near Eaglenest Pass.

Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis flavirostris
On 09-05 a few heard and at least 2 different bird seen.
One bird gave excellent views eventually.

Black-throated Parrotbill Paradoxornis nipalensis
On 23-04 2 exx along the Mandala Rd.
On 27-04 2 exx Eaglenest and on 30-04 50+(!!) near Khellong.
On 05-05 4 exx Mishmi Hills.

Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill Psittiparus ruficeps
On 25-04 1 ex and on 30-04 2 exx Eaglenest.
On 04-05 3 exx at Mishmi Hills.

Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill Psittiparus atrosuperciliaris
On 20-04 5 exx during a road stop between Tezpur and Dirang.
On 30-04 2 exx at Eaglenest.
On 07-5 2 exx at Mishmi Hills.

AEGITHALIDAE

Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus
On 20-04 2 exx during a road stop between Tezpur and Dirang.
On 25-04 2 exx near Lama Camp, Eaglenest.
A total of 5 exx on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Rufous-fronted Tit Aegithalos iouschistos
On 22-04 2 exx along the Sela Pass Rd.
On 26-04 2 exx Eaglenest.

PARIDAE

Coal Tit Parus ater
A total of 6 exx on 3 dates in the Dirang area.

Grey-crested Tit Lophophanes dichrous ss.dichrous
On 23-04 4 exx along the Mandala Rd.

Rufous-vented Tit Parus rubiventris
On 22-04 4 exx along the Sela Pass rd.

Grey (Cinereous) Tit parus cinereus ssp.nipalensis
Up to 3 exx daily in the Kaziranga area.
On 09-05 2 exx Dibru-Saikhowa and on 10-05 4 exx at Digboi.

Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus
A total of 50 exx recorded on 8 dates in the Dirang and Eaglenest area.

Yellow-cheeked Tit Parus spilonotus
A total of 8 exx on 5 dates in the eaglesnest area.
A total of 11 exx on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus
On 21-04 1 ex along the Mandala Rd.
A total of 3 exx on 2 dates at Eaglenest.
On 05-05 2 exx at Mishmi Hills

Fire-capped Tit Cephalopyrus flammiceps
On 21-04 1 male along the Mandala Road. (Jan-Hein only)

Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea
A total of 22 exx on 3 dates lower part of the Eaglenest area.

SITTIDAE

White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis
On 23-04 1 ex along the Mandala rd.
A total of 4 exx on 3 dates at Eaglenest area.
On 05-05 1 ex at Mishmi Hills.

Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta cinnamoventris
On 30-04 2 exx at the viewpoint of the Doimara river, Eaglenest.

Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta Formosa
29 april was an exceptional day for this species. While birding along the
road between Bhompu to Sessni, Eaglenest, we observed no less than 7 birds.
On 06-05 we observed 2 exx at Mishmi Hills. Also heard the next day.

CERTHIIDAE

Rusty-flanked Treecreeper Certhia nipalensis
On 21-04 1 ex along the Mandala Rd.

NECTARINIIDAE

Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica
On 18-04 a few at Sultanpur.
On 20-04 1 ex between Guwahati and Tezpur.

Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae ssp.isolata
Recorded on 7 dates in the Dirang and Eaglenest area.

Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis ssp.nipalensis
Recorded on 12 dates. Very common in the Eaglenest Pass area.

Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturate ssp.assamensis
On 20-04 a single bird between Tezpur and Dirang.
A total of 4 exx on 3 dates in the lower part of the Eaglenest area.
On 07-05 4 exx at Mishmi Hills.

Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja ssp.labecula
On 19-04 2 exx near Guwahati.
On 10-05 2 exx at Digboi.

Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda
On 22-04 at least 3 male and on 24 6 birds along the Sela Pass Rd.

Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna
On 20-04 3 exx between Tezpur – Dirang during a road stop.
A total of 12 exx on 4 dates at Eaglenest.
A total of 8 exx on 3 dates at Mishmi Hills.

Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra
On 28-04 3 exx below Khellong.

DICAEIDAE

Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum melanoxanthum
On 21-04 a single bird along the Mandala Rd.
On 25-04 a single bird between Lama Camp and Bhompu, Eaglenest.

Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chrysorrheum
On 02-05 1 ex Kaziranga.

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum
A total of 4 exx on 2 dates at Kaziranga.
On 10-05 2 exx Digboi.

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus
On 21-04 1 ex along the Mandala Rd.
A total of 8 exx on 5 dates at Eaglenest.
A total of 3 exx on 2 dates at Mishmi Hills.

ZOSTEROPIDAE

Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus
On 21-04 4 exx along the Mandala Rd.
A total of 4 exx on 3 dates at Kaziranga.

ORIOLIDAE

Indian Oriole Oriolus kundoo
On 18-04 2 exx at Sultanpur.

Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus
Twice a single bird observed at Kaziranga.

Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii
A total of 7 exx observed on 3 dates at Eaglenest. More were heard.
On 08-05 3 exx at Mishmi Hills.

IRENIDAE

Asian fairy Bluebird Irene puella
On 28-04 2 exx at the Doimara river.

LANIIDAE

Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach ssp.tricolor
A total of 10 exx on 5 dates in the Dirang area.
Single birds near Bhompu and Lama Camp.

Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus
Twice a single bird along the road to Sela Pass. Lower area.
Twice a single bird near Bhompu.
A total of 4 exx.on 3 dates in the Mishmi Hills.

Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
A single bird was present next to our lodge at Kaziranga.
On 04-05 1 ex near Roing.
On 10-05 3 exx. at Digboi.

DICRURIDAE

Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus ssp.albrictus
Common in the lowlands.

Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus ssp.hopwoodi
Recorded in the Dirang and Eaglenest area.

Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus
A total of 11 exx on 3 dates in the lower parts of Eaglenest.

Crow-billed Drongo Dicrurus annectans
On 29-04 2 exx identified near Sessni.

Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer
A total of 8 exx on 3 dates in the lower parts of Eaglenest

Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus
Observed on 2 dates at Kaziranga.

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus ss. Grandis
On 02-05 1 ex Kaziranga.
On 04 2 exx and 08-05 1 ex lower part of Mishmi Hills.

ARTAMIDAE

Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus
On 19-04 2 exx near Guwahati.
On 27-04 2 exx near Doimara River, Eaglenest area.
A few daily at Kaziranga.
On 09-05 4 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa and on 10-05 10 exx at Digboi.

CORVIDAE

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius ssp.interstinctus
On 23-04 1 ex along the Mandala Rd.

Yellow-billed Blue-Magpie Urocissa flavirostris ssp. flavirostris
On 21-04 2 exx and on 13-04 1 ex along the Mandala Rd.
Heard on 2 dates at Eaglenest Pass.
On 05-05 2 exx at Mishmi Hills.

Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis
Heard on 2 dates in the area below Sessni.

Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda ssp.vagabunda
A total of 8 exx on 3 dates in the Kaziranga area.
On 09-05 2 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae ssp.himalayensis
On 21-04 4 exx along the Mandala Rd.
A total of 6 exx on 2 dates at Eaglenest.
On 08-05 3 exx at Mishmi Hills.
On 10-05 common at Digboi.

Collared Treepie Dendrocitta frontalis
Single birds on 04-05 and 08-05 at Mishmi Hills.
On 09-05 1 ex at Digboi.

Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes ssp.macella
A total of 17 exx during 2 visits to Mandala Rd.
On 25 and 26-04 2 exx near Lama Camp, Eaglenest

Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
A total of 10 exx during 2 visits to the Sela Pass area.

Alpine (Yellow-billed) Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus
On 24-04 1 ex along the Sela Pass Rd.

House Crow Corvus splendens
Observed in the lowlands

Eastern Jungle Crow Corvus (macrorhynchos) levaillanti
Observed in the Kaziranga area, near Tinsukia and Dibru-Saikhowa.

Large-billed Crow Corvus (macrorhynchos) japonensis
Daily observed in the Dirang area.

STURNIDAE

Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa ssp.peninsularis
Single birds on 20-04 between Tezpur – Dirang, on 01-05 near Kaziranga,
And on 10-05 near Digboi.

Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus
On 20-04 10+ between Tezpur and Dirang.
On 03-05  10+ between Kaziranga and Dibrugarh.
On 09-05 common at the edge of Dibru-Saikhowa.

White-vented Myna Acridotheres grandis
On 01 and 02-05 10+ Kaziranga area.
On 10-05 1 ex at Digboi.

Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus
On 03-05 2 exx between Kaziranga and Dibrugarh.

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
Common in the lowland areas.

Asian Pied Starling Gracupica contra
Observed around Delhi, Guwahati, Kaziranga, Dibru-Saikhowa.

Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica
A total of 16 on 2 dates in the Kaziranga area.
On 04-05 4 exx and on 08-05 20 exx near Roing.
On 09-05 4 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

PLOCEIDAE

Eastern Baya Weaver Ploceus (philippinus) burmanicus
On 01-05 5 exx at Kaziranga.
On 09-05 4 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

ESTRILDIDAE

White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata ssp.acuticauda
On 07-05 7 exx and on 08-05 10 exx lower areas of Mishmi Hills.
On 09-05 4 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata ssp.subundulata
On 08-05 1 ex near Roing.

EMBERIZIDAE

Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla
On 20-04 1 ex at the Sangti Valley, Dirang.

Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala
On 09-05 at least 2 exx at Dibru-Saikhowa.

FRINGILLIDAE

Plain Mountain Finch Leucosticte nemoricola
On 23-04 50+ at Mandala Pass.

Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus ssp.roseatus
On 22-04 1 male along the Sela Pass Rd.
On 25-04 1 ex and on 26-04 10 exx Lama Camp, Eaglenest.

Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus thura
On 22 and 24-04 2 exx along the Sela Pass Rd.

Yellow-breasted Greenfinch Carduelis spinoides
On 25-04 20+ between Dirang and Munna.

Brown Bullfinch Pyrrhula nipalensis
On 21-04 2 exx along the Mandala Rd.
On 25-04 4 exx at Lama Camp, Eaglenest.

Grey-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythaca
On 21-04 7 exx along the Mandala Rd.

Collared Grosbeak Mycerobas affinis
On 23-04 2 male along the Mandala Rd.

Spot-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas melanozanthos
On 27-04 1 ex at Eaglenest Pass.

Gold-naped Finch Pyrrhoplectes epaulette
A total of 6 exx on 3 dates in the Lama Camp area.

Crimson-browed Finch Propyrrhula subhimachala
On 21-04 1 female along the Mandala Rd.

Scarlet Finch Haematospiza sipahi
On 25-04 1 female at Lama Camp.
On 06-05 2 male and on 07-05 1 pair at Mishmi Hills.

PASSERIDAE

House Sparrow Passer domesticus
A few observed in the Kaziranga area.
On 08-05 3 exx at Roing.

Sind Sparrow Passer pyrrhonotus
On 18-04 excellent views of a pair at Sultanpur.

Russet Sparrow Passer rutilans
On 20-04 10+ near Dirang.
On 23-04 4 exx along the Mandala Rd.
On 24-04 10+ along the Sela Pass Rd.
On 27-04 3 exx Eaglenest.

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
Common in the lowlands.
A total of 476 recorded of which 10 exx only heard

LIST OF OBSERVED MAMMALS
Compiled by Jan Hein van Steenis

Indian Elephant Elephas maximus
Heard at Eaglenest and seen daily at Kaziranga.

Rhesus Monkey Macaca mulatta
2 exx at Bhalukpong and 1 ex at Tezpur

Assamese Macaque Macaca assamensis
1 ex at Kohora and a single at Mishmi Hills

Arunachal Macaque Macaca munzala
A total of 6 exx (5+1) on 2 dates at Eaglenest

Western Hoolock Gibbon Hylobates hoolock
Mishmi Hills: many heard, 2 male and 1 female seen

Himalayan Striped Squirrel Tamiops mcclellandii
Mandala Road, Dirang

Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel Dremomys lokriah
Mandala Road, Dirang

Himalayan Hoary-bellied Squirrel callosciurus pygerythus
A single one at Eaglenest

Indian Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis
Common at Kaziranga.

Dhole (Asiatic wild dog) Cuon alpinus
1 on the track at Eaglenest.

Wild Boar Sus scrofa
A few at Kaziranga

Nilgau Boselaphus tragocemelus
A few at Sultanpur

Hog Deer Axis porcinus
Common at Kaziranga

Swamp Deer (Barasingha) Cervus duvaucelii
Common at Kaziranga

Sambar Cervus unicolor
A single at Kaziranga

Indian Muntjac (Barking Deer) Muntiacus muntjak
Heard once at Eaglenest
2 exx at Digboi

Water Buffalo Bubalus bubalis
Common at Kaziranga and Dibru-Saikhowa

Bharal (Blue Sheep) Pseudois nayaur
2 exx at the Sela Pass.

 

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