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A Report from birdtours.co.uk

Langtang Valley of Nepal - 26th April to 12th May 2001,

Stephen Mawby

Introduction

The planned trip for the two participants, Mike Finnigan and Stephen Mawby was a Himalayan trek, firstly in the Langtang Valley with the trek beginning at Dhunche and thereafter passing via the holy lake at Gosainkund, going over the Laurebina Pass and returning to Kathmandu via the Helambu route.  Birding was only a secondary reason for the trip.  As a result of deteriorating weather conditions and our own physical condition, the second part of the trek was aborted and our return was made via Dhunche, our original starting point.

All the ground arrangements were made by Langtang Ri Trekking (P) Ltd. GPO Box 7103, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal  (E-mail: trekking@langtang.wlink.com.np) through Footprint Adventures, 5 Malham Drive, Lincoln, LN6 0XD, UK (E-mail: sales@footventure.co.uk).

Flights to and from Kathmandu were with Qatar Airways and flights were made via Doha where a change of plane was necessary.  As a result of cutting our trip short by one week, it was necessary to re-arrange our flight schedule home and Langtang Ri were able to do this without incurring any additional charge.

Transport
Langtang Ri arranged for a car and driver for our day trip to Phulchowki, and the return trip to Dhunche, which required a sturdy 4x4 vehicle.

Accommodation.
Langtang Ri booked the accommodation in Kathmandu (Hotel Vaishali) and re-arranged the reservation at the end of our trip, as we returned to there one week early.  Whilst on the trek, our guide Krishna Acharya, made daily arrangements for food and lodging as we progressed along the valley.  Due to the timing of our visit, there were no problems encountered in obtaining accommodation.

Field Guides

Reports

Nepal Itinerary

25/4/01

Flight London Heathrow to Kathmandu  2015-1515

26/4/01

Accommodation - Hotel Vaishali.

27/4/01

Depart hotel 0600 and drive to summit where arrival was at 0730.  Walk down the mountain during the day to meet waiting taxi at bottom at 1600. Accommodation - Hotel Vaishali.

28/4/01

Depart hotel at 0900 but had to return due to forgotten papers.  Arrived at Dhunche just after 1900. (Journey time of 7 hours for what is little more than a 70 mile trip). Accommodation - Langtang View Hotel.

29/4/01

Linear distance of about 7km but with a height gain of 1200 metres.  Total time taken approx 7 hours. Accommodation - Red Panda Lodge.

30/4/01

Linear distance of about 6 km but with a height loss of 1200 metres.  Total time taken approx 6 hours. Accommodation - Tibetan Hotel.

1/5/01

Linear distance of about 9km with a height loss of 400metres to begin with, followed by a height gain of  1200metres. Accommodation - Friendly Guest House.

2/5/01

Linear distance of about  9km with a height gain of 500metres. Accommodation - Valley View Hotel

3/5/01

Linear distance of about 6km with a height gain of 600metres. Walk to "Ibisbill flats" in the afternoon. Accommodation -  Hotel Mountain View

4/5/01

Brief walk to "Ibisbill flats" mid afternoon as weather improved slightly. Accommodation - Hotel Mountain View

5/5/01

A return trip of 24km with very little height loss or gain throughout. Accommodation - Hotel Mountain View

6/5/01

Linear distance of about 15km with a height loss of 1100metres. Accommodation - Friendly Guest House, Lama Lodge.

7/5/01

Linear distance of about 9km, with height loss of 1200metres, followed by a height gain of  400metres.

8/5/01

Linear distance of about 6km, with height gain of 1200metres. Accommodation - Sherpa Hotel.

9/5/01

Linear distance of about 7km with height loss of 1200metres. Accommodation - Langtang View Hotel.

10/5/01

Approx. 70 mile journey via Trisuli Bazar that took 7 hours.  The first 40 km of the journey are over a very rough unmade road that is negotiated extremely carefully. Accommodation - Hotel Vaishali

11/5/01

Sightseeing in Kathmandu in the morning, with taxi ride to Godaveri Botanical Gardens in the afternoon. Accommodation - Hotel Vaishali.

12/5/01

Flight from Kathmandu to Doha and then Doha to London Heathrow  0915 - 1815

Systematic List of Species Seen

The order and nomenclature of species follows, World Bird Species Checklist, M.G.Wells 1998 whilst taxonomy follows that adopted by Birds of the World, A Checklist, James F. Clements,  2000.

* indicates a personal new species.

CATTLE EGRET  Bubulcus ibis
Singles noted in flight around the Kathmandu valley on the 27th and 28th April and 11th May.

BLACK KITE  Milvus migrans
Only noted around the Kathmandu valley with a maximum of 6 on the 28th.

RED-HEADED VULTURE  Sarcogyps calvus
Two noted circling near Trisuli Bazar on the 14th.

EURASIAN GRIFFON VULTURE  Gyps fulvus
A single noted in the vicinity of Phulchowki on the 27th with possibly 2 others seen very distantly from Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 11th, and upwards of 5 noted circling on thermals on the jeep drive to Dhunche on the 28th.

HIMALAYAN GRIFFON  Gyps himalayensis *
Following 10 hours of heavy rain, the only sighting of this species was of one which circled low over the Sing Gompa ridge as we descended into the Trisuli valley on our way back to Dhunche on the 9th.  Having gained height, the bird drifted off in the direction of Laurebinayak.

LAMMERGEIER  Gypaetus barbatus
One on the 29th was a brief sighting as it flew along the northern ridge of the Trisuli valley near the suspension bridge, whilst 2 on the 3rd , one just after leaving Langtang village, the other circling low over the village at Kyangchin later in the day, were the only sightings.

CRESTED SERPENT-EAGLE  Spilornis cheela
Singles were seen on the 28th between Kathmandu and Trisuli Bazar and on the 29th in the Trisuli valley just outside Dhunche.

SHIKRA  Accipiter badius
One on the 28th en route to Dhunche was the only one seen.
BESRA  Accipiter virgatus
A single of what was considered to be this species was noted over Syabru on the late afternoon of the 7th.

GOLDEN EAGLE  Aquila chrysaetos
A large eagle flying along a ridge at the head of the Langtang valley near to Langsisa Kharak on the 5th was probably this species.

BOOTED EAGLE  Hieraaetus pennatus
A dark-phase individual noted over Shin Gompa on the 30th was possibly a late migrating individual.

COMMON KESTREL  Falco tinnunculus
Singles noted on three dates in the Langtang valley, with one at Kyangching itself being particularly unexpected.

HIMALAYAN MONAL  Lophophorus impejanus *
Several calling birds heard in the upper reaches of the Langtang valley, but the only sightings were of a brief flight view on the 2nd between Lama Hotel and Langtang, with distance views of one walking along the base of the cliffs near Langtang village late on the afternoon of the same day.

KALIJ PHEASANT  Lophura leucomelana *
Another disappointment in that the only views had were of 2 birds scurrying away through the undergrowth by the Police checkpoint just outside Dhunche village on the evening of the 28th.

IBISBILL  Ibidorrhyncha struthersii *
One of the highlights of the trip.  One was seen very well and reasonably closely on the 3rd with up to 3  seen the following day, one of which, again, was relatively close.  On the 5th during the walk from Kyangching to Langsisa Kharak, at least 6, but more probably 8, were noted along the valley.  All in all a superb bird.

EURASIAN WOODCOCK  Scolopax rusticola
What was probably this species was flushed from the woodland near Shin Gompa on the late morning of the 8th.  It flew low through the primeval pine forest and although very little plumage detail was assessed in the brief views had, the jizz seemed to indicate this species.

ROCK DOVE  Columba livia
Only noted in the Kathmandu valley area.

SNOW PIGEON  Columba leuconota *
Only noted in the higher reaches of the Langtang valley, with upwards of 100 seen on the 3rd, with smaller numbers thereafter on the 4th, 5th and 6th.  Many came into fields close to the villages of both Langtang and Kyangching and good. Close views were obtained of what is a smart pigeon sp.

SPECKLED PIGEON  Columba hodgsonii
Flight views of 2 on Phulchowki on the 27th and 3 between Dhunche and Shin Gompa on the 29th.  A flock of at least 20 birds were sat in path side trees at the head of the Trisuli valley on the 9th and allowed a reasonably close inspection.  A further flight view of  2 near Dhunche the following day completed the sightings.

ORIENTAL TURTLE-DOVE  Streptopelia orientalis
At least 6 noted on Phulchowki on the 27th, with smaller numbers noted on 6 dates thereafter in the Langtang valley.

SPOTTED DOVE  Streptopelia chinensis
Noted between Kathmandu and Dhunche on the 28th, around Dhunche on the 29th and around Godaveri on the 11th.

COMMON CUCKOO  Cuculus canorus
Heard on at least seven dates and occasionally in the same areas as the following species.  One sat in a tree-top on our approach to Shin Gompa on the 29th was also calling.

ORIENTAL CUCKOO  Cuculus saturatus *
Not heard as frequently as the previous species but one seen in flight and then perched, calling, on the 30th was a bonus.

LESSER CUCKOO  Cuculus poliocephalus *
One seen briefly perched in a low bush at the rivers edge at Lama Hotel on the 6th flew across the river, but was seen later that afternoon sat in a treetop at the rear of our accommodation.  A small version of the two previous species.

OWLET  Glaucidium/Athene sp.
An owl, seen at daytime roost on an exposed branch in the agricultural area just outside Trisuli Bazar on the 10th was probably a Spotted Little Owl (A.brama) but seen from our vehicle and being unable to pull over and stop, the possibility of it being a less common species cannot be ruled out.

ALPINE SWIFT  Apus melba
A single on the 30th near to Syabru was the only sighting of this species.

PACIFIC SWIFT  Apus pacificus
The most frequently encountered swift sp. But only noted on three dates, and all of those in the Syabru area.

HOUSE SWIFT  Apus nipalensis
This species seemed to share the air with the aforementioned species but in lesser numbers.  Also noted around Dhunche.

WHITE-BREASTED KINGFISHER  Halcyon smyrnensis
Two roadside sightings on the 10th on the journey between Dhunche and Kathmandu were the only kingfisher sp. seen.

CHESTNUT-HEADED BEE-EATER  Merops leschenaulti
Brief sighting of two birds, again on the journey between Dhunche and Kathmandu on the 10th.

HOOPOE  Upupa epops
One frequented the garden and surrounding area of the Tibet Hotel at Syabru on the 30th and 1st.

GREAT BARBET  Megalaima virens *
An unexpected bonus on the last day of the trip, was a pair of this species sat in a treetop at the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 11th.  First heard calling, they flew into the canopy near to my position but leaf cover prevented a full and open view of the species.

GOLDEN-THROATED BARBET  Megalaima franklinii
One seen on Phulchowki on the 27th, 2 on the 1st as we descended into the Langtang valley from Syabru with one in a similar location on the way out on the 7th.  All birds showed themselves particularly well.

YELLOW-RUMPED HONEYGUIDE  Indicator xanthonotus *
Very distant views of a bird visiting the rock bees nests on the opposite side of the valley to the lodge at Rimche on the 7th.

SPECKLED PICULET  Picumnus innominatus
One, with a small flock of other species, in scrubby vegetation at Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 11th.

BROWN-FRONTED WOODPECKER  Picoides auriceps *
A single bird gave good views of itself as it fed on the upper branches of a tree just prior to descending to the Langtang river at Landslide on the 1st.  A male, it was watched for several minutes.

RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER  Picoides hyperythrus *
Another of the trip highlights was a male of this species which flew onto the trunk of a path side tree just as we entered the coniferous forest outside Ghore Tabela on the 6th.  The field guide does not do this species justice and possibly the smartest of the pied woodpeckers in the sub-Continent.

DARJEELING WOODPECKER  Picoides darjellensis *
Two on Phulchowki on the 27th, one at Shin Gompa on the 30th and one between Lama Lodge and Landslide in the Langtang valley on the 7th were the only sightings.

RED-RUMPED SWALLOW  Hirundo daurica
Noted in small numbers around the agricultural areas of the lower elevations.

NEPAL HOUSE MARTIN  Delichon nipalensis *
Up to 6 in the Trisuli valley just outside Dhunche on the 29th, with similar numbers in the lower Langtang valley on the 1st and 2nd with 2 noted around Dhunche on the 10th.

GREY WAGTAIL  Motacilla cinerea
Noted on six dates, with 4 being the day maxima on both the 2nd and 3rd.

WHITE WAGTAIL  Motacilla alba
Only encountered in the upper reaches of the Langtang valley beyond Kyangching, where they frequented the banks of the gravely river bed.  Up to 6 birds noted on both the 3rd and 5th.

ROSY PIPIT  Anthus roseatus
First noted at Shin Gompa on the 30th, where a single frequented the garden of the cheese factory and thereafter, only encountered in the upper reaches of the Langtang valley where upwards of 30 birds were noted on three dates, with fewer numbers on a fourth.  Some were particularly well marked birds.

UPLAND PIPIT  Anthus sylvanus *
Two in rough fields just below Shin Gompa on the 4th were watched at close range when all features were noted.  Others were probably seen in the Langtang valley but close inspection was not made.

LARGE CUCKOO-SHRIKE  Coracina macei*
Another unexpected find was this species which flew into a roadside tree between Kathmandu and Trisuli Bazar on the 28th.  Able to stop and view the bird from outside the vehicle, it showed reasonably well with the dark mask in particular being very evident.

BLACK-WINGED CUCKOO-SHRIKE  Coracina melaschistos
A single on Phulchowki on the 27th was the only sighting.

LONG-TAILED MINIVET  Pericrocotus ethologus
Singles or pairs noted on four dates.

SCARLET MINIVET  Pericrocotus flammeus
Noted in small numbers on three dates.

WHITE-CHEEKED BULBUL  Pycnonotus leucogenys *
Small numbers noted on five dates, but found no further into the mountains than Dhunche.  Five around the latter village on the 29th was the largest day count.  Not a particularly widespread species and by no means common.

RED-VENTED BULBUL  Pycnonotus cafer
Pairs noted on three dates.
BLACK BULBUL  Hypsipetes madagascariensis
Noted on five dates with 6 on the 1st between Syabru and Lama Hotel being the biggest day count.

LONG-TAILED SHRIKE  Lanius schach
Three on the 28th  between Kathmandu and Dhunche and 3 around Syabru on the 30th were the only sightings.

GREY-BACKED SHRIKE  Lanius tephronotus
Noted on two dates in the higher reaches of the Langtang valley with 4 seen on the 3rd and 2 on the 5th.

BROWN DIPPER  Cinclus pallasii *
One on the Trisuli Khola at the head of the valley on the 29th, with further singles on the Langtang Khola on the 1st and 3rd, with two noted on the 2nd.  Possibly less frequently encountered than I would have expected.

ALTAI ACCENTOR  Prunella himalayana *
Another of the trip highlights was the finding of a party of 3 birds on the rough ground by the forest edge, immediately below the lodges at Shin Gompa on the morning of the 30th.  Quite a smart species and one that I was pleased to see.

RUFOUS-BREASTED ACCENTOR  Prunella strophiata *
Brief views of a bird just outside of Dhunche on the morning of the 29th was easily surpassed by good views of further birds on the 30th at Shin Gompa (2), at Langtang village on the 3rd (1) and between Kyangching and Langsisa Kharak on the 5th (2).  The one in Langtang village appeared to have a nest in a wall and gave extremely close views.

BLUE-CAPPED ROCK-THRUSH  Monticola cinclorhyncha
One on the 28th between Kathmandu and Dhunche required a vehicle stop as it perched on roadside wires, whilst 2 the following day gave good views of themselves shortly after we left Dhunche en route up the Trisuli Khola.  Although not a new species, it still has to be one of the smartest of the rock-thrushes.

CHESTNUT-BELLIED ROCK-THRUSH  Monticola rufiventris
Brief views of an individual on Phulchowki on the 27th with one showing well along the Trisuli Khola on the 29th.

BLUE WHISTLING THRUSH  Myiophoneus caeruleus
Widespread and relatively common in suitable areas.  The most frequently encountered thrush sp.

WHITE'S THRUSH  Zoothera dauma
Two on the pathway through the mature coniferous forest between Shin Gompa and Syabru was the only encounter with this species.  They remained in the open long enough to give a good account of themselves.

TICKELL'S THRUSH  Turdus unicolor *
A singing male in a tree in the Trisuli Khola valley on our approach to Dhunche on the 9th took me by surprise somewhat and was a pleasing late addition to the trip list of new species.

WHITE-COLLARED BLACKBIRD  Turdus albocinctus *
Only encountered in the vicinity of Shin Gompa, in and around the mature coniferous forest at the 3000 metre elevation mark.  Five on the 30th with upwards of 10 on the 8th, they were mostly males that were seen.  A very smart species.

INDIAN BLUE ROBIN  Luscinia brunnea *
Up to 3 noted on Phulchowki on the 27th and 2 in the bush-scrub above Syabru on the 8th were the only ones seen, although others were often heard.

MAGPIE-ROBIN  Copsychus saularis
Two noted during the drive to Dhunche on the 28th, were the only ones recorded.

BLACK REDSTART  Phoenicurus ochruros
A single in fields just outside Dhunche on the 29th.

BLUE-FRONTED REDSTART  Phoenicurus frontalis *
Only encountered in the upper reaches of the Langtang valley beyond Langtang village itself.  Noted on all four dates in that area, with a maximum day count of 6 on the 3rd.

WHITE-CAPPED WATER-REDSTART  Chaimarrornis leucocephalus
Only encountered on the Langtang Khola but noted on six dates, with a day maxima of 6 on both the 3rd and 5th.  Still one of my favorite birds of all time.

PLUMBEOUS WATER-REDSTART  Rhyacornis fuliginosus
Found where-ever there was running water and occasionally in the forest areas close to the river.  Widespread and common in suitable habitat with numbers in excess of 20 noted on the 1st.  A singing bird close to our accommodation at Lama Hotel was particularly nice to watch on more than one occasion.  Males were the most frequently encountered birds.

LITTLE FORKTAIL  Enicurus scouleri *
Only one of this species seen and the views were relatively brief but adequate.  It was frequenting a waterfall which passed under the road, a few kilometers outside of Dhunche.  Seen on the 28th, it could not be found when we re-passed the site on the 10th.

SPOTTED FORKTAIL  Enicurus maculates *
Probably the bird of the trip for me.  A pair were discovered at the rear of our lodgings at Lama Hotel on the afternoon of the 1st, with a single present the following morning.  Appearing from the forest, they fed in the wet grassy/muddy area behind the lodge and showed incredibly closely as I watched them from the dining room window.  A further individual was seen on the 10th, on a roadside waterfall just south of Dhunche.  Larger than I had expected them to be, their plumage and tails were immaculate - quite stunning.

COMMON STONECHAT  Saxicola torquata
Up to 4 noted in the fields around the Tibetan Hotel at Syabru on both the 30th and 1st.

PIED BUSHCHAT  Saxicola caprata
Noted on seven dates with a maxima of 10 on the 29th.

GREY BUSHCHAT  Saxicola ferrea
Noted on 5 dates, not so frequently encountered as the previous species, but occasionally in similar habitat.  Again a day maxima of 10 on the 29th.

NEPAL WREN-BABBLER  Pnoepyga immaculata *
At least one, but probably two of this species were found feeding around the mossy trunks of trees and bushes alongside but below, the path between Shin Gompa and the Danda teahouses.  Seen all too briefly, the lack of any buff spotting on the upper parts ruled out other possible species.

WHITE-THROATED LAUGHING-THRUSH  Garrulax albogularis *
Although not the most frequently encountered of the laughing-thrushes, it was probably the smartest that I encountered.  Two in the ravine on Phulchowki on the 27th was the first sighting, with 6 on the morning of the 29th as we walked the roadway out of Dhunche and a further 6 on the 7th between Lama Hotel and Syabru.

STREAKED LAUGHING-THRUSH  Garrulax lineatus *
Singles noted on three dates, with 2 on the 10th and 3 on the 6th.  Not the most inspiring of species.

VARIEGATED LAUGHING-THRUSH  Garulax variegates *
Noted on seven dates with the highest day count of 4 on the 30th.  Encountered in varied habitats - even around the villages at the higher elevations.  None of the birds seen well looked particularly smart.

BLACK-FACED LAUGHING-THRUSH  Garulax affinis *
Two on the 30th in the rhododendron scrub below the Danda teahouses on the descent from Shin Gompa to Syabru and 2 on the 2nd between Lama Hotel and Langtang were the only sightings.

CHESTNUT-CROWNED LAUGHING-THRUSH  Garrulax erythrocephalus
Four noted on Phulchowki on the 27th and 2 alongside the road just outside Dhunche on the 28th were the only ones seen.

CHESTNUT-TAILED MINLA  Minla strigula
Noted on five dates and seen both on Phulchowki and in the lower regions of the Langtang valley.  A day maxima of 6 on the 28th were mainly roadside just outside Dhunche.

RUFOUS-WINGED FULVETTA  Alcippe castaneceps
Two on Phulchowki on the 27th were the only ones seen.

NEPAL FULVETTA  Alcippe nipalensis *
One on the 27th on the lower slopes of Phulchowki was the only sighting of this species.

RUFOUS SIBIA  Heterophasia capistrata *
Widespread and common and noted on most dates.  Often birds would move through an area in reasonably sized groups.

WHISKERED YUHINA  Yuhina flavicollis *
Three on the 29th  between Dhunche and Shin Gompa and a single on the 6th between Kyangching and Lama Hotel.

STRIPE-THROATED YUHINA  Yuhina gularis *
Three in a path-side tree between Lama Hotel and Langtang on the 2nd was the only sighting of this species.

RUFOUS-VENTED YUHINA  Yuhina occipitalis *
One in the rhododendron scrub below the Danda teahouses on the descent from Shin Gompa to Syabru on the 30th was the only one seen.

STRIATED PRINIA  Prinia criniger *
Only seen (and heard) in the terraced fields around Syabru, with 2 seen on the late afternoon of the 30th from the Tibetan Hotel at Syabru, with 2 more the following morning and finally a further 2, higher up the terracing, on our return through Syabru on the 7th.

ABERRANT BUSH WARBLER  Cettia flavolivacea *
Two birds that I considered to be this species were seen well in scrubby path-side vegetation just outside of Dhunche on the 29th.

GREY-SIDED BUSH-WARBLER  Cettia brunnifrons *
A single in a wet forest ravine between Shin Gompa and the Danda teahouses on the morning of the 30th was seen reasonably well, it's chestnut crown and grayish body all being indicative of this species, as it moved through the bushy scrub at the side of the ravine.

TICKELL'S LEAF-WARBLER  Phylloscopus affinis
One on the 5th, in the alpine scrub between Kyangching and Langsisa Kharak was the only sighting of this relatively smart phyllosc.

ASHY-THROATED WARBLER  Phylloscopus maculipennis
Small numbers of this smart phyllosc. seen on four dates in the Langtang valley.

HUME'S WARBLER  Phylloscopus humei
Singles were noted on three dates although many phyllosc. warblers were left unidentified.

GREENISH WARBLER  Phylloscopus trochiloides
Noted throughout although no specific details were noted. (See previous species).

LARGE-BILLED LEAF-WARBLER  Phylloscopus magnirostris *
A phyllosc. warbler considered to be this species was seen between Lama Hotel and Langtang on the 2nd.

WESTERN CROWNED WARBLER  Phylloscopus occipitalis
Small numbers noted throughout but no specific details noted (See Hume's Warbler).

GOLDEN-SPECTACLED WARBLER  Seicercus burkii
Widespread and common and noted throughout the trek in various habitats.  Whether or not the species seen was in fact Whistler's Warbler (S.whistleri) is open to debate.  The fact that the birds seen were within the altitude range of this latter species possibly clinches the identification but at the present time the taxonomic situation regarding the Golden-spectacled Warbler group is somewhat unclear.

GREY-HOODED WARBLER  Seicercus xanthoschistos *
Noted on at least eight dates in small numbers, with upwards of 5 on the 29th being the biggest day count.  A really smart, if somewhat common flycatcher-warbler.

SIBERIAN FLYCATCHER  Muscicapa sibirica
A single on Phulchowki on the 27th with another on the 1st between Syabru and Lama Hotel.

VERDITER FLYCATCHER  Eumyias thalassina
Noted on five dates, with 5 on the 29th being the highest day count.

ORANGE-GORGETTED FLYCATCHER  Ficedula strophiata *
Brief views of one on the summit of Phulchowki on the 27th with a minima of 4 in the Langtang valley on the 2nd, one on the 6th and upwards of 6 on the 8th.  The males showed the orange gorget well but otherwise, quite a dull bird.

SNOWY-BROWED FLYCATCHER  Ficedula hyperythra *
A beautiful male feeding mostly on the ground alongside the path as we descended the Langtang valley on the 7th.  A briefly seen bird nearby was probably a female.  Although a relatively common species, one that I was particularly pleased to see.

ULTRAMARINE FLYCATCHER  Ficedula superciliaris *
A female type on Phulchowki on the 27th was considered to be this species.

GREY-HEADED CANARY FLYCATCHER  Culicicapa ceylonensis
Only one recorded, that being on the 7th in the lower Langtang valley.

YELLOW-BELLIED FANTAIL  Rhipidura hypoxantha
Surprisingly, quite frequently encountered, with a minima of 4 on Phulchowki on the 27th, with thereafter two birds recorded on each of four dates in the Langtang valley.

WHITE-THROATED FANTAIL  Rhipidura albicollis
One on Phulchowki on the 27th was the only one seen.

BLACK-THROATED TIT  Aegithalos concinnus *
Up to 10 birds seen on Phulchowki on the 27th, 3 near to the top of the ascent to Shin Gompa on the 29th and 2 between Syabru and Lama Lodge on the 1st.

RUFOUS-FRONTED TIT  Aegithalos iouschitstos *
Two on the 30th, in the conifer forest below the Danda teahouses on the descent from Shin Gompa to Syabru was the only sighting of this smart species.

RUFOUS-VENTED TIT  Parus rubidiventris *
First seen around Shin Gompa with one on the 29th followed by 2 the following day, 2 below Kyangching on the 3rd with finally, 3 on the 8th on the climb from Syabru to Shin Gompa.

COAL TIT  Parus ater
Brief views of what was probably this species, below the Danda teahouses between Shin Gompa and Syabru on the 30th.

GREY-CRESTED TIT  Parus dichrous *
The only sighting of this species was of one bird on the edge of the mature coniferous forest between the Danda teahouses and Shin Gompa on the 8th.

GREAT TIT  Parus major
Two in a mixed flock of tits (Parus sp.) in the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 11th.

GREEN-BACKED TIT  Parus monticolus *
Fairly widespread and common and the most frequently encountered Parus sp. With birds being noted on eight dates.

BLACK-LORED TIT  Parus xanthogenys
Upwards of 4 noted on Phulchowki on the 27th with a minima of 6 around the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 11th.  Surprisingly, not recorded elsewhere.

WHITE-TAILED NUTHATCH  Sitta himalayensis *
At least 4 seen on Phulchowki on the 27th, but not seen elsewhere.

EURASIAN TREECREEPER  Certhia familiaris
What was probably this species was seen briefly in the conifer woodland just below Shin Gompa on the 30th. 

BUFF-BELLIED FLOWERPECKER  Dicaeum ignipectus
Singles noted on four dates with males being well marked showing the blue/green back and the red breast.

PURPLE SUNBIRD  Nectarinia asiatica
Singles noted around Dhunche on both the 28th and 29th.

GREEN-TAILED SUNBIRD  Aethopyga nipalensis
Noted on six dates, with at least 6 seen on the 27th on Phulchowki.

ORIENTAL WHITE-EYE  Zosterops palpebrosa
One on the 1st as we descended into the Langtang valley and 2 on the 11th in the Godaveri Botanical Gardens were the only sightings.

BLACK DRONGO  Dicrurus macrocercus
Noted on six dates.  At least 10 noted on the 29th along the journey from Kathmandu to Dhunche.

ASHY DRONGO  Dicrurus leucophaeus
One on the 8th in the lower Langtang valley was the only one noted.

YELLOW-BILLED BLUE MAGPIE  Urocissa flavirostris *
Two on the 29th near the Police check-point at Dhunche with another on the 1st  between Syabru and Lama Hotel were the only ones seen.

RUFOUS TREEPIE  Dendrocitta vagabunda
One on Phulchowki on the 27th and 2 on the 28th between Kathmandu and Dhunche were, surprisingly, the only ones encountered.

GREY TREEPIE  Dendrocitta formosae
Three in the Godaveri Botanical Gardens on the 11th were the last addition to the trip-list.

NUTCRACKER  Nucifraga caryocatactes
Two on the 29th between Dhunche and Shin Gompa, one on the 6th between Kyangching and Lama Hotel and 3 on the 8th between Syabru and Shin Gompa.

RED-BILLED CHOUGH  Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Only recorded in the upper Langtang valley above Langtang village, and in far fewer numbers than the following species.  Four on the 3rd, 6 on the 4th and 2 on the 6th were all that were seen.

YELLOW-BILLED CHOUGH  Pyrrhocorax graculus
More common than the previous species but again, only recorded above Langtang village.  In excess of 30 birds noted on the days spent in the upper valley area.

HOUSE CROW  Corvus splendens
Widespread and common at the lower elevations.

LARGE-BILLED CROW  Corvus macrorhynchos
Noted throughout the trip in good numbers.

COMMON RAVEN  Corvus corax
Noted on nine dates in small numbers.

COMMON MYNA  Acridotheres tristis
Only recorded around the Kathmandu valley area.

CRESTED BUNTING  Melophus lathami *
A pair, just outside Trisuli Bazar alongside a hydro-electric water channel paralleling the  Trisuli Khola on the 29th, a male on the 30th between Shin Gompa and Syabru, a pair in the Trisuli valley as we walked toward Dhunche on the 9th and 3 on the 10th noted as we drove toward Trisuli Bazar from Dhunche.

HIMALAYAN GREENFINCH  Carduelis spinoides *
A single on the 30th sat in the top of vegetation bordering some field terracing at Syabru and allowed good views of itself,  with a flock of at least 12 noted in flight at Syabru on our return through the village on the 7th.

BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH  Carpodacus pulcherrimus *
Birds first recorded at Ghore Tabela, and thereafter good numbers noted in the upper Langtang valley with some very smart males noted.

PINK-BROWED ROSEFINCH  Carpodacus rhodochrous *
Two at the teahouse on the descent from Shin Gompa into the Trisuli valley on the 9th were the only ones seen.

SPOT-WINGED ROSEFINCH  Carpodacus rhodopeplus *
Three at Shin Gompa on the 30th, 2 near Langtang village on the 2nd and several around Kyangching on the 4th.

WHITE-BROWED ROSEFINCH  Carpodacus thura *
Two in the fields below Shin Gompa on the 30th were the only ones noted.

RED-HEADED ROSEFINCH  Propyrrhula subhimachala *
An unexpected bonus was the finding of a female of this species near to the summit of Phulchowki on the 27th, with a second female in shrubbery below Shin Gompa on the morning of the 30th.  Both birds were seen exceptionally well, and being females they were unconfusable with any other species.

RED-HEADED BULLFINCH  Pyrrhula erythrocephala *
One perched on a roadside treetop between Dhunche and the Police post on the morning of the 29th was the only sighting of this smart species.

HOUSE SPARROW  Passer domesticus
Only noted around the Kathmandu valley area.

EURASIAN TREE SPARROW  Passer montanus
Widespread and common around habitations at middle elevations and around the Kathmandu valley.

Total 146 species of which 58 were new

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