


The Deoriatal Lake and the trek from the lake to Syalmi - The section above Bhrujgali to halfway up the Chandrashila Peak is the perfect stretch to spot Monals and Snow Partridges.įor a more comprehensive list of the birds you can spot on the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek, click here.

| Birding hotspots on the Deoriatal - Chandrashila trek: On any given day on this trek, you can spot anywhere from 70 to 100 types of birds, largely due to its location inside the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary.įrom the exquisitely patterned Snow Patridge to the colorful Kalij Pheasant, and from the cerulean blue shaded Verditer Flycatcher to the delicately shaded pink browned Rosefinch, the trek is a gold mine for bird lovers and photographers. Our founder, Arjun Majumdar, who has been on this trek three times, concurs, “Every time I have done this trek, I have seen Monals very close to the trail.” This was a unanimous choice for all of our experts! It is one of the best treks to spot the strikingly beautiful Monal. Top 5 Himalayan Treks for Birdwatchingįor the sheer variety of species that reside in these regions, these trails are our top picks for bird watching. With such incredible biodiversity, Himalayan treks present the perfect chance to catch sight of some rare birds. As a result, bird species thrive in those regions due to abundant food, natural forests, and no threats or disturbances from humans”, he explains. “Most trek routes pass through minimal or no population or any other disturbances. Access to agricultural land, which helps provide birds with food, especially during winters.Ījit expands on this. The presence of wetlands at higher altitudes and river ecosystems at the lower levels. The presence of different varieties of intact forests that are important for breeding. In fact, 80% of the bird species found in India call the Himalayas home! But, have you wondered how the region came to be so rich in bird species, given its harsh terrain and weather conditions?Ī 2018 Zoological Survey of India points out multiple factors:ġ. With over 900 avifauna species, the Himalayas is a biodiversity hotspot.

Why are we more likely to spot birds on a Himalayan trek than any other tourist spot? We spoke to them about their top Himalayan treks for bird watching, what makes these trails unique, and tips for bird photography while trekking. We also discussed different aspects of this topic with Jothiranjan, our resident photographer. I reached out to Ajit Hota and Madhav Anand, well-known bird photographers, and long-time Indiahikes trekkers. Since we often get asked about the best treks for birdwatching, I’m putting this post together on some of the best treks for bird watching, the best time to watch them and some endemic birds to look out for. To date, it remains one of my most memorable moments from the trek. Looking back, I feel fortunate that I got the chance to witness this. My friend started clicking pictures while all I could do was capture the beauty of this bird with my mind’s eye. We sat there, crouching near the ground as it went about pecking in the grass. Electric blues blended into brilliant greens and vivid oranges. Its brilliant colours sparkled in the evening sun. About twenty to thirty feet from where we stood was a bird that took my breath away. We walked for a few minutes and came upon a clearing. I walked up to him, and in hushed tones, he told me that he had spotted a bird. After trekking through rain and slush, we reached the Dzongri campsite on Day 4, wet and exhausted.Īs I was about to step into my tent for a short nap, I noticed my co-trekker waving out to me from a distance. It was my first Himalayan trek and a challenging one at that. Four years ago, I embarked on the Goechala trek with twenty-odd friends.
