Birding in Thimphu, Bhutan
When: October 2016 Weather: Cool 15C
Leica M240/35mm summlux, Nikon P900
I had to take a flight via Kathmandu to get to Bhutan and I would say that the 50min flight from Kathmandu to Paro airport is arguably one of the most spectacular ones anywhere in the world. Shortly after taking off from Kathmandu, you start seeing the beautiful snow capped Himalayan peaks…indeed it flies past 7 of the highest peaks in the world! And shortly after the Himalaya have passed from sight, you start flying into verdant valleys with ricefields everywhere….the valleys of Bhutan..
Everest as seen from my Druk Air flight between Kathmandu and Paro…choose a seat on the left side of the aircraft! Lhotse is in foreground
close up of Sagarmatha, or Mt Everest…
Staying at the Druk Hotel, I wandered out towards the Thimphu Chu river and heading to the bridge, I descended the bridge just before it crossed the river and made my way along the river bank and a little road called Chhogyal Lam leading to a small park….
The national bird is the Bhutanese Raven…it’s everywhere!
And then this beauty showed up on a dead tree…from a long long way away, the P900 still managed to capture this… A Spotted Nutcracker…a lifer for me.
oriental turtle doves were everywhere
and quite pretty too
White wagtail on roof
this white wagtail found a juicy moth for breakfast
the day was somewhat cloudy
and perched over the water was this spectacular plumbeous water redstart
green backed tits were very active in the trees
another view of green backed tit
pretty flowers in the park
grey chinned minivet
grey chinned minivet
brown shrike
from afar, this majestic buddha statue overlooks the Thimphu Valley
and up close
The next morning, I took a long walk crossing the bridge over the river and followed the road by the foot of the mountain till another big bridge appeared crossing back over to the town centre….
daybreak over Thimphu
Another plumbeous water redstart on the distant bridge
the skyline at daybreak
Rufous sibia
another view
White capped water redstart
white capped water redstart
This Blue whistling thrush made very loud noises
Siberian Stonechat
TIckell’s leaf warbler
another view
The flowers by the road made for a great walk…
Thimphu itself is pleasant enough but these two easy walks were pretty good for for appreciating the beauty of the Thimphu valley..the birding was a nice bonus.
The Natural Traveller 