Nepal is a bird watcher's
paradise with over 800 species (almost 10% of the world total) of birds.
Among them, almost 500 are found around in the Kathmandu valley. The
surrounding hills offer a varied ecology ranging from primary and
secondary forests to rhodendron, oak & pine forests. in addition,
the wetlands and open fields inside the valley make up a diverse habitat
for many species of birds. Besides this, lots of birds but in different
species found in Nepal depending on the vegetation & altitude of
Nepal. Nepal is home of some endangered birds like Impeyan Pheasant,
Nepal's National bird & Spiny Babler, found only in Nepal. This
program takes one, to explore the birds as well as wildlife in some of
the very famous wetlands & national parks of Nepal as mention below.
Phulchowki
This tour includes a drive to Phulchowki, one
of the most popular bird watching spots in the Kathmandu Valley. 265
species of birds are recorded here till date. The birds seen here
include flycatchers, yuhinas, sunbirds, flowerpeckers, rosefinches,
babblers, warblers, tits, thrushes, minivets, woodpeckers, eagles and
many migrant birds. Godavari, at the foot of Phulchowki hill where Royal
Botanical Garden is situated, records over 100 species of birds
including lesser Racket-tailed drongo, Tibetan siskin and the spotted
forktail.
Koshi Tappu
You will also visit Koshi Tappu Wildlife
Reserve which lies in Eastern Nepal. The Reserve covers 175 sq. km &
established in 1976. This is one of the finest wetlands and fabulous
bird watching area. Almost all of Nepal's long list of wildfowl, waders,
storks, ibises, herons, egrets, tems and gulls occur here plus a great
variety of land-birds that include such specilities as Swamp Francolin,
Red-necked Falcon and Straited Marsh Wabler. The last surviving
population (about 100 individuals) of Wild Buffalo are found here. Other
mammals occurring here are hog deer, wild boar, spotted deer & blue
bull. A total of 423 species of birds are recorded here, including 20 of
ducks, two of ibises, many storks, egrets, herons and the endangered
swamp partridges and Bengal Floricans. 183 species of different birds
are recorded a day here. Visitors can see minimum 100 types of birds in
a day.
Royal Chitwan
National Park
Chitwan National Park is the most famous
national park in Nepal. Which offers 450 species of birds including four
species of deer, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar & many other
wildlife. This park is well known for one horned Rhinoceros & it is
a shelter for few Royal Bengal Tigers. Besides this Chitwan also
supports a great variety of flora & fauna.
Royal Bardia National
Park
Royal Bardia National Park is the largest
lowland sanctuary & most undisturbed wilderness area in Terai.
Thickly covered with the trees and carpeted with grass & Savannah,
the park has the second largest tiger population after Chitwan National
Park. Other wild animal roam here are the one horned rhino, wild
elephant, swamp deer, black buck antelope, crocodile and Gangetic
Dolphin etc. Endangered birds include the Bengal florican, Lesser
Florican, Silver-Eared Mesia and Sarus Crane.