Nagarjun NP, Kathmandu (Part 1)

Saturday 2nd June 2012

Last weekend, I finally managed to get out to Nagarjun - forested hills that rise to about 2000m just to the NW of Kathmandu. The site actually forms part of the Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park complex and is remarkably easy to reach. I went as part of a trip organised by Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) and led by Rajendra Gurung. Being aware that the trip was partly aimed at attracting new members I wasn't expecting to see anything too extraordinary but was pleasantly surprised at the results, whilst at the same time very impressed that 29 people would get up early on their only day off to go birding. As you can see from this picture (borrowed from Rajendra - sorry for not asking), the participants were of all ages.



Birding at Nagarjun (by Rajendra Gurung)

After the obligatory milk tea (or two), we eventually entered the park at about 7:30 and set off along the periphery road inside this walled conseravtion area. At times the larger group stayed together and at others we split into 2-3 smaller groups, so the following is an account of my day rather than others'.

Despite the rather long wait at the park gate, the birding was actually quite good right there and, although I saw some of the same species later inside the park, over half of the day's total were seen whilst having tea! Although I failed to get any photos at the gate, the tally included Red-vented, Himalayan and several noisy (and unexpected) Black Bulbuls, Oriental Turtle and Spotted Doves, lovely views of a calling Eurasian Cuckoo, Black-lored Tit, Red-rumped Swallow, the ubiquitous Black Kites, Blue-throated and Great Barbets, Verditer Flycatcher, Blue Whistling Thrush, and numerous Long-tailed Minivets. So as you can see, quite a haul! However, the highlight for me was a lone Dark-sided Flycatcher, briefly entertaining the crowds directly above the tea stall.



Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher

Just inside the park, this Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher finally allowed itself to be photographed. These birds are literally everywhere but I really struggle to catch them stationary.




Besra

Not much further along the road/trail, I ended up in front of the group while they watched macaques and a Barking Deer and had good views of a Besra behaving somewhat strangely. It was obviously on the hunt and was very interested in a hole in one of the trees. At times it would stick its head in (not particularly strange I guess) but then it had a real go at getting its right leg in as if trying to pull prey from the hole. It failed but did try on at least 2 more occasions. I managed to get this poor record shot of it perched later.

Apparently, a Besra was also seen eating what was believed to be a Mountain Bulbul, and was quite possibly the same bird. Not much further on we came across a Nepali tick for me, Rufous Woodpecker. Three birds were seen and they all performed well. One bird was busily excavating a hole in an ant's nest 8 metres up in the trees but catching this one on film was tricky.


Rufous Woodpecker (at nest?)

This bird however, allowed a series of cracking shots - this one perhaps the best...




Rufous Woodpecker

As we continued along the trail, the birding seemed to become rather quiet - but a few goodies still revealed themselves including calling (and then reasonable views) of Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, an obliging Spotted Owlet, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, several Chestnut-bellied Nuthatches, Grey-hooded Warbler and Ashy Drongo.

After a couple of hours slow walking, we all reached a 'pheasant farm', all specimens of the non-native Golden Pheasant. For some reason I didn't take any pictures of the caged birds but did find a pair of cracking Orange-bellied Leafbirds instead. This male, carrying food, would perhaps indicate breeding.



Male Orange-bellied Leafbird

We decided to turn back from here as some members were getting hungry. At first I was a little reluctant and considered continuing but before long the birds were once again providing the highlights - a series of 3 'heard only' included Drongo Cuckoo, Blue-throated Flycatcher and Indian Cuckoo. However, many of the earlier birds were still showing well with the addition of, what at first caused confucion due to lighting conditions, an immature male Shikra. The following photo has been heavily 'worked' in Photoshop but only in terms of lighting and contrast - colours remain as they were at the time. Hard to see, but this bird still has the immature's gular stripe, white flecks on the back, and a terminal bar to at least one of the tail feathers.



Immature male Shikra

Very shortly after this we were rewarded with a couple of Lesser Yellownapes - my second Nepali tick of the day. Despite others getting some decent shots, I struggled. Here are my best two.



Lesser Yellownape

Lesser Yellownape

As we slowly wound our way back to the park gate, a calling Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush was added to the list along with a daring Stick Insect trying to disguise itself as a pine needle right in the middle of the trail. However, the final bird of the day was a lovely Orange-headed Thrush just metres from the park gate.

Orange-headed Thrush

In total, I saw 42 species of birds. Maybe not as many as could have been but all in all a very enjoyable trip with fellow and new birders. Thanks to Rajendra for leading and everyone else for participating.

You may wonder why this is 'Part 1'. Well, I was so intrigued by the place that I went again yesterday, with quite a different set of birds seen. More to follow... 

Mark.