Day 13 (9/4)
Early start and hard walk from Gairibas at 2500 m up to Tumlin at 3000 m. Rather
poor birding mainly due to poor wheather but the uphill took itīs toll to us as
well. Afternoon was completly spoiled to rain and storm. For some in the group
this was welcome as a cold grazed in the group. The habitat around Tumlin is all
gone and it would probably be better to spend another night at Gairibas where
birding is very good. Food and accomodation at Tumlin is good though.
Highlights: Satyr Tragopan and some of the earlier highlights.
Day 14 (10/4)
12 kms walk from Tumlin to Manebhanjang mostly in fog. Afternoon was long
driving to Hilley in Sikkim and camping.
Highlights: Brown Parrotbill, White-creasted and Greater necklaced
Laughingthrush
Day 15 (11/4)
All day birding along the road back from Hilley, partly in fog. Good birding in
a nice forest that reminds a bit of Lava. Broad-billed warbler was found to be
rather common here once we had learned and recorded the song.
Highlights: White-browed Shortwing, Broad-billed Warblers, Grey-sided and Scaly
Laughingthrushes, Golden-breasted Fulvettas.
Day 16 (12/4)
Walk from Hilley up to the top at Varsey Rhodondendron Sanctury, about 4 kms on
a good trail. Unfortunately this beautiful place was covered in fog for most of
the day with only short clear spells. Very nice with all the blooming
Rhododendro trees. Camping at the top. During the early night we had rain, hail,
strong winds and a good thunderstorm. The food, rice with eight side dishes
warmed.
Highlights: Snowy-browed Flycatcher and good views of White-browed Shortwings
and several Scaly-breasted Wren-babblers, Black-throated Parrotbills and
Crimson-browed Finches.
Day 17 (13/4)
Walk from Varsey at about 3000 m down to Soreng at 1500 m. This walk was said to
be 9 kms but it felt longer. First part goes through good forest then a few
kilometres through open/ cultivated land and last part through secondary forest.
Afternoon was driving to Pelling and unproductive afternoon birding around the
Pemyangtse monastry. Very nice with a shower after nine days without washing.
Highlights: White-tailed Robin, Broad-billed Warbler, Yellow-bellied
Flowerpecker and Goldnaped Finch.
Day 18 (14/4)
Khecheoperi lake in the morning. This small lake held the surprice of the trip -
a Black-necked crane that later in the day, when more tourists came, decided to
leave. This bird is a major raity in India. Another of the best birds of the
trip was seen here by those of us who didnīt mind the masses of leeches that
lives here. Gripping views of a Black-tailed crake. Another bird with very few
records in India. After some stops along the way back to Pelling we made another
try around the monastry for Red-faced Leocichla in vain and it soon started to
rain and we aborted this effort.
Highlights: Apart from the above mentioned species we also saw Crimson-breasted
Woodpecker, Tickellīs Thrush, Yellow-cheeked Tit, White-rumped Munia.
Day 19 (15/4)
A day of transport. We started of the morning in style though when we made a
short roadside stop at a site Peter had for Rufous-necked laughingthrush and
within a minute we had them on the list. As a bonus we saw a pair of Rusty-sided
scimitar-babblers feeding on the road. When we came to Bagdogra at about 11.30
we found out that the airline had changed our flight to Delhi and put it almost
two hours earlier! After a rush through the numerous security controls we just
made onto the plane. In Delhi we had 9 hours to kill at the airport before our
European flight.
A grand view over the
Teesta river
bsnl.in