Birds of Dolpa: Shey Phoksundo National Park and Adjoining Areas, Nepal [1 ed.] 9789937037525

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SHEY-PHOKSUNDO NATIONAL PARK AND ADJOINING AREAS

Naresh Kusi Geraldine Werhahn Laxman Prasad Poudyal

SHEY-PHOKSUNDO NATIONAL PARK AND ADJOINING AREAS

Naresh Kusi Geraldine Werhahn Laxman Prasad Poudyal

Nepalese Ornithological Union and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Kathmandu, Nepal

Published by Nepalese Ornithological Union Kathmandu

in coordination with Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Kathmandu, Nepal

Copyright © 2018 Authors and Nepalese Ornithological Union

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted to any form or by any means without prior permission.

ISBN: 978-9937-0-3752-5

Design and layout: Calligrafic Design Studio

Printed in Nepal

Front Cover Photo: Groundpecker Pseudopodoces humilis by Naresh Kusi Title page Photo: White Wagtail juvenile Motacilla alba by Naresh Kusi Back Cover Photo: Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros by Geraldine Werhahn

Preferred Citation: Kusi, N., Werhahn, G. and Poudyal, L.P. (2018). Birds of Dolpa: Shey-Phoksundo National Park and Adjoining Areas. Nepalese Ornithological Union and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal Email: [email protected] URL: www.birdsofnepal.org

The proceedings from the sale of the book will be spent exclusively for nature and wildlife conservation.

SHEY-PHOKSUNDO NATIONAL PARK AND ADJOINING AREAS

Naresh Kusi Geraldine Werhahn Laxman Prasad Poudyal

Expedition horses at Jungben La © Geraldine Werhahn

CONTENTS

Foreword Acknowledgements Preface

1

Abbreviations

3

Section I Background Introduction Habitats Places of interest Major routes for birdwatching Important bird species

6 7 8 12 17 31

Section II Checklist

36

Bibliography

138

Appendix 1: List of mammals recorded in Dolpa

140

Index of common names

142

The culturescape of Dolpo © Naresh Kusi

ti o

Min De

n io n

Government rnment ennt nt of N Nepal m e nt of

ns

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fF

se

of

Ministry off FFo Forests orre or est ssts and NSo S Soil oil Co oi C Conservation oonn v y es e e o ern N

n Department of National naal alalP Pa Parks aarrks iand aldCnd an nliof d Wildlife W Conservation Par

ks & W 2037

FOREWORD

Department of Na onal Parks and Wildlife Conserva on (DNPWC) currently works with a network of twelve Na onal Parks, one Wildlife Reserve, one Hun ng Reserve and six Conserva on Areas and thirteen Buffer Zones in Nepal. This network of Protected Areas covers an area of 34419.75 km2, which corresponds to 23.39% of the country’s total land. Dolpa and Shey-Phoksundo Na onal Park (SPNP) have been fer le grounds for some of the most popular interna onal publica ons which include Stones of Silence: Journeys in the Himalaya (1977) by world renowned wildlife scien st Dr. George B. Schaller, The Snow Leopard (1978), an interna onal bestseller, by Peter Ma hiessen and Himalayan Pilgrimage (1981) by David L. Snellgrove. Its interna onal repute was brought to limelight by the 1999 Oscar-nominated documentary film Himalaya (popularly known as Caravan in Nepal) directed by Eric Valley. From these accounts it is very clear that Dolpa has inspired so many interna onal writers and ar sts. But the district has very few or no such crea ons from Nepali scholars to its credit. In this light, I highly appreciate Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU) for the publica on of this book. This book is a very important contribu on towards the knowledge of birds of Dolpa. Having a book of this standard from Nepali researchers, together with an interna onal scholar from the world renowned University of Oxford, is definitely a ma er of a great pride for us. The dedicated efforts of the authors in compiling the sca ered knowledge on birds of Dolpa from 1992 to 2017, are commendable. At the same me, it is overwhelming to find so many wonderful photographs of birds in a single book. It is also heartening to realize that the authors have put their best efforts in presen ng research-based informa on on the travel routes throughout Dolpa. The inclusion of an elaborated route map and appropriate photographs to show major se lement areas and places of interest makes the book an authen c mini-guide. The checklist of mammals in the appendix is an addi onal delight. DNPWC would like to congratulate the authors for this wonderful work. We hope that this book will generate bigger interests in people towards Dolpa and SPNP. There is no doubt that it will be helpful for the na onal park authority to bring about be er management of the avifaunal diversity of the park and its buffer zone. Similarly, it will also serve as a reliable reference on Dolpa for travellers around the world.

Man Bahadur Khadka Director General

G.P.O. Box: 860, Kathmandu, Nepal. Tel. 4220919, 4220850, 4227926, Fax: 977-1-4227675

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their respective support towards the publication: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Carol Inskipp: for providing checklists, encouraging the publication and providing valuable comments Hem Sagar Baral: for providing valuable comments Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu and SheyPhoksundo National Park Office, Suligad, Dolpa: for providing research permits Rajendra Gurung and Pratap Gurung: for sharing their checklists and also for contributing photographs Tshiring Lhamu Lama and Alex Matthiessen: for sharing their checklist Tashi Dondup Lama, Pema Rikzin Lama and Bir Bahadur Sunar: for supporting the field expedition team Sanej Prasad Suwal, Sandesh Gurung, Hari Basnet and Hathan Chaudhary: for contributing photographs Pawan Shakya/Himalayan map house, Basantapur, Kathmandu: for providing route map Rajeev Tiwary/Calligrafic Design Studio: for allowing us to work together in the design and layout

Children of Dolpo © Naresh Kusi

PREFACE

Dolpa is the largest district of Nepal currently located in province no. 6. It houses major portions of Shey-Phoksundo National Park (SPNP) which is the largest National Park of the country. Being located in one of the remotest places in Nepal, very few scientific expeditions have been conducted in the park since its establishment in 1984. Systematic ornithological study started here as late as 1992 (Prime & Oksnebjerb 1992). This was followed by studies of Prime & Oksnebjerb (1994), Basnet (1998) and Chaudhary (2003). Ironically, there is no document to suggest ornithological studies in the area for the period 2004 to 2015. During 2015 and 2016, we explored most of Dolpa district, largely focusing in upper Dolpa. Although our primary tasks were to study wild mammals like Himalayan Wolf Canis lupus himalayensis, Snow Leopard Panthera uncia and Wild Yak Bos mutus, we also prepared a checklist of birds observed. There are a total of 887 bird species recorded in Nepal (as of Feb 2018, Grimmett et al. 2016, Inskipp & Chaudhary 2016, S. G.C. pers comm. 2016, A. Timsina pers. comm 2017 and Kusi et al. 2017). Our final checklist, generated by compiling different checklists from 1992 to 2017, shows a total of 300 species of birds in Dolpa district. Birdlife International (2018) mentions only 178 species of birds in SPNP while DNPWC (2017) puts the figure at 200 species. Similarly Inskipp et al. (2016) has no information about many birds already listed by Chaudhary (2003). This information clearly indicates that the ornithological data from SPNP and adjoining areas are relatively underrepresented in many important national and international documents. The fact cannot be denied that the ornithological knowledge from SPNP, a Protected Area (PA) designated as an IBA (Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (BCN & DNPWC in preparation), are scant. Further the available knowledge also remains rather scattered. It motivated us to bring together all the scattered knowledge on birds from Dolpa in the form of a book. This, we hope, will remain as a reliable reference on birds of Dolpa. The very first impression that our valued readers will have from the title of the book is that it is a compilation of the checklists of birds recorded in Dolpa. But it is not limited to that. We have also included detailed itineraries for bird watching in Dolpa along all the possible routes, which is entirely based on our own research expeditions of 2015 and 2016. We have also included an elaborated route map of Dolpa. Besides birders, the route itineraries will be equally helpful as a mini guide for a diverse group of people including wildlife researchers, environmentalists, trekkers and rural development planners. As the authors of the book, we have put our best efforts in giving it a pleasant look. For this we have divided the book into two sections. Section I presents the general background of SPNP, an overview on the different habitat types, places of interest and major routes for bird watching with appropriate photographs. We have used correct spellings and local names of places instead of the erroneous Nepali versions that are in general use. e.g. Tinje (Nepali) has been written as Tinkyu (correct local name) and Phoksundo (Nepali) has been written as Phoksumdo (correct spelling). Some of the information in this section has not been published before. Section II contains the updated checklist of birds recorded in Dolpa. Here we have put good quality photographs of 128 bird species (including females and juveniles whenever available) taken exclusively in Nepal. The photographs have been arranged in such a way that for 1

every order, there is a theme photo while for a particular family; there are photographs of representative species. This, we believe, will enable amateur birders to develop an idea of how bird species of a particular family look in general. However, we are sorry to have been unable to include photographs for a few families. We have adopted the common and latin names of birds from Grimmett et al. (2016). After careful review of distribution ranges and identification features, we have agreed that 11 species listed by Basnet (1998), Chaudhary (2003) and DNPWC (2007) are unlikely to be recorded in the landscape of Dolpa and needs further studies for verification. We have removed Hodgson’s Bushchat Saxicola insignis, Pale-footed Bush Warbler Cettia pallidipes, Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus, Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus, Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata and Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila annectans with an argument that they are most likely to have been misidentified. Similarly, Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis, Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii, Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus, Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax, and Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea have been removed as their distribution range is mostly in the lowlands. We have also included a general checklist of wild mammals recorded in Dolpa in the appendix. The mention of species like Tibetan Gazelle Procapra picticaudata, Tibetan Antelope Pantholops hodgsoni, Tibetan Wild Ass Equus kiang and Wild Yak by Basnet (1998) and its adoption by DNPWC (2007) is worth discussing here. All these species are present in the Tibetan Plateau of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) of China with which Dolpa shares its international boundary. Of these, Tibetan Gazelle, Tibetan Antelope and Tibetan Wild Ass have never been recorded in Nepal side in Dolpa. The Wild Yak, although historically present in the district near the Nepal-China border, is possibly regionally extinct at present (Werhahn & Kusi 2016). So, we have not included these species in the checklist. But we have added a few species from our own researches of 2015 and 2016. We are well aware that an increase in birders visiting SPNP and its adjoining areas will lead to addition of more species to the current list. In such a case, the checklist will need a regular update. We look forward to your constructive suggestions.

2

ABBREVIATIONS

BZ

Buffer Zone

CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

DNPWC

Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation

IUCN

International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Km2

Square Kilometer

NA

Not Available

NP

National Park

PA

Protected Area

SPNP

Shey-Phoksundo National Park

TAR

Tibetan Autonomous Region

Gateway to Tsharka © Naresh Kusi

3

H

h ol a

Talak Tal

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Mugu

Ta l a

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Tiyar

Dolphu

Kimri

N

a

Pung Kharka

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l

Nyingma Gyanzen La

N

5563

a

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d

g

Wangri

i 4087

4070

Yambur La

Nisingyan La

4813

4706

SHE Y PHOKSUND O NATIONAL PARK Bhulu Lhasa 6102

Lorpa

a

Ka

Bh ot Chaurgaon

J

Chhumgaon

O b r e Ga

2460

di

Kuri

Manigaon

Chotra

3080

Agulte Daha

3085

2820

Dudhkundi Tal

Maure Lagna

Hapu

Kaigaon

Sarmi

Taligaon

Sur Riding

Pataljiri

Sagla Labisa

© Himalayan Map House

4

i Phumda

Bhargaon Mansiri

Tattar Ragda

N

Dhyargaon

Kolyani Laikham

Baniyagaon

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3840

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Bhata Aul

2410

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3130

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Tripurakot 2100

B Roli

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2478

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Rahagaon

2080

2475

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Kalagauda Rupgad

Tikhejura

Palchekhola 2228

DUNAI T h e u li Bh r 2140

Majhphal Thargaon Rupani

Tallaghar

Be

Parel Patan Ranidhunga

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Kaladhunga Chila

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Rupa Maina

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Balangra Lagna

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3594

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Kangmara Phedi

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2610

Chookalapu

Chhakarba Tal

Kanchauni Lek

Lhashamma

2720

Balasa

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ar sh w

Khabmu Lagna

e r i

Thakurji Daha

4668

Chaurikot

Tolchaur

h

Dhajja Halna

4535

B

Chyakhure Lagna

Sankha Daha

Sim Majhgaon 2890

3060

Chhowambo Tal 6444 6412

3160

Nauli Goth

Bhalu Lagna

3782

Bharbhare Lagna

4600

6102

4060

Toijum

4297

3520

3890

Dhad Daha

Raksas Daha

Chhopagaon

Mani Sagu

Gidi Daha

Kanjiriwa Tal

B.C.

Perikapuwa

6139

Phungphung Chuli

a

2820

Leti Lagna 3385 Gothigaon Kudigaon

Guthichaur Santha

Baraha Daha

Kasi Dalpha

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Gothichaur 2995 Guthichaur La

Crystal Mendok Ti Mountain

Chhokarbo Tal

She Shikhar

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Depalgaon Dochal

T i la

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6386

Garjyankot

6227 Yaja Chhonakpo Tal 5900

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Tripura Thumba

6126

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6556

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JUMLA

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Palta Thumha

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6058

6883

Kanjirowa (South)

2910

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6289

Patmara

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Kanjirowa (North)

6627

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4200

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3745

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3850

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Phophagaon

4835

5097

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Jhonpa La

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Yala Kang

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Shilenchaura Kharka

Takla Khola

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T a k l a

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Chyargo La

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CHINA (TIBET) Danphesail

6103

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Lunchhun Kamo La

Jhyanlun La

Khung La

5411

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SHEY OKSUNDO O N A L PA R K

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4200

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n

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N

5378

3600

ola

Kh

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3440

2540

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K m he Ghemi La

Na

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5694

un

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4987

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Gharengaon

Ghalden Ghuldun Khola Camp

Niwas La 5120

4247

5550

Jungben La

bu

Chinan

Muli Tal

Seri

Mula Tal

Ghudi

Mukutgaon

6556

ANNAPURNA CONSERVATION AREA

a

Nulungsumda Kharka

Panggang

Kakkotgaon

Him

l

Gunchaur

Gumjyam

Ta

5665

Chanagar La

hk

ar

Tarakot

Chhedhul Gompa

an

Sebung

Rukpa Tal

6034

Araniko Chuli

la ho

4302 ha r k a K ho la

Sinjik

Chhitai Tal

2626

Lawan

Kh

Tsharka Bhot

Bh

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Ta

ng

Kh

Lamchaur

Chhyugar

ha

Kh

ra Ta

Chap 4320 Chu Lake

Chakhu Tal

5897

Dhaknak Tal

Chap Chu

Chorum Tal

Chanabolo Kekyap Tal

5465

Thasan

Nawarpani (Pibuk) Nawarpani

Mo La

Ch

la Kho

Chan La

Klangaon

5030

Chholak Khar Tal

Ghyamghar

Toltol3523

Dharbo Tal

Tallo Kekyap Tal

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Sisaul

4350

DHO Maran TARAP

p

3870

5534

H i ma

l

3944

Langa Camp

3780

Jyanche La

am

6085

Norbung Kang

Dovan

Mustang Himal

Dhaknak La

5360

Pach Tal

4020

5416

5737

6187

n Khola

Kharka

Jhyarkoi La

Thaksi

5309

Mirbubane Khola Dovan

Byas Risi

Di

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Tokyu

4 4240

Numa La (South)

a

5465

Ga

Baga La

Jyanglatungpu La

Jyamjom La

a

4686

Abslom H.C. Yak Kharka

5564

4240

4440

Numala B.C.

5169

3995

3860

Gyamdo

4512

Larchha

5040

Tungyalaphu Odar

4250

Danigar

Temche Bagalaphedi)

Chhoi La (North)

Numa La (North) 5143 Numa La (Central)

Kankun La

la

o

ksumdo Khola Camp

4428 Phat Penjonkhola Dovan 4480

5220

Lanmuse La

Base Camp

4210

4490

l ho P a n j yan K

4700

Jyanta La (Chang La)

5600

Kh

Pass Camp

Pindhu La

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Thamgaon Khola Dovan

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Pari Polte

4240

P

4717

Hima l

Chhamdang

CHINA (TIBET)

t am

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5350

Mayum Tal

Soti

Nagdalo La (Kang La)

uk

Tinkyu

4110

Ga

Sela Mukchun La

l

Shey Gompa

Phoksumdo Tal

4120

l a

3840

Chagaon

b hat

Sonmagaon o

Sela La

al

Lai Samba

4010

h

Sugugaon

5488

5619

K

4360 5095

Marim La

Pyudam

Pu Gompa

Koma La

Namgung

4343

Koma

4460

3770

Chanpola Goth

M

Saldang

Enan Chhau Kund

4250 3885

ma Hi

4520

a

Yanan La

ng Khola

5368

5487

l

Shimen

y

4210

a

Ch

Tairo

4375

Neng La

m

5030

j

5080

Muri La

Nang La

Phoko Khola

eluwa

25kms

Scale 1: 550 000

Cha La

H i

Mischa

Nisalgaon

2427

20

G

am u t

Yangtsher Gompa

a Byasgad

15

a

Kuwagaon

ak

r

5335

Tso Nakpo

ulung

ar

10

t Him al

o

Yonje Tal

5

Meng La

ol

a

Tongu Himal 6197

Honde Himal

Ky

alu

np a K h o l a

Jhansye

3777

Santa

4195

Bhima Lojun La

Sandachhe Himal

4460

6385

Tashikang

5

SECTION I

BACKGROUND Shey-Phoksundo National Park and Buffer zone: A Fact Sheet Location

Province no. 6

Districts

Dolpa and Mugu

Establishment

National Park in 1984 and Buffer Zone in 1998

IUCN category

National Park II and Buffer Zone VI

Area

National Park 3,555 km2 and Buffer Zone 1349 km2

Major geophysical character

Transhimalayan

Major ethnic Groups

Lama, Baiji, Gurung, Magar, Buda, Thakuri, Chetri, Brahmin

Economy

Agriculture, animal husbandry, seasonal migration and trade

Major rivers

Phoksumdo, Suli Gad, Jugdulla, Langu, Khung, Namgung, Panjang

Major lakes

Phoksumdo, Nellahi-Tingnam-Tso, Lutut-Khyungi-Tso, TrhableKyalmu-Tso, Tso-Karpo (White lake), Tso-Napko (Black lake), TsoNgonpo (Blue Lake), Tanga-langa-Tso, Kyalbui-Tso, Sikyalla-Tso and Changman-Tso

Bioclimatic zones

Upper temperate, Sub-alpine, Alpine and Transhimalayan

Biogeographic realm

Palearctic

Global 200 ecoregion

Western Himalayan alpine shrubs and meadows

Climate

Sub-temperate, Temperate, Alpine and Himalayan

Mean annual rainfall

200- 2000mm

Elevation

Lowest 2,200 m (Suligad) and highest 6,883 m (Kanjiroba south peak)

Important mammals

Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia), Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus himalayensis), Musk Deer (Moschus sp.), Pallas's Cat (Ocotolobus manul), Tibetan Argali (Ovis ammon hodgsoni). See Appendix 1 for checklist of mammals recorded in SPNP.

Globally threatened birds

Five species including Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii) and Wood Snipe (Gallinago nemoricola)

Medicinal plants

407 species (Ghimire et al. 2001)

Major vegetation types

Deciduous broad-leaved forest, Quercus semicarpifolia forest, mixed Quercus semecarpifolia forest, mixed Coniferous forest, Betula utilis forest, mixed Betula forest, and alpine steppes.

Source: DNPWC (2007)

6

Birds of Dolpa

INTRODUCTION Shey-Phoksundo National Park Shey-Phoksundo National Park (SPNP) is the largest National Park (NP) in Nepal with an area of 3,555 Km2. The park is located between 29.250 N and 29.750 N latitude and 83.130 E and 82.520 E longitude in Dolpa and Mugu districts in the north-west transhimalayan region of Nepal. It is bordered by Tibet in the north, Mustang in the east and Humla in the west.

Boundary

Major landmarks

North

Kanti himal, Palchun-Hamga himal

East

Khun bhanjyang, Khun khola, Panjang khola, Nagon khola, Dansila lek, Chunla lek, Numla bhanjyangs (north and south), Numla lek, Jhyarkodin la, Kaira khola

South

Majaba khola, Ankhe khola, Suli gad, Thuli-Bheri river, Bhukpa lek, Mukteshwar himal, Mutu-chula himal

West

Mutu-chula lek, Kagmara lek, Pile himal, Laga lek, Latan lek, Kasi-dalpha danda, Kagdula lek, Patarasi himal, Dabsal danda, Kolundan khola, Namjan khola, Bhailun khola,Chhayanath-Thakuri danda, Kuldum danda, Nagpi danda, Chhimimaru danda

Source: DNPWC (2007)

SPNP was established and gazetted in 1984. It’s Buffer Zone (BZ) was gazetted in 1998. The name Shey-Phoksundo is taken from the renowned `Shey’ monastery and the `Phoksumdo’ lake. Most of the area of the park lies to the north of the main Himalayan range and represents transhimalayan flora, fauna, and ecosystems. The northern region (upper Dolpa) is characterized by dry, steppe vegetation and the southern region represents distinct forest ecosystems. The rivers Suli Gad and Jugdulla are the major sources of the Thuli-Bheri river. The Langu river drains from the high plateau to the east and flows westward until its confluence with the Mugu Karnali.

Birds of Dolpa

7

HABITATS Forests The forest habitats include mixed deciduous, oaks, conifers and rhododendrons (Prieme and Oksnebjerg 1994). The altitudinal and climatic variations diversify the vegetation types while the species and forest types are mainly determined by altitude and aspects. The Jugdulla Valley has good stands of oak (Quercus semecarpifolia) and birch (Betula utilis) and other temperate forests. The mixed deciduous forests are found along the lower Suligad Valley whereas the oak and confer forests dominate the other areas. The dense forests are composed of blue pine (Pinus wallichiana) intermixed with spruce (Picea smithiana), deodar (Cedrus deodara), hemlock (Tsuga dumosa) and silver fir (Abies spectabilis). Silver birch (Betula utilis) and juniper (Juniperus recurva) dominate the landscape at the upper tree-line (DNPWC 2007). The forests habitat is home to various species of pheasants including Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus, woodpeckers like Himalayan Woodpecker Dendrocopos himalayensis and Scaly-bellied Woodpecker Picus squamatus, nuthatches like Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta (castanea) cinnamoventris and Kashmir Nuthatch S. cashmirensis, bulbuls like Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys and Striated Bulbul P. striatus, tits like Rufous-vented Tit Periparus rubidiventris and Coal Tit P. ater, minivets like Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus and Long-tailed Minivet P. ethologus, thrushes like Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma and Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus, grosbeaks like White-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas carnipes and Collared Grosbeak M. affinis, drongos like Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus, laughingthrushes like Spotted Laughingthrush Garrulax ocellatus, Black-faced Laughingthrush Abroscopus schisticeps, doves like Spotted Dove Stigmatopelia chinensis and Oriental Turtle Dove S. orientalis, sunbirds like Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis and Mrs Gould’s Sunbird A. gouldiae, treecreepers like Bar-tailed Treecreeper Certhia himalayana and Rustyflanked Treecreeper C. nipalensis, flycatchers like Ultramarine Flycatcher Ficedula superciliaris and Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher F. strophiata, robins like Golden Bush Robin Tarsiger chrysaeus, magpies like Yellow-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa flavirostris and Red-billed Blue Magpie U. erythrorhyncha, Red-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythrocephala, babblers, warblers, yuhinas, and fulvettas.

Forest habitat © Rajendra Gurung

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Birds of Dolpa

Scrublands and meadows Habitats in the higher altitudes generally represent xeric lands covered with small bushes and trees interspersed with alpine steppes. The scrublands in the NP and around mainly consists of Cotoneaster and Caragana (Prieme and Oksnebjerg 1994). Caragana and Lonicera shrubs are common vegetation with sparse bushes of Rhododendron nivale, Rhododendron lepidotum, and dwarf junipers (Juniperus wallichiana). Local people residing in and around the park use these areas to graze livestock (DNPWC 2007). Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus, Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis, Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos and Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius are seen soaring over the alpine meadows (Prieme and Oksnebjerg 1992). Birds found in these habitats include various species of accentors like Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris and Brown Accentor P. fulvescens, Mountain finches like Plain Mountain Finch Leucosticte nemoricola and Brandt’s Mountain Finch L. brandti, rosefinches like Great Rosefinch Carpodacus rubicilla and Red-fronted Rosefinch C. puniceus, partridges like Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar and Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa, snowcocks like Tibetan Snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus and Himalayan Snowcock T. himalayensis, choughs like Redbilled Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax and Alpine Chough P. graculus, larks like Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris, buntings like Rock Bunting Emberiza cia and Chestnut-eared Bunting E. fucata, pipits like Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus and Upland Pipit A. sylvanus, martins like Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris, Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalense, rockthrushes like Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius and Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush M. rufiventris, swifts like Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba and Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus, Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes, Twite Carduelis flavirostris, Groundpecker Pseudopodoces humilis, Grandala Grandala coelicolor, Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti, Common Stonechat Saxicola torquatus etc.

Scrubland in Nisalgaon © Naresh Kusi

Birds of Dolpa

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Alpine meadow in Poltekhola, Tinkyu © Naresh Kusi

Wetlands The high mountains are primary sources of major river systems in Nepal. Thuli-Bheri, Suli Gad and Jugdulla are the major river systems, whereas Langu, Khung, Namgung and Panjang are the other important rivers in SPNP. The water of northern valleys, i.e. Tinkyu, Saldang and Bhijer, drain into Langu river, a tributary of the Karnali river via the Mugu Karnali. The water of the southern valleys Tsharka, Dho-Tarap and Suligad/Phoksumdo drain into the Bheri river via the Thuli-Bheri (DNPWC 2007).

Phoksumdo river flowing through Sallaghari © Naresh Kusi

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Birds of Dolpa

The Phoksumdo lake and other wetlands provide the passage and resting spots for the migratory winter birds. The notable winter visitors are Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Garganey A. querquedula, Gadwall A. strepera, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula, Goosander Mergus merganser and Common Coot Fulica atra. Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope, Common Redshank Tringa totanus and Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos are the passage migrants. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus, Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo and Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus are probably the summer visitors. Other wetland birds include Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis, Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis, White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus, Brown Dipper C pallasii, Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus and Little Forktail E. scouleri. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea, Whitethroated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis and Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosa are the notable summer visitors seen near the wetland meadows.

Human habitations and cultivated lands Villages in Dolpa district are among the highest settlements on earth with active agriculture and animal husbandry. However, agricultural land here is very limited and occurs in patches. The farmlands are cultivated with Tibetan barley (Hordeum vulgare), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), chinu millet (Panicum milliaceum), and potatoes (Solanum nigrum) up to 4200 m. Croplands are located along valley bottoms and gently sloping terraces (DNPWC 2007). The notable bird species in these habitats include Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, Yellow-billed Chough P. graculus, House Crow Corvus splendens, Large-billed Crow C. macrorhynchos, House Sparrow Passer domesticus, Eurasian Tree Sparrow P. montanus, Russet Sparrow P. rutilans, Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus, House Swift Apus affinis, Striated Prinia Prinia crinigera, Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs, Hill Pigeon Columba rupestris, Common Hoopoe Upupa epops, Common Pigeon Columba livia, Upland Pipit Anthus sylvanus and Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferreus. Chaffinch is a winter visitor and Common Hoopoe is a passage migrant.

Cultivated land in Karang © Naresh Kusi

Birds of Dolpa

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PLACES OF INTERESTS Shey Gompa The Shey gompa, locally known by the name Shelri Sumdho gompa, is the soul of SPNP. The monastery takes its name from Crystal Mountain, Dolpa’s holiest summit, located nearby to the west of the valley (Pritchard-Jones & Gibbons 2014). Every year in July, before the barley harvest, Dolpo-pas (people of Dolpa) perform the circumbulence (kora) of Crystal Mountain (Schaller 1977) which they believe cleanses their sins. Shey gompa belongs to the Karmapa-Kagyu-pa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. However, idols of many Nyingma-pa deities can also be seen in the display. The famous ‘Shey festival’ is held every 12 years in the dragon year of Tibetan calendar. The next ‘Shey festival’ will be held in July/August of 2023.

Shey gompa © Naresh Kusi

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Birds of Dolpa

Tsakang gompa © Geraldine Werhahn

Tsakang Gompa This monastery complex can be reached after about an hour of walk uphills to the north of Shey gompa. The main red monastery retreat is set against blood red cliffs.

Gonmoche Hermitage This hermitage is located further north from the Tsakang gompa. The name literally means ‘The great gate’ because it is situated at the foot of the Crystal Mountain (Hovden 2016).

Gonmoche hermitage © Naresh Kusi

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Phoksumdo Lake The freshwater glacial lake, Phoksumdo, is the jewel of SPNP. The lake lies near the Ringmo village, locally called by the name Tso-wa meaning lake-side (Gurung 1980), at 3600m altitude. The lake is 4.8 km long, 1.5 km wide and has a depth of 145 m. Its magnificent turquoise colour and spectacular scenery offer soulful treat to nature lovers.

Phoksumdo Lake © Rajendra Gurung

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Birds of Dolpa

The lake is fed by two streams; Phoksumdo khola to the north and Deikuthang khola to the south. The lake has become a wetland of international importance after being declared as a Ramsar site in 2007 by the Government of Nepal (DNPWC 2017).

Birds of Dolpa

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Thashung-tsoling gompa © Naresh Kusi

Thashung-Tsoling Gompa This monastery complex is located at the south-western corner of Phoksumdo lake and is sheltered by a pine forest. It is an ancient monastery related to Bon-po religion.

Suligad Falls This is one of the most scenic waterfalls in Nepal. Its grandeur can be best observed from the view-tower at Lapchha, constructed on the top of the hill-slope above Polam.

Suligad falls © Naresh Kusi

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Birds of Dolpa

MAJOR ROUTES FOR BIRDWATCHING It is compulsory for foreign travellers to obtain Traveller’s Information Management System (TIMS) permit and district entry permits before heading for Dolpa. The fee for lower Dolpa is USD 10 per person per week. The permits can be collected from Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. Also they should pay the park entry fees for SPNP. Upper Dolpa is designated as a restricted area for foreign visitors. Thus, they are required to have a special entry permit to travel in upper Dolpa. The fee is USD 500 per person for the starting 10 days and USD 50 per additional day. The restricted area permit is issued by the Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal. Dolpa district is best accessed by flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal. From Juphal, one can choose to reach Phoksumdo lake through the general route via Suligad or follow the Rup Gad river towards Kagmara. Both these routes meet at Sumduwa.

Polam, the winter hamlet of Ringmo village © Naresh Kusi

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The general route to Phoksumdo Lake (Juphal- Dunai-Suligad-Ringmo-Phoksumdo Lake) Jeeps are available from Juphal to Dunai, the district headquarter. A walk towards the northwest along the Thuli-Bheri river takes you to Suligad where the headquarter of SPNP is located. The trail to Phoksumdo lake follows the Suli Gad river and passes through forests along the way. Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5: Day 6: Day 7:

Juphal-Dunai-Suligad-Syangta-Chhepka (2661m) Chhepka to Rechi (2940m) Renchi-Sumduwa-Pungmo village (3500m) Birding around Pungmo village and Pungmo khola, overnight at Pungmo village Pungmo-Sumduwa-Polam (3397m) Polam-Ringmo village (3607m) Birding around Thashung-tsoling monastery, surrounding forests and Phoksumdo lake shores, overnight at Ringmo village

Ringmo village © Naresh Kusi

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Birds of Dolpa

The alternate route to Phoksumdo Lake via Pungmo (Kagmara Trek) Pungmo-Kagmara-Toijam-Tripurakot-Juphal or Dunai The habitat between Pungmo village to Toijam contains a good lower temperate mixed broadleaved conifer forests. The steep hill slopes are dominated by temperate and sub-alpine vegetation. The Jugdulla Valley has good stands of oak interspersed with conifers mainly Himalayan spruce, Himalayan silver fir and Himalayan blue pine. Further up along Jagdulla khola and Garpung khola, birch and Rhododendron dominates till the treeline. Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5: Day 6: Day 7:

Juphal-Rupgad-Tripurakot-Masinechaur Masinechaur-Balangra La (3760m)-Kaigaon-Hurikot (2600m), overnight camp at Hurikot Hurikot-Toijam-Garpung khola, overnight camp at Garpung khola Garpung khola-Kagmara La (5115m)-Lasa meadow (4060m), overnight camp at Lasa meadow Lasa meadow-Pungmo village Pungmo-Sumduwa-Polam Polam-Ringmo village

Once you are in Ringmo, you can choose between lower and upper Dolpa. The trail to upper

Sallaghari © Naresh Kusi

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Dolpa passes through the northern shore of Phoksumdo lake while the trail through the southern shore takes you to Dho-Tarap in lower Dolpa.

Towards Dho-Tarap from Ringmo Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4:

Ringmo-Temche (Baga La phedi-3995m) Temche-Baga La (5169m)-Danigar (4512m) Danigar-Numa La (5310m)-Numa La base camp (4440m) Nu ma La base camp-Thaksi-Tokyu-Dho-Tarap (3944m)

Exploring upper Dolpa A very large part of Dolpa district lies in upper Dolpa, also known as Dolpo in general. ‘Dolpo’ refers to the whole region bounded on the west by the watershed above Phoksumdo lake and on the south by the Dhaulagiri massif (Snellgrove 1981).

Chorten Complex in Nisalgaol © Geraldine Werhahn

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Birds of Dolpa

Ringmo to Shey Gompa Mixed broad-leaved upper temperate forests of Quercus spp., Rhododendron spp. inter-mixed with Betula utilis and Abies spectabilis, are found along the hill slopes. The forests in the Sallaghari area is dominated by pure stands of Pinus spp. The vegetation above Kang La high camp (3900 msl) till Shey gompa is largely dominated by alpine shrubs, such as Caragana brevifolia and Lonicera spinosa, and graminods including Stipa spp., Carex spp., and Kobresia spp. There are at least three different routes to reach Shey from Ringmo. The routes separate after the campsite at the end of Sallaghari. The usual route is: Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4:

Ringmo- Phoksumdo khola-Sallaghari, overnight camp at Sallaghari (3594m) Birding around Phoksundo khola and Sallaghari, overnight camp at Sallaghari Sallaghari to Kang La lower camp (4500m) Kang La lower camp-Kang La (5350m)-Shey gompa (4315m)

Shey © Naresh Kusi

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For the longer routes, you should go north-west towards Perikapuwa from the campsite. This route goes as follows: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5: Day 6: Day 7:

Sallaghari-Perikapuwa (4024m) Birding around Perikapuwa, overnight camp at Perikapuwa Perikapuwa-Larchha (4260m) Larchha-Mendok Ti (flower depression), 4624m Birding around Mendok Ti

From Mendok Ti, there are again two routes, the first one goes through: Day 8: Day 9:

Mendok Ti-Chhurang La (5338m)-Chang Tsakang (4871m) Chang Tsakang-Shey gompa (4343m)

The other route is: Day 8: Day 9:

Mendok Ti-Mendok Ti La (5133 m)-Tsakang (4654m) Tsakang-Shey gompa

Perikapuwa © Geraldine Werhahn

Herders' camp in Mendok Ti © Naresh Kusi

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Birds of Dolpa

Shey Gompa-Bhijer The area above Shey gompa is largely treeless with cliffs, rugged terrains and flat undulating patches dominated by graminoids. The habitats in most of upper Dolpa are largely dominated by sub-alpine shrubs with grassy meadows in flat depressions and dry grasslands associated with xeric shrubs and dwarf Rhododendrons and Caragana species. The general itinerary to Bhijer from Shey is as follows: Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5:

Birding around Shey gompa and Tsakang gompa, overnight camp at Shey gompa Birding around hillsides and Sephu khola, overnight camp at Shey gompa Shey gompa-Shi chung-Den khola-Tairo (4703m) Tairo to Bhijer village (3850m) Birding around Bhijer, Samling gompa, Tata,Tartang khola and Dulung khola, overnight at Bhijer village

From Bhijer, there are two routes to reach Saldang village. The longer route goes to Kuwagaon and returns to Saldang via Karang while the shorter route goes through Neng La.

Bhijer village © Naresh Kusi

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Longer route to Saldang from Bhijer Kuwagaon is the north-westernmost village of Dolpa which has not seen many visitors. If you have enough time,you can spend a few days in the pasturelands above Kuwagaon reaching near Danphesail in the Nepal-China border. The general itinerary is: Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5: Day 6: Day 7: Day 8: Day 9: Day 10: Day 11:

Bhijer-Chyulung (4506m) Chyulung-Kuwagaon (3596m) Kuwagaon-Koyo-Chiuu (4456m) Birding around Danphesail, overnight camp at Chiuu Chiuu-Koyo-Kuwagaon Kuwagaon-Chyulung Chyulung-Karang-Marang-Nisalgaon (3862m) Birding around Nisalgaon, Yang Tser monastery, Panzang khola and Tora khola, overnight at Nisalgaon Nisalgaon-Karlep (4595m) Karlep-Nisalgaon Nisalgon-Saldang (3842m)

Kuwagaon © Geraldine Werhahn

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Birds of Dolpa

Nisalgaon © Naresh Kusi

Shorter route to Saldang from Bhijer Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4:

Bhijer to Neng La high camp (5080m) Neng La high camp –Neng La (5368m)-Saldang village Birding around Saldang village, nearby monasteries, streams, cultivated lands and open fields, overnight at Saldang village Saldang-Namgung gompa, birding around Namgung gompa and hillsides, overnight at Saldang village

The important settlement after Saldang is Dho-Tarap. There are two routes to reach DhoTarap: the longer route through Komas-Shimen-Tinkyu-Tsharka and the shorter route through Namdo-Chagaon-Chang La-Tokyu to Dho-Tarap.

Saldang © Naresh Kusi

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Longer route to Dho-Tarap from Saldang This route takes you outside of SPNP. Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5: Day 6: Day 7: Day 8: Day 9: Day 10: Day 11: Day 12: Day 13: Day 14:

Saldang-Namdo (3948m) Namdo-Koma village (4210m) Birding around the alpine steppes of Koma Koma-Shimen village (3936 m) Birding to the north of Shimen, overnight camp at Shimen Shimen-Maitgaon-Mait khola (4253m) Mait khola-Lai Samba (4955 m) Birding around Lai Samba Lai Samba-Marim La (5488m)-Puitem (4950m) Puitem-Tinkyu (4110m) Tinkyu-Poltegaon-Khaikyu (4536 m) Birding around Khaikyu Khaikyu-Poltegaon-Tinkyu Tinkyu-Namduthan-Chakchu Sumna (4323m) Chakchu Sumna-Laarcha (4920m)

Koma © Naresh Kusi

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Birds of Dolpa

From Laarcha, you can choose to go to Dho-Tarap through the shorter route via Choila La or through the longer route going to Tsharka and back. Day 15: Day 16: Day 17: Day 18:

Laarcha-Mo La phedi (4690m) Mo La phedi-Mo-La-Tsharka (4302m) Tsharka-Mo La-Mo La base camp Mo La base camp-Jhyarkoi La-Dho-Tarap

Tinkyu © Naresh Kusi

Tsharka © Naresh Kusi

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Shorter route to Dho-Tarap from Saldang Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5:

Saldang-Namdo-Chagaon (4040m) Birding around Chagaon, hillsides, streams, Rapa monastery, overnight at Chagaon Chagaon-Dachu khola-Chang La base camp (4550m) Chang La base camp-Chang La (5220m)-Tokyu village (4194m) Tokyu village-Dho-Tarap

Chagaon © Naresh Kusi

Tokyu village © Geraldine Werhahn

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Birds of Dolpa

Dho-Tarap © Naresh Kusi

Dho-Tarap to Dunai Coming down from Dho-Tarap brings you back to forest habitat. Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5:

Dho-Tarap-Ghyamghar-Toltol (3523m) Toltol-Laini Odar-Nawarpani (3751m) Nawarpani-Laisicap (2641m) Laisicap-Dunai (2140m) Birding around Dunai and Thuli-Bheri riverside, overnight at Dunai

Birds of Dolpa

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Egyptian Vulture © Naresh Kusi

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Birds of Dolpa

IMPORTANT BIRD SPECIES The ornithological value of SPNP is high as it houses many birds with national and international significance. Five species are globally threatened (IUCN 2017), 16 species are nationally threatened (Inskipp et al. 2017), three species are restricted range species (Inskipp et al. 2016), two species are nationally data deficient, three species are protected by the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 as Schedule I species and 34 species are listed in CITES Appendices (four in Appendix I, 28 in Appendix II and one in Appendix III) (CITES 2017).

Globally Threatened and Near-threatened Birds Common Name

Scientific Name

Status

Egyptian Vulture

Neophron percnopterus

Endangered

Steppe Eagle

Aquila nipalensis

Endangered

Cheer Pheasant

Catreus wallichii

Vulnerable

Wood Snipe

Gallinago nemoricola

Vulnerable

Common Pochard

Aythya ferina

Vulnerable

Cinereous Vulture

Aegypius monachus

Near Threatened

Satyr Tragopan

Tragopan satyra

Near Threatened

Lammergeier

Gypaetus barbatus

Near Threatened

Himalayan Vulture

Gyps himalayensis

Near Threatened

Restricted Range Species Common Name

Scientific Name

Kashmir Nuthatch

Sitta cashmirensis

White-throated Tit

Aegithalos niveogularis

Hoary-throated Barwing

Actinodura nipalensis

Birds of Dolpa

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Nationally Threatened and Near-threatened Birds

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Common Name

Scientific Name

Status

Cheer Pheasant

Catreus wallichii

Endangered

Cinereous Vulture

Aegypius monachus

Endangered

Satyr Tragopan

Tragopan satyra

Vulnerable

Koklass Pheasant

Pucrasia macrolopha

Vulnerable

Garganey

Anas querquedula

Vulnerable

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

Vulnerable

Demoiselle Crane

Grus virgo

Vulnerable

Wood Snipe

Gallinago nemoricola

Vulnerable

Lammergeier

Gypaetus barbatus

Vulnerable

Egyptian Vulture

Neophron percnopterus

Vulnerable

Himalayan Vulture

Gyps himalayensis

Vulnerable

Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneus

Vulnerable

Steppe Eagle

Aquila nipalensis

Vulnerable

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

Vulnerable

Golden-naped Finch

Pyrrhoplectes epauletta

Vulnerable

Little Bunting

Emberiza pusilla

Vulnerable

Ruddy Shelduck

Tadorna ferruginea

Near Threatened

Common Pochard

Aythya ferina

Near Threatened

Himalayan Monal

Lophophorus impejanus

Near Threatened

Himalayan Snowcock

Tetraogallus himalayensis

Near Threatened

Chukar Partridge

Alectoris chukar

Near Threatened

Bar-headed Goose

Anser indicus

Near Threatened

Common Crane

Grus grus

Near Threatened

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Near Threatened

Plain Martin

Riparia paludicola

Near Threatened

Spot-winged Grosbeak

Mycerobas melanozanthos

Near Threatened

Birds of Dolpa

Nationally Data Deficient Birds Common Name

Scientific Name

Upland Buzzard

Buteo hemilasius

Twite

Carduelis flavirostris

NPWC Act Protected Birds Common Name

Scientific Name

Satyr Tragopan

Tragopan satyra

Himalayan Monal

Lophophorus impejanus

Cheer Pheasant

Catreus wallichii

Bar-headed Goose © Naresh Kusi

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CITES Listed Birds

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Common Name

Scientific Name

Appendix

Tibetan Snowcock

Tibetan Snowcock

I

Himalayan Monal

Lophophorus impejanus

I

Cheer Pheasant

Catreus wallichii

I

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

I

Blood Pheasant

Ithaginis cruentus

II

Common Crane

Grus grus

II

Demoiselle Crane

Grus virgo

II

Mountain Scops Owl

Otus spilocephalus

II

Himalayan Wood Owl

Strix (aluco) nivicolum

II

Collared Owlet

Glaucidium brodiei

II

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

II

Little Owl

Athene noctua

II

Long-legged Buzzard

Buteo rufinus

II

Black Kite

Milvus migrans

II

Lammergeier

Gypaetus barbatus

II

Egyptian Vulture

Neophron percnopterus

II

Himalayan Vulture

Gyps himalayensis

II

Cinereous Vulture

Aegypius monachus

II

Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneus

II

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisus

II

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis

II

Himalayan Buzzard

Buteo (buteo) burmanicus

II

Upland Buzzard

Buteo hemilasius

II

Black Eagle

Ictinaetus malayensis

II

Booted Eagle

Hieraaetus pennatus

II

Steppe Eagle

Aquila nipalensis

II

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

II

Birds of Dolpa

Mountain Hawk Eagle

Nisaetus nipalensis

II

Common Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

II

Amur Falcon

Falco amurensis

II

Merlin

Falco columbarius

II

Eurasian Hobby

Falco subbuteo

II

Satyr Tragopan

Tragopan satyra

III

Steppe Eagle © Naresh Kusi

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SECTION II

CHECKLIST

Codes

Explanation

1

Common, >75% chance of observation

2

Fairly common, >50% chance of observation

3

Occasional, >25% chance of observation

4

Uncommon, >15% chance of observation

5

Rare, 5% chance

r

Resident, seen all the year round

s

Summer visitor

w

Winter visitor

m

Passage migrant

?

Status unclear

v

Vagrant

*

Globally threatened

#

Nationally threatened

Birdwatching at Tsharkha Tulsi © Naresh Kusi

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Birds of Dolpa

Major references consulted for the checklists: 1.

2. 3.

4. 5. 6. 7.

8. 9.

Prieme, A & Oksnebjerg, B. (1992) Field study in Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Report to Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu. Unpublished. Prieme, A & Oksnebjerg, B. (1994) The avifauna and conservation value of Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Nepal. FORKTAIL 10: 33-48. Basnet, K. (1998) Birds list of Shey-Phoksundo National Park. In Biodiversity inventory of Shey-Phoksundo National Park: wildlife component. A report submitted to WWF Nepal program. Unpublished. Sparks, J. (1999) Birds seen on the trek through upper Dolpo-Nepal. Unpublished. Chaudhary, R.D. (2003) A bird checklist of Shey-Phoksundo National Park (SPNP) Dolpo, Nepal. Gurung, R. (2017) Checklist of birds observed in Shey-Phoksundo National Park (July 2011 & August-September 2015). Unpublished. Werhahn, G. & Kusi, N. (2016) Checklist of birds recorded in Dolpa (2015-2016). In 'Wolf and wild yak research in upper Dolpa 2016. Report to Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu. Unpublished. Lama, T. L. & Matthiessen, A. (2016) Checklist of birds observed in Shey-Phoksundo National Park (September-October 2016). Unpublished. Gurung, P. (2017) A checklist of birds recorded in Dolpa (September 2017). Unpublished.

Birds of Dolpa

37

ORDER: GALLIFORMES

Cheer Pheasant © Hari Basnet

38

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Phasianidae

Tibetan Snowcock © Naresh Kusi

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

1

Kalij Pheasant

Lophura leucomelanos

sflnh

r1

3

2

Cheer Pheasant *#

Catreus wallichii

rL/

r4

3

3

Tibetan Snowcock

Tetraogallus tibetanus

sf]ª\df lxp“s'v'/f

r2

2

Birds of Dolpa

39

Himalayan Snowcock © Naresh Kusi

40

4

Himalayan Snowcock

Tetraogallus himalayensis

lxdfnL lxp“s'v'/f

r4

2

5

Satyr Tragopan

Tragopan satyra

d'gfn

r3

5

6

Koklass Pheasant #

Pucrasia macrolopha

kmf]qmf;

r5

2

Birds of Dolpa

Chukar Partridge © Rajendra Gurung

7

Chukar Partridge

Alectoris chukar

Rofv'/f

r1

2

8

Black Francolin

Francolinus francolinus

sfnf] ltqf

r4

5

Birds of Dolpa

41

Blood Pheasant © Rajendra Gurung

42

9

Tibetan Partridge

Perdix hodgsoniae

lxdfnL lkp/f

r4

2

10

Hill Partridge

Arborophila torqueola

lkp/f

r5

5

11

Blood Pheasant

Ithaginis cruentus

lrlnd]

r3

5

Birds of Dolpa

Himalayan Monal © Naresh Kusi

12

Himalayan Monal

Lophophorus impejanus

8f“km]

r1

1

13

Snow Partridge

Lerwa lerwa

n/jfg

r3

1

Birds of Dolpa

43

ORDER: ANSERIFORMES

Bar-headed Goose © Rajendra Gurung

44

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Anatidae

Ruddy Shelduck © Geraldine Werhahn

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

14

Ruddy Shelduck

Tadorna ferruginea

rv]jfrv]jL

m?2

2

15

Eurasian Wigeon

Anas Penelope

l;Gb'/] xf“;

m1

3

16

Common Pochard

Aythya ferina

s}nf]6fps] xf“;

m

5

Birds of Dolpa

45

Mallard © Naresh Kusi

Tufted Duck © Pratap Gurung

46

17

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

xl/of] 6fps]

wm1

5

18

Red-crested Pochard

Netta rufina

;'gh'/] xf“;

wm

3

19

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligula

sfnLh'/] xf“;

wm

2

20

Bar-headed Goose

Anser indicus

vf]ofxf“;

m?3

2

Birds of Dolpa

Common Teal © Naresh Kusi

Gadwall (F) © Naresh Kusi

21

Garganey #

Anas querquedula

Zj]tfvLefÄ

wm

4

22

Common Teal

Anas crecca

lah'nfu}/f}

wm4

4

23

Gadwall

Anas strepera

v8v8] xf“;

wm1

6

24

Common Merganser (Goosander)

Mergus merganser

dl0ft'08s

w

5

Birds of Dolpa

47

ORDER: PICIFORMES

Darjeeling Woodpecker © Rajendra Gurung

48

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Picidae

Eurasian Wryneck © Naresh Kusi

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

25

Eurasian Wryneck

Jynx torquilla

v/nfxf“r]

m3

4

26

Speckled Piculet

Picumnus innominatus

yf]Kn] ;l;of

r3

5

27

Brown-fronted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos auriceps

v}/f]6fps] sfi7s"6

r4

5

Birds of Dolpa

49

Speckled Piculet © Pratap Gurung

50

28

Crimson-breasted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos cathpharius

/ftf]5ftL sfi7s"6

r4

5

29

Darjeeling Woodpecker

Dendrocopos darjellensis

bfhL{ln· sfi7s"6

r4

3

30

Himalayan Woodpecker

Dendrocopos himalayensis

lxdfnL sfi7s"6

r1

1

31

Scaly-bellied Woodpecker

Picus squamatus

7"nf]sTn] sf7kmf]/

r1

2

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Megalaimidae

Great Barbet © Naresh Kusi

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

32

Great Barbet

Megalaima virens

GofpnL

s?5

3

Birds of Dolpa

51

ORDER: UPUPIFORMES

Common Hoopoe © Naresh Kusi

52

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Upupidae

Common Hoopoe © Naresh Kusi

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

33

Common Hoopoe

Upupa epops

kmfk|] r/f

sm3

2

Birds of Dolpa

53

ORDER: CORACIIFORMES

Common Kingfisher © Naresh Kusi

54

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Alcedinidae

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

34

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

;fgf] df6Lsf]/]

s?5

5

Family: Dacelonidae

White-throated Kingfisher © Sanej Prasad Suwal

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

35

White-throated Kingfisher

Halcyon smyrnensis

;]tf]s07] df6Lsf]/]

s?3

5

Family: Meropidae

Green Bee-eater © Sanej Prasad Suwal

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

36

Green Bee-eater

Merops orientalis

d'/nLr/f

s?4

2

Birds of Dolpa

55

ORDER: CUCULIFORMES

Eurasian Cuckoo © Geraldine Werhahn

56

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Cuculidae

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

37

Jacobin Cuckoo (Pied Cuckoo )

Clamator jacobinus

h'/] sf]OnL

s4

5

38

Eurasian Cuckoo (Common Cuckoo)

Cuculus canorus

s'Ss' sf]OnL

s3

2

39

Himalayan Cuckoo

Cuculus saturatus

k"jL{o sf]OnL

s5

3

40

Lesser Cuckoo

Cuculus poliocephalus

;fgf] sf]OnL

s5

2

Birds of Dolpa

57

ORDER: APODIFORMES

Himalayan Swiftlet © Pratap Gurung

58

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Apodidae

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

41

Himalayan Swiftlet

Collocalia brevirostris

rL“lrsf ufÄynL

s2

2

42

White-throated Needletail

Hirundapus caudacutus

;]tf]s07] ufÄynL

r?3

5

43

Alpine Swift

Tachymarptis melba

atf;L ufÄynL

r?3

2

44

Common Swift

Apus apus

v}/f] ufÄynL

s?5

2

45

House Swift

Apus affinis

lkm/lkm/] 3/ufÄynL

r?3

5

46

Fork-tailed Swift

Apus pacificus

k'R5/sfk] ufÄynL

s5

3

Birds of Dolpa

59

ORDER: STRIGIFORMES

Little Owl © Rajendra Gurung

60

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Strigidae

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

47

Mountain Scops Owl

Otus spilocephalus

n]sfnL pn"s

r3

5

48

Himalayan Wood Owl

Strix (aluco) nivicolum

s}nf] kxf8L pn"s

r3

2

49

Collared Owlet

Glaucidium brodiei

;fgf] 8'G8'n

r5

5

50

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

n3's0f{ nf6f]sf];]/f]

m5

2

51

Little Owl

Athene noctua

lxdfnL sf]rnuf“8]

r4

2

Family: Caprimulgidae

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

52

Large-tailed Nightjar

Caprimulgus macrurus

nfdk'R5«] r}t]r/f

rs?5

2

Birds of Dolpa

61

ORDER: COLUMBIFORMES

Snow Pigeon © Naresh Kusi

62

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Columbidae

Hill Pigeon © Naresh Kusi

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

53

Common Pigeon (Rock Dove)

Columba livia

dn]jf

r1

2

54

Hill Pigeon

Columba rupestris

n]sfnL dn]jf

r2

2

55

Snow Pigeon

Columba leuconota

lxdfnL dn]jf

r1

2

Birds of Dolpa

63

Oriental Turtle Dove © Naresh Kusi

64

56

Ashy Wood Pigeon

Columba pulchricollis

km';|f] jgk/]jf

r3

5

57

Speckled Wood Pigeon

Columba hodgsoni

l5/la/] jgk/]jf

r3

1

58

Oriental Turtle Dove

Streptopelia orientalis

tfd] 9's'/

s1

2

Birds of Dolpa

Spotted Dove © Naresh Kusi

59

Spotted Dove

Stigmatopelia chinensis Birds of Dolpa

s'n]{ 9's'/

s5

3 65

ORDER: GRUIFORMES

Common Crane © Rajendra Gurung

66

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Gruidae

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

60

Demoiselle Crane #

Grus virgo

s¥ofª–s'?ª ;f/;

m5

4

61

Common Crane

Grus grus

nId0f ;f/;

m5

2

Family: Rallidae

Eurasian Coot © Naresh Kusi

White-breasted Waterhen © Naresh Kusi

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

62

White-breasted Waterhen

Amaurornis phoenicurus

l;ds'v'/f

s?

5

63

Eurasian Coot

Fulica atra

d?n

wm1

2

Birds of Dolpa

67

ORDER: CICONIIFORMES

Himalayan Vulture © Naresh Kusi

68

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Scolopacidae

Common Redshank © Naresh Kusi

Common Redshank juvenile © Naresh Kusi

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

64

Wood Snipe *#

Gallinago nemoricola

jg rfxf

s5

1

65

Common Redshank

Tringa totanus

nfnv'§] l6dl6df

m2

5

66

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareola

jg ;'8;'l8of

m4

5

Birds of Dolpa

69

Common Greenshank © Naresh Kusi

Green Sandpiper © Naresh Kusi

70

67

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropus

?v ;'8\;'l8of

m4

3

68

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos

r~rn] ;'8;'l8of

m2

4

69

Common Greenshank

Tringa nebularia

l6dl6df

m4

5

70

Little Stint

Calidris minuta

sfnLv'§] hn/·

m3

5

71

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatus

nfns07] kmfnf/f]k

v

Bluefield & Bluefield (2008)

72

Temminck's Stint

Calidris temminckii

hn/·

m3

4

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Charadriidae

Ibisbill © Naresh Kusi

Red-wattled Lapwing © Sanej Prasad Suwal

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

73

Ibisbill

Ibidorhyncha struthersii

ltnx/L r/f

s3

2

74

Red-wattled Lapwing

Vanellus indicus

x'l66\ofp“

s?

7

Birds of Dolpa

71

Family: Accipitridae

Upland Buzzard © Naresh Kusi

72

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

75

Long-legged Buzzard

Buteo rufinus

nfdv'§] Zo]gafh 

wm4

6

76

Himalayan Buzzard

Buteo (buteo) burmanicus

Zo]gafh

wm1

2

77

Upland Buzzard

Buteo hemilasius

kxf8L Zo]gafh

w5

2

Birds of Dolpa

Black Kite © Naresh Kusi

78

Black Kite

Milvus migrans

sfnf] rLn

s?1

2

79

Black Eagle

Ictinaetus malayensis

Çf]0fs rLn

r3

5

80

Booted Eagle

Hieraaetus pennatus

sf“wrGÇ rLn

wm4

2

81

Steppe Eagle *#

Aquila nipalensis

uf]dfo' dxfrLn

wm4

2

82

Golden Eagle #

Aquila chrysaetos

;'k0f{ dxfrLn

r5

2

83

Mountain Hawk Eagle

Nisaetus nipalensis

kxf8L zbnrLn

r5

5

Birds of Dolpa

73

Bearded Vulture © Naresh Kusi

84

74

Himalayan Vulture (Himalayan Griffon) #

Gyps himalayensis

lxdfnL lu4

r1

2

85

Cinereous Vulture #

Aegypius monachus

/fhlu4

s?

5

86

Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier) #

Gypaetus barbatus

xf8kmf]/

r1

2

Birds of Dolpa

Egyptian Vulture © Sanej Prasad Suwal

87

Egyptian Vulture *#

Neophron percnopterus

;]tf] lu4

r?5

2

88

Hen Harrier #

Circus cyaneus

rNnfrf]/ e'O“rLn

wm3

2

89

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisus

jgafh

s?4

2

90

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis

anfsf+If jgafh

r?4

2

Birds of Dolpa

75

Family: Falconidae

Common Kestrel © Sandesh Gurung

76

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

91

Common Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

afÄ8fO

r?1

2

92

Amur Falcon

Falco amurensis

cd'/ afh

m4

2

Birds of Dolpa

Eurasian Hobby © Pratap Gurung

Peregrine Falcon © Sandesh Gurung

93

Merlin

Falco columbarius

;fgf] afh

m?3

2

94

Eurasian Hobby

Falco subbuteo

h'“u] lr/fGts afh

s3

5

95

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

zfxL afh

m?4

8

Birds of Dolpa

77

Family: Podicipedidae

Little Grebe © Naresh Kusi

78

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

96

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollis

8'a'NsLr/f

s2

5

97

Black-necked Grebe

Podiceps nigricollis

sfnLs07 8'a'NsLr/f

wm1

5

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Great Cormorant © Naresh Kusi

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

98

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

hn]jf

s?1

3

Birds of Dolpa

79

ORDER: PASSERIFORMES

Grandala © Naresh Kusi

80

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Laniidae

Grey-backed Shrike © Naresh Kusi

Long-tailed Shrike © Naresh Kusi

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

99

Long-tailed Shrike

Lanius schach

eÇfO{

r3

2

100

Grey-backed Shrike

Lanius tephronotus

lxdfnL eÇfO{

s?2

1

Birds of Dolpa

81

Family: Corvidae

Alpine Chough © Naresh Kusi

82

Red-billed Blue Magpie © Naresh Kusi

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

101

Black-headed Jay

Garrulus lanceolatus

sfnf]6fps] jgsfu

r?3

6

102

Eurasian Jay

Garrulus glandarius

s}n] jgsfu

r4

5

103

Yellow-billed Blue Magpie

Urocissa flavirostris

;'g7"“8] nfdk'R5«]

r1

5

104

Red-billed Blue Magpie

Urocissa erythrorhyncha

:ofnkf]y/L nfdk'R5«]

r1

5

105

Grey Treepie

Dendrocitta formosae

kxf8L sf]sn]

r3

5

106

Alpine Chough

Pyrrhocorax graculus

6]d'

r2

2

Birds of Dolpa

Large Cuckooshrike © Naresh Kusi

Northern Raven © Naresh Kusi

107

Red-billed Chough

Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

6'·f

r2

2

108

Groundpecker

Pseudopodoces humilis

e'O“kmf]/

r3

2

109

Spotted Nutcracker

Nucifraga caryocatactes

jg;/f{

r1

2

110

House Crow

Corvus splendens

3/ sfu

r1

9

111

Large-billed Crow

Corvus macrorhynchos

sfnf] sfu

r1

2

112

Northern Raven

Corvus corax

/fhf sfu

r3

2

113

Large Cuckooshrike

Coracina macei

n6'zs lj/xLr/L

r4

5

114

Maroon Oriole

Oriolus traillii

3g/Qm ;'gr/L

r3

3

115

Indian Golden Oriole

Oriolus (oriolus) kundoo

ufhn] ;'gr/L

s3

3

Birds of Dolpa

83

Long-tailed Minivet (F) © Naresh Kusi

Black Drongo © Naresh Kusi

84

116

Long-tailed Minivet

Pericrocotus ethologus

nfdk'5«] /fgLr/L

s1

2

117

Scarlet Minivet

Pericrocotus flammeus

/fgLr/L

r1

3

118

Yellow-bellied Fantail

Chelidorhynx hypoxantha

kxÃnf] df?gLr/L

s4

1

119

Black Drongo

Dicrurus macrocercus

sfnf] lra]

s5

7

120

Ashy Drongo

Dicrurus leucophaeus

Wjf“;] lra]

s5

2

121

Spangled Drongo

Dicrurus hottentottus

s]z/fh lra]

s5

2

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Cinclidae

White-throated Dipper © Naresh Kusi

Brown Dipper © Naresh Kusi

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

122

White-throated Dipper

Cinclus cinclus

;]tf]s07] j~h"n

r1

2

123

Brown Dipper

Cinclus pallasii

v}/f] j~h"n

r1

2

Birds of Dolpa

85

Family: Muscicapidae

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush © Naresh Kusi

86

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

124

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush

Monticola saxatilis

s}nf] k'R5«/] lznf rf“r/

s?m

7, Kusi et al. (2017)

125

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush

Monticola rufiventris

xhf/f rf“r/

r4

2

Birds of Dolpa

Blue Rock Thrush © Naresh Kusi

126

Blue Rock Thrush

Monticola solitarius

pdf rf“r/

r3

2

127

Blue Whistling Thrush

Myophonus caeruleus

sNrfÄ8]

r1

2

128

Scaly Thrush

Zoothera dauma

uf]a|] rf“r/

s3

5

Birds of Dolpa

87

Plain-backed Thrush © Naresh Kusi

88

129

Plain-backed Thrush (Alpine Thrush)

Zoothera mollissima

;fbf9f8] rf“r/

r3

1

130

Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorus

x8\r"/ rf“r/

r5

2

Birds of Dolpa

Tickell's Thrush © Naresh Kusi

Red-throated Thrush © Naresh Kusi

131

Tickell’s Thrush

Turdus unicolor

km';|] rf“r/

s5

1

132

Tibetan Blackbird

Turdus (merula) maximus

sfnf] rf“r/

m3

5

133

Red-throated Thrush

Turdus ruficollis

/ft]s07] rf“r/

w2

2

Birds of Dolpa

89

White-collared Blackbird © Naresh Kusi

90

134

White-collared Blackbird

Turdus albocinctus

s07] rf“r/

r?3

1

135

White-browed Shortwing

Brachypteryx montana

gLnf] n3'k+v

s4

5

Birds of Dolpa

Little Pied Flycatcher © Rajendra Gurung

136

Little Pied Flycatcher

Ficedula westermanni

ZofdZj]t ch'{gs

s3

3

137

Dark-sided Flycatcher

Muscicapa sibirica

Wjf“;] ch'{gs

s4

2

138

Rusty-tailed Flycatcher

Muscicapa ruficauda

s}nf]k'R5«] ch'{gs

s3

1

Birds of Dolpa

91

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher © Naresh Kusi

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher © Raj Prasai

92

139

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher

Ficedula strophiata

;]tf]l6s] ch'{gs

s4

2

140

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher

Culicicapa ceylonensis

r~rn] ch'{gs

s2

5

141

Ultramarine Flycatcher

Ficedula superciliaris

gLnZj]t ch'{gs

s1

1

Birds of Dolpa

Verditer Flycatcher © Naresh Kusi

142

Slaty-blue Flycatcher

Ficedula tricolor

l6sl6s] ch'{gs

s3

2

143

Verditer Flycatcher

Eumyias thalassinus

gLnt'yf] ch'{gs

s3

2

144

Rufous-bellied Niltava

Niltava sundara

;'Gb/ gLntef

s3

3

Birds of Dolpa

93

White-winged Redstart © Naresh Kusi

White-winged Redstart juvenile © Naresh Kusi

145

94

White-winged Redstart (Guldenstadt's Redstart )

Phoenicurus erythrogasterus Birds of Dolpa

;]tf]k+v] v~h/L

r4

2

Plumbeous Water Redstart © Geraldine Werhahn

Plumbeous Water Redstart (F) © Naresh Kusi

146

Plumbeous Water Redstart

Rhyacornis fuliginosa

gLnfDa/ hnv~h/L

r3

2

147

Indian Blue Robin

Luscinia brunnea

gLnf] /ljg

s5

1

Birds of Dolpa

95

Himalayan Bluetail © Naresh Kusi

96

148

Himalayan Bluetail

Tarsiger (cyanurus) rufilatus

;'Gtnfsf]v] /ljg

s?1

2

149

Golden Bush Robin

Tarsiger chrysaeus

;'gf}nf] /ljg

r4

1

150

White-browed Bush Robin

Tarsiger indicus

;]tf]cf“vLefÄ /ljg

r4

1

Birds of Dolpa

Oriental Magpie Robin © Naresh Kusi

151

Oriental Magpie Robin

Copsychus saularis

wf]lagL r/f

s?1

5

152

Rufous-backed Redstart (Evermann's Redstart)

Phoenicurus erythronotus

s}nf]9f8] v~h/L

w5

2

153

Blue-capped Redstart

Phoenicurus coeruleocephala

wf]lagL v~h/L

s?3

2

Birds of Dolpa

97

White-throated Redstart © Naresh Kusi

98

154

Black Redstart

Phoenicurus ochruros

WofKrL v~h/L

s5

2

155

Hodgson's Redstart

Phoenicurus hodgsoni

tgsDk v~h/L

m5

2

156

White-throated Redstart

Phoenicurus schisticeps

;]tf]s07] v~h/L

r5

1

Birds of Dolpa

White-bellied Redstart © Naresh Kusi

White-bellied Redstart (F) © Naresh Kusi

157

Blue-fronted Redstart

Phoenicurus frontalis

gLn6fps] v~h/L

r4

1

158

White-capped Redstart (White-capped Water Redstart)

Chaimarrornis leucocephalus

;]tf]6fps] hnv~h/L

r4

2

159

White-bellied Redstart

Hodgsonius phaenicuroides

;]tf]k]6] v~h/L

s?3

1

Birds of Dolpa

99

White-tailed Rubythroat © Naresh Kusi

100

160

White-tailed Rubythroat

Luscinia pectoralis

lxdfnL /ftf]s07

s5

2

161

Grandala

Grandala coelicolor

lxdfnL u|f08nf

r1

2

Birds of Dolpa

Desert Wheatear © Naresh Kusi

Desert Wheatear juvenile © Naresh Kusi

162

Desert Wheatear

Oenanthe deserti

sfnf]s07] e'O“/ljg

s5

2

163

Little Forktail

Enicurus scouleri

u+uf vf]n]wf]lagL

r3

2

Birds of Dolpa

101

Spotted Forktail © Naresh Kusi

Pied Bushchat © Naresh Kusi

102

164

Spotted Forktail

Enicurus maculatus

yf]Kn] vf]n]wf]lagL

r3

3

165

Pied Bushchat

Saxicola caprata

sfn] ‰ofK;L

s5

5

Birds of Dolpa

Common Stonechat © Naresh Kusi

166

Common Stonechat

Saxicola torquatus

´]s´]s ‰ofK;L

r3

2

167

Grey Bushchat

Saxicola ferreus

lxdfnL ‰ofK;L

r3

2

Birds of Dolpa

103

Family: Sturnidae

Brahminy Starling © Naresh Kusi

Common Myna © Naresh Kusi

104

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

168

Brahminy Starling

Sturnia pagodarum

h'/] ;f/fÄ

m4

2

169

Common Myna

Acridotheres tristis

8fª\u|] ?kL

s3

3

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Sittidae

Wallcreeper © Naresh Kusi

Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch © Pratap Gurung

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

170

Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch

Sitta (castanea) cinnamoventris

s6';] d§f

r3

9

171

Kashmir Nuthatch

Sitta cashmirensis

sfZdL/L d§f

r3

1

172

White-tailed Nuthatch

Sitta himalayensis

kxf8L d§f

r5

5

173

White-cheeked Nuthatch

Sitta leucopsis

sfnf]6fps] d§f

r4

1

174

Wallcreeper

Tichodroma muraria

d'/f/L k'tnLr/f

r5

2

Birds of Dolpa

105

Family: Certhiidae

Bar-tailed Treecreeper © Hari Basnet

106

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

175

Hodgson's Treecreeper

Certhia hodgsoni

;]tf]k]6] 5]kf/]r/L

r?4

2

176

Bar-tailed Treecreeper

Certhia himalayana

k'R5/kf6] 5]kf/]r/L

r?4

2

177

Rusty-flanked Treecreeper

Certhia nipalensis

s}nf]sf]v] 5]kf/]r/L

r5

5

178

Eurasian Wren (Winter Wren)

Troglodytes troglodytes

lrqL

r3

2

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Paridae

Coal Tit © Sanej Prasad Suwal

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

179

Rufous-naped Tit

Periparus rufonuchalis

s}nf]ub{g] lrlrNsf]6]

r?5

2

180

Rufous-vented Tit

Periparus rubidiventris

;]tf]ub{g] lrlrNsf]6]

r?3

1

181

Coal Tit

Periparus ater

;fgf] km';|] lrlrNsf]6]

r?4

1

182

Grey-crested Tit

Lophophanes dichrous

km';|f]h'/] lrlrNsf]6]

r4

1

Birds of Dolpa

107

Great Tit © Sandesh Gurung

Black-lored Tit © Pratap Gurung

108

183

Great Tit

Parus major

lrlrNsf]6]

s?5

5

184

Green-backed Tit

Parus monticolus

xl/of] lrlrNsf]6]

r4

2

185

Black-lored Tit

Parus xanthogenys

kf08' lrlrNsf]6]

r5

7

186

Yellow-browed Tit

Sylviparus modestus

r“b'jf lrlrNsf]6]

r?5

5

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Aegithalidae

Black-throated Tit © Pratap Gurung

White-throated Tit © Rajendra Gurung

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

187

White-throated Tit

Aegithalos niveogularis

;]tf]s07] lrlrNsf]6]

r?4

1

188

Black-throated Tit

Aegithalos concinnus

sfnLs07] lrlrNsf]6]

r?4

2

Birds of Dolpa

109

Family: Hirundinidae

Eurasian Crag Martin © Geraldine Werhahn

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

189

Plain Martin

Riparia paludicola

leQ]ufÄynL

r4

5

190

Eurasian Crag Martin

Ptyonoprogne rupestris

glxs'6L ufÄynL

r4

2

191

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

3/ ufÄynL

s2

5

192

Red-rumped Swallow

Cecropis daurica

u]?s6L ufÄynL

r4

5

193

Common House Martin (Northern House Martin)

Delichon urbicum

eL/ufÄynL

m3

5

194

Asian House Martin

Delichon dasypus

Pl;ofnL eL/ufÄynL

r3

2

195

Nepal House Martin

Delichon nipalense

g]kfn eL/ufÄynL

r3

5

Family: Regulidae

110

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

196

Goldcrest

Regulus regulus

:j0f{r"n lkm:6f]

r?3

2

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Pycnonotidae

Red-vented Bulbul © Naresh Kusi

Himalayan Bulbul © Pratap Gurung

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

197

Striated Bulbul

Pycnonotus striatus

ws]{ h'/]nL

r3

5

198

Himalayan Bulbul

Pycnonotus leucogenys

h'Nkm] h'/]nL

r3

2

199

Mountain Bulbul

Ixos mcclellandii

s}nf]k]6] h'/]nL

r3

3

200

Red-vented Bulbul

Pycnonotus cafer

h'/]nL

r4

5

201

Black Bulbul

Hypsipetes leucocephalus

afv|] h'/]nL

r5

2

Birds of Dolpa

111

Family: Cisticolidae

Striated Prinia © Geraldine Werhahn

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

202

Striated Prinia

Prinia crinigera

;'of 3f“;]lkm:6f

r2

2

Family: Zosteropidae

Oriental White-eye © Pratap Gurung

112

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

203

Oriental White-eye

Zosterops palpebrosus

sf“sL/

r5

2

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Sylviidae

Common Tailorbird © Sanej Prasad Suwal

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

204

Common Tailorbird

Orthotomus sutorius

kftl;pg] lkm:6f]

r3

9

205

Smoky Warbler

Phylloscopus fuligiventer

Wjf“;] lkm:6f]

rs5

5

206

Hume's Leaf Warbler

Phylloscopus humei

r~rn] lkm:6f]

r4

3

207

Buff-barred Warbler

Phylloscopus pulcher

;'Gtn]/]vL lkm:6f]

r4

1

208

Ashy-throated Warbler

Phylloscopus maculipennis

km';|f]s07] lkm:6f]

r5

3

209

Lemon-rumped Warbler

Phylloscopus chloronotus

kLts6L lkm:6f]

r5

2

Birds of Dolpa

Status

Reference

113

Tickell's Leaf Warbler © Naresh Kusi

114

210

Yellow-browed Warbler

Phylloscopus inornatus

xl/t lkm:6f]

wm5

2

211

Greenish Warbler

Phylloscopus trochiloides

hLjn lkm:6f]

s5

2

212

Tickell's Leaf Warbler

Phylloscopus affinis

kLtf]b/ lkm:6f]

s3

2

213

Large-billed Leaf Warbler

Phylloscopus magnirostris

7"nf]7"“8] lkm:6f]

s3

1

214

Blyth's Leaf Warbler

Phylloscopus reguloides

tfn'ws]{ lkm:6f]

r2

2

215

Green-crowned Warbler (Golden-spectacled Warbler)

Seicercus burkii

;'grZd] lkm:6f]

r4

2

216

Whistler's Warbler

Seicerus whistleri

;';]nL lkm:6f]

r?4

7

217

Grey-hooded Warbler

Phylloscopus xanthoschistos

t'd'nsf/L lkm:6f]

r5

1

Birds of Dolpa

White-browed Tit Warbler © Geraldine Werhahn

218

White-browed Tit-Warbler

Leptopoecile sophiae

a}hgL lkm:6f]

r4

2

219

Sulphur-bellied Warbler

Phylloscopus griseolus

kLtf]b/ 9'·]lkm:6f]

s4

2

220

Grey-sided Bush Warbler

Cettia brunnifrons

/ftf]6fps] ´f8Llkm:6f]

s3

1

221

Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler

Cettia fortipes

v}/f]sf]v] ´f8Llkm:6f]

r?5

2

222

Booted Warbler

Iduna caligata

df]6f]v'§] lkm:6f]

m5

2

223

Black-faced Warbler

Abroscopus schisticeps

ufhn] lkm:6f]

r5

5

Birds of Dolpa

115

Streaked Laughingthrush © Naresh Kusi

116

224

White-browed Fulvetta

Fulvetta vinipectus

kLtgog km"na'§f

r3

1

225

Stripe-throated Yuhina

Yuhina gularis

y'knsNsL h'/]r/f

r3

5

226

Rufous-vented Yuhina

Yuhina occipitalis

v}/f] h'/]r/f

r3

5

227

Fire-tailed Myzornis

Myzornis pyrrhoura

xl/t lxd;'wf

r5

5

228

Rufous Sibia

Malacias capistratus

l;laof

r3

5

229

Black-throated Parrotbill

Suthora nipalensis

g]kfn af“b/r/L

r5

5

230

Streaked Laughingthrush

Garrulax lineatus

l5s]{ tf]/Luf“8f

r3

2

Birds of Dolpa

Black-faced Laughingthrush © Naresh Kusi

231

White-throated Laughingthrush

Garrulax albogularis

;f]O/g] tf]/Luf“8f

r4

5

232

Spotted Laughingthrush

Garrulax ocellatus

d'“bfn] tf]/Luf“8f

r5

5

233

Scaly Laughingthrush

Garrulax subunicolor

sTn] tf]/Luf“8f

r4

5

234

Variegated Laughingthrush

Garrulax variegatus

6sLo'/L tf]/Luf“8f

r4

1

235

Black-faced Laughingthrush

Garrulax affinis

sfg6f6] tf]/Luf“8f

r4

5

Birds of Dolpa

117

Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush © Rajendra Gurung

118

236

Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush

Garrulax erythrocephalus

s6';6fps] tf]/Luf“8f

r4

5

237

Striated Laughingthrush

Garrulax striatus

sNsL tf]/Luf“8f

r4

N. Rupakheti (pers. comm 2015)

238

Black-chinned Babbler

Stachyridopsis pyrrhops

sfnf]lrp“8] jgEofs'/

r3

3

239

Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler

Pnoepyga albiventer

sTn] l8s'/]Eofs'/

r3

3

240

Pygmy Wren Babbler

Pnoepyga pusilla

d'/fln“8] l8s'/]Eofs'/

r?5

5

241

White-browed Shrike Babbler

Pteruthius flaviscapis

nfnk+v] eÇfO{Eofs'/

r?5

5

242

Green Shrike Babbler

Pteruthius xanthochlorus

xl/t eÇfO{Eofs'/

r?5

1

243

Hoary-throated Barwing

Actinodura nipalensis

jgrfx/

r4

5

244

Bar-throated Siva (Chestnuttailed Minla)

Siva strigula

lzj ldGnf

r3

5

245

Red-tailed Minla

Minla ignotincta

nfnk'R5]«

r3

5

Birds of Dolpa

Family: Alaudidae

Horned Lark © Naresh Kusi

Horned Lark juvenile © Naresh Kusi

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

246

Greater Short-toed Lark

Calandrella brachydactyla

jlt{sf ef/åfh

w5

2

247

Hume's Short-toed Lark

Calandrella acutirostris

kx]nf]7"“8] ef/4fh

w5

2

248

Oriental Skylark

Alauda gulgula

a|f¾dLr6L

s3

2

249

Horned Lark

Eremophila alpestris

h'“u] ef/åfh

r2

2

Birds of Dolpa

119

Family: Nectariniidae

Purple Sunbird (F) © Sanej Prasad Suwal

120

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

250

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker

Dicaeum ignipectus

clUgjIf k'iksf]lsn

r2

2

251

Purple Sunbird

Cinnyris asiaticus

sfnf] a'·]r/f

s3

3

Birds of Dolpa

Green-tailed Sunbird © Pratap Gurung

Fire-tailed Sunbird © Hathan Chaudhary

252

Mrs Gould's Sunbird

Aethopyga gouldiae

sflGt a'·]r/f

r?5

2

253

Green-tailed Sunbird

Aethopyga nipalensis

g]kfn a'·]r/f

r5

2

254

Fire-tailed Sunbird

Aethopyga ignicauda

nfdk'R5«] a'·]r/f

r5

5

Birds of Dolpa

121

Family: Passeridae

Russet Sparrow © Naresh Kusi

Tibetan Snowfinch © Naresh Kusi

122

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

255

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

3/ e“u]/f

r3

2

256

Russet Sparrow

Passer rutilans

s}nf] e“u]/f

r2

2

257

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Passer montanus

?v e“u]/f

r3

2

258

Tibetan Snowfinch

Montifringilla adamsi

rf“bLk+v] lxp“r/L

r4

2

259

Tree Pipit

Anthus trivialis

?v r'Oof“

s5

5

Birds of Dolpa

Rosy Pipit © Naresh Kusi

White-browed Wagtail © Naresh Kusi

260

Olive-backed Pipit

Anthus hodgsoni

aufn] r'Oof“

s5

2

261

Rosy Pipit

Anthus roseatus

u'nfkmLs07] r'Oof“

s5

2

262

Upland Pipit

Anthus sylvanus

kxf8L r'Oof“

r5

2

263

White-browed Wagtail

Motacilla maderaspatensis

vf]n] l6sl6s]

s5

9

Birds of Dolpa

123

White Wagtail © Naresh Kusi

Citrine Wagtail © Naresh Kusi

124

264

White Wagtail

Motacilla alba

;]tf] l6sl6s]

s5

2

265

Citrine Wagtail

Motacilla citreola

a];f/] l6sl6s]

m3

2

Birds of Dolpa

Grey Wagtail © Naresh Kusi

Alpine Accentor © Naresh Kusi

266

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinerea

km';|f] l6sl6s]

s3

2

267

Alpine Accentor

Prunella collaris

lxdfnL n]sr/L

r2

2

Birds of Dolpa

125

Brown Accentor © Naresh Kusi

Brown Accentor juvenile © Naresh Kusi

126

268

Altai Accentor

Prunella himalayana

cNtfO{ n]sr/L

w5

2

269

Rufous-breasted Accentor

Prunella strophiata

d';] n]sr/L

r3

1

270

Brown Accentor

Prunella fulvescens

ufhn] n]sr/L

r?3

2

Birds of Dolpa

Robin Accentor © Naresh Kusi

Robin Accentor juvenile © Naresh Kusi

271

Black-throated Accentor

Prunella atrogularis

sfnf]s07] n²sr/L

w5

2

272

Robin Accentor

Prunella rubeculoides

/ljg n]sr/L

r3

1

Birds of Dolpa

127

Family: Fringillidae

Red-fronted Serin © Naresh Kusi

128

SN

Common Name

Scientific Name

g]kfnL gfd

Status

Reference

273

Common Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebs

lrqsr/L

w3

2

274

Brambling

Fringilla montifringilla

sfnf]6fps] lrqsr/L

w3

5

275

Red-fronted Serin

Serinus pusillus

nfndfyf l;l/g

r?3

2

Birds of Dolpa

Yellow-breasted Greenfinch © Naresh Kusi

Twite © Naresh Kusi

276

Yellow-breasted Greenfinch

Carduelis spinoides

ufhn] kLtr/L

s3

2

277

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelis

/Qmd'xf/ kLtr/L

s5

2

278

Twite

Carduelis flavirostris

;fg]7"“8] lng]6

r5

2

Birds of Dolpa

129

Plain Mountainfinch © Naresh Kusi

Brandt's Mountainfinch © Naresh Kusi

279

130

Plain Mountain Finch

Leucosticte nemoricola

ltt'e“u]/f

r3

2

280

Brandt's Mountain Finch

Leucosticte brandti

;fgf] l;ld|s ltt'

r4

2

281

Common Rosefinch

Carpodacus erythrinus

cdfÃuf ltt'

s3

2

Birds of Dolpa

Beautiful Rosefinch © Rajendra Gurung

282

Beautiful Rosefinch

Carpodacus pulcherrimus

l´aL ltt'

r3

2

283

Pink-browed Rosefinch

Carpodacus rodochroa

/ftf] l´aL ltt'

r?3

1

Birds of Dolpa

131

Streaked Rosefinch © Naresh Kusi

Streaked Rosefinch (F) © Naresh Kusi

132

284

Vinaceous Rosefinch

Carpodacus vinaceus

nfnjbg ltt'

r4

5

285

Streaked Rosefinch

Carpodacus rubicilloides

ws]{ /fhltt'

r5

1

286

Spot-winged Rosefinch

Carpodacus rodopeplus

k+vyf]Kn] ltt'

r5

5

Birds of Dolpa

Great Rosefinch © Rajendra Gurung

287

White-browed Rosefinch

Carpodacus thura

k+vyf]Kn] 7"nf]ltt'

r4

1

288

Great Rosefinch

Carpodacus rubicilla

/fhltt'

r5

2

Birds of Dolpa

133

Red-fronted Rosefinch © Naresh Kusi

Red-fronted Rosefinch (F) © Naresh Kusi

134

289

Red-fronted Rosefinch

Carpodacus puniceus

/QmzLif{ /fhltt'

r5

2

290

Golden-naped Finch

Pyrrhoplectes epauletta

;'Gtn]6fps] sfnf]ltt'

r5

5

Birds of Dolpa

Red-headed Bullfinch (F) © Raj Prasai

Red Crossbill © Rajendra Gurung

291

Red-headed Bullfinch

Pyrrhula erythrocephala

/ftf]6f]ps] l6p“l6p

r?2

1

292

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

sÄrL7"“8]

r4

5

Birds of Dolpa

135

White-winged Grosbeak © Naresh Kusi

136

293

Collared Grosbeak

Mycerobas affinis

;'Gtn]ub{g dxf7"“8

r?5

2

294

Spot-winged Grosbeak

Mycerobas melanozanthos

k+vyf]Kn] dxf7"“8

r4

2

295

White-winged Grosbeak

Mycerobas carnipes

w"kL dxf7"“8

r5

2

Birds of Dolpa

Rock Bunting © Naresh Kusi

296

Crested Bunting

Melophus lathami

h'/] au]8L

r4

3

297

Little Bunting #

Emberiza pusilla

n3' au]8L

w4

2

298

Pine Bunting

Emberiza leucocephalos

;Nn] au]8L

w5

2

299

Rock Bunting

Emberiza cia

lznf au]8L

r3

2

300

Chestnut-eared Bunting

Emberiza fucata

sfgs}n] au]8L

r4

5

Birds of Dolpa

137

BIBLIOGRAPHY Basnet, K. (1998) Biodiversity inventory of Shey-Phoksundo National Park: wildlife component. A report submitted to WWF Nepal program. Unpublished. BCN & DNPWC. (in preparation) Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas of Nepal: Key sites for conservation. Bird Conservation Nepal and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal. BirdLife International. (2018) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Shey-Phoksundo National Park. Bluefield, A., & Bluefield, J. (2008). Red-necked Phalarope Phalarope lobatus sighting at Phoksundo lake, Dolpo. Danphe vol 17. Chaudhary, R.D. (2003) A bird checklist of Shey-Phoksundo National Park (SPNP) Dolpo, Nepal. CITES. (2017) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Appendices I, II and III (valid from 4 October 2017). downloaded from https:// www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php on 31 January 2018 DNPWC. (2017) Shey-Phoksundo National Park. In Protected Areas of Nepal. Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal. DNPWC. (2007) The Management Plan of Shey-Phoksundo National Park (SPNP) and its Buffer zone. Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu Ghimire, S. K., Lama, Y. C., Tripathi, G. R.., Schmidt, S. and Thomas, Y.A. (2001) Conservation of plant resources, community development and training in applied ethno-botany at Shey-Phoksundo National Park and its buffer zone. Publication Series No. 41. WWF Nepal Program, Kathmandu. Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., Inskipp, T. and Baral, H. S. (2016) Birds of Nepal. Second edition. Helm Field Guide, London, UK. Gurung, H. (1980) Phoksumdo and Tarakot. In Vignettes of Nepal. Sahayogi Press, Kathmandu. 76-92 pp. Hovden, A. (2016) Between village and monastery: A historical ethnography of a Tibetan buddhist community in north-western Nepal. PhD dissertation submitted to University of Oslo. Norway. Unpublished. Inskipp C., Baral H. S., Inskipp, T, Khatiwada A., Poudyal L.P. and Amin R. (2017) Nepal’s National Red List of Birds. Journal of Threatened Taxa 9(1): 9700 9722; http://doi.org/10.11609/ jott.2855.9.1.9700-9722 Inskipp C., Baral H. S., Phuyal S., Bhatt T. R., Khatiwada M., Inskipp, T, Khatiwada A., Gurung S., Singh P. B., Murray L., Poudyal L. and Amin R. (2016) The status of Nepal's Birds: The national red list series. Zoological Society of London, UK. Vol 1 -6 Inskipp, C., & Chaudhary, H. (2016). The first record of West Himalayan Bush Warbler Locustella kashmirensis for Nepal.Indian BIRDS 12 (4 & 5): 138-39 IUCN. (2017) The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2017-3. Kusi, N., Acharya R., Ghimirey, Y., Adhikary, B. & Werhahn, G. (submitted) An update on Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsonii in Nepal. Kusi, N., Lama, T.L., Lama, P.R. & Werhahn, G. (2017) The first record of Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis for Nepal. BirdingASIA 27. 116-117 pp. MoFSC. (2016) National survey of red panda to assess its status, habitat and distribution in Nepal. Draft report submitted by RPN & HCF. Unpublished. Prieme, A. & Oksnebjerb, B. (1994) The avifauna and conservation value of Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Nepal. Forktail 10: 33-48. Prieme, A. & Oksnebjerb, B. (1992) Field study in Shey-Phoksundo National Park. Report submitted to Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal. Unpublished. 138

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Pritchard-Jones, S. & Gibbons, B. (2014) Trekking around upper & lower Dolpo. Himalayan Map House, Kathmandu, Nepal. 228 pp. Schaller, G.B. (1977) Journey to Crystal Mountain. In Stones of Silence, Journeys in the Himalaya. The University of Chicago press. 203-277 pp. Shakya, K. (2007) Dolpo, the hidden paradise: A journey to the endangered sanctuary of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. Nirala Publications, New Delhi, India. Third edition. Snellgrove, D.L. (1981) The land of Dolpo. In Himalayan pilgrimage: A study of Tibetan religion by a traveller through western Nepal. Shambhala publications. USA. 70-162 pp. Werhahn G., Kusi N., Karmarcharya D., Sherchan A.M., Manandhar P., Manandhar S., Bhatta T.R., Joshi J., Bhattarai S., Sharma A.N., Kaden J., Ghazali M. & Senn H. (in press) Eurasian lynx and Pallas’s cat in Dolpa district of Nepal: Insights into genetics, distribution and diet from non-invasive sampling. Cat News. Werhahn, G., Senn, H., Kaden, J., Joshi,J., Bhattarai, S., Kusi, N., Sillero-Zubiri, C. & Macdonald, D.W. (2017) Phylogenetic evidence for the ancient Himalayan wolf: towards a clarification of its taxonomic status based on genetic sampling from western Nepal. R. Soc. open sci.4: 170186. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.170186 Werhahn, G. & Kusi, N. (2016) Wolf and wild yak research in upper Dolpa. Research report submitted to Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal. Unpublished.

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Appendix 1: List of mammals recorded in Dolpa

140

Common name

Scientific name

Family

Type of record

Reference

Himalayan Wolf

Canis lupus himalayensis. *

Canidae

Live sighting

Werhahn & Kusi (2016)

Golden Jackal

Canis aureus

Canidae

Live sighting

Dhole

Cuon alpinus

Canidae

Reported by local villagers (around Ringmo

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Canidae

Reported by local villagers

Tibetan Fox

Vulpes ferrilata

Canidae

Reported by local villagers

Snow Leopard

Panthera uncia

Felidae

Live sighting

T.L. Lama pers. comm. (2016)

Leopard

Panthera pardus

Felidae

Observation of pugmarks

Werhahn & Kusi (2016)

Eurasian Lynx

Lynx lynx

Felidae

Fecal DNA sample

Werhahn & Kusi (2016), Werhahn et al (in press)

Jungle Cat

Felis chaus

Felidae

Not Available (NA)

Basnet (1998)

Pallas’s Cat

Otocolobus manul

Felidae

Fecal DNA sample

Werhahn et al. (in press)

Himalayan Brown Bear

Ursus arctos

Ursidae

Observations of digging signs in Tinkyu

Werhahn & Kusi (2016)

Asiatic Black Bear

Ursus thibetanus

Ursidae

NA

Basnet (1998)

Red Panda

Ailurus fulgens

Ursidae

Droppings and dead body

MoFSC (2016)

Stone Marten

Martes foina

Mustelidae

Reported by local villagers

Werhahn & Kusi (2016)

Altai Weasel

Mustela altaica

Mustelidae

Live sighting

Ermine

Mustela armenia

Mustelidae

Live sighting

Birds of Dolpa

R. Gurung pers. comm (2017)

Siberian Weasel

Mustela sibirica

Mustelidae

Live sighting

Shakya (2007)

Yellow-throated Marten

Martes flavigula

Mustelidae

Na

Basnet (1998)

Rhesus Macaque

Macaca mulatta

Cercopithecidae

Live sighting

Nepal Grey Langur

Semnopithecus schistaceus

Cercopithecidae

Live sighting

Werhahn & Kusi (2016)

Himalayan Tahr

Hemitragus jemlahicus

Bovidae

NA

Himalayan Serow

Capricornis thar

Bovidae

NA

Tibetan Argali

Ovis ammon hodgsoni

Bovidae

Live sighting

Werhahn & Kusi (2016), Kusi et al. (submitted)

Blue Sheep

Pseudois nayaur

Bovidae

Live sighting

Werhahn & Kusi (2016)

Wild Boar

Sus scrofa

Suidae

NA

Basnet (1998)

Musk Deer

Moschus sp

Moschidae

Observations of pellets and resting sites (Sallaghari)

Werhahn & Kusi (1998)

Woolly Hare

Lepus oiostolus

Leporidae

Live sighting

Large-eared Pika

Ochotona macrotis

Ochotonidae

Live sighting

Werhahn & Kusi (2016)

Royle's Pika

Ochotona roylei

Ochotonidae

Live sighting

Nubra Pika

Ochotona nubrica

Ochotonidae

Live sighting

Stoliczka's Mountain Vole

Alticola stoliczkanus

Muridae

Live sighting

Greater Shortnosed Fruit Bat

Cynopterus sphinx

Pteropodidae

NA

Basnet (1998)

Basnet (1998)

* Werhahn et al. (2017).

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141

INDEX OF COMMON NAMES Accentor, Alpine Altai Black-throated Brown Robin Rufous-breasted Babbler, Black-chinned Green Shrike Pygmy Wren Scaly-breasted Wren White-browed Shrike Barbet, Great Barwing, Hoary-throated Bee-eater, Green Blackbird, White-collared Tibetan Bluetail, Himalayan Brambling Bulbul, Black Himalayan Mountain Red-vented Striated Bullfinch, Red-headed Bunting, Chestnut-eared Crested Little Pine Rock Bushchat, Grey Pied Buzzard, Himalayan Long-legged Upland Chaffinch, Common Chough, Alpine Red-billed Coot, Eurasian Cormorant, Great Crane, Common Demoiselle Crossbill, Red Crow, Large-billed House Cuckoo, Lesser Common Eurasian Jacobin Pied Himalayan Cuckooshrike, Large

142

125 126 127 126 127 126 118 118 118 118 118 51 118 55 90 89 96 128 111 111 111 111 111 135 137 137 137 137 137 103 102 72 72 72 128 82 83 67 79 67 67 135 83 83 57 57 57 57 57 57 83

Dipper, Brown White-throated Dove, Oriental Turtle Rock Spotted Drongo, Spangled Ashy Black Duck, Tufted Eagle, Black Booted Golden Mountain Hawk Steppe Falcon, Amur Peregrine Fantail, Yellow-bellied Finch, Brandt's Mountain Golden-naped Plain Mountain Flowerpecker, Fire-breasted Flycatcher, Rusty-tailed Dark-sided Grey-headed Canary Little Pied Rufous-gorgeted Slaty-blue Ultramarine Verditer Forktail, Little Spotted Francolin, Black Fulvetta, White-browed Gadwall Garganey Goldcrest Goldfinch, European Goosander Goose, Bar-headed Goshawk, Northern Grandala Grebe, Little Black-necked Greenfinch, Yellow-breasted Greenshank, Common Griffon, Himalayan Grosbeak, Collared Spot-winged White-winged Groundpecker Harrier, Hen

Birds of Dolpa

85 85 64 63 64 84 84 84 46 73 73 73 73 73 76 77 84 130 134 130 120 91 91 92 91 92 93 92 93 101 102 41 116 47 47 110 129 47 46 75 100 78 78 129 70 74 136 136 136 83 75

Hobby, Eurasian Hoopoe, Common Ibisbill Jay, Eurasian Black-headed Kestrel, Common Kingfisher, Common White-throated Kite, Black Lammergeier Lapwing, Red-wattled Lark, Greater Short-toed Horned Hume's Short-toed Laughingthrush, Black-faced Chestnut-crowned Scaly Spotted Streaked Striated Variegated White-throated Magpie, Yellow-billed Blue Red-billed Blue Mallard Martin, Asian House Common House Eurasian Crag Nepal House Northern House Plain Merganser, Common Merlin Minivet, Long-tailed Scarlet Minla, Chestnut-tailed Red-tailed Monal, Himalayan Myna, Common Myzornis, Fire-tailed Needletail, White-throated Nightjar, Large-tailed Niltava, Rufous-bellied Nutcracker, Spotted Nuthatch, Chestnut-bellied Kashmir White-cheeked White-tailed Oriole, Indian Golden Maroon Owl, Himalayan Wood Little Mountain Scops Short-eared Owlet, Collared Parrotbill, Black-throated

77 53 71 82 82 76 55 55 73 74 71 119 119 119 117 118 117 117 116 118 117 117 82 82 46 110 110 110 110 110 110 47 77 84 84 118 118 43 104 116 59 61 93 83 105 105 105 105 83 83 61 61 61 61 61 116

Partridge, Chukar Hill Snow Tibetan Phalarope, Red-necked Pheasant, Blood Cheer Kalij Koklass Piculet, Speckled Pigeon, Ashy Wood Common Hill Snow Speckled Wood Pipit, Olive-backed Rosy Tree Upland Pochard, Common Red-crested Prinia, Striated Raven, Northern Redshank, Common Redstart, Black Blue-capped Blue-fronted Evermann's Guldenstadt's Hodgson's Plumbeous Water Rufous-backed White-bellied White-capped White-capped Water White-throated White-winged Robin, Golden Bush Indian Blue Oriental Magpie White-browed Bush Rosefinch, Beautiful Common Great Pink-browed Red-fronted Spot-winged Streaked Vinaceous White-browed Rubythroat, White-tailed Sandpiper, Green Common Wood Serin, Red-fronted Shelduck, Ruddy

Birds of Dolpa

41 42 43 42 70 42 39 39 40 49 64 63 63 63 64 123 123 122 123 45 46 112 83 69 98 97 99 97 94 98 95 97 99 99 99 98 94 96 95 97 96 131 130 133 131 134 132 132 132 133 100 70 70 69 128 45

143

Shortwing, White-browed Shrike, Grey-backed Long-tailed Sibia, Rufous Siva, Bar-throated Skylark, Oriental Snipe, Wood Snowcock, Himalayan Tibetan Snowfinch, Tibetan Sparrow, Eurasian Tree House Russet Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Starling, Brahminy Stint, Temminck’s Little Stonechat, Common Sunbird, Fire-tailed Green-tailed Mrs Gould's Purple Swallow, Barn Red-rumped Swift, Common Alpine Fork-tailed House Swiftlet, Himalayan Tailorbird, Common Teal, Common Thrush, Chestnut-bellied Rock Alpine Blue Rock Blue Whistling Mistle Plain-backed Rufous-tailed Rock Scaly Tickell’s Red-throated Tit, Black-lored Black-throated Coal Great Green-backed Grey-crested Rufous-naped Rufous-vented White-throated Yellow-browed Tragopan, Satyr Treecreeper, Rusty-flanked Bar-tailed Hodgson's

90 81 81 116 118 119 69 39 122 122 122 122 75 104 70 70 103 121 121 121 120 110 110 59 59 59 59 59 113 47 86 88 87 87 88 88 86 87 88 89 108 109 107 108 108 107 107 107 109 108 40 106 106 106

Treepie, Grey 82 Twite 129 Vulture, Bearded 74 Cinereous 74 Egyptian 75 Himalayan 74 Wagtail, Citrine 124 Grey 125 White 124 White-browed 123 Wallcreeper 105 Warbler, White-browed Tit 115 Ashy-throated 113 Black-faced 115 Blyth's Leaf 114 Booted 115 Brownish-flanked Bush 115 Buff-barred 113 Golden-spectacled 114 Green-crowned 114 Greenish 114 Grey-hooded 114 Grey-sided Bush 115 Hume's Leat 113 Large-billed Leaf 114 Lemon-rumped 113 Smoky 113 Sulphur-bellied 115 Tickell's Leaf 114 Whistler's 114 Yellow-browed 114 Waterhen, White-breasted 67 Wheater, Desert 101 White-eye, Oriental 112 Wigeon, Eurasian 45 Woodpecker, Crimson-breasted 50 Brown-fronted 49 Darjeeling 50 Himalayan 50 Scaly-bellied 50 Wren, Eurasian 106 Winter 106 Wryneck, Eurasian 49 Yuhina, Rufous-vented 116 Stripe-throated 116

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Naresh Kusi, a permanent resident of Bhaktapur, is a young wildlife researcher from Nepal who has been exploring the Himalayan landscape of the country since the last nine years. He is currently studying Post Graduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice at Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

Geraldine Werhahn, based at WildCRU at the University of Oxford, is leading the Himalayan Wolves Project. Her research explores the phylogeny and ecology of wolves in the Asian high altitudes with the aim to advance the conservation of the wolves and the unique ecosystems they inhabit.

Laxman Prasad Poudyal holds an MSc in Natural Resource Management and Rural Development. A co-author of ‘The Status of Nepal's Birds: The National Red List Series (2016)’, he is enthusiastic about ornithological research and conservation. He started his career in wildlife conservation as a Park Ranger of Shey-Phoksundo National Park in 1992. He currently works as the ecologist at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU) is a membership based non-profit organization that aims to establish itself as a conservation organization specializing in taxonomy and ecological research of birds in Nepal. NOU works closely with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and other governmental/ non-governmental conservation organizations for the promotion of scientific studies on birds and their habitats in Nepal.

Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) is a government agency of Nepal under the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation. DNPWC currently governs the management and operation of 12 National Parks, one Wildlife Reserve, one Hunting Reserve and six Conservation Areas in Nepal. As a management authority on wildlife of Nepal, DNPWC works for the conservation of unique natural and cultural heritages of the country by maintaining representative ecosystems, managing outstanding landscapes of ecological importance, protecting wild animals and plants and supporting the livelihood of the local people through buffer zone and conservation area management programs and by promoting ecotourism in the protected areas.

"This splendidly illustrated, fascinating and comprehensive book on birds of Dolpa is a must buy for anyone with an interest in Nepal and its wildlife" Carol Inskipp Lead-author of ' The Status of Nepal's Birds: The National Red List Series' and senior ornithologist, UK

“A valuable guide to the hidden treasures of Dolpa with stunningly beautiful imageries of landscape and birds. A must to carry chaperon for all who wish to visit this transhimalayan countryside. Commendable work and highly recommended!” Hem Sagar Baral, PhD Senior ornithologist, Nepal and Country Representative, Zoological Society of London, Nepal Office

 An up to date checklist of birds recorded in Dolpa from 1992 to 2017.  Representative photographs of most of the families of birds (127 different species).  Places of interest in Dolpa.

 Authentic information on travel routes (with detailed map) throughout upper and lower Dolpa based on field research expeditions, accompanied by photographs of all the major settlements.