Khangchendzonga National Park 2017

Khangchendzonga NP and BR | Jan 2017

DIBYENDU ASH·SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2017 Date: 5th to 10th January 2017

Habitat:

Montane Forest.

Temperate Coniferous.

Broadleaf.

Riverine.

Alluvial.

Alpine steppe.

Sub Alpine Forest.

Cultivation Land.

Human Habitat.

Temperature Range: -4°C ~ 20°C

Altitude Range: 4,000' to 10,050' (from MSL) in Darap, Yuksom, Dubdee, Sachen, Bakhim, Tsoka, Ghumsa in West district, Sikkim, .

Bird Checklist (As per of Indian Subcontinent field guide by Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp, Tim Inskipp):

1. Satyr Tragopan

2. Himalayan Monal

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Khangchendzonga National Park 2017

3. Great Cormorant

4. Common Kestrel

5. Himalayan Vulture

6. Eurasia Woodcock

7. Common Pigeon

8. Snow Pigeon

9. Speckled Wood Pigeon

10. Oriental Turtle Dove

11. Spotted Dove

12. Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon

13. Asian Barred Owlet

14. Himalayan Swiftlet

15. Crested Kingfisher

16. Great Barbet

17. Golden-throated Barbet

18. Blue-throated Barbet

19. Yellow-rumped Honeyguide

20. Speckled Piculet

21. Bay

22. Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker

23. Darjeeling Woodpecker

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Khangchendzonga National Park 2017

24. Crimson-breasted Woodpecker

25. Grey-headed Woodpecker

26. Greater Yellownape

27. Short-billed Minivet

28. Grey-backed Shrike

29. Long-tailed Shrike

30. Spangled Drongo

31. Ashy Drongo

32. Maroon Oriole

33. Yellow-bellied Fantail

34. White-throated Fantail

35. Yellow-billed Blue Magpie

36. Common Green Magpie

37. Grey Treepie

38. Northern Raven

39. Large-billed Crow

40. House Crow

41. Spotted Nutcracker

42. Green-backed Tit

43. Rufous-vented Tit

44. Coal Tit

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Khangchendzonga National Park 2017

45. Grey-crested Tit

46. Yellow-browed Tit

47. Black-throated Tit

48. Rufous-fronted Tit

49. House Martin

50. Striated Bulbul

51. Himalayan Bulbul

52. Red-vented Bulbul

53. Black Bulbul

54. Common Tailorbird

55. Grey-sided Bush Warbler

56. Chestnut-headed Tesia

57. Grey-bellied Tesia

58. Buff-barred Warbler

59. Lemon-rumped Warbler

60. Ashy-throated Warbler

61. Mandellie's Leaf Warbler

62. Whiskered Warbler

63. Grey-cheeked Warbler

64. Grey-hooded Warbler

65. Chestnut-crowned Warbler

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Khangchendzonga National Park 2017

66. Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler

67. Pygmy Wren Babbler

68. Rufous-capped Babbler

69. Grey-throated Babbler

70. Golden Babbler

71. Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler

72. Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler

73. Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler

74. White-throated Laughingthrush

75. Striated Laughingthrush

76. Spotted Laughingthrush

77. Blue-winged Laughingthrush

78. Scaly Laughingthrush

79. Black-faced Laughingthrush

80. Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush

81. Rusty-fronted Barwing

82. Hoary-throated Barwing

83. Red-billed Leiothrix

84. Blue-winged Siva

85. Bar-throated Siva

86. Red-tailed Minla

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Khangchendzonga National Park 2017

87. White-browed Shrike-babbler

88. Green Shrike-babbler

89. Black-eared Shrike-babbler

90. Yellow-throated Fulvetta

91. Rufous-winged Fulvetta

92. White-browed Fulvetta

93. Nepal Fulvetta

94. Rufous Sibia

95. Whiskered Yuhina

96. Stripe-throated Yuhina

97. Rufous-vented Yuhina

98. Brown Parrotbill

99. Fulvous Parrotbill

100. Fire-tailed Myzornis

101. Oriental White-eye

102. Goldcrest

103. Winter Wren

104. Brown Dipper

105. Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch

106. White-tailed Nuthatch

107. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

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Khangchendzonga National Park 2017

108. Brown-throated Treecreeper

109. Hodgson's Treecreeper

110. Rusty-flanked Treecreeper

111. Common Myna

112. Blue Whistling Thrush

113. Alpine Thrush

114. Scaly Thrush

115. White-collared Blackbird

116. Grey-winged Blackbird

117. Chestnut Thrush

118. Black-throated Thrush

119. White-browed Bush Robin

120. Himalayan Bluetail

121. Golden Bush Robin

122. Oriental Magpie Robin

123. Plumbeous Water Redstart

124. White-capped Redstart

125. Hodgson's Redstart

126. White-throated Redstart

127. Blue-fronted Redstart

128. Slaty-backed Forktail

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Khangchendzonga National Park 2017

129. Spotted Forktail

130. Grey Bushchat

131. Blue Rock Thrush

132. Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush

133. Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher

134. Little Pied Flycatcher

135. Slaty-blue Flycatcher

136. Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher

137. Rufous-bellied Niltava

138. Small Niltava

139. Large Niltava

140. Orange-bellied Leafbird

141. Fire-breasted Flowerpecker

142. Green-tailed Sunbird

143. Eurasian Treesparrow

144. Alpine Accentor

145. Grey Wagtail

146. Olive-backed Pipit

147. Tibetan Siskin

148. Dark-breasted

149. Pink-browed Rosefinch

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Khangchendzonga National Park 2017

150. Dark-rumped Rosefinch

151. Scarlet

152. Spot-winged Grosbeak

Mammal checklist (as per the Indian Mammals | A Field Guide by Vivek Menon):

1. Hoary-bellied Squirrel 2. Himalayan Striped Squirrel 3. Himalayan Serow 4. Yellow- throated Marten 5. Himalayan Langur

Participants:

1. Dibyendu Ash (L)

2. Sujal Limboo (Singaman Pegha Pegha)

3. Tenhang Limboo (Buddha Singh Limboo)

4. Abinash Subba (Phip Hang Limboo)

5. Roshan Limboo (Aita Hang Limboo)

6. Ds Limboo -:Kids for Birds and Birds For Kids:-

The enigma of mankind was to explore the world. The kids of the future generation are an asset for us; and we as a senior member of the world should focus on the upliftment for them. The motto of this event is to promote wildlife awareness amongst the mass and that too amongst the kids. -:Venue and Timeline:-

The undergoing process of grooming of kids for awareness about wildlife and nature has begun once GoingWild has stepped foot in Sikkim. Since the begining we are doing to conduct awareness drives and trying to eradicate poaching. The livelihood of the people

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Khangchendzonga National Park 2017 of Sikkim can be benefited if the entire tribe group work hand in hand. For this event we have chosen 5th to 10th January of 2017 as a week long programme for the kids only; who can not only be the protector but also to administrate the entire state as a wildlife heaven. Khangchendzonga National Park; has recently been declared as a world heritage sight in 2016 and based on that; from GoingWild LLP and Limboo Homestay (of Yuksom) we are sponsoring the entire expedition for six days.

For the first of its kind, the birding the kids of Yuksom would anyways benefit the tourism and at the same time it will be beneficial for the locals. It will help to eradicate poaching of birds and other wildlife as well. This was done for the underprivileged children, for developing the new generation to come forward for the betterment of nature and wildlife.

• 5th January 2017: Inauguration with Chyabrung Drum Dance (2 PM); Meeting with GPU of Yuksom, Birding at Darap, West Sikkim.

• 6th January 2017: Today we did our morning birding at Yuksom (altitude 5,839 ft) village and at Dubdee monastery (6,200 ft); presentation of Limbu culture by an octogenarian guy from the tribe group; preparation for trekking for next four days.

7th January 2017:

Initiation of watching on the infamous birding trail from Yuksom. We were greeted by Yuksom GPU head Budha Singh Subba by Khada (a traditional attire for greetings). We started our trekking at 9:30 AM from Yuksom (altitude 5,840 ft); during the trekking on the way we saw various colorful birds of Sikkim – Tibetan Serin, Chestnut Thrush, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide etc. These birds were some of the highlights for the day. We had trekked 8 kilometers. For the entire trekking route we were accompanied by Phupu Tsering and his brother; along with two yaks. By 2 PM we have reached to Sachen. After having the lunch, we did some birding at the camp site at Sachen (altitude 7,200 ft). In the afternoon we took our dinner at 6:30 PM and took rest in the log hut at Sachen.

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Khangchendzonga National Park 2017

8th January 2017:

Today we started around 7:30 AM in the morning after having breakfast. As we started we saw the magnificent Himalayan Serow beside the camp. On the way we saw many beautiful birds and photographed them as well. By noon at 12:30 PM we reached at Bakhim (altitude 9,010 ft); though we had plan to stay there overnight, we decided to move further up at Tsoka (altitude 10,050 ft). Just before reaching the trekker’s hut at Tsoka we saw huge mixed flock of birds comprising of – tits, warblers and other . We checked in tho the trekker’s hut at 2:30 PM. After having lunch we explored a birding trail beside the monastery. That day we took our dinner at 7 AM and rested for the night at the log hut of Tsoka.

9th January 2017:

Today we have covered birding to Ghunsa (a village just beside Tsoka). At a distance of 2 kilometers from Tsoka; where we saw Red panda scat as well as some of the beautiful birds from the high altitude – Spotted Nutcracker, Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal etc. In the afternoon we have covered some of the birding trails near Tsoka. Overnight we stayed at the trekker’s hut at Tsoka. Since electricity was not there thus we had to equip with alternate sources.

10th January 2017:

Return from Tsoka to Yuksom (14 KM trekking).

Freshening up; the event for greeting to the participants were arranged by Limboo

Home stay and GoingWild.

As chief guest of honor - Nosang Muringla Limboo was present. He has gifted bird images to the kids.

A presentation showcasing the birds of West Sikkim was shown to the audience

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Khangchendzonga National Park 2017

Chyabrung Drum dance was performed by the local kids

With high tea and dinner the event ended at 9 PM.

-:Supports:-

This initiative has been entirely supported by Yuksom Gram Panchayet Unit (Yuksom GPU), Yuma Mang Meditation Centre Committee (YMMCC), SOS (Sikkim Ornithological Society) and HPO (Heavenly Path Organization).

1. Sikkim Ornithology Society president Sri Nosang Muringla Limboo

2. Panchayet President Sri Budha Hang Limboo

3. KNP/KBR Hawaldar Sri DT Lepcha

4. Tourism-dept Incharge of Yuksom Sri Buddha Singh Limboo

5. EDC member Sri Singa Man Limboo

6. HPO member Sri Aita Hang Limboo

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