West & East Sikkim_November 2018

Date: 3rd November 2018 to 9th November 2018

Habitat: Broad-leaf / Temperate Coniferous. Montane Forest. Conifers / Alpine. Dwarf Junipers and Dwarf Rhododendron Steppe . Riverine / Streams / Dam. Alluvial. Human Habitat. Temperature Range: -2°C ~ 25°C

Places:

Melli-Jorethang-Legship-Tashiding-Yuksom-KNP in West District Rongpo-Rongli-Lingtham-Phadamchen-Zuluk-Kupup-Sherathang in East Sikkim District

Bird Checklist (As per of Indian Subcontinent field guide by Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp, Tim Inskipp): 1. Rufous-throated Partridge - Heard multiple times on day 6 (on 8th November) while coming back to home stay after morning birding session. Call was coming from nearby hillock from inaccessible location. 2. Himalayan Monal - Multiple sightings. First sight was on day 5 (on 7th November), a female crossing a ditch. No photographs taken. Later in the afternoon near Lungthu a flock of five females were seen. Successfully photographed. On 8th November the morning session was dedicated for Monal male. Sighted the male for more than 30 minutes; with the male five other individuals (female+juvenile) was seen. Entire flock was moving high up. 3. Bar-headed Geese - Two birds sighted at Elephant Lake (Bedang Tso) at the northern extreme of the sanctuary. 4. Ruddy Shelduck - 32 Individuals seen along with Bar-headed Geese foraging on algae lake, adjacent to Bedang Tso. 5. Little Egret - Saw around 10 of them while crossing eastern range of Mahananda on road adjacent to Teesta riverbed. 6. Indian Cormorant - On Teesta - Sevok rail gate area, some perched on rock / boulders. 7. Great Cormorant - Saw on the way to Melli on day 1 (3rd Nov) just before entering Sikkim check post. 8. Collared Falconate - First photographed on day 1 (3rd Nov) around 12:30 PM before entering Jorethang. 9. Common Kestrel - Multiple sightings, between Laxman Chowk and Gnathang valley (on 7th Nov) 10. Black Kite - Saw on Day 1 and Day 7 (3rd and 9th Nov) multiple times adjacent to Siliguri only. www.goingwild.in Page 1

West & East Sikkim_November 2018

11. Black-eared Kite - Near Sweti Jhora bridge saw a flock of five (or more) on 9th November 12. Black Eagle - Seen on 8th November, around 1:30 PM during lunch hours from Phadamchen home stay. 13. Himalayan Vulture - Saw at Thambi View point on 7th November; five of them soaring high and later disappeared behind south ridge of AP Salami (military check post) 14. Crested Serpent Eagle - Heard multiple times, a must see raptor :D in every forest visit. Saw near Phadamchen. 15. Hen Harrier - Saw near Tiffin dara to AP Salami on 7th November on the way to Gnathang Valley. 16. Besra - Saw one at Yuksom, in a nice forested area in the village in the morning birding session at 9:45 AM on 4th Nov. 17. Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Saw twice on 7th November and 8th November, both times in morning session. 18. Himalayan Buzzard - Saw twice, first sighting on 6th Nov near Namthang (south Sikkim) and later on 8th Nov, 3 kms below Dzuluk (East Sikkim) 19. Upland Buzzard - Multiple times sighted on 7th November; with Black-faced Laughingthrush kill in the morning. Later on 8th November in the morning session sighted just for once. 20. Common Pigeon - Saw at multiple places during the tour; mostly feral distribution. 21. Snow Pigeon - Saw a big flock of 10-15 birds just for few second on 7th Nov around Old Baba Mandir area; photographed a flock of three birds on 8th November morning session below AP Salami around 11 AM. 22. Barred Cuckoo Dove - Multiple sightings :: Near Rambi, Yuksom, Labing in west Sikkim and Phadamchen, Lingtam in east Sikkim. 23. Oriental Turtle Dove - Common in mid and low altitude in first week of November. Unfortunately no Green 'Treron' pigeons are seen in this tour. 24. Spotted Dove - Saw couple of them perched electric wires on 9th November, CSD army canteen on Sevok road. 25. Asian Barred Owlet - Multiple times heard calls, mostly during sundown times (4:30 PM-5 AM). Sighted one near Rongli Khola on 6th Nov. 26. Mountain Scops Owl - Tried to get in night, could not photograph. IC Recorded calls only. 27. Grey Nightjar - A beautiful sighting went on for more than 5 minutes, perched on parapet adjacent to road on 7th Nov. 28. Indian Roller - Seen one on 9th Nov near army CSD canteen on Sevok road. 29. Crested Kingfisher - Only kingfisher sighted at Rambi (West Sikkim) on 5th Nov. Prolong sighting, left the bird before sundown. 30. Great Barbet - Multiple times sighted in West Sikkim and east Sikkim; mostly at the edge of villages on ficus and other fruiting trees 31. Blue-throated Barbet - Sighted just once near Lingtam khola on 9th Nov. 32. Golden Barbet - Heard just for once on 8th November, near Nimachen forest block. Could not be seen in open. Responded against playback. 33. Yellow-rumped Honeyguide - Saw one at Pahakhola at the entrance of Khangchendzonga NP (at Pahakhola Bhir) on 5th Nov in the morning session 8 AM. Another prolong sighting at Gangyap www.goingwild.in Page 2

West & East Sikkim_November 2018

(near iron bridge). We noticed six active (foundation) hives and multiple inactive hives in Gangyep. 34. Bay Woodpecker - Saw in Khangchendzonga biosphere reserve on 4th November in the morning. Missed to photograph. Shrill repeated more than 30 fast notes recorded. 35. Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker - At Yuksom in the late morning around 11 AM near the check post. 36. Crimson-breasted Woodpecker - Saw in both districts of the state; in West Sikkim at Yuksom village on 4th Nov with mixed flock and in East Sikkim at Phadamchen village on 8th Nov solo. 37. Lesser Yellownape - At Legship on 3rd Nov, while going up, after crossing the cable bridge. 38. Greater Yellownape - Multiple sightings in Yuksom (on 4th Nov), Rambi-Famrong Falls (on 5th Nov) and Phadamchen-Nimachen forest block-Lingtham khola (8th and 9th Nov) a commonly seen. 39. Short-billed Minivet - '7' on wingbar is unmistakable, saw below Rongli, near Rorathang with a mixed flock of drongo and necklaced laughingthrush parties. 40. Long-billed Minivet - Saw below Phadamchen on 8th November afternoon, Moving with Black- throated Tit and Blue-winged Siva flock. 41. Brown Shrike - One seen at Rongli, near SDPO office on 9th morning. It is the only shrike seen from the tour. 42. Spangled Drongo - Seen with mixed flock of Green Magpie, necklaced Laughingthrush and White-crested Laughingthrushes. Both adults and juveniles were seen. 43. Ashy Drongo - Commonly seen at middle altitude, in both east and west district. 44. Black Drongo - Seen multiple, from Siliguri town to Sevok rail gate. 45. Maroon Oriole - Heard once in Yuksom on 5th, got three individuals at Rorathang-Rongli road in degraded forest patch with Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush. 46. Yellow-bellied Fantail - Multiple sightings mostly in mixed flocks with Fulvettas-Minla and other , foraging primarily on lichens and moss. 47. White-throated Fantail - Same as Yellow-bellied, but seen less in number. Just seen thrice during 7 days tour. 48. Yellow-billed Blue Magpie - Seen at AP Salami area on sunny weather on 7th morning in pine forest. 49. Common Green Magpie - Seen on 3rd November at Legship (near SBS office), In Yuksom at multiple places at Phadamchen-Nimachen-Lingtam area. Very much active and vocal when playback used. 50. Grey Treepie - Commonly seen inside the village and at the edge of human habitat; not seen inside forested area. 51. House Crow - Siliguri-Salugara till Melli-Jorethang in the west district and till Rorathang-Rongli in the east district. 52. Large-billed Crow - At Labing on 6th Nov and 7th,8th in Phadamchen. 53. Red-billed Chough - Seen just once at Gnathng on 7th, from the upper road of the valley. 54. Green-backed Tit - Very much common through out.

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West & East Sikkim_November 2018

55. Sultan Tit - Saw inside KNP on 5th Nov, morning birding session with large Shrike-babbler species; foraging on moss cloaked Oak trees. Five individuals were seen. Sighting went on for more than 15 minutes. 56. Rufous-vented Tit - Seen few in AP Salami pine forest area, in amixed flock with Goldcrest and Grey-crested Tit. 57. Grey-crested Tit - Considered to be hard to see Tit from this region. Most of the sightings happen in winter only. May be in summer they spent in adjacent higher areas or North-Sikkim or Gaps. Bhutan hills are closer than north Sikkim ridges. 58. Yellow-browed Tit - Seen on 9th Nov below Phadamchen above Nimachen with mixed flock - Ashy-throated, Grey-hooded Warblers and Scarlet on Moua 59. Black-throated Tit - Saw in flocks of more than 15-20, flying fast at canopy level at Phadamchen on 8th afternoon and 9th morning session. 60. House Martin - Saw a flock near Tashiding flying against high cliffs and over hangs. This is the only hirundinidae seen from the entire tour. 61. Striated Bulbul - Inside Khangchendzonga NP on 5th Nov, just 4-5 birds were there at canopy level. 62. Himalayan Bulbul - Huge numbers, sighted every day; but not inside park. At the park boundaries and village edges. 63. Black-crested Bulbul - Seen three at Tashiding, west Sikkim on 3rd Nov, afternoon. 64. Red-vented Bulbul - Seen up to 6,000 ft 65. Black Bulbul - Saw first flock at Yuksom, second at Gangyap and last flock at Nimachen. 66. Black-throated Prinia - Seen at Phadamchen SSB camp, beside a deforested land opening. 67. Common Tailorbird - Seen at Jorethang and Legship only; in summer commonly seen at 6,000 ft above Yuksom as well. 68. Chestnut-headed Tesia - Saw beside, kitchen garden at home stay on 4th afternoon birding; at Phadamchen on 9th morning session beside a small stream. 69. Buff-barred Warbler - Seen at Lingtam-Nimachen forest, near north Regu on 9th Nov. 70. Lemon-rumped Warbler - Most frequently seen Phylloscopus than others; ever more in number than Grey-hooded 71. Ashy-throated Warbler - Seen between 4,000 ft to 7,000 ft this time. Mutiple times seen in hunting flocks - Bar-throated Minla, Green-tailed Sunbirds etc. 72. Mandellie's Leaf Warbler - Mostly in mid-high altitude around pine forest area; SSB camp Phadamchen. Seen with flocks of Stripe-throated Yuhina and Rufous-vented Yuhina. 73. Greenish Warbler - Seen at Nimachen at 4,000 ft, foraging in a flock with Yellow-browed Tit and Scarlet Finch. 74. Yellow-vented Warbler - Seen in a mixed flock near a hamlet on the way to Rambi Power station on 5th around 11 AM in a mixed hunting flock with timaliidae babblers. 75. Whistler's Warbler - Seen in mixed hunting flock as mentioned above 76. Grey-cheeked Warbler - One seen on 8th Nov afternoon, clicked and seen by Yagnik only. 77. Chestnut-crowned Warbler - Saw four times, thrice in West and once in east district.

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West & East Sikkim_November 2018

78. Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler - Saw twice in Yuksom, on 4th Nov afternoon session and 5th Nov morning session. 79. Elacura - Heard once inside KNP; didn't respond to playback. 80. Rufous-capped Babbler - Seen in mixed flock with Rufous-winged Fulvetta and Grey-throated Babbler always. Seen twice, in East Sikkim at Phadamchen. Once on 9th morning session and in west on 5th late morning session around 11 AM near Darap. 81. Grey-throated Babbler - As mentioned above, however in East Sikkim district saw it with Nepal Fulvetta flocks as well. 82. Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler - Only Scimitar Babbler seen from the tour; in Phadamchen on 9th Nov morning around 8 AM. 83. White-crested Laughingthrush - From Rorathang on 9th morning, heard calls of flock from a distance in Rongli, could not locate the flock. On 6th afternoon on the way up above Lingtam met with another flock. 84. Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush - From Rorathang on 9th morning, with mixed flock with White-crested. Common Green Magpie was also in the flock. 85. Striated Laughingthrush - Seen multiple times, bolder than other Garrulax. At Labing in west district on 5th Nov on the way back to Yuksom. In Phadamchen-Lingtam forest block on 8th afternoon and 9th morning session. 86. Scaly Laughingthrush - Seen on 9th Nov morning inside birding trail in Phadamchen near a small stream. Heard near SSB camp above as well, 87. Black-faced Laughingthrush - Commonly heard and seen above Zuluk; up to AP Salami. An Upland Buzzard killed a Black-faced Laughingthrush as well. 88. Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush - Seen below Phadamchen on 8th afternoon. Inside KNP in west district near Pahakhola with mixed flock of Barwings and Scarlet finch on 5th Nov morning. 89. Rusty-fronted Barwing - The only Barwing seen from the tour; sighted on 5th inside KNP. Not seen or heard inside villages. 90. Red-billed Leiothrix - In various places, seen in both east and west districts. 91. Blue-winged Minla - Saw on 6th morning session, while coming down from Yuksom. Sighted a flock of 8-10 birds near Gerethang. In Nimachen as well in a mixed flock with warblers and Tits was seen on 9th Nov. 92. Red-tailed Minla - Commonly seen with timilidae mixed flock and sometimes with other flocks. 93. Black-headed Shrike-babbler - Seen with other two Shrike-babblers (except Black-eared SB) as distributed. Seen exactly at the same location at Pahakhola, West Sikkim after 2 years. It is rarely seen from here. 94. White-browed Shrike-babbler - Both male and female of the species is seen. Seen with other two Shrike-babblers (except Black-eared SB) as distributed 95. Green Shrike-babbler - It was also with other two large Shrike-babblers. In this flock, Sultan Tit was also present. 96. Black-eared Shrike-babbler - Seen just after the morning session (11 AM) before lunch hours near Rambi. Nepal Fulvetta, Rufous-bellied Niltava, and with others. www.goingwild.in Page 5

West & East Sikkim_November 2018

97. Rufous-winged Fulvetta - Commonly seen in mixed flocks, (with flock size more than 20) in Phadamchen. 98. White-browed Fulvetta - Due to winter, seen twice at higher ridges of Pangolakha. Once on 8th Nov morning session with Golden Bush Robin in Aconogonum bush and later with Goldcrest at AP Salami. 99. Nepal Fulvetta - In November 1st Week, it is a mid to low altitude bird. Seen it at Yusom, near check post on 4th morning session and Rambi, west Sikkim on 5th morning session in mixed flock with Grey-throated Babbler. 100. Rufous Sibia - Commonly seen almost everyday, all session. 101. Whiskered Yuhina - Strangely in some places saw at 8,000 ft above with Stripe-throated Yuhina in this first week of Nov. Otherwise commonly seen to forage on fruiting berries, cherry (Himalayan Birch etc) 102. Stripe-throated Yuhina - Seen above 7,000 ft up to 11,000 ft ner Lungthu-Dhupidara. Mostly foraging in smaller flocks or solo in Himalayan Birch forest in this winter. 103. Rufous-vented Yuhina - Seen near a Bamboo thiket, just 1 km below Zuluk (at 9,000 ft) on 8th late morning session (11 AM). 104. Black-chinned Yuhina - Saw on day 1, 3rd Nov at Legship in west Sikimm and on last day 9th Nov at Nimachen. Erpornis was foraging with too on 9th. 105. White-bellied Erpornis - Seen with Black-chinned Yuhina as mentioned above. 106. Oriental White-eye - Saw at Jorethang on 3rd Nov 107. Goldcrest - The eastern most distribution, saw for the first time in east Sikkim district on 7th Nov. 108. Winter Wren - Saw three at Gnathng valley on 7th afternoon session. 109. Brown Dipper - On 5th Nov at Rimbi khola, West Sikkim and one at Rongli, east Sikkim. Both photographed. 110. Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch - Seen at Rongli-Lingtam area and in Kyukhola. 111. White-tailed Nuthatch - On huge moss cloaked Oaks; sighted with Sikkim on 9th. 112. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch - Saw at multiple low altitude area, in mixed flock with Phylloscopus warblers. 113. Wallcreeper - Saw one just beside road, where back cutting of road is going on. It is interesting to note that all Wallcreeper sightings take place, where road works are going on. 114. Brown-throated Treecreeper - Seen on 8th afternoon at Phadamchen and 9th morning session as well at Phadamchen. 115. Common Hill Myna - Seen on 3rd Nov at Jorethang at lunch hours. 116. Jungle Myna - On 3rd November at Sevok rail gate, Couple of them were there inside lantana with Red-vented Bulbul 117. Common Myna - Seen abundantly almost everyday, except on 7th Nov, while visited higher area (between 7,000 ft to 13,500 ft) 118. Blue Whistling Thrush 119. Scaly Thrush - One seen on 6th Nov near Tashigang. (Labdang bifurcation) around 6 AM. www.goingwild.in Page 6

West & East Sikkim_November 2018

120. Lesser Shortwing - On 8th afternoon, heard at Phadamchen, beside Takchi. Didn't respond back and slowly moved down. 121. Golden Bush Robin - Seen at 12,000 ft near AP Salami on 7th afternoon, while returning back downhill. 122. Plumbeous Water Redstart - Almost every streams; irrespective or big or small. 123. White-capped Redstart - In Septem sighting were mostly in high altitude; this winter the came down to 4,000 ft or even lesser in some places. 124. Hodgson's Redstart - Saw both male and female in Yuksom on 4th Nov in the morning session. 125. Blue-fronted Redstart - In higher altitude, around AP Salami, Gnathng, very commonly seen around forest area as well as human habitat. 126. Little Forktail - Most abundantly seen than other forktails. In both districts, west and east. 127. Slaty-backed Forktail - Just seen twice, in Kyukhola in the east on 9th Nov and in Rimbi Power station in west on 5th Nov. 128. Spotted Forktail - Saw just once in Kyu khola on 9th Nov around 10 AM. 129. Grey Bushchat - Saw around mid and low-mid altitude hamlets commonly through out. 130. Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush - Saw male one at Phadamchen on 8th afternoon and at Gangyap in west Sikkim on 6th morning at Yellow-rumped Honeyguide place both male and female. 131. Blue Rock Thrush - Seen one at Kirateshwar Temple in south Sikkim 132. Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher - Seen at KNP at Pahakhola on 5th morning session (adult and juvenile). Seen other places as well - Rimbi in west and Nimachen in east Sikkim. 133. Slaty-blue Flycatcher - At Rambi bridge on 5th Nov, a female was seen, 134. Verditer Flycatcher - Multiple sightings 135. Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher - In mixed flock with Phylloscopus warbler, active till late afternoon. 136. Rufous-bellied Niltava - One seen on 5th Nov at Rimbi with a mixed flock or timaliidae babblers etc. 137. Small Niltava - Same as before 138. Orange-bellied Niltava - Seen at Rorathang-Rongpo road on 9th morning session 11 AM. 139. Fire-breasted Flowerpecker - Seen at canopy level in mid altitude areas, Lingtam- Nimachen in east Sikkim and Darap-Famrong-Yuksom road side in west district. 140. Green-tailed Sunbird - Twice seen on 8th Nov, while coming down from Zuluk (10 AM) and in afternoon session at Phadamchen. Seen in Khangchendzonga National Park and biosphere reserve on 5th Nov as well. Five birds seen on 4th Nov at Yuksom village itself on cherry blossom. 141. Fire-tailed Sunbird - Seen inside the park, non-breeding male at Pahakhola on 5th Nov. Just one sighting 142. Streaked Spiderhunter - One seen on the way down to Lingtam dam site on 9th Nov, just after the sighting of a Blue-throated Sunbird. www.goingwild.in Page 7

West & East Sikkim_November 2018

143. Eurasian Treesparrow - Both the malaccensis in middle altitude and tibetanus (darker plumage) in higher altitude above 10,000 ft is seen 144. Russet Sparrow - Just seen once on 9th Nov in morning birding session at Phadamchen. 145. Alpine Accentor - Seen one at Thambi view point (11,200 ft). Just one individual seen 146. Robin Accentor - Two birds seen at Gnathang valley, foraging on compost, on 7th Nov 147. Grey Wagtail 148. Olive-backed Pipit - Near the water bodies inside forests and edge of villages. When flashed move up to trees nearby. 149. Yellow-breasted Greenfinch - Seen a flock of 8-10 individuals at the entrance of Gangyep on 5th Nov morning session 150. Plain - Saw in flocks only, not on ground. Sighted on 7th and 8th Nov 151. Dark-breasted Rosefinch - Seen male of the species on 7th morning session at 6th kilometer and at AP Salami as well. 152. White-browed Rosefinch - Two females were seen on 7th Nov at Ganek temple above Zuluk. Seen later in the afternoon at AP Salami as well. 153. Scarlet Finch - Two male seen at Tsong / Minogang village in west district. Saw two male and two female on 9th Nov in the morning session in east district. 154. Pyrrhula / Bullfinch - Could not be IDed. Very early morning on 7th Nov above Zuluk, before realization, it flew. 155. Little Bunting - Saw in Phadanchen on Ficus sp. at 11 AM on 8th Nov.

Mammal checklist (as per the Indian Mammals | A Field Guide by Vivek Menon): 1. Rhesus Macaque 2. Hoary-bellied Squirrel 3. Himalayan Stripped Squirrel 4. Himalayan Palm Civet 5. Himalayan Brown Goral 6. Large-eared Pika

Participants: 1. Dibyendu Ash [Mentor] 2. Yagnik S

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