NATURETREK NATURALIST GUIDE DISCOVERS NEW BIRD
Added: (Fri Feb 22 2008)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
NATURETREK NATURALIST GUIDE DISCOVERS NEW BIRD
BARGAIN BIRD WATCHING TOUR - NEPAL
A previously unknown sub-species of warbler has been discovered in the southern grasslands of Nepal, bringing the country’s already vast array of rich bird life to an exceptionally high 862. The warbler, Nepal Rufous-vented Prinia, was spotted in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve by Naturetrek’s naturalist guide, Suchit Basnet and Badri Chaudhary (Koshi Camp Manager). For the opportunity to search for this new sub-species, and others including Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Tibetan Siskin and Spotted Forktail, plus a good selection of larger mammals, join Naturetrek’s 10-day bird watching tour of the lowland jungles of the terai and Koshi Tappu barrage, through dense rhododendron and Oak forest to the windswept plateaux of the high Himalaya. The holiday next departs London 29th March 2008.
Beginning in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, spend three nights exploring some of the valley’s cultural and architectural highlights including Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas (shrines), and elaborate royal palaces, also home to Barn Owl, Night Heron and Indian Flying Fox. From Phulchowki mountain (2,740m), enjoy magnificent views of the snowclad Himalaya before descending through temperate forest of Spruce, Fir, Oak and Rhododendron, to the subtropical forest around the mountain’s base at 1,520 metres. Here, birdlife is the richest in the valley, with such avian highlights as Himalayan Woodpecker, Rosefinch and possibly more unusual species such as Grey-sided Laughingthrush and Cutia. From Kathmandu, drive to Chitwan National Park, along the Trisuli and Narayani Rivers, offering roadside views of Brown Dipper and Himalayan Pied Kingfisher. The park protects 932 square kilometres of dry deciduous forest, tropical evergreen forest and riverine grasslands, home to over 480 bird species. Explore the park on foot, elephant back, canoe and jeep in search of mammal species such as endangered Indian Rhinoceros, with possible sightings of Tiger, Leopard, Gaur (the Asiatic bison), Marsh Mugger and fish-eating Gharial Crocodile. Continue eastwards, across Nepal’s terai (lowlands) to Koshi Camp, a comfortable tented camp, situated in an isolated area on the edge of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. This vast expanse of open water, marsh, lagoon, sandbank, mudflat and dry woodland, north of the great Koshi barrage, is one of Asia’s finest wetlands. Explorations on foot and in inflatable boats allow for sightings of waders, storks, ibises, herons, egrets, terns and gulls, plus a great variety of landbirds, including birds of prey and warblers – and possibly the ‘new’ Nepal Rufous-vented Prinia. This region is also the last refuge of the Wild Water Buffalo in Nepal, Fishing Cat and Nilgai (or ‘Blue Bull’ — the subcontinent’s largest antelope), and the rare Ganges River Dolphin. From Biratnagar, on the Indian border, return by plane to Kathmandu and homeward flights.
The holiday costs £1,645 p/p including scheduled flights, transfers, transport, accommodation in comfortable lodges and hotels, most meals, expert natural history guiding and all entrance fees for reserves.
Naturetrek
01962 733051
info@naturetrek.co.uk
www.naturetrek.co.uk