Birding in West Sikkim | Yuksom - Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve Complex

In the lap of north east Himalayan range of flora and fauna, birding at Yuksom valley specially when one is doing birding in west Sikkim - should be in any enthusiastic birder's wishlist. Thus birding in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve or in Khangchendzonga National Park and Yuksom Valley can be precisely appreciated by wavy terrain and landscape thereby exploring on foot along the tracks and animal paths that runs along the valley floors, slopes and ridges. Blooming forests in summer in the month of April and May or the same covered under thin patch of snow in winter months of November to February is sometimes considered as a testament to some of elusive species of birds from west Sikkim.

Entry gate to Khangchendzonga National Park

Situated in north-eastern ecological hot-spot of Himalayas, Sikkim houses little more that 690 bird species; that is among the 1250 plus bird species found in entire India. Owing to the variation in altitude, the state has 11 important bird areas or IBAs. Among all those IBAs of Sikkim, West Sikkim has one and only national park in Sikkim - Khangchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve. A little more than 1,800 square kilometers is the area which comes under Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (also known as KBR).

Birding trails at Dubdee

Riverine systems through the gorges of Dik Chu and Prek Chu are looked over by mighty Himalayas, which meanders in the valley of Yuksom. This snow clad Mount Kanchenjunga and its ranges cradle some of the rarest fauna hidden within it.

Birding trail further up from Dubdee to Tsong

Food that I enjoyed on the way - It is an authentic
local cuisine consisting of Yum and pickled bamboo
shoots.

West Sikkim is a place with rich natural biodiversity and biomes. The Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) lies in the area and it is regarded as one of the most important hot-spots of biodiversity in north eastern India. Spanning over varied ecological zones from temperate to Alpine and the birders will be stunned by the diverse altitudinal variations in landscapes, flora and fauna.

Stone tablet in Uchen Script

Stone tablet in Limbu Script

Sikkim Himalayas like that of Uttarakhand Himalayas is also a good place for birding and bird photography. It requires skill to track bird through the thick foliage of jungles of west Sikkim; so it is always advisable to do birding tours accompanied by experts, who in true sense knows the fauna very well and can guide you to maximize the bird list in toughest condition. Here in Sikkim Himalayas, GoingWild tour mentors will always try to provide the best effort so that participants and fellow birders at the end of the tour can have the maximum opportunity to photograph some of the exotic birds from Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve and National Park.

Likewise the Yuksom - Khangchendzonga complex, Kecheopalri lake is a place where birders can spend few days for birding and can count more than 200 plus birds from a single location. Seeing varied avian fauna of Kecheopalri lake (at 5600 ft) or through the birding trails of Yuksum at 5800 ft, one would cherish his memory through out his life. Skulker birds of comparatively higher altitude at Dubdee will break the monotony when one will experience Himalayan Cutia for the first time on the moss-cloaked birch tree. Birds are all there waiting for you birders; they are waiting for you so that you cross there path; thus to have an affirmative experience, one should be accompanied by an expert. And yes, this is a part of the famous Chogiyal capital and we will be birding and photographing the life form which has been dwelling here since ages. Happy birding!

Check the list of birds - <Birdlist>

Flowerpeckers are smallest in size belonging to Dicaeidae family. Enjoy the beauty of Fire-breasted Flowerpecker from West Sikkim!

If not wrong, it is one of the rarest among yuhinas of oriental region! - White-naped Yuhina (Yuhina bakeri) An Yuhina mostly endemic to north-east Indian Himalayas; got it during my solo birding tour to Khangchendzonga National Park birding tour. It was foraging in a mixed flock accompanied by Yellow-throated Fulvetta and Black-headed Shrike Babbler.

Orchids anchored on a tree, support variety of fauna as that of bamboo thickets and undergrowths of Eastern Himalayas. This single orchid hanging from a huge pine tree was foraging platform for varaity of avian species like - Little Pied Flycatcher, Red-tailed Minla, Blue-winged Siva, Hoary-throated Barwing etc. Amidst them it was spectacular to spot a Himalayan Cutia (Cutia nipalensis).

Yellow-throated Fulvetta (Pseudominla cinerea) Which we photographed during birding in West Sikkim (from Khangchendzonga National Park, alternatively Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (or KBR). An elegant folk from the jungles of West Sikkim - Yellow-throated Fulvetta. They are skulker but the architecture of their feather is well fashioned. Hope you guys will enjoy it.

Watching a Orange-bellied Squirrel (Dremomys lokriah) up-close! 
In October, during my solo trip at Khanchendzonga NP, I also witnessed Hoary-bellied and Himalayan Striped Squirrel alongside; but met this fellow for once. 

Yellow-rumped Honeyguide is a near threatened species according to IUCN red data. Birdlife.org says that such conservation status is due to its association with Apis dorsata laboriosa (Himalayan honey bee). Exploitation of giant bees' hives, rampant collection of wax and honey - put both the species under threat. This is the place where I first saw the Honeyguide on the either side of the hill flying around a bee-hive. That cluster of 5 hives were so big that it can easily be as that of the volume of a mini truck.

On day 1, I spotted a bee-hive hanging on the opposite side of the mountain; and spotted some Rufous-gorgeted Flycatchers. Later on day 2 I saw something flying bigger than bees near the hive. It was evening and after taking a record shot I returned back to homestay. When I started reviewing the images, I found it as Yellow-rumped Honeyguide (Indicator xanthonotus). Next morning on 26.10.2015 I was set to take a better image than the previous day, but couldn't make any; since the distance was around 150-180 yards separated by Prek Chu.

Have a look at a beautiful bird from Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in West Sikkim. When we were in search of Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, we saw a flock of Collared Grosbeak and Scarlet Finch (Haematospiza sipahi) roosting on tree high above the ground. We were astounded seeing the vibrant red plumage of male. Later the entire flock of Grosbeak and scarlet finch moved into coniferous forest; when a crimson-breasted woodpecker came. It is hard to see them in open; as they come out rarely; but this time we got this at eye level.

The clash between laurasia and Gondwana created the mountain folds of Himalayas, some beautiful birds and some avid birders having eagerness to find skittish birds - Black-eared Shrike babbler (Pteruthius melanotis)

Other Helpful Information:

1. Where to Stay: Stay options are very limited. Arrangements are made in prior notice only. On twin and triple sharing basis homestays are arranged for enthusiasts by GoingWild.
2. Best time to visit: Try to avoid this place in the months of monsoon, otherwise it is a premium location for rest eight months. Early November to late May is the best time for birding and bird photography.
3. Point of Contact: Send a mail to support@goingwild.in
   One can also reach to +91-9681417974 (Dibyendu Ash) or +91-8017804277 (Soumyajit Nandy) or +91-9163631493 (Tamanud Mitra) for guided birding all over the Old-Silk Route. Arrangement for clean and subtle homestays, dedicated car for entire birding trip along with a naturalist-cum-birder are done by GoingWild.

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This is not the end of this blog!! Scroll down and see another Shrike Babbler during West Sikkim Birding!!

Photographing a Green Shrike Babbler (Pteruthius xanthochlorus)  up close!