Birding North-East India

Monday, March 14



BIRD of the DAY: Mountain Hawk Eagle



We started our day with birding around the Barfung Retreat in Ravangla.



We enjoyed a good breakfast and then headed down the road for some more birding. We came to a government school. A little girl was approaching the school so we gave her a pack of Canada pencils for her class. Shyam explained this to her. She said she would give them to her teacher. She was a bit early for school today - it starts at 9:15.



We admired a shrine near the school. Also, we got a glimpse of the mountains in the distance.



Now it was time to tour the impressive Buddhist shine, Tathagata Tsal. It features a giant 41m-tall Buddha statue, which holds Buddhist relics from 13 countries.
Barbara took her shoes off and wore the scarf (from Karine at Christmas) to enter the shrine.
Gary gave us coins so we could make a wish in the pool of water by the shrine.



Bill was happy to bird the grounds.



Soon we were on our way to Yuksom, up more mountainous roads, crossing the Rangit River rapids on a one-way suspension bridge. Barbara and Sue travelled across in the vans. The others walked over the bridge. Sham spotted a dipper on a rock in the water.



On the other side of the river, several children were in school. Barbara gave a pack of her pencils to a teacher who was outside. Later, when the kids had a break, they came to say thanks and to talk to us. Shyam was very helpful in communicating with them. They do learn some English at school but are shy about using it.



More curvy roads and small villages on our way to Yuksom. Here we found ourselves staying at the Red Palace, on a hill above the city. We checked out our comfortable room. Note that coloured toilet toilet paper seems popular.



We had a great view of the flying prayer flags out our window. Check the video to see them in action.



The staff served us tea in the reception area. After tea we learned that the owner would be coming at 6pm and he could set us up with wifi for a short time using his phone. We had been without wifi for four days so this was very good news.



Bill and Carol checked out birds and the scenery from the deck.



Sue checked the hotel restaurant menu and discovered a local traditional drink, Saychang. We decided to try it out when were bird listing before dinner. It was nicely presented by hotel staff, explaining its history and how it is made and served. It comes in a tall decorated wooden mug. The drink is made from fermented millet and rice flour. Before serving you add hot water which draws the alcohol out of the millet. You sip it cautiously as it has a strong flavour. Fortunately we got through our listing while sipping...



Birds in the Photos Today

Mountain Hawk Eagle
Rufous Sibia
Gray-winged Blackbird
Oriental Turtle Dove
Orange-bellied Leafbird
Blue-fronted Restart
Streaked Spiderhunter
Striated Bulbul
Short-billed Minivet
Common Myna
Gray Wagtail
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Gray Bushchat
Blue-throated Barbet
Brown Dipper
Eurasian Collared Dove
Yellow-breasted Greenfinch