BIRD of the DAY: Satyr Tragopan
Today we would be hiking in the Barsey Rhodendron Sanctuary, 3000 metres above sea level, so the air seemed thin and we kept our jackets on.
Roy was washing his van as we had a light snack and some tea before the sun came up. He and Ranjeet would be bringing us a picnic breakfast.
Soon we were birding on the road to the Sanctuary, where we observed some good birds in rather poor light.
Outside the Sanctuary we stopped at a cabin. A local lady made us some tea. K&K do you recognize your tea cups on the shelf? Our drivers soon arrived with our yummy breakfast.
We cleaned up our picnic and walked up the hill to the Sanctuary gate. Shyam got our permits to enter.
Our drivers accompanied us on the trail to a lodge at the top. It was a long hike (with lots of stops for birding). Sue's pedometer recorded 14 km for the day, and she did not come with the rest of us on a bushwhacking walk through the forest.
We did see the elusive Satyr Tragopan through the trees, two males and a female. Shyam got a photo with Bill's camera.
We were looking for the Red Panda again. There was a lot of bamboo evidence along the side of the trail that he had been visiting for a snack.
We passed a prayer wheel.
Soon we approached the mountain top. The full grown rhododendron trees are tall. Many varieties were starting to bloom. Later the leaves will drop and you can see acres of blooms.
The lodge at the top was our destination for lunch. We staked out a table while our drivers helped with the cooking and Shyam warmed up by a fire in the kitchen.
While waiting for lunch, Barbara hiked a nearby trail and watched a bright Fire-tailed Sunbird feed on a brilliant red rhododendron blossom.
After lunch, Shyam led us into the forest. It was spooky! Some of the rhododendron tree leaves are enormous.
On the trek back down the trail , Ranjeet offered to carry something for Barbara so she gave him her binoculars. They were "no good" for him to see through but he happily wore them. We hiked past the beautiful rhodos and got to the bottom of the trail just as it started to rain.
Back our homestay, Shyam and the family cooks agreed we could watch/help with some cooking: curry chicken, vegetables and puri. Shyam did not help with the chicken curry as he is a vegetarian.
Tonight we had to use our lanterns to do our bird list. Then we enjoyed the food we had prepared with Shyam and our hosts.
Birds in the Photos Today
Satyr Tragopan
Spotted Forktail
Rufous-throated Partridge
Spotted Laughingthrush
Stripe-throated Yuhina
White-browed Fulvetta
Bar-throated Siva
Mrs Gould's Sunbird
Fire-tailed Sunbird