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Nepal is blessed
with a vast array of exceptionally
rich bird life with total of over
850 species recorded . A diverse
topography and climate has resulted
in a variety of habitats within the
country, which are home to over 8%
of the Worlds total bird population.
Nepal is a paradise for the
birdwatcher. From the lowland jungle
of the Terai and the Koshi Tappu
barrage through dense rhododendron
and Oak forest of the middle hills
to the windswept plateaus of the
high Himalaya there is always
something to keep one twitching
Popular Bird
Watching Sites in the Kathmandu
Valley
Birds Of Kathmandu
Valley
Within the Kathmandu valley alone,
over 500 species of birds have been
recorded. The surrounding hills
offer a varied ecology ranging from
primary and secondary forests to
rhododendron, oak and pine forests.
In addition, the wetlands and open
fields inside the valley make up a
diverse habitat for many species of
birds.
The most popular bird watching spot
is the Phulchoki hill, the highest
peak on the Valley rim situated 20
km South East of Kathmandu, with
some 265 species recorded to date.
The birds seen here included
babblers, warblers, tits, thrushes,
minivets, woodpeckers, eagles and
many migrant birds. Godavari, at the
foot of Phulchoki hill where the
Royal Botanical Garden is situated,
records over 100 species of birds
including the lesser racket-tailed
drongo, Tibetan siskin and the
spotted forktail.
The Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife
Reserve
Situated 11km to the North of
Kathmandu, is another very good
location. Nagerjun Royal Forest on
Jamacho hill is situated 5 km from
Kathmandu on the way to Kakani from
Balaju. It is a renowned sight for
bird enthusiasts with blue magpies,
kalij pheasants, Bonelli’s eagles,
great Himalayan barbets amongst thwe
many species found here.
The Valley Wetlands
The wetlands in the valley, the
banks of the Manohara river on the
way to Bhaktapur, and the Bagmati
river, which flows into the Valley
from Shivapuri hill and out through
Chobhar Gorge, are good places for
watching waders and waterfowls.
Harboring 40 species of birds
mostly dependent on wetlands,
Taudaha, a lake on the way to
Dakshinkali, attracts flocks of
migrant birds.
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