My first visit to Nepal focusing on seeing and photographing Red Panda, the only true panda species as Giant Panda is classified as bear and not a panda. Red Panda is the only recognised species in the genus Ailurus. Nepal has only one endemic bird species, the Spiny Babbler and the Birdquest tour that I had joined included a search for this species as an extension to the main Red Panda tour.
The traffic is Kathamandu is chaotic but seems to work and despite all the horn use no one seems to get angry.
Overlooking the outskirts of a smoggy Kathmandu
Spiny Babbler optimal habitat of dense scrub near Kathmandu. Prior to the dense scrub taking over this small area it used to comprise terraced rice paddies.
Two Spiny Babblers appeared with one singing once we had stopped trying to look for it
Birding at the edge of a remnant woodland strip and stream. Incredible amount of vegetation being carried by this lady.
Spotted Forktail
It is a shame that rubbish in Nepal is everywhere and people seem to have no regard to throwing litter even within the protected national parks.
Black-lored Tit
White-capped Redstart
Long-tailed Shrike
Slaty-blue Flycatcher
Olive-backed Pipit
Oriental Turtle Dove
Having managed to see Spiny Babbler it meant that our second full day at Kathmandu could be used to search other areas for birds. A walk along the track to the top of Fulchoki or Phulchoki just outside of Kathmandu resulted in views of some different species.
Rufous-winged Fulvetta
Bar-throated Siva
White-throated Laughingthrush
Rufous-breasted Bush Robin
Himalayan Bluetail
Oriental Turtle Dove
Ashy-throated Warbler
Grey-hooded Warbler
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker
A late afternoon visit to the Botanical Gardens whilst initially providing very few birds eventually yielded some good species as the Sunday crowds diminished.
On a Sunday afternoon, the Botanical Gardens are a popular attraction.
Asian Barred Owlet
An afternoon visit to the Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu which is one of the largest spherical stupas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, serving as a major centre of Tibetan Buddhism and spiritual pilgrimage. Devotees perform "kora," a ritual circumambulation of the stupa while spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras, believed to bring spiritual merit and positive energy. T
