Birds of Chopta

Birds of Chopta

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Experience the exotic weather and bountiful presence of Himalayan birds in the lap of Chopta,  Uttarakhand. It is a small region of meadows and evergreen forest area which is a part of kedarnath wildlife sanctuary located in Uttarakhand state, India and a base for trekking to Tungnath, third temple of Panch Kedar, which lies 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) away. Located at a distance of 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) from Tungnath is Chandrashila, a rising to over 4,000 metres (13,000 ft).

Chopta is an unspoiled natural destination lying in the lap of the Uttarakhand Himalayas and offers views of the imposing Himalayan range including Trishul, Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba. It is located at an elevation of 2,680 metres (8,790 ft) above sea level. Chopta village is surrounded by forests of pine, deodar and rhododendron and is rich in flora and fauna include rare species of birds and musk deer.

Choukhamba from Tunganath Temple

This place is popularly known as 'Mini Switzerland'.[citation needed] It lies 29 km from Ukhimath, 254 kilometres (158 mi) from Rishikesh and approximately 450 kilometres (280 mi) from the capital Delhi. The best time to visit is from April to November. Chopta is also a popular destination during the winter months due to the snowfall that the area experiences. Tungnath temple and Chandrashila are covered with snow from December to March. Chopta can be reached from Rishikesh via Rudraprayag, Kund, Ukhimath OR via Rudraprayag, Karnprayag, Chamoli, Gopeshwar.
Chopta is simply accessible as it is situated on the road connecting Gopeshwar with Guptkashi. Wake up with cool healthy breeze and chirping of birds in Chopta. The morning view from Chopta is invigorating when the crimson rays of sun kiss the snow laden Himalayas.  (source : Wiki)

Brown Bullfinch - A lifer. A rare catch is dedicated to my guru in bird watching Yashpal Negi Monalji. It is my Dream Catch.
March, 2018

Himalayan monal - A stunningly colourful member of the pheasant family, the Himalayan monal is the national bird of Nepal and State Bird of Uttarkahnd . The male Himalayan monal possesses a wiry, metallic green head-crest that is absent in other monal species, as well as a chestnut brown tail, light brown wings and a white rump that is visible in flight. The head is bright green, the eyes ringed with blue and the neck reddish brown. At the nape of the neck is a yellow patch which forms the top.
March, 2018

Grey Hooded Warbler

Rufous-bellied woodpecker
It was around 2 pm in the noon. I was taking rest near a 'Choti', awaiting for my lunch. Suddenly I heard a sound like 'Thok Thok Thok'. After I heard the clear sound I have identified the spot and rushed there. Rufous-bellied woodpecker. In my opinion it is the most beautiful woodpecker in India. Earlier I got it at Pangoot and Sattal,  but this time it gave me a great chance to take photos and watch it's behavior minutely. 
March, 2018

The black-faced warbler (Abroscopus schisticeps) is a species of bush warbler (family Cettiidae) It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
March, 2018

Griffon Vulture

snow pigeons

It was a dream day for me. In morning session I got Monals, Snow Patridge. At lunch time I was discussing with My Guru Yashpal Negi Monalji for afternoon session. Suddenly I Proposed Guruji to go to Bulkhand on the way to Kedarnath Mask deer sanctuary. After 10 minutes drive Bipin Spotted a Monal. After taking few shots a golden eagle flying on the sky. When we are taking snap of Golden Eagle Suddenly I told Negiji - O white flower keya hai? In a reflex he answered me those were snow pigeons. And the shutters were going on. This was not a good shot, but I was overwhelmed to get the sighting. March, 2018

Small Niltava

The small niltava (Niltava macgrigoriae) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae, native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. (source : Wiki)

March, 2018

Ultramarine Flycatcher male

The ultramarine flycatcher or the white-browed blue flycatcher (Ficedula superciliaris) is a small arboreal Old World flycatcher in the ficedula family that breeds in the foothills of the Himalayas and winters in southern India.

(source : Wiki)

March, 2018 

Scarlet finch

Initially I though it is Collard Gross Beak, but after taking 2-3 snap I realized It is Scarlet finch. First I saw it In The month of November 2016 than at Rishyap 2017 but couldn't photographed.At last got it here.

March, 2018

Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher
It is found in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, ranging across Bangladesh, Bhutan, Hong Kong, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
(source : Wiki)
March, 2018

Alpine Accentor
It is a small passerine bird. The word "accentor" is from post-classical Latin and means a person who sings with another. The genus name Prunella is from the German Braunelle, "dunnock", a diminutive of braun, "brown", and the specific collaris is from Latin collum, "neck".

This species, along with the Altai accentor is sometimes separated from the other accentors, into the genus Laiscopus.
(source : Wiki)

Juvenile Mountain Hawk Eagle

Speckled Wood Pigeon

It  is a medium-sized pigeon of the Columbidae family which lives in montane forests of Kashmir to Northeast India, eastern Tibet, central China, Yunnan and Myanmar.

(source : Wiki)

March, 2018 

Black Chinned Babbler

It is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family. It is found in the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

(source : Wiki)

March, 2018

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'Oh Dekho Lammergeier'

I am thankful to have bird-watching session with this extraordinarily awesome human being Mr. Yashpal Negi Monal ji. 

Please read the article to know more about my birding guru Yashpal Negi Monal ji - http://www.himalayangeographic.com/…/life-of-an-environmen…/