Cheer Pheasant

Depending on where and how many times to stop along the road to have sudden glimpses of certain birds, we reach Nainital (from Corbett-Kaladungi) to spend minimum two nights at height of about 2,500 meters, where cold is felt even during summer. Several bird niches captivate our mind on this hill station, resplendent with the Raj memoirs : Kilbury, Pangot, Mangoli, Sat Tal, Bhim Tal besides areas around place of stay.

Pheasants : Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Crested Serpent Eagle can be the limit among raptors as Nainital region is renowned for Thrushes, Woodpeckers, Barbets, Flycatchers, Sunbirds and hill birds. It is ideal for Pheasants : Cheer, Kalij, Koklass remarkably. Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Himalayan Woodpecker, Lesser Yellownape and Greater Yellownape Woodpecker, Streak-throated Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Scaly-bellied Woodpecker will be on the menu.

Avian Music : Brown-headed Barbet, Lineated Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet and Coppersmith Barbet --- polysyllabic music to ears.

Depending on flowering amongst wild vegetation and varying height, several species of Sunbirds, Leaf Birds and Flowerpeckers are here to present colours, flitting noiselessly : Purple Sunbird, Mrs. Gould's Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Black-throated Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Thick-billed Flowerpecker, Plain Flowerpecker, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker; Russet Sparrow, Rufous Sibia, Black-headed Jay and Eurasian Jay to appear frequently.

We stay at a heritage resort in line with the Raj legacy and Bird Guide with driver shall arrange working lunch when we are in the high field (e.g. Pangot). The hill station is full of hotels and restaurants for variety if to be tasted.

Binsar : Binsar is a high point for bird watching, about six hour drive from Nainital, and we stay at a nice cottage amidst rhododendron forest where no human habitation has settled, the tranquility is stirred only by bird calls. Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Black-capped Sibia, Black-breasted Sunbird, Blue-throated Barbet, Blue Whistling Thrush, Finches, Tits, Booted Eagle and Black Eagle among other species await us here - two nights are called for.

Back to Nainital, drive back to the railway station to occupy the a/c sleeper berth in the over night train. What a way to relax after loads of birds over the mental album.