PHULCHOKI MOUNTAIN FOREST
The tallest of the hills encircling the Kathmandu valley is Phulchoki. Phulchoki, meaning flower covered hill, which rises 2760 m, above from sea level. A small shrine at its summit is dedicated to Phulchoki, the mother of the forest. The summit is not only the beginning of a good bird watching walk but also commands spectacular views of the Kathmandu valley and the Himalayan to the North.
The most well - known, recommended and visited bird watching area around Kathmandu is Phulchoki. During winter sometimes it snows. There are large areas of broad leaved temperate forests that are known to support significant populations of characteristic species of the Sino - Himalayan temperate forest biome. It is also famous for the richness of their flora and fauna, invertebrates, especially butterflies.
Birds are easier to see at Phulchoki than anywhere else around the valley beacuse of its location as the corrieder area that runs North to South creating a natural migratory pathway.So this attracts birds from diverse regions.
A great density of bird around 300 species has been recorded on Phulchoki .( Bird Conservation Nepal )
Birds to see at Phulchoki
Himalayan Cutia ( most to see bird in Kathmandu) Golden – throated Barbet, Large Hawk Cuckoo ( s), Black Eagle, Yellow – billed Blue Magpie, Eurasian Jay, Black headed Jay, Long – tailed Minivet, Chestnut – bellied Rock Thrush, Grey – winged Blackbird, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Grey – headed Canary Flycatcher, Black Redstart, Blue Fronted Redstart, Brown – throated Treecreeper, Green – Backed Tit, Black – throated Tit, Striated Bulbul, Streaked Laughingthrush, Chestnut – crowned Laughingthrush, Hoary - throated Barwing, Streak – breasted Scimitar Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, White- browed shrike Babbler, Bar – throated Shiva, Hoary – throated Barwing, White browed Fulvetta, Stripe – throated Yuhina, Rufous Vented Yuhina, Rufous Sibia, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Fire – tailed Sunbird, Rufous winged Fulvetta, Chestnut – headed Tesia, Greater Yellownape, Black faced Warbler, Golden –spectacled Warbler, Whistler’ s Warbler etc.
It is advisable that birding at Phulchoki in a group is better to avoid rubbery. It happened sometime in past years.
How to get Phulchoki
Phulchoki lies 18 km Southeast of Kathmandu valley.It is best to go by four wheel drive straight to the summit, walk slowly back down to the lower slopes to Godawari. I recommended you full day birding with packed B/ F and Lunch.
Good time to visit Phulchoki
Between October to May
GODAWARI
Godawari 1400 mtr lies lower slopes of the Phulchoki. If you want to birding at Botanical Garden of Godawari avoid Saturday and public holidays because the garden is popular with couples, film shooting and picnicking location and the crowds reduce the chances of seeing the more birds.
( Godawari Botanical Garden open from 9 am to 5 pm )
Birds to see at Godawari
Kalij Pheasant, Grey – headed woodpecker, Great Barbet, Blue- throated Barbet, White – throated Kingfisher, Himalayan Cuckoo ( s), Rose – ringed Parakeet, Asian Barred Owlet, Shikra, orange - bellied Leafbird, Red billed Blue Magpie, Maroon Oriole, Scarlet Minivet, Lesser Racket- tailed Drongo, Blue Whistling Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush ( W ) Verditer flycatcher, Small Niltava, White – capped Water Redstart, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Chestnut – bellied Nuthatch, Wallcreeper ( w ) Black Lored Tit, Himalayan Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Oriental White eye, Grey – hooded Warbler, White – throated Laughingthrush, White – crested Laughingthrush, Striated Laughingthrush, Rusty cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Black – chinned Babbler, Red – billed Leiothrix, Nepal Fulvetta, Fire breasted Flowerpecker Orienatal honey Buzzard and other forest birds.
Access:-
It is only half an hour drive from Kathmandu and one can easily rich by drive. Birding along paths on the lower slopes of Phulchoki, Marble factory area and Godawari Botanical garden are good places . I recommended you Full day birding.
Good time to visit Godawari
Between October to May
The most well - known, recommended and visited bird watching area around Kathmandu is Phulchoki. During winter sometimes it snows. There are large areas of broad leaved temperate forests that are known to support significant populations of characteristic species of the Sino - Himalayan temperate forest biome. It is also famous for the richness of their flora and fauna, invertebrates, especially butterflies.
Birds are easier to see at Phulchoki than anywhere else around the valley beacuse of its location as the corrieder area that runs North to South creating a natural migratory pathway.So this attracts birds from diverse regions.
A great density of bird around 300 species has been recorded on Phulchoki .( Bird Conservation Nepal )
Birds to see at Phulchoki
Himalayan Cutia ( most to see bird in Kathmandu) Golden – throated Barbet, Large Hawk Cuckoo ( s), Black Eagle, Yellow – billed Blue Magpie, Eurasian Jay, Black headed Jay, Long – tailed Minivet, Chestnut – bellied Rock Thrush, Grey – winged Blackbird, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Grey – headed Canary Flycatcher, Black Redstart, Blue Fronted Redstart, Brown – throated Treecreeper, Green – Backed Tit, Black – throated Tit, Striated Bulbul, Streaked Laughingthrush, Chestnut – crowned Laughingthrush, Hoary - throated Barwing, Streak – breasted Scimitar Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, White- browed shrike Babbler, Bar – throated Shiva, Hoary – throated Barwing, White browed Fulvetta, Stripe – throated Yuhina, Rufous Vented Yuhina, Rufous Sibia, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Fire – tailed Sunbird, Rufous winged Fulvetta, Chestnut – headed Tesia, Greater Yellownape, Black faced Warbler, Golden –spectacled Warbler, Whistler’ s Warbler etc.
It is advisable that birding at Phulchoki in a group is better to avoid rubbery. It happened sometime in past years.
How to get Phulchoki
Phulchoki lies 18 km Southeast of Kathmandu valley.It is best to go by four wheel drive straight to the summit, walk slowly back down to the lower slopes to Godawari. I recommended you full day birding with packed B/ F and Lunch.
Good time to visit Phulchoki
Between October to May
GODAWARI
Godawari 1400 mtr lies lower slopes of the Phulchoki. If you want to birding at Botanical Garden of Godawari avoid Saturday and public holidays because the garden is popular with couples, film shooting and picnicking location and the crowds reduce the chances of seeing the more birds.
( Godawari Botanical Garden open from 9 am to 5 pm )
Birds to see at Godawari
Kalij Pheasant, Grey – headed woodpecker, Great Barbet, Blue- throated Barbet, White – throated Kingfisher, Himalayan Cuckoo ( s), Rose – ringed Parakeet, Asian Barred Owlet, Shikra, orange - bellied Leafbird, Red billed Blue Magpie, Maroon Oriole, Scarlet Minivet, Lesser Racket- tailed Drongo, Blue Whistling Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush ( W ) Verditer flycatcher, Small Niltava, White – capped Water Redstart, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Chestnut – bellied Nuthatch, Wallcreeper ( w ) Black Lored Tit, Himalayan Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Oriental White eye, Grey – hooded Warbler, White – throated Laughingthrush, White – crested Laughingthrush, Striated Laughingthrush, Rusty cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Black – chinned Babbler, Red – billed Leiothrix, Nepal Fulvetta, Fire breasted Flowerpecker Orienatal honey Buzzard and other forest birds.
Access:-
It is only half an hour drive from Kathmandu and one can easily rich by drive. Birding along paths on the lower slopes of Phulchoki, Marble factory area and Godawari Botanical garden are good places . I recommended you Full day birding.
Good time to visit Godawari
Between October to May