Birdwatching in Bhutan

Birding contacts and birdwatching information

Local Birdwatchers Using the Birdingpal resources you must agree to the following: If you contact a local Birdingpal and make arrangement to go birding, you should note it is common courtesy to make sure you show up for the appointment. If for any reason you are unable to do this, the least you must do is contacting the local Pal right away. Please note that most Birdingpals are serious birdwatchers. It is a privilege to contact them, and your message should reflect it. A local Pal does not get paid, but should he/she offer to take you out birding, using their own vehicle, it would be courteous to pay for the fuel. A lunch and/or a small gift would also be appropriate, something as simple as a souvenir of your country, or a pin from your local birding club.
		Initial	Last Name	Area	Available	Language
Professional Guides If you contact a professional Birdingpal guide you must be prepared to pay a fee for guiding services.
		Initial	Last Name	Area	Available	Language
		K	Jamtsho	Thimphu	Anytime	English
		I have been a tour guide for 10 years with one of the Bhutan’s leading tour companies. To showcase Bhutan’s stunning biodiversity and to bridge the gape in our tourism product and the interests shown by the clients over the years of my guiding career, Nature Tourism-Bhutan was born. Nature Tourism-Bhutan runs full board bird watching, botany trips to the alpine & sub-tropical regions of the Himalayas that are repositories of unique biodiversity. Our trips are of relative comfort and learning experience on the some of the plant and bird species found no where else in the world and that are in great threat of extinction in our neighboring regions because of depilation of habitat. Visit my web site Fees: We currently run two Botany trips a year, a trek and a tour and four birding trips. US$ 180 per person per night. The price is quoted based on three or more people. Sharing of double room – single occupancy will incur an extra charge. It will include accommodation, full board (breakfasts, lunches – usually picnics, & dinners), transport within Bhutan by Toyota vehicles or pack animals, (if are trekking this covers all expenses for the treks such as horses/yaks, guide, tents/camping equipment, meals and transport) services of professional drivers, and local English speaking guides.
		H	Tshering	Thimphu	Anytime	English
		I worked with the country's only environmental NGO, Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN) and am currently a board member of RSPN. While at RSPN, I was involved with the first banding project of the black-necked cranes to study their migration route. I worked very closely with the International Crane Foundation and was also instrumental in starting the White-bellied Heron project in Bhutan. We do not depend on foreign guides, and feel very competent in leading our bird tours as we know where the birds are. In addition to myself I have a group of very competent guides, who are perhaps more knowledgeable. In addition to guiding I am passionate about soccer and am the President of a local soccer club, Druk Star FC. Our second trip in 2005 was organized by Hishey for maximum abundances of experiences each day. Although circumstances allowed only a brief stay we were more than satisfied. We went in February to catch the main wintering population of cranes but even so we saw and heard plenty of birds including the Monal pheasant. We spent two nights in the elegant, traditional style hotel in the Phobjikha Valley and a miracle happened, at least from the point of view of artists/photographers. It snowed! The landscape was transformed into a Middle Ages European scene reminiscent of Breughel's Return From the Hunt with yaks thrown in for a bonus. We ended the trip with no complaints and only praise for this unique and charming country and for Bhutan Heritage Travels that took such good care of us, physically, intellectually and spiritually. Robert Bateman – Artist/Author – Salt Spring Island, Canada.
		T	Norbu	Thimphu	Anytime	English Bird Languages (bird-calls)
		I have been guiding for more than 14 yrs, 6 yrs as birding guide. I'm was always interested to wildlife and outdoor activities. I have spotted almost all the rare and endangered species of the country and some of them are globally threatened like: Satyr Tragopan, White-bellied Heron, Palla's Fish-Eagle, Great Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, Wards Trogon and Yellow-rumped Honeyguide.
		M	Norbu	Thimphu	Anytime	English
		Bhutan has some of the most pristine habitat and most beautiful birds in the world. I have been birding and exploring my country's varied ecosystems now for over past 10 years. I have spent many days and weeks locating the best places to find the rare species including all of the difficult wren-babblers, laughing thrushes and other important species for Bhutan. I am also specializes in recording, and have a large library, including songs donated to Cornell University and xeno-canto. I have led many birding groups, and have long years experience finding and helping birders see their target species. I also have a good knowledge of our culture, and add this dimension to my tours based on the desires of his clients.
		C	Tangbi	Thimphu	Anytime	English
		Chubzang was born and brought up in Trongsa, Central Bhutan. He strongly believes in his country�s environmental protection and has extensive knowledge of his country, its culture, traditions and people. Chubzang began leading birding tours in 2000 and has worked with the International Crane Foundation. Chubzang is now acknowledged as one of Bhutan's top birders. He has travelled widely in the USA, India, Thailand and the UK but returns to Bhutan to lead birding groups and to research for wildlife films, photography and editorials. He is also a passionate photographer and has exhibited his work in Nature Reserves and Art Centres.
Local Information
		Name			Description
		Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia			Bhutan
		Local weather			Yahoo
		Bird check list			Printable
		Royal Society for the Protection of Nature			Organization
		Birding Hotspots around the world			Sites