Dates: March 29-April 15, 2026

Leader: Max Breckenridge

E-bird

Total Species: 339 birds

Click Here to view list.

Overall Summary

We began our tour de Bhutan in Paro where we birded the dry river valley along the banks of the Paro Chu and scored wonderful views of up to six different Ibisbill. From Paro we scaled the pass of Chelela at almost 14,000 ft where the birding proved fantastic – several species of regal pheasants, stunning male rosefinches and redstarts, and an amazing sighting of a Bearded Vulture repeatedly dropping bones from the air to break them open on the rocks below. From the serene Ha valley, we ventured south along the Ha Chu and then upwards again to the pass of Tergola. Here we birded amongst the snow in glorious rhododendron forests and found several species that specifically follow the blooming flowers. From the pass we descended to 2,600 ft at Gakiling where we camped for two nights beside the impressive Amo Chu which marks the border of Ha and Samtse provinces. The birding along the road from Tergola was memorable, with great sightings of some classic Himalayan species and several immense mixed species flocks. From Ha, we travelled west to the capital Thimphu for two nights. Here we birded in the scenic Jigme Dorji National Park where our first bird of the day was a stunning male Satyr Tragopan. We again breakfasted in a serene location amongst tall firs overlooking the valley below as Scaly-breasted Cupwing and White-browed Bush-Robin called nearby. Other goodies here included Spotted Laughingthrush, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, and Brown Parrotbill. Heading further west, we had a picture-perfect morning at the pass of Dochula, with stunning looks north towards distant snow-covered mountains. A large flock of the nomadic Fire-tailed Myzornis was a great find here, as were a pair of friendly Great Parrotbill. That afternoon we visited the immense Punakha Dzong, bathed in gorgeous late afternoon light. From Punakha we followed the mighty Punatsang Chu south, initially stopping at a wide braided section of river where we picked up a rare passage migrant, Little Stint, among a decent haul of waterfowl. This year there was to be no anxious searching for White-bellied Heron, as fortunately a nest of this critically endangered species had been pre-arranged. It was a special moment watching one of the parent’s standing over two tiny chicks from a dramatic viewpoint over the river – almost 3% of the global population in one view. The next morning we birded downhill from the low pass of Darachu, despite road-widening works in progress, we still had a very birdy morning here in the broadleaf forests. Himalayan Cutia and Golden Langurs delighted, while several immense mixed flocks caused a mix of panic and elation! Dropping down to the lowlands along the Indian border we finally experienced some straight roads (!) and a different flavour of avifauna. We managed to record four species of hornbill on this day, included breathtaking looks at a Great and Oriental Pied Hornbill as they fed in a betel palm plantation beside the road. The obligatory stop at a sewage works was ticked off in Gelephu, and it added a host of new species to our growing trip list, including a smart Citrine Wagtail, two species of woodpecker, parakeets, and starlings. Our brief stint in the lowlands was soon over and so we beat the heat and made our way back uphill, this time northwards towards Tingtibi and the pass of Tamala. We enjoyed some nice roadside birding along the way while dodging roadworks, muddy roads, and landslips, with Yellow-rumped Honeyguide and a male Red-headed Trogon the stand outs south of the pass. In the late afternoon we began winding our way down to our lovely accommodation at Tingtibi, but not before jagging a mesmerizing pair of Beautiful Nuthatch!

Our time around Tingtibi was really highlighted by the great lodgings beside the Mangde Chu and a birdy session in the bamboo at Goling, highlights included two species of parrotbill, White-hooded Babbler, close looks at a pair of Rufous-necked Hornbill, strange Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, and Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch tapping away on the restaurant window during meal times – someone let the man in already! From Tingtibi, we took the “fast” road north to Trongsa, which gave us ample time in the afternoon to bird the beautiful budding forests on the slopes adjacent to the imposing Trongsa Dzong. After a pleasant evening and morning around Trongsa, we began the journey back west towards Paro. Before returning to the capital we visited the rural Phobjika Valley and nearby pass of Pelela. Once again this year our group was fortunate to encounter a lingering pair of Black-necked Cranes, alongside Eurasian Hobby, Hen Harrier and an errant Pied Avocet. The next morning at Pelela, we capped off our Bhutanese birding exploits with an unforgettable sighting of two male Satyr Tragopans. Birding here amongst the profusely flowering rhododendrons was a fitting send-off to our time in Bhutan, which had come to an end far too soon. Thanks to all for your eagerness and enthusiasm, and a huge thanks to our guide, Chimi, driver Kinley, and ground crew who were exemplary – the daily breakfast porridge is already sorely missed!

Day-by-Day Summary

March 31 - (AM) DEL-PBH, Paro Chu; (PM) Paro.

April 1 - (AM) Chelela; (PM) Ha, Ha Chu.

April 2 - (AM) Tergola, Tergola Rd; (PM) Tergola Rd, Gakiling.

April 3 - (AM) Gakiling; (PM) Tergola Rd above Gakiling.

April 4 - (AM) Tergola Rd; (PM) Thimphu.

April 5 - (AM) Jigme Dorji NP – Cheri Valley; (PM) Thimphu.

April 6 - (AM) Dochula, Royal Botanical Gardens; (PM) Punakha Dzong.

April 7 - (AM) Punatsang Chu; (PM) Punatsang Chu, Damphu.

April 8 - (AM) Darachu; (PM) Gelephu STW.

April 9 - (AM) Gelephu, Tamala Rd; (PM) Tamala Rd, Tingtibi – Berti.

April 10 - (AM) Goling; (PM) Tingtibi – Berti.

April 11 - (AM) Tingtibi – Berti; (PM) Trongsa.

April 12 - (AM) Trongsa; (PM) Phobjika Valley.

April 13 - (AM) Pelela; (PM) Paro.

April 14 - (AM) PBH-DEL; (PM) Departures

Wildlife Seen: 

MAMMALS:

OLD WORLD MONKEYS (CERCOPITHECIDAE)

Assam Macaque (Macaca assamensis) – Multiple troupes of varying sizes observed across a number of locations and altitudes during the trip.

Nepal Sacred Langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus) – At least two small troupes encountered, once at Dochula and Tergola.

Gee’s Golden Lutung (Trachypithecus geei) – Several troupes observed, with particularly good views of a trio of inquisitive young individuals at Darachu. A beautiful primate.

WEASELS (MUSTELIDAE)

Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula) – Brief looks at a pair crossing the road and heading upslope between Tingtibi and Trongsa.

SQUIRRELS (SCIURIDAE)

Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor) – Several of these impressive rodents observed in lower elevation hill forest.

Irrawaddy Squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus) – A few individuals observed around Gakiling and Tingtibi.

Himalayan Striped Squirrel (Tamiops mcclellandii) – A couple of individuals observed in mid-elevation forest.

PIKAS (OCHOTONIDAE)

Himalayan Pika (Ochotona roylii) – Presumably this species, but others quite possible seen, at Chelela and Pelela. Difficult to distinguish between pika species in the field.

DEER (CERVIDAE)

Northern Red Muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis) – Great looks at an individual of this usually shy species seen along the Tergola Rd. Another seen briefly at Tingtibi, and heard at Pelela.

Gallery