Uttarakhand Birding Tour Report (14–22 November 2025)
A nine day Himalayan journey covering Mandal, Chopta, Tungnath, Makkumath and Sattal, with a total of 104 bird species recorded.
14 November – Dehradun to Mandal: The Journey Begins
Our tour began at Dehradun Airport, and the mountains welcomed us with clear November weather. The drive took us through one of the most iconic points in Uttarakhand, Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet to form the first stretch of Ganga ji. From here we drove through Rudraprayag, Karnprayag and Nandprayag, each sangam
marking a moment of silence and admiration from the group.
By the time we reached Mandal, the temperature dipped and the forested slopes grew taller around us. The village was calm, the sky was clear, and everyone felt excited knowing that Mandal would be our first birding base.
15 November – Mandal: A Powerful Start
Our first morning in Mandal set the tone for the entire tour. The mixed oak and rhododendron forests were alive with flocks, calls and movement. We picked up a strong list right from the trails, including:
- Yellow-billed Blue Magpie
- Scarlet Finch
- Great Barbet
- Brown-fronted Woodpecker
- Himalayan Black-lored Tit
- Lemon-rumped, Buff-barred and Ashy-throated Warblers
- Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler
- Variegated, Streaked and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes
A peaceful session by the river near our hotel added Spotted Forktail, Little Forktail, Plumbeous Redstart and White-capped Redstart to the day’s list. It was a classic Mandal day: busy, vibrant and extremely rewarding.
16 November – Chopta: Himalayan Monals in Morning Light
We drove to Chopta early in the morning and were rewarded almost instantly. A pair of Himalayan Monals walked along an open slope, glowing in the soft morning light. For many guests, this was their first close view of India’s most iconic mountain pheasant.
The entire day in Chopta added several Himalayan specialties:
- Koklass Pheasant
- Snow Pigeon
- Himalayan Griffon
- Himalayan Buzzard
- White-throated Fantail
- Rufous-vented Tit, Yellow-browed Tit and Coal Tit
- Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush
- Pink-browed Rosefinch
- Blue-fronted and Blue-capped Redstarts
- Yellow-breasted Greenfinch
Beautiful forests, long trails and the good weather made it a fantastic day in the field.
Himalayan Monal in Chopta
17 November – Chopta and Makkumath: Forest Magic
This day was split between Chopta and the quieter forests of Makkumath. The variety across the two habitats allowed us to observe several species at different elevations. Sightings included:
- Himalayan Monal
- Collared Owlet (calling from dense forest)
- Black-headed Jay
- Red-billed Blue Magpie
- Scarlet Finch (multiple individuals feeding)
- Himalayan Bluetail
- Golden Bush-Robin
- Spotted Forktail
- Rock Bunting
Makkumath was peaceful and full of photographic opportunities, with soft light filtering through the deodar forests.
Mountain Goat in Chopta
18 November – Tungnath: Birds and Big Mammals
This was one of the most memorable days of the entire tour.
On the Tungnath trail, we again encountered Himalayan Monals, along with:
- Gray-crested Tit
- Bar-tailed Treecreeper
- Mistle Thrush
- Alpine Accentor
- Blue Whistling-Thrush
We also had a series of special mammal sightings:
- Yellow-throated Marten
- Himalayan Tahr
- Mountain Goats
- Pika
- A rare Himalayan Black Bear sighting on our way back to Mandal
It was a day full of adventure, silence and surprises, the kind of day that stays with everyone long after the trip ends.
Lesser Yellownape in Sattal
19 November – Mandal to Sattal: A Day of Transition and Surprises
Our morning session in Mandal was productive, with sightings like:
- Asian Barred Owlet
- Whistler’s Warbler
- Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush
- Small Niltava
- Olive-backed Pipit
We then began our journey to Sattal through Karanprayag, Gairsain, Chaukhutiya and Ranikhet. On this drive, we had another rare moment: a Leopard Cat crossing the road briefly but clearly.
By evening we reached Sattal, our next birding hub.
20 November – Sattal: Bird Observatory, Streams and Forest Trails
Sattal delivered an excellent mix of species across its diverse habitats.
At Bhagtpura Bird Observatory, we saw:
- Black Francolin
- Greater and Lesser Yellownape
- Red-billed Leiothrix
- Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush
- Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch
- Gray Bushchat
At Chanfi stream, the day got even better:
- Brown Fish-Owl
- Tawny Fish-Owl
- Wallcreeper
- Crested Kingfisher
- Plumbeous Redstart
- White-capped Redstart
This was one of the most photography friendly days of the tour.
Brown Fish Owl in Sattal
21 November – Ranikhet and Sattal Studio Point
We spent the morning in Ranikhet, where the sky opened up perfectly for raptors:
- Himalayan Griffon
- Steppe Eagle
Later, our session at Sattal Studio Point gave us:
- Himalayan Black-lored Tit
- Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
- Scaly-breasted Cupwing
- Small Niltava
- Spotted Forktail
It was a relaxed day, but with quality sightings throughout.
Scaly breasted Cupwing in Uttarakhand
22 November – Final Morning in Sattal: A Perfect Finish
Our last birding session of the tour delivered a colourful highlight, the Common Green Magpie. It flashed across the undergrowth with bright greens and reds, making it one of the most memorable sightings of the trip.
Other sightings included:
- Kalij Pheasant
- Red Junglefowl
- Black Francolin
- Oriental Turtle-Dove
- Great Barbet
- Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
- Lesser and Greater Yellownape
- Red-billed Blue Magpie
- Striated Laughingthrush
- Streaked Laughingthrush
- Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush
- Rufous Sibia
- Red-billed Leiothrix
- Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush
- White-throated Laughingthrush
- White-tailed Nuthatch
- Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch
- Russet Sparrow
After the session, guests were dropped off at Pantnagar Airport, marking the end of a spectacular and fulfilling nine day Himalayan birding journey.
Total Species Recorded:
Across Mandal, Chopta, Tungnath, Makkumath and Sattal, we observed
104 bird species, a rich blend of high altitude specialists, mid altitude
flocks and foothill beauties.
Tour Summary
Tour Dates
14 – 22 November 2025
Route Followed
Dehradun → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Karnprayag → Nandprayag →
Gopeshwar → Mandal → Karanprayag → Gairsain → Chaukhutiya → Ranikhet → Sattal
→ Pantnagar Airport
Habitats Covered
Oak and rhododendron forests, high altitude meadows, mixed temperate forests, foothill broadleaf forests,
river streams and bird hides.
Closing Note
This Uttarakhand birding tour was led by Manmohan Uniyal, and the two passionate participants,
Jatinder Barve and Rasik Chauhan. Together, we explored the forests, valleys and
high-altitude trails of Mandal, Chopta, Tungnath, Makkumath and Sattal, documenting 104 bird species and creating
memories that will stay with us for a long time.
If this journey inspires you to explore the Himalayas or plan your own wildlife and bird photography tour, you can
learn more about our specialised programs below. Each tour is designed to offer meaningful field time, expert
guidance and deep connection with nature.
To plan a personalised Himalayan birding journey or join one of our upcoming tours, feel free to reach out.
We would be glad to help you experience the wild the way it should be — slow, meaningful and deeply connected.
