Bird Watching Paradise of India : Eagle Nest
Ask any birder in India which their dream destination for bird-watching is, and a unanimous cry will be “Eaglenest”!
Located in the North-eastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and made even more popular with the discovery of the Bugun Liochichla in 2006 – an endemic bird of Eaglenest aptly named after the local Bugun tribe.
Eaglenest is contiguous with the Pakke Tiger Reserve, Sessa Orchid Sanctuary as well as Nameri Tiger Reserve – and it’s relative isolation and low population distribution has ensured that it remains as one of India’s last large pristine forest stretches, relatively undisturbed as yet by the pressures of human development.
The accessible birding areas lie between 500m – 2800m above sea-level covering a range of habitats from Lowland Evergreen Forest, Temperate broad-leaved Forest, Bamboo, Coniferous and Scrub.
Close to 500 species are recorded here and it has been declared an Important Bird Area(IBA).
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When to visit Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary :
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November to mid-May is a great time to visit for a birding tour at Eaglenest.
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Summers : March-May is when the vegetation is at it’s lowest ebb, with the breeding season of the birds makes it very fruitful.
Eaglenest Travel Guide
How to Reach
Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
How to Reach
Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
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8.5 hr road journey from Guwahati Airport, Assam – well connected by flight from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata & Bangalore
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04 hr road journey from Tezpur Airport – connected by flight from Guwahati 3 times a week. Need to stay overnight at Guwahati to catch the early morning flight to Tezpur(45 min flight)
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5 hr drive from Nameri National Park & 5.5 hr drive away from Kaziranga National Park respectively, popular destinations nearby.
How Many Nights to Spend at Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
How Many Nights to Spend at Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
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At least 05 nights, up to 12 nights.
What are the Types of Safaris at Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
What are the Types of Safaris
at Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
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Birding is done here on foot. A vehicle does accompany one while ascending the hills, and as it is an unregulated area – you can easily get off the cars amongst the various birding areas to look for different species.
Mammals at Eaglenest
Mammal Highlights
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Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel
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Asiatic Golden Cat
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Arunachal Macaque
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Asiatic Elephant
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Yellow-throated Marten
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Red Panda
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Himalayan Serow
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Grey-headed Giant Flying Squirrel
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Bengal Slow Loris
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Capped Langur
Reptiles at Eaglenest
Reptile Highlights
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Abor Hills Agama or Annandale’s Dragon – rediscovered in 2007 after 130 years
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Variegated Mountain Lizard
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Darjeeling False Wolf Snake – rediscovered after several decades
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Jerdon’s Red Spotted Pit Viper – first record in India at Eaglenest
Birds at Eaglenest
Birding Highlights
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Bugun Liocichla - endemic bird of Eaglenest
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Blyth’s Tragopan
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Temminck’s Tragopan
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Snow Partridge
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Ward’s Trogon
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Fire-tailed Myzornis
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Beautiful Nuthatch
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Grandala
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Hodgson’s Frogmouth
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Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler
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Chestnut-breasted Partridge
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Winter Wren
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Bar-winged Wren Babbler
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Long-billed Wren Babbler
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Rufous-throated Wren Babbler
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Pygmy Wren Babbler
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Rufous-necked Hornbill
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Wreathed Hornbill
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Yellow-rumped Honeyguide
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Bhutan Laughingthrush
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Streak-throated Barwing
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Rufous-breasted Bush Robin
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Red-faced Liocichla
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Hill Blue Flycatcher
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Goldcrest
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Tibetan Serin
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Black-faced Laughingthrush
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Spotted Laughingthrush
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Great Parrotbill
Day
01
Arrive at Guwahati Airport, and drive to Kaziranga National Park. The journey takes around 4 hrs. Do an afternoon nature walk to find The Western Hoolock Gibbon, Capped Langur, Great Hornbill, and numerous other birds. or Go for an afternoon Jeep Safari to Kaziranga National Park in search of the One Horned Rhino, Elephants, Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer, amongst other fabulous wildlife. Dinner and Overnight stay at Kaziranga.
Day
02
Go for an early morning jeep safari to Kaziranga National Park. Set off for Eaglenest
Day
3-5
The schedule followed is the same, with whole-day excursions in the trails of the National Park or around the lodge – for various species of birds and the Red Panda with chances of other mammals such as the Yellow-throated Marten, Barking Deer and Ghoral. The incandescent view of Kanchenjunga Massif adorn the clear blue skies above the park. Each and every turn unfurls a pleasant surprise of wilderness and scenic beauty. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, you get the virgin views of the mountains spanning from Nepal to Bhutan. You may get tired of clicking photos from your DSLR, but the park won’t stop bombarding you with beautiful vistas and wonders of nature. The Singalila ridge itself is accessible for its famous birding routes from 2000m to 3650m above sea-level. The forest type broadly ranges from Temperate Broad-leaved, Mixed Forests to Alpine vegetation, and the Rhododendron blooms during Summer(March-May) erupt in a riot of colours leaving one awestruck at the natural heritage that the area has to offer. Look out for Parrotbill Species such as Great Parrotbill, Black-throated Parrotbill and Fulvous Parrotbill. Chances of spotting Pheasants such as the Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal and Hill Partridge exist in the quiet, less disturbed areas. Their activity peaks during the summer period when the understory is at its minimum. With some luck, Wren Babblers such as the Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Rusty-throated Wren Babbler and Pygmy Wren Babbler.
Day
06
Spend some time in the morning admiring this heavenly view once last time. Continue birding nearby if time permits. After Breakfast check out from the lodge, and drive to Bagdogra Airport.
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