Birds of Uttarakhand (Sattal & Manila)
Sattal (or Sat Tal), in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, derives its name from seven interconnected freshwater lakes. At an altitude of around 1,370m, Sattal lies in the Lower Himalayan Range, nestled amidst forests of pine and oak. It is famous for its rich biodiversity. The region is home to 500 species of resident and migratory birds, over 500 species of butterflies and a variety of moths, beetles, bugs and other insects.
Manila Just (50 km) ahead of Jim Corbett (Ramnagar) lies the town of Manila, Uttarakhand a birding haven for nature enthusiasts. Apart from its natural beauty, the town offers panoramic views of the lower Himalayan hills, which contribute to its growing popularity. Manila in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, is a paradise for bird-watching. Its diverse ecosystems offer an ideal habitat for various bird species.
This photo album is a collection of our Birding trip to Sattal & Manila in Uttarakhand in the 3rd week of December 2023.
We were a group of 6 Birding enthusiasts travelling to Uttarakhand in the search of adding quite a few new species to our Check List (called "Lifers" in birding terms). And we were not disappointed. I added more than 60 lifers to my Checklist.
Woodpeckers
Lesser Yellownape Woodpecker, Scaly-bellied Woodpecker & Grey-headed Woodpecker
Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker & Greater Yellownape Woodpecker
Asian Barred Owlet & Tawny Fish Owl
Birds in Flight
Steppe Eagle & Common Kestrel
Long-tailed Minivet, Crested Kingfisher, Eurasian Jay
Grey Treepie, Plum-headed Parakeet, White-throated Laughingthrush
Barbets
Blue-headed Barbet, Great Barbet
Small Birds
Ashy-throated Warbler, House Sparrow, White-capped Redstart
Himalayan Black-lored Tit, Grey Bushchat, Russet Sparrow
Blue-winged Minla, Black-throated Accentor, Slaty-blue Flycatcher
Blue-fronted Redstart, Golden Bush Robin, Coal Tit
Plumbeous Water Redstart, Black-throated Bushtit, Blue-capped Redstart
Pheasants, Partridge & Junglefowls
Cheer Pheasant, Koklass Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant (F), Rufous-throated Partridge
Kalij Pheasant (M), Red Junglefowl (F), Red Junglefowl (M)
Mixture of Birds
Blue Whistling Thrush, Rufous Sibia, Bar-tailed Tree Creeper, Black-throated Sunbird
Red-billed Magpie, White-crested Laughingthrush, White-throated Laughingthrush
Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Rusty Cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Slaty-headed Parakeet
Grey-winged Blackbird, Plum-headed Parakeet, Bronzed Drongo
Indian Jackal
Yellow-throated Marten
Leothrix
Crested Kingfisher
Maroon Oriole
Himalayan Vulture
