BHUTAN TOUR REPORT 2025

19 April - 7 May 2025

Dave Farrow

Our Bhutan tour this year was a wonderful trip, with a new improved itinerary that produced great results. So good to return to the forests and mountains in this land of avian plenty. For me personally it was something of a return pilgrimage, my last visit being over six years previously, and this was my 16^th Birdquest tour to Bhutan since the first one back in 1997. A lot has changed, with greater access to new areas provided by an enhanced road network. This year we had the pleasure of being accompanied by Phub Dorji as our guide, his sharp eyes, keen hearing and latest knowledge made a huge contribution to the tour. We found just so many birds, with Himalayan Monal sitting at the top as our ‘Bird-of-the-trip’, Satyr Tragopan close behind with twelve sightings, and Beautiful Nuthatches in all their glory. We saw a total of four adult White-bellied Heron, plus two nests seen with two chicks apiece, a significant proportion of the total population of the rarest heron in the world! We saw Brown and Tawny Fish Owls, Himalayan Wood Owl, Ward’s Trogons, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Spotted Laughingthrush, Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler, Long-billed Wren Babblers, Spotted Elachura, Himalayan Cutia, and so much more. Exploring new areas in the south we found Grey-lored Broadbills, Long-tailed and Rufous-backed Sibias, and added a new species to the national list, Large Scimitar Babbler. And let’s not forget the Red Panda that we watched dozing in a tree on a high pass.

Beginning our tour in the high valley of Paro, once the inbound Druk Air flight had finished giving everyone a bonus tour of the south of the country, it landed safely and soon we were on our way. Our first stop was along the riverside near Paro town, where we had stunning views of an Ibisbill feeding on small fish right by the road, and our first Himalayan Wagtails and Grey-backed Shrikes. Nearby we saw Rufous-breasted Accentor, Russet Sparrows and Grey Bushchat. We pressed onwards through the new developments of Thimphu and up to the forests of the Dochu La at 3100m. Birding around the top we found a superb pair of confiding Spotted Laughingthrush, plus Black-faced, Chestnut-crowned and White-throated Laughingthrushes. A Great Parrotbill came in for a very close inspection as did a Hoary-throated Barwing, both requiring us to step backwards to view properly! Then an unexpected call – surely that’s not a Ward’s Trogon up here? It certainly was, and after some effort we had a great view of a female, at least 500m above its expected altitude range. Moving on, we also found Rufous-bellied Niltava, Eurasian Jay, and Rufous-gorgetted Flycatchers; at a lower elevation we saw Maroon Oriole, Yellow-cheeked Tit and Blue-winged Minla. Down in the drier Punakha valley, we saw Slender-billed Oriole, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler and Grey Treepie, before reaching our well-appointed hotel overlooking the Puna Sang Chu. Quite a day to start our trip!

Exploring some of the mountain forests close to Punakha, driving in the half-light produced a total of 25 Kalij Pheasants along the road. The overnight rain meant our bus struggled a bit on muddy slopes, but we found our breakfast crew ready and waiting for us in good forest at 2500m. Along an undisturbed track we found Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Ultramarine Flycatchers, Himalayan Cutia, Green-tailed and Mrs Gould’s Sunbirds, Blyth’s, Ashy-throated, Chestnut-crowned and Buff-barred Warblers, a pair of Darjeeling Woodpecker at a nest hole, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Black-throated Parrotbills, Blue-fronted and Black Redstarts, Himalayan, Common and Asian Emerald Cuckoos, displaying Crested Goshawks and Mountain Hawk Eagle, Himalayan Buzzard, White-tailed Nuthatch, Whiskered Yuhina, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Red-tailed, Bar-throated and Blue-winged Minlas, and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers. A Rufous-throated Wren Babbler was lured into view, our only sighting of the tour.

In the afternoon we descended to Punakha, and enjoyed a visit to the ornate Dzong with its breathtaking interiors, while a huge flock of White-throated Needletails wheeled overhead. Along the river close to our hotel we saw River and Red-wattled Lapwings, and Crested Kingfishers.

Moving on, we began alongside the Puna Sang Chu, a major flyway for migration through the country. Scanning the sandy shallows in the river we saw Great Crested Grebe, Goosanders, Little Ringed Plover, a summer-plumaged Marsh Sandpiper, White-browed Wagtail and a Peregrine. We turned uphill by the great Dzong at Wangdi and headed up the valley to where our breakfast table was perched atop an island in the road with a chorten atop it! Here we saw our first Scarlet Minivet, Grey-hooded Warbler and Black-throated Sunbird, and nearby we managed a couple of glimpses of a Spotted Elachura as he belted out its high-pitched song. Yellow-rumped Honeyguide was more co-operative, perching on the combs of Giant Rock Bees, and a lovely pair of Crimson-naped Woodpeckers showed well. Heading on up to the Pele La at 3400m, the birding was quite busy with Green Shrike Babbler, Rufous-fronted Bushtits, Stripe-throated and Rufous-vented Yuhinas, Whistler’s Warbler, Hoary-throated Barwing, and Bar-throated Minlas. Our kitchen crew were ready and waiting for us with our lunch, something that became a daily pleasure, and a short stroll here produced fantastic views of a Scaly-breasted Cupwing. Crossing the ridge to the beautiful Phobjika valley, the habitat was quite different and we saw many Red-billed Chough, Oriental Skylarks, Hen Harrier, Himalayan Vultures that sat around with full bellies. After dark, a Himalayan Wood Owl came and showed well just beside our hotel.

We returned to the Pele La in the early morning, finding three Brown Parrotbills en route. At the pass we found White-winged Grosbeak, Southern Nutcracker, Grey-sided Bush Warbler, an errant Scarlet Finch and heard our first Satyr Tragopan. Moving on, we slowly worked our way eastwards to Tongsa. A Yellow-throated Marten went scampering along the verge, and Nepal House Martins were nest building on roadside cliff. A vocal Pale Blue Flycatcher made his introduction, and after passing Tongsa we climbed up to the Yutong La pass. Despite the birding being rather muted in the afternoon we added Lemon-rumped Warblers, a flock of Plain Mountain Finches and a Hume’s Bush Warbler. We reached our lodgings in the Bumthang valley just as the rain arrived.

A pre-dawn start to catch Pheasants on the road, we headed eastwards as the dawn came up and found ourselves among coniferous forest. Soon the first red shimmer of a Satyr Tragopan appeared in front of us, disappearing only to reappear just behind our bus, and give us a great display, calling fearlessly at the roadside. We continued up the road to the Sheltang La, seeing another three male Tragopans and two females as we went! Also this morning we found a pair of smart Collared Grosbeaks, male Red-headed Bullfinch, Common Rosefinch, Rufous-breasted Accentors, and glimpsed a Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch.

We pressed onwards, towards the start of that fabled birding highway, the ‘Lingmethang Road’, marked by the high pass of the Thrumsing La that sits at 3780m. We saw a pair of Himalayan Monal that slipped away into the forest, yet another male Satyr Tragopan and eventually a pair of Blood Pheasants. In the flowering rhododendron on the pass we found a pair of stunning Fire-tailed Myzornis, also here were Dark-rumped Rosefinch, White-browed Bush Robin and Fire-tailed Sunbird. Lower down we found Himalayan Shortwing and Hodgson’s Treecreeper, and lower still at 2900m we discovered our well-appointed camp. Nearby we found an obliging Chestnut-headed Tesia, and a splendid pair of Slender-billed Scimitar Babblers.

Birding nearly we began the day with a singing Large-billed Leaf Warbler, a group of Spot-winged Grosbeaks, watched Blyth’s Swifts swooping low over our heads as they shot in and out of cracks in the roadside cliffs, and had an extended view of a stunning male Satyr Tragopan feeding just below the road, unconcerned by our loitering just uphill. Returning to the Thrumsing La, as the fog drifted in and out we saw Fire-tailed Myzornis, a pair of Fire-tailed Sunbird and a pair of Golden Bush Robin. Searching a known area for Red Panda, we could see its latrine on a mossy branch, but no animal. Then our guide Phub was waving excitedly, as the rear end of a Red Panda was seen disappearing into the bamboo. Within a couple of minutes he spotted a second animal up in the trees, sleepily lounging on a branch. We were able to watch this one at length, as it alternately dozed and studied the onlookers. You lucky people! In the afternoon we dropped lower, once fog had cleared we had a busy time watching a flock in the bamboo, with gorgeous little Black-throated Parrotbills, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, White-throated Fantail, Green-crowned Warbler and Rufous-capped Babbler. A pair of Scaly Laughingthrush were still in the same place as they had been 25 years previously, still as sneaky but we managed a short view of one. The dreamy song of a Blue-fronted Robin serenaded us, but as expected he remained invisible, buried in a bamboo thicket.

In the dawn twilight, from our mountain camp we could hear Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Wood Owls, Grey Nightjar and Long-billed Thrush. Leaving this special place we saw two more male Satyr Tragopan on the road, a showy Yellow-belled Flowerpecker, nest-building Little Forktails, a vocal treetop Black-headed Shrike Babbler, Broad-billed Warbler, a female and an immature male Ward’s Trogon, our first Rusty-fronted Barwing, a gorgeous male Sapphire Flycatcher, Black-eared Shrike Babbler and White-spectacled Warbler. Lunchtime at mid-elevations produced Hodgson’s Redstart, Short-billed Minivet, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide and a vocal Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo, then as we entered warmer broad-leaved forests we met Grey-cheeked Warbler, a lovely quartet of Himalayan Cutia, Sikkim Treecreeper, Yellow-cheeked Tits and Golden-throated Barbet. Our next camp was sat astride a saddle at 1600m, an excellent location to access the nearby avian abundance.

With an early quest for one of the best, we found a Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler in an overgrown gully that eventually emerged to give us a great view. I was particularly happy to reacquaint myself with this bird, nearly 25 years to the day since he jumped out in front of me for the very first time! We attempted to see another favourite, the Long-billed Wren Babbler, but all he was offering was a split-second view before hiding again. Also today we saw stunning Rufous-necked Hornbills, Black Eagle, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Asian Emerald Cuckoos, Lesser Yellownape, Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Grey-chinned Minivet, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, White-breasted Parrotbill, a smart Black-crowned Scimitar Babbler, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, White-naped Yuhina, Chestnut-crowned and Black-faced Warbler. Around our camp lived a vocal Long-tailed Shrike, Grey Bushchats and Himalayan Prinia, with Himalayan Swiftlets and White-throated Needletail swooping over the ridge. Evening excursions produced a wonderful Brown Wood Owl, but of several calling Hodgson’s Frogmouths, none came near us.

Another morning in the mid-elevations, we saw a fine lathami Kalij Pheasant, a big flock of Speckled Woodpigeon, confiding Himalayan Cutias and a Lesser Cuckoo. Gullys hid Slaty-bellied Tesias and White-gorgetted Flycatcher, and a perched Mountain Hawk Eagle showed well. Later we explored an adjoining valley and found Grey-throated Parrotbills, Streaked Spiderhunter, Yellow-vented Warbler, Square-tailed Drongo Cuckoo, Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike, Sultan Tits, and Orange-bellied Leafbird. Close to our camp was a house where in the early morning birds were coming to feed around the seepage and waste, and we had splendid views of Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Red-faced Liocichla, Bhutan Laughingthrush (‘like a giant Dunnock’), Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, plus we saw Common Tailorbird, Grey-headed Woodpecker and Greater Yellownape. Around our camp itself we saw our first Rufous-necked Laughingthrushes, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, and a spectacular Rufous-necked Hornbill.

Then it was time to head for pastures new, so we headed downhill, to the very bottom of the Lingmethang Road and took the road southwards through the valley of the Kuri Chu river. In the dry habitat here we found Himalayan and Rufescent Prinias and Himalayan Bulbul. The scenery was spectacular as the road clung to a ledge through the dramatic gorges of the Kuri Chu, then we emerged into verdant foothill forest at 300m. Pausing here we saw Red Junglefowls, a Great Hornbill putting on a show as it fed on berries, Crested Honey Buzzard and Rufous-bellied Eagle soared overhead, Blue-throated Barbet, Pin-striped Tit Babbler, Black-naped Monarch, White-throated Bulbul, Great Myna, Chestnut-tailed Starling, and Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch. Reaching the southernmost hills we could see the plains of Assam beyond, and we headed westwards along the forested ridge towards Panbang. Along the way we found a splendid Grey-lored Broadbill (a first for this tour) plus Red-headed Trogon, Long-tailed Broadbill and more Kalij Pheasants. We arrived at our Jungle Lodge at dusk, situated on the edge of Manas National Park, eager to explore this exciting area.

We headed up into the lush forests, a humid misty morning that turned to rain, just as we reached a conveniently situated shelter in which to have our breakfast in. The birding was busy, with Greater Flamebacks, Speckled Piculet, Bay and Rufous Woodpeckers, Common Emerald Dove, Mountain Imperial Pigeon and Pin-tailed Green Pigeons, White-crested Laughingthrushes, Long-tailed Sibia, Sultan Tits, Crimson Sunbird, Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher and Yellow-vented Warbler. Spotted and Slaty-backed Forktails appeared in the rain, and we diverted into Manas National Park where we saw Black-backed Forktail ona forest stream. In the afternoon the weather had improved and we returned to the humid forests at 600m asl, seeing Blue-eared Barbet, Long-tailed Broadbills, White-browed Scimitar Babblers, Striated and Black-chinned Yuhinas, a Grey Peacock Pheasant cackled away from dense forest, while a vocal Ruddy Kingfisher also resolutely stayed hidden. In the late afternoon an Orange-headed Thrush showed nicely as it fed along the edge of the road.

Returning to the forest the next day, we opened our birding with yet another Ruddy Kingfisher that wouldn’t show, unlike a fine spotted Eye-browed Wren Babbler that emerged in a rocky gully. A large flock of young Rufous-necked Hornbills put on quite a display, we saw White-hooded Babblers, White-browed Piculet, Common Green Magpie, another Grey-lored Broadbill, and an odd song coming from the canopy turned out to be a smart Rufous-backed Sibia. A familiar call from the jungles of Thailand caught my attention, coming from the thickly vegetated slope – a Large Scimitar Babbler? Without any previous records in Bhutan, this would be a National first, a range extension from the nearest records in lowland Assam. We lured it closer, and it circled us in typical fashion, staying hidden for the most part yet crossing the road repeatedly. Eventually some short glimpses confirmed what we already knew, it was Bhutan’s first Large Scimitar Babbler! Too quick for any of our photographers, but plenty of good sound recordings were acquired.

Activity dropped off as the day grew hotter, so it was time to leave this awesome forest and head for the next destination. We paused by a dramatic waterfall that also had a spectacular concentration of butterflies, and we had our lunch at a lovely viewpoint overlooking the hills and valleys. Along a windy canyon we were privileged to view the nest of White-bellied Heron far below us in the valley, with an adult and two chicks stood on the nest platform as we looked down from high up. The rarest Heron in the world, we were looking at a significant percentage of the world population! We reached our pleasant camp in a green orchard, and a short walk in the nearby bamboo clumps produced the desired White-hooded Babblers and smart Pale-billed Parrotbills, plus a single accompanying White-breasted Parrotbill, and a Grey-bellied Cuckoo. Another wonderful day in this magical wonderland!

From our comfortable camp we didn’t have to walk far to explore the nearby areas. Rain showers came and went, and from the shelter of the trees we saw Grey-throated Babblers, Black-chinned and Striated Yuhinas, and a Pale-headed Woodpecker tried to hide in the bamboo. As we paused for breakfast we could hear a Spotted Elachura singing his techno song, and catching up with him we enjoyed some lengthy views. We drove up the road towards Shemgang, finding Red-headed Trogon and Rufous-faced Warbler along the way, to a place at 1700m where we hoped to find Beautiful Nuthatch. It was all quiet, until a sharp chattering was heard, and there they were in all their glory, two beautiful Beautiful Nuthatches. Hurrah! The rain came and went, then back down the hill we saw Rusty-cheeked and White-browed Scimitar Babblers, Banded Bay Cuckoo and Asian Fairy Bluebird.  Mammals also featured here, with several troops of Gee’s Golden Langur seen in the area.

A final foray around our camp produced more White-hooded Babblers and Pale-billed Parrotbills, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Crimson Sunbird and Great Hornbill. Continuing our journey, we headed up to the Tama La on the road to Gelephu, where we saw another female Ward’s Trogon amid a cacophany of Cuckoos. Dropping further down the mountain, we paused by a bridge where a pair of Slaty-backed Forktails fed on the stream. Nearby we found a very confiding Long-billed Wren Babbler, unafraid of the assembled onlookers and sitting in full view showing off his kiwi-like form. Also here was a Grey-bellied Tesia that finally permitted us some views, and a vigorously calling Chestnut-breasted Partridge. Despite there being no open ground to view the forest floor, we kept calling it and amazingly it popped its head up over the bank and stood in a sunlit patch! So lucky!  A Grey-winged Blackbird sang close to where we had our lunch, in yet another well-appointed gazebo with a view of the clouds bubbling up from the hot plains beneath us. In the rich forests clinging to the steep slopes of the last foothills, we had amazing views of a pair of Beautiful Nuthatch, joined by Silver-eared Mesia, Rusty-fronted Barwing, a brief Eurasian Wryneck, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Red-faced Liocichla and a Black-crowned Scimitar Babbler. We timed our journey so that the road over a large landslide had re-opened to traffic, and after crossing the last bridge at the foot of the hills we were surprised to see a Brown Fish Owl roosting in the open, a tour write-in and a rare bird in these parts. We reached the border town of Gelephu with enough time to make a pilgrimage to the town sewage ponds. At the close of day we saw Red-naped Ibis, Lesser Whistling Ducks, Great Hornbills, Indian Pond Herons, Eurasian Hobby, Rufous Treepie and Jungle Myna. We then enjoyed our first hotel in nine days, with welcome hot showers and cold beers!

As dawn came in this subtropical town, we headed out and began birding the lowlands. We saw Green Imperial Pigeon, Common Hill Myna, Indochinese Roller, Oriental Dollarbird, a trio of Indian Stone-curlew on a river bed along with several Indian Peafowl, Black-winged Kites, Hair-crested and Greater Racket-tailed Drongos, Indian Cuckooshrike, Plain Flowerpecker, and a smart Eastern Red-rumped Swallow with a fascinating tunnel-entrance nest. We could hear Blue-naped and Western Hooded Pittas calling from the foothill forests, and exploring a gully we managed to lure out a Western Hooded Pitta which sat calling in view, high in the trees, unlike the Blue-naped Pittas that remained buried in their thickets. We also saw Wreathed Hornbill, Indian Pied Myna, Asian Palm Swift, three Black-backed Forktails, and a White-rumped Munia. Then we turned to climb up into the hills once more, pausing in the heat of the midday period and  watching White-throated Needletails and Asian House Martins overhead, plus a Green-billed Malkoha and Crested Serpent Eagle. We continued up the forested mountain road, finding familiar species such as White-browed Piculet, Black-crowned Scimitar Babbler, Striated Yuhinas and Sultan Tits. As the rain came in we headed for our final camp of the tour, located on a 2000m pass in a curious setting among chortens and prayer flags. As the mist and rain cleared, we watched a gully behind a cafe, where we saw Bhutan Laughingthrush, Rusty-fronted Barwing, White-throated Fantail, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Red-billed Leiothrix, and a splendidly plain Tickell’s Thrush.

Dawn at our blessed camp, and the forest all around us rang with the calls of six species of Cuckoo and Grey Nightjar heralding the start of the day. Once light we found Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Grey-winged Blackbird, Common Rosefinch and Tickells Leaf Warbler feeding in a mustard patch. Lower down we watched Grey-sided and White-crested Laughingthrushes, Small Niltava and White-naped Yuhina, and Pale Blue Flycatcher. Fog rolled in again, so we began our journey northwards. Dropping down into the deep valley of the Puna Tsang Chu, we stopped to watch another White-bellied Heron nest with two well-grown young, clearly visible despite being hundreds of metres below us. At two separate points along the valley we also saw single White-bellied Herons, to make an incredible three adults and two chicks for the day. One of them was on the lake created by the damming of the river, almost alongside a vagrant  Oriental Darter. We pressed onwards to Wangdi, and reached our charming hotel positioned by a rushing mountain stream.

Continuing along the Puna Sang Chu, we scanned the river as we went. We saw Little Grebe. Pied Avocet, Common Redshank, Gadwall and Eurasian Wigeon, before heading back uphill. Crossing the river into the dry pine and grassy cultivation, we saw a male Crested Bunting singing lustily, and a Grey-bellied Cuckoo came by. Another al-fresco breakfast beside a chorten in the forest at 2300m, we had a brief view of Indian Cuckoo, and found a Pygmy Cupwing that showed well, though a vocal White-tailed Robin was more furtive. Heading higher up the mountain, we found a handsome pair of Rufous-bellied Woodpecker. The Dochu La  was quiet, so we pressed towards Paro. We stopped to check a pine-covered island along the Paro river, and surprisingly in the trees were sitting two Tawny Fish Owls! Wow! On reaching Paro, we had a nice look at a Black-tailed Crake in a roadside wetland, plus a vagrant Common Moorhen, while an Ibisbill sat preening in mid-river.

A last hurrah for our tour, with a pre-dawn departure for the Chele La, perfectly timed for a Grey Nightjar that sat on a rocky cliff by the road. As the light came up, both Kalij Pheasant and a female Satyr Tragopan scuttled off the road upon our approach. As we got higher, Blood Pheasants began to appear, and we counted a minimum of 14. But where were the Monals? Perhaps some of us were wishing too hard! We headed up to the pass at 3870m, and over the other side. We had a brief look at a female Himalayan Monal that flew downhill, then headed back up to the top to scan the hillsides as they drifted in and out of cloud. We met our camp crew arriving with our breakfast, of course they had seen Monals on the drive up! We quickly drove down and sure enough, there was a stunning male Himalayan Monal, strutting around and shimmering in the light. Sated with this gorgeous spectacle, we continued our explorations. We saw some smart Red-headed Bullfinches, Collared and White-winged Grosbeaks were very active, plus Blue-fronted Redstarts, Rufous-breasted Accentors, Himalayan White-browed Rosefinches, Spotted Laughingthrush, and a Long-tailed Thrush that sang strongly from a high conifer. We received a tip about a Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel, and once we had found his hole we had some nice views as he poked his head out. Dropping lower down the mountain we saw some very distant Snow Pigeons, and disturbed two Eurasian Woodcock from the roadside, one of which sat in the open. After a final field lunch with our camp crew, we said a warm goodbye to them and continued our birding. We added Goldcrest, enjoyed Grey Crested and crested Coal Tits, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird and Whistler’s Warbler. A couple of final additions came in the form of a vocal Indian Blue Robin, and a fine Brown Bullfinch that led us on a merry dance. One more bird to finish with, back at our hotel there was an Eastern Barn Owl roosting under the eaves. Another write-in for the tour!

What a trip! From start to finish, Bhutan did not fail to impress and enchant us with its wonderful avifauna, and actually exceeded expectations. My 21^st visit over 32 years, it is great that the birding is still as good as it ever was. Long may it last! A special thanks to Phub Dorji for his hard work, and also to our camp crew for keeping us well fed throughout the trip.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

BIRDS
Lesser Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna javanica  A dozen at Gelephu Sewage ponds.
Gadwall  Mareca strepera   Seven at Bajo.
Eurasian Wigeon  Mareca penelope  Five at Bajo
Common Merganser  Mergus merganser
Hill Partridge ◊  Arborophila torqueola  Heard-only, though not common. 
Chestnut-breasted Partridge ◊  Arborophila mandellii  A remarkable encounter where we saw the head and breast of a strongly calling bird near the Tama La. Also calling at Yongkola.
Rufous-throated Partridge ◊  Arborophila rufogularis  Heard-only. 
Blood Pheasant ◊  Ithaginis cruentus  Two seen on the Thrumsing La, and at least 14 on a busy morning on the Chele La.
Satyr Tragopan ◊  Tragopan satyra  A total of 12 seen along our route! What a stunning bird!
Himalayan Monal ◊  Lophophorus impejanus  A pair on the road to the Thrumsing La didn’t hang around, then we had stunning looks at an irridescent male on the Chele. Also a female seen there.
Kalij Pheasant ◊  Lophura leucomelanos  A total of 25 seen on a drive up to the forest near Punakha, all of the white-breasted melanota subspecies. And in the east we saw a few dark-breasted lathami.
Indian Peafowl  Pavo cristatus  A few seen in the borderlands.
Grey Peacock-Pheasant ◊  Polyplectron bicalcaratum  Heard-only. Barking and cackling at Panbang, tantalisingly close!
Red Junglefowl  Gallus gallus
Grey Nightjar  Caprimulgus jotaka  After several heard from campsites along our route, we had a good look at a roadside bird at Paro.
Hodgson’s Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus hodgsoni  Heard-only, at Yongkola. Bah!
Himalayan Swiftlet  Aerodramus brevirostris
White-throated Needletail  Hirundapus caudacutus  A big flock low over Punakha Dzong, also seen over Yongkola camp and in a few other places.
Asian Palm Swift  Cypsiurus balasiensis
Blyth’s Swift ◊  Apus leuconyx  Some nice encounters with birds flying in and out of roadside nests in rock faces.
Lesser Coucal  Centropus bengalensis 
Green-billed Malkoha  Phaenicophaeus tristis  A single vocal bird seen above Sarpang.
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo  Clamator coromandus  A single bird seen briefly near Shemgang.
Asian Koel  Eudynamys scolopaceus Heard-only.
Asian Emerald Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx maculatus
Banded Bay Cuckoo  Cacomantis sonneratii  Seen twice by our Tingtibi camp.
Plaintive Cuckoo  Cacomantis merulinus  Heard-only. 
Grey-bellied Cuckoo ◊  Cacomantis passerinus  Two seen, one near Punakha, another near Tingtibi.
Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo  Surniculus lugubris
Large Hawk-Cuckoo  Hierococcyx sparverioides
Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo ◊ (Whistling H C)  Hierococcyx nisicolor
Lesser Cuckoo  Cuculus poliocephalus  
Indian Cuckoo  Cuculus micropterus
Himalayan Cuckoo  Cuculus saturatus
Common Cuckoo  Cuculus canorus
Rock Dove (introduced) (Feral Pigeon)  Columba [livia] var_domestica
Snow Pigeon ◊  Columba leuconota  Three distant birds at the Kila Goenpa Nunnery near the Chele La.
Speckled Wood Pigeon ◊  Columba hodgsonii  A nice flock of 45 seen on the Lingmethang Road., a few also seen elsewhere.
Oriental Turtle Dove  Streptopelia orientalis
Spotted Dove  Spilopelia chinensis
Barred Cuckoo-Dove  Macropygia unchall  Heard-only. Vocal at Darachu camp.
Common Emerald Dove  Chalcophaps indica
Pin-tailed Green Pigeon ◊  Treron apicauda  Seen on four days in the foothills.
Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon  Treron sphenurus  A flock at Darachu, also near the Dochu La.
Green Imperial Pigeon  Ducula aenea  A couple seen flying over at Gelephu.
Mountain Imperial Pigeon  Ducula badia
Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus  A vagrant and a write-in for Bhutan, seen at Paro.
Eurasian Coot  Fulica atra
Black-tailed Crake ◊  Zapornia bicolor  One showed well on a small marsh near Paro.
White-breasted Waterhen  Amaurornis phoenicurus
Little Grebe  Tachybaptus ruficollis  One seen on the Puna Sang Chu at Wangdi.
Great Crested Grebe  Podiceps cristatus  One at Bajo, on the Puna Sang Chu at Wangdi.
Indian Stone-curlew  (I Thick-knee)  Burhinus indicus  Three seen roosting on a river bed near Gelephu.
Ibisbill ◊  Ibidorhyncha struthersii  A great close view on our first morning near Paro, also seen near the airport at the end of the tour.
Pied Avocet  Recurvirostra avosetta  A single at Bajo near Wangdi was unexpected.
Little Ringed Plover  Charadrius dubius
River Lapwing  Vanellus duvaucelii
Red-wattled Lapwing  Vanellus indicus
Eurasian Woodcock  Scolopax rusticola  Two on the Chele La, one of which stayed on the ground for stunning views, despite all the noise coming from our bus!
Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos
Green Sandpiper  Tringa ochropus
Marsh Sandpiper  Tringa stagnatilis  A single at Bajo, a Bhutan lifer for all including Phub!
Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola
Common Redshank  Tringa totanus  A single at Bajo on our second visit.
Oriental Darter  Anhinga melanogaster  A vagrant, one on the dam lake near Wangdi.
Little Cormorant  Microcarbo niger
Red-naped Ibis ◊  Pseudibis papillosa  A flying bird at Gelephu sewage ponds.
Little Egret  Egretta garzetta
Indian Pond Heron  Ardeola grayii  Seen at Gelephu sewage ponds.
Eastern Cattle Egret  Ardea coromanda  Around Gelephu.
Grey Heron  Ardea cinerea  A single at Bajo was a write-in.
White-bellied Heron ◊  Ardea insignis  A remarkable tally; first a nest near Tingtibi with adult and two chicks, then a single bird along the Puna Sang Chu, a nest in the same valley with an adult and two chicks, and finally another adult on the dam lake further upstream. The rarest Heron in the world, these represent a significant proportion of the world population..
Crested Honey Buzzard (Oriental H B)  Pernis ptilorhynchus  A few seen in the foothills and lowlands.
Himalayan Vulture ◊  Gyps himalayensis  Seen at Phobjika and over the Pele La, with close views of birds on the ground.
Crested Serpent Eagle  Spilornis cheela
Mountain Hawk-Eagle  Nisaetus nipalensis  Some nice encounters with perched birds, plus a few in the air.
Rufous-bellied Eagle  Lophotriorchis kienerii  Two seen over the foothill forests.
Black Eagle  Ictinaetus malaiensis  Frequent sightings over the forest.
Crested Goshawk  Lophospiza trivirgata  Displaying birds near Punakha were the only ones seen.
Hen Harrier  Circus cyaneus  A ‘ringtail’ seen hunting over the marsh at Phobjika.
Black Kite (Black-eared K)  Milvus [migrans] lineatus  A migrating bird flew over the Dochu La.
Himalayan Buzzard ◊  Buteo refectus
Eastern Barn Owl  Tyto javanica  A nice treat to see this at roost under the eaves of our Paro hotel.
Collared Owlet  Taenioptynx brodiei Heard-only.
Asian Barred Owlet  Glaucidium cuculoides Heard-only, just one, near Panbang.
Jungle Owlet  Glaucidium radiatum  Heard-only, near Gelephu airport.
Mountain Scops Owl  Otus spilocephalus  Heard-only, near Yomgkola.
Brown Fish Owl  Ketupa zeylonensis  A surprise daytime find near Gelephu.
Tawny Fish Owl  Ketupa flavipes  A big surprise find of a pair in pine near Paro.
Brown Wood Owl  Strix leptogrammica  An excellent encounter with a vocal bird at Yongkola.
Himalayan Owl ◊ (H Wood O)  Strix nivicolum  Excellent views from our Phobjika hotel.
Red-headed Trogon  Harpactes erythrocephalus  Several seen, but none well.
Ward’s Trogon ◊  Harpactes wardi  Three females plus a female-plumaged young male seen along our route, but no ‘raspberry fool!’
Eurasian Hoopoe  Upupa epops
Great Hornbill  Buceros bicornis
Rufous-necked Hornbill ◊  Aceros nipalensis  Multiple encounters with these fantastic beasts, with a large group sen near Panbang.
Wreathed Hornbill  Rhyticeros undulatus  Just one seen, near Sarpang.
Indochinese Roller  Coracias affinis  A few in the borderlands.
Oriental Dollarbird  Eurystomus orientalis  A single seen near Gelephu.
Ruddy Kingfisher  Halcyon coromanda  Heard-only. A nice surprise in the Panbang forests, butof two birds heard, they would not show themselves.
White-throated Kingfisher  Halcyon smyrnensis
Common Kingfisher  Alcedo atthis
Crested Kingfisher  Megaceryle lugubris
Blue-bearded Bee-eater  Nyctyornis athertoni  A single seen briefly at Yongkola.
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater  Merops leschenaulti  Singles seen at Panbang and near Sarpang.
Great Barbet  Psilopogon virens
Lineated Barbet  Psilopogon lineatus Heard-only, at Gelephu.
Golden-throated Barbet  Psilopogon franklinii
Blue-throated Barbet  Psilopogon asiaticus
Blue-eared Barbet  Psilopogon cyanotis  A couple seen near Panbang.
Yellow-rumped Honeyguide ◊  Indicator xanthonotus Three seen on our route, staying close to the hives of Giant Rock Bees.
Eurasian Wryneck  Jynx torquilla  A single in a bird flock uphill from Gelephu.
Speckled Piculet  Picumnus innominatus  A single near Panbang.
White-browed Piculet  Sasia ochracea  Four seen in scatterred locations, often close to bamboo.
Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker  Yungipicus canicapillus
Crimson-naped Woodpecker ◊  Dryobates cathpharius
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker  Dendrocopos hyperythrus  Nice views of a pair at Dochu La.
Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker  Dendrocopos macei  A single seen in foothill forest near Gelephu.
Darjeeling Woodpecker ◊  Dendrocopos darjellensis  A fine pair seen near Punakha at a hole in a big stump.
Greater Yellownape  Chrysophlegma flavinucha
Lesser Yellownape  Picus chlorolophus
Grey-headed Woodpecker  Picus canus
Black-rumped Flameback  Dinopium bengalense  Heard-only.
Greater Flameback  Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus  A pair seen near Panbang were a write-in.
Pale-headed Woodpecker ◊  Gecinulus grantia  Some good if brief looks at one in the bamboo close to our Tingtibi camp.
Bay Woodpecker  Blythipicus pyrrhotis
Rufous Woodpecker  Micropternus brachyurus  Just one seen, in forest near Panbang.
Common Kestrel  Falco tinnunculus
Eurasian Hobby  Falco subbuteo  A single hunting around Gelephu sewage ponds.
Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus
Rose-ringed Parakeet  Psittacula krameri
Grey-lored Broadbill  Serilophus  An excellent sighting of one near Nganglam, another near Panbang. This was the first time on this tour, and is a recent split from Silver-breasted Broadbill. 
Long-tailed Broadbill  Psarisomus dalhousiae
Blue-naped Pitta ◊  Hydrornis nipalensis  Heard-only. At least six hear between Gelephu and Sarpang.
Western Hooded Pitta  Pitta sordida  Four heard between Gelephu and Sarpang, with one seen well as it sang from high in the trees. Easier to see than the previous species!
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike  Hemipus picatus  Only seen on one day near Yongkola.
Large Woodshrike  Tephrodornis virgatus  A single male near Sarpang.
Ashy Woodswallow  Artamus fuscus
Common Iora  Aegithina tiphia  Only seen at the Panbang Jungle Lodge.
Grey-chinned Minivet  Pericrocotus solaris
Short-billed Minivet  Pericrocotus brevirostris
Long-tailed Minivet  Pericrocotus ethologus  Not uncommon in pine at higher elevations.
Scarlet Minivet  Pericrocotus speciosus
Indian Cuckooshrike  Coracina macei  One flying about near Gelephu.
Black-winged Cuckooshrike  Lalage melaschistos  A common feature of mid elevation forests.
Green Shrike-babbler ◊  Pteruthius xanthochlorus  A curious little bird, seen well in higher elevation bird flocks.
Black-eared Shrike-babbler  Pteruthius melanotis  A smart male seen along the Lingmethang Road.
Black-headed Shrike-babbler ◊  Pteruthius rufiventer  A vocal fellow singing from the treetops below Sengor.
White-browed Shrike-babbler  Pteruthius aeralatus
White-bellied Erpornis  Erpornis zantholeuca
Maroon Oriole  Oriolus traillii
Black-hooded Oriole  Oriolus xanthornus  A single bird seen near Gelephu.
Slender-billed Oriole ◊  Oriolus tenuirostris  A pine specialist, we saw a vocal male near Punakha.
Bronzed Drongo  Dicrurus aeneus
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus remifer
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus paradiseus  Two or three seen near Panbang.
Hair-crested Drongo  Dicrurus hottentottus  A few seen in the border forests near Gelephu.
Ashy Drongo  Dicrurus leucophaeus
White-throated Fantail  Rhipidura albicollis
Black-naped Monarch  Hypothymis azurea
Brown Shrike  Lanius cristatus  Just one seen well, on a roadside wire.
Long-tailed Shrike  Lanius schach  Frequently seen at lower elevations, and a vocal camp companion at Yongkola.
Grey-backed Shrike  Lanius tephronotus
Eurasian Jay  Garrulus glandarius  Frequent sightings of the distinctive interstinctus subspecies.
Yellow-billed Blue Magpie ◊  Urocissa flavirostris
Common Green Magpie  Cissa chinensis  Smart birds seen well at Panbang and Tingtibi
Rufous Treepie  Dendrocitta vagabunda  A few seen around Gelephu.
Grey Treepie  Dendrocitta formosae
Black-rumped Magpie  Pica bottanensis  Only seen in the cultivated areas around Bunthang and Ura.
Southern Nutcracker  Nucifraga hemispila  A few of these ‘spotless’ Nutcrackers seen at the highest elevations.
Red-billed Chough  Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
House Crow  Corvus splendens
Large-billed Crow  Corvus macrorhynchos
Eastern Jungle Crow  Corvus levaillantii  A couple of sightings in the borderlands.
Yellow-bellied Fantail  Chelidorhynx hypoxanthus  Unusually, just one seen
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher  Culicicapa ceylonensis
Yellow-browed Tit ◊  Sylviparus modestus
Sultan Tit  Melanochlora sultanea  Often seen in the warner lower elevation forests, common and showy in places.
Rufous-vented Tit ◊  Periparus rubidiventris  A small number seen on the Pele La and other high forest areas.
Coal Tit  Periparus ater
Grey-crested Tit ◊  Lophophanes dichrous  A handful seen in higher elevation forests.
Green-backed Tit  Parus monticolus
Yellow-cheeked Tit  Machlolophus spilonotus
Oriental Skylark  Alauda gulgula  Many seen at Phobjika.
White-throated Bulbul ◊  Alophoixus flaveolus  Not uncommon in the warm lower elevation forests.
Striated Bulbul  Alcurus striatus
Ashy Bulbul  Hemixos flavala
Mountain Bulbul  Ixos mcclellandii
Black Bulbul  Hypsipetes leucocephalus
Black-crested Bulbul  Rubigula flaviventris
Red-whiskered Bulbul  Pycnonotus jocosus
Red-vented Bulbul  Pycnonotus cafer
Himalayan Bulbul ◊  Pycnonotus leucogenys  A few seen only in one area, in the dry valleys south of Lingmethang.
Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica
Asian House Martin  Delichon dasypus  Seen best between Sarpang and Darachu camp.
Nepal House Martin ◊  Delichon nipalense  Some busy roadside colonies along our route.
Eastern Red-rumped Swallow  Cecropis daurica  A few seen in the lowlands, with an interesting ‘inverted igloo’ nest seen near Gelephu.
Scaly-breasted Cupwing  Pnoepyga albiventer  Stunning views of a feisty little songster on the Pele La.
Pygmy Cupwing  Pnoepyga pusilla  Only one encountered, we had good views of one near the Dochu La.
Yellow-bellied Warbler  Abroscopus superciliaris Heard-only.
Rufous-faced Warbler ◊  Abroscopus albogularis  One showed well near Tingtibi.
Black-faced Warbler ◊  Abroscopus schisticeps
Broad-billed Warbler ◊  Tickellia hodgsoni  A bamboo specialist, we had a good view of one on the Lingmethang Road.
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler  Horornis fortipes
Hume’s Bush Warbler ◊  Horornis brunnescens  Also a bamboo lover, we found this on the Yutong La and Thrumsing La.
Grey-bellied Tesia ◊  Tesia cyaniventer  A sneaky fellow, we finally saw one near the Tama La.
Slaty-bellied Tesia ◊  Tesia olivea  Multiple teasing on the Lingmethang Road, with views acquired of one at least.
Grey-sided Bush Warbler ◊  Cettia brunnifrons  Several seen singing vigorously on the high passes.
Chestnut-headed Tesia ◊  Cettia castaneocoronata  Seen well near Sengor, others heard.
Black-throated Bushtit  Aegithalos concinnus
Rufous-fronted Bushtit ◊  Aegithalos iouschistos  Four seen on the Pele La in a mixed flock, and not again until the Chele La.
Buff-barred Warbler  Phylloscopus pulcher  Present only in high forests
Ashy-throated Warbler  Phylloscopus maculipennis  A few seen at high elevations around the passes
Yellow-browed Warbler  Phylloscopus inornatus  Heard-only, at Bajo.
Lemon-rumped Warbler  Phylloscopus chloronotus  A few seen, at higher elevations.
Tickell’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus affinis Mirant birds noted in a couple of places.
White-spectacled Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus intermedius  Fairly unresponsive, but we managed views on the  Lingmethang Road.
Grey-cheeked Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus poliogenys
Green-crowned Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus burkii  Only seen on a couple of occasions, such as on the Lingmethang Road.
Whistler’s Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus whistleri  Present and visible in the high forests.
Greenish Warbler  Phylloscopus trochiloides  A late arrival, several singing on the Chele La.
Large-billed Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus magnirostris  One seen near Sengor, others heard in the higher forests.
Chestnut-crowned Warbler  Phylloscopus castaniceps  A few smart examples seen in mid-elevation forests.
Yellow-vented Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus cantator  Several seen well in the warmer low-elevation forests.
Blyth’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus reguloides
Grey-hooded Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus xanthoschistos
Himalayan Prinia  Prinia crinigera
Rufescent Prinia  Prinia rufescens  Seen in the dry Kuri Chu valley south of Lingmethang.
Common Tailorbird  Orthotomus sutorius
Fire-tailed Myzornis ◊  Myzornis pyrrhoura  Some nice views of these jewels on the Thrumsing La
Golden-breasted Fulvetta ◊  Lioparus chrysotis  Another favourite, gorgeous littl ebirds seen at Yemay Goenpa and on the Lingmethang Road.
White-browed Fulvetta ◊  Fulvetta vinipectus  Seen at higher elevations, often in the ‘Owlet out flocks’.
Great Parrotbill ◊  Paradoxornis aemodius  A shouty and very confiding bird on the Dochu La.
Brown Parrotbill ◊  Paradoxornis unicolor  Three seen in rhododendron forest near the Pele La.
Grey-headed Parrotbill  Paradoxornis gularis  Seen well near our Yongkola camp.
White-breasted Parrotbill ◊ (Greater Rufous-headed P)  Paradoxornis ruficeps Some seen in a mixed flock at Yongkola, and one or more seen in the bamboo near our Tingtibi camp along side Pale-billed.
Black-throated Parrotbill ◊  Suthora [nipalensis] humii  Gorgeous little sprites seen at Yemay Goenpa and on the Lingmethang Road.
Pale-billed Parrotbill ◊ (Lesser Rufous-headed P)  Suthora atrosuperciliaris   Several seen in the bamboo near our Tingtibi camp
Striated Yuhina  Staphida castaniceps  This and the following species were quite numerous in the lower elevation forests.
Black-chinned Yuhina  Yuhina nigrimenta
Whiskered Yuhina  Yuhina flavicollis
White-naped Yuhina ◊  Yuhina bakeri  Very smart, seen near Yongkola, above Gelephu and at Darachu.
Stripe-throated Yuhina  Yuhina gularis  A higher elevation feature of the bird flocks.
Rufous-vented Yuhina  Yuhina occipitalis  Similar to the above, appearing in scrub on the high passes.
Indian White-eye  Zosterops palpebrosus
Pin-striped Tit-Babbler  Mixornis gularis
Golden Babbler  Cyanoderma chrysaeum  A few seen lurking in bamboo.
Rufous-capped Babbler  Cyanoderma ruficeps
Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler ◊  Spelaeornis caudatus  Just one seen, at Yemay Goenpa. Also heard near Yongkola.
Black-crowned Scimitar Babbler ◊  Pomatorhinus ferruginosus  A very smart fellow, this is split from Coral-billed.
Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler ◊  Pomatorhinus superciliaris  Great views of a pair near Sengor.
Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler  Pomatorhinus ruficollis  Actually only seen on one day, at Yemay Goenpa.
White-browed Scimitar Babbler  Pomatorhinus schisticeps  Quite common at lower elevations, often in bamboo.
Large Scimitar Babbler  Erythrogenys hypoleucos  A call familiar to me from SE Asia, at Panbang one was calling and was lured into making sweeping circles around us while staying mostly hidden. A few short views confirmed its identity, plus plenty of sound recordings, the first record for Bhutan!
Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler ◊  Erythrogenys erythrogenys
Grey-throated Babbler  Stachyris nigriceps  
Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler ◊  Stachyris humei  As I said, we’ve ‘got history’, so I was particularly pleased to see this chap emerge from a dense thicket at Yongkola, 25 years almost to the day since I first laid eyes on him.
White-hooded Babbler ◊  Gampsorhynchus rufulus  Many seen, at Panbang and at Tingtibi.
Yellow-throated Fulvetta ◊  Schoeniparus cinereus  Only seen the once near Yongkola, a smart little fellow.
Rufous-winged Fulvetta  Schoeniparus castaneceps
Puff-throated Babbler  Pellorneum ruficeps Heard-only.
Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler  Napothera epilepidota  A fine spotty example in a gully at Panbang.
Long-billed Wren-Babbler ◊  Napothera malacoptila  After much squinting into the thickets near Yongkola where we had just a couple of glimpses, near the Tama La we were treated to the full show by a shouty little chap, looking like a tiny Kiwi!
Nepal Fulvetta ◊  Alcippe nipalensis
Striated Laughingthrush  Grammatoptila striata
Himalayan Cutia ◊  Cutia nipalensis  Always a crowd pleaser, we had several excellent encounters.
Scaly Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron subunicolor  A pair seen on the Lingmethang Road.
Blue-winged Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron squamatum Heard-only.
Bhutan Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron imbricatum
Black-faced Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron affine
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush  Trochalopteron erythrocephalum
Long-tailed Sibia ◊  Heterophasia picaoides  A handful seen in the Panbang forests.
Rufous Sibia ◊  Heterophasia capistrata
Hoary-throated Barwing ◊  Actinodura nipalensis  Some very good views on the high passes.
Blue-winged Minla  Actinodura cyanouroptera
Bar-throated Minla (Chestnut-tailed M)  Actinodura strigula
Rusty-fronted Barwing ◊  Actinodura egertoni  Not uncommon in the warmer low and mid-elevation forests.
Red-billed Leiothrix  Leiothrix lutea
Silver-eared Mesia  Leiothrix argentauris  Good views between Tama La and Gelephu.
Red-tailed Minla  Minla ignotincta  A real crowd-pleaser, widespread and regularly seen.
Rufous-backed Sibia  Leioptila annectens  A good look at one singing strongly from high in the trees at Panbang.
Red-faced Liocichla ◊  Liocichla phoenicea  Great looks at these skulkers close to our Yongkola camp.
Jungle Babbler  Argya striata
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush  Garrulax monileger
White-crested Laughingthrush  Garrulax leucolophus  Noisy gangs in lower elevation forest, though surprisingly hard to see.
Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush ◊  Ianthocincla rufogularis  Great looks at these skulkers close to our Yongkola camp.
Spotted Laughingthrush ◊  Ianthocincla ocellata  Seemingly more common than they used to be, we had great views on the Dochu La, also on Pele La and Chele La.
Rufous-necked Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus ruficollis  Regular sightings at lower elevations, actaully I have decided this is my favourite Laughingthrush.
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush  Pterorhinus pectoralis  Non-leader. One at Panbang.
White-throated Laughingthrush  Pterorhinus albogularis  The most frequently seen  Laughingthrush.
Grey-sided Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus caerulatus  Seen well at Yemay Goenpa and Darachu, a beautiful songster.
Asian Fairy-bluebird  Irena puella
Goldcrest  Regulus regulus
Spotted Elachura ◊ (S Wren-Babbler)  Elachura formosa  A songster near Wangdi wouldn’t show properly, but one near our Tingtibi camp showed well, with a few others heard along the way.
Beautiful Nuthatch ◊  Sitta formosa  A gorgeous pair in the hills near Shemgang, and another pair that appeared next to us in the hills above Gelephu. Our number 3 ‘bird-of-the-trip’.
White-tailed Nuthatch ◊  Sitta himalayensis
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch  Sitta cinnamoventris
Hodgson’s Treecreeper ◊  Certhia hodgsoni  Two seen in the high forests of Thrumsing La.
Sikkim Treecreeper ◊  Certhia discolor
Common Hill Myna  Gracula religiosa  Seen in the tall forest near Gelephu.
Great Myna (White-vented M)  Acridotheres grandis  A few seen at low elevations.
Jungle Myna  Acridotheres fuscus  A few seen around Gelephu.
Common Myna  Acridotheres tristis
Indian Pied Myna  Gracupica contra  A single seen near Gelephu.
Chestnut-tailed Starling  Sturnia malabarica
Long-tailed Thrush ◊  Zoothera dixoni  A rare sight, we saw a singing bird on the Chele La.
Long-billed Thrush ◊  Zoothera monticola  Singing birds at Sengor and Dochu La, with a brief flight view at the latter site.
Orange-headed Thrush  Geokichla citrina  A splendid example on the roadside near Sarpang.
Grey-winged Blackbird ◊  Turdus boulboul  
Tickell’s Thrush ◊  Turdus unicolor  One seen close to our Darachu camp.
Red-throated Thrush  Turdus ruficollis  Quite scarce in Bhutan, we saw some at the Pele La and at Ura, the remnants of a winter influx.
White-collared Blackbird ◊  Turdus albocinctus
Oriental Magpie-Robin  Copsychus saularis
White-rumped Shama  Copsychus malabaricus  One seen in the lowlands.
Dark-sided Flycatcher  Muscicapa sibirica
Ferruginous Flycatcher  Muscicapa ferruginea Non-leader. One at Yemay Goenpa.
Asian Brown Flycatcher  Muscicapa dauurica  One near Gelephu.
Rufous-bellied Niltava  Niltava sundara
Small Niltava  Niltava macgrigoriae  Three seen in the forest near Darachu camp.
Large Niltava  Niltava grandis  A nice male seen on the Lingmethang Road.
Verditer Flycatcher  Eumyias thalassinus
White-gorgeted Flycatcher ◊  Anthipes monileger  A vocal bird near Yongkola stayed largely hidden from view.
Pale Blue Flycatcher  Cyornis unicolor  A couple of nice examples seen in warm mid-level forests, often heard.
Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher  Cyornis rubeculoides
White-tailed Robin  Myiomela leucura
Little Forktail ◊  Enicurus scouleri  A pair near Sengor gathering moss for their nest, and then washing it in the stream!
Black-backed Forktail ◊  Enicurus immaculatus  Seen in Manas N.P., then three in the ‘Pitta gully’ near Sarpang.
Slaty-backed Forktail  Enicurus schistaceus  A few seen around Panbang and below the Tama La.
Spotted Forktail  Enicurus maculatus  A glimpse of one near Yongkola, good flight views at Panbang.
Blue-fronted Robin ◊  Cinclidium frontale  Heard-only, but what a lovely song. On the Lingmethang Road.
Blue Whistling Thrush  Myophonus caeruleus
Himalayan Shortwing ◊  Brachypteryx cruralis A very sneaky bird at Thrumsing La, many others heard.
Lesser Shortwing  Brachypteryx leucophris Heard-only.
Indian Blue Robin  Larvivora brunnea  Almost the last bird, we found a songster between Paro and the Chele La.
Slaty-blue Flycatcher  Ficedula tricolor
Pygmy Flycatcher  Ficedula hodgsoni  A pair seen at Yemay Goempa, others heard.
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher  Ficedula strophiata
Sapphire Flycatcher ◊  Ficedula sapphira    A gorgeous male showed well on the Lingmethang Road.
Ultramarine Flycatcher ◊  Ficedula superciliaris  Regularly encountered.
Little Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula westermanni  Just a couple of poor views near Yongkola.
White-browed Bush Robin ◊  Tarsiger indicus  A female plumaged sonster at the Thrumsing La.
Golden Bush Robin ◊  Tarsiger chrysaeus  A smart male seen at the Thrumsing La, also a couple of females seen.
Himalayan Bluetail  Tarsiger rufilatus  A female seen on the Sheltang La, more of both sexes seen on the Chele La.
Blue-fronted Redstart  Phoenicurus frontalis  Some lovely examples seen on the Chele La, scattered sightings elsewhere.
Plumbeous Water Redstart  Phoenicurus fuliginosus
White-capped Redstart (River Chat)  Phoenicurus leucocephalus
Black Redstart  Phoenicurus ochruros  Two males seen at Yemay Goenpa.
Hodgson’s Redstart ◊  Phoenicurus hodgsoni
Blue-capped Rock Thrush ◊  Monticola cinclorhyncha  A common feature wherever there were roadside cuttings.
Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush  Monticola rufiventris  Typically at higher elevation than the previous species.
Blue Rock Thrush  Monticola solitarius  One by the river at Bajo.
Grey Bush Chat  Saxicola ferreus
Brown Dipper  Cinclus pallasii  
Golden-fronted Leafbird  Chloropsis aurifrons
Orange-bellied Leafbird  Chloropsis hardwickii
Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum melanozanthum  A fine example seen near Sengor.
Plain Flowerpecker  Dicaeum minullum  A couple seen near Gelephu.
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker  Dicaeum ignipectus
Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird  Aethopyga gouldiae  A good few of these gorgeous birds seen in the higher forests.
Green-tailed Sunbird  Aethopyga nipalensis  Ever present at high elevations.
Black-throated Sunbird  Aethopyga saturata  The sunbird of the warm lower elevation forests.
Crimson Sunbird  Aethopyga siparaja  Smart males seen at Tingtibi.
Fire-tailed Sunbird ◊  Aethopyga ignicauda  A pair on the Thrumsing La.
Streaked Spiderhunter  Arachnothera magna  A couple showed well at Yongkola, several others seen along our route.
Russet Sparrow  Passer cinnamomeus  Pleasingly common,mainly at higher elevations.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow  Passer montanus
White-rumped Munia  Lonchura striata
Rufous-breasted Accentor ◊  Prunella strophiata  Several seen on the Chele La, also at Ura.
Grey Wagtail  Motacilla cinerea
White Wagtail (Himalayan W)  Motacilla [alba] alboides
White-browed Wagtail  Motacilla maderaspatensis  A pair seen on the river at Bajo.
Paddyfield Pipit  Anthus rufulus  A single flew over at Bajo.
Olive-backed Pipit  Anthus hodgsoni
Rosy Pipit  Anthus roseatus  A flock of 15 on the Pele La.
Collared Grosbeak ◊  Mycerobas affinis  Seen in the highest forests, particularly active and vocal on the Chele La.
Spot-winged Grosbeak ◊  Mycerobas melanozanthos  At least four seen at Sengor.
White-winged Grosbeak  Mycerobas carnipes
Brown Bullfinch ◊  Pyrrhula nipalensis  Seen well eventually between Paro and the Chele La.
Red-headed Bullfinch ◊  Pyrrhula erythrocephala  Regular sightings on the high passes. Most of all on the Chele La where they showed very nicely.
Golden-naped Finch ◊  Pyrrhoplectes epauletta Heard-only.
Plain Mountain Finch  Leucosticte nemoricola  A flock seen en route to Bumthang, and hordes of them seen distantly at the Chele La.
Common Rosefinch  Carpodacus erythrinus
Scarlet Finch ◊  Carpodacus sipahi  Several smart males seen in a range of locations.
Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch ◊  Carpodacus pulcherrimus  A brief look at one at Ura.
Dark-rumped Rosefinch ◊  Carpodacus edwardsii  A nice look at both sexes near the Thrumsing La.
Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch ◊  Carpodacus thura  Females seen on the Chele La.
Yellow-breasted Greenfinch  Chloris spinoides  Just encountered once, with a big flock near Punakha.
Red Crossbill (Common C)  Loxia curvirostra
Crested Bunting ◊  Emberiza lathami  A couple of singing males in cultivation near Punakha.

MAMMALS
Western Red Panda  Ailurus fulgens  Very happy that Phub found two of these beautiful animals in the forests on the Thrumsing La, one stayed around for some good long looks.
Yellow-throated Marten (Himalayan Y-t M)  Martes flavigula  A single seen along the road near the Pele La.
Northern Red Muntjac  Muntiacus vaginalis
Brown Goral (Common G)  Naemorhedus goral  One near Yongkola.
Assamese Macaque  Macaca assamensis
Nepal Sacred Langur  Semnopithecus schistaceus  A couple seen near the Pele La.
Golden Langur  Trachypithecus geei  Not uncommon in the southern valleys, with some possibly hybrids with Capped Langur.
Capped Langur  Trachypithecus pileatus
Moupin Pika  Ochotona thibetana
Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel  Belomys pearsonii  One on the Chele La, poking its head out of its hole, was a nice surprise.
Irrawaddy Squirrel (Hoary-bellied Himalayan S)  Callosciurus pygerythrus
Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel  Dremomys lokriah
Black Giant Squirrel (Malayan G S)  Ratufa bicolor  Non-leader. At Panbang.
Himalayan Striped Squirrel  Tamiops macclellandii