Koshi Tappu National Park

 Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve lies on the floodplains of the Sapta Koshi River in the south-eastern Terai of Nepal. The reserve was created in 1976 to preserve habitat for the only remaining population of Wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee). The 176 sq. km. reserve is Nepal’s smallest wildlife reserve. The eastern and western embankments of the Sapta Koshi River define the area. In 1987, Koshi Tappu was declared a Ramsar site, a wetland of international significance. Government of Nepal has declared the buffer zone  ( 173.5 sq. km ) surrounding the reserve in 2004.

We spent three nights and two full days birding on the reserve.

Black Bittern – This species was elusive but everyone managed to catch up with this bird at one of the pools in the area of Koshi Camp.

Open-billed Stork – Fairly common at Chitwan and Koshi Tappu, where a group of over ten birds could be seen at their day time roost site.

Lesser Whistling Duck – Photographed at one of the pools in the grounds of Koshi Camp.  A fairly common species.

Purple Swamphen– Four birds were seen at one location at Koshi Tappu.  No others were seen during the trip.

Spotted Owlet – Rather conveniently a pair of these rather noisy owls were perched right outside the Dining Room at Koshi Camp.  They were fairly active during the day.

Blue-cheeked Barbet – We had several sightings of this rather smart Barbet in the Koshi Tappu area.

Brown Fish Owl – An huge and impressive bird.  Seen at a nest site and digiscoped from some distance away.  Another bird was roosting nearby.

 

Brown Hawk Owl – The above photos show a bird at it’s daytime roost and what is presumably a different individual apparently hunting during daylight hours.  It flew past us and landed on the ground allowing a few photos to be taken.

Greater Coucal – Several birds were seen at Chitwan and Koshi Tappu

Swamp Francolin – A rather distant bird photographed in fading light late afternoon.  Not seen elsewhere.  A Grey Francolin was also seen in the same area. 

Brown Shrike – Several of this species were seen at Koshi Tappu and other areas.

Verditer Flycatcher – Fairly common. Seen at Chitwan and Koshi Tappu.

Long-legged Buzzard – The only one seen on the trip.  It was perched in open marshy area with scattered trees and being mobbed by a House Crow.

Nilgai– A type of Antelope that is found in Nepal, India and Eastern Pakistan.

Boat Trip at Koshi Tappu– We crossed the river in two inflatables.  Then we went in search of the Nepal Rufous-vented Prinia (Prinia burnesii nepalicola) which is now considered by some authorities to be a separate species to Rufous-vented Prinia (Prinia burnesii)

The Nepal Rufous-vented Prinia inhabits the talling reeds, such as those behind this Buffalo.  Our guides ensured that these animals moved away before we looked for the Prinia!  We got brief views but no chance of any photos.

You can view a PDF of the Bird Species list for the trip at this link.