Arunachal Pradesh offers major birding in four axes. The first is in the West Kameng and Tawang district, covering Sela Mandala and Eaglenest WLS. The second one is the Mishmi Hills and Roing, both located in the Lower Dibang Valley district.
In the Anjaw district, sharing a border with China, Walong is a major bird hotspot for some extralimital bird species. Lastly, Namdapha National Park, in Changlang district, is home to many birding rarities that birders can’t see elsewhere in India. Out of all these four major axes, the Walong circuit is off-limits for foreigners.
Eaglenest Sela Mandala
This is the most famous circuit in Arunachal Pradesh. The major target species from this circuit are - Bugun Liocichla, Temminck’s Tragopan, Blyth’s Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Grandala, White-browed Tit Warbler, Solitary Snipe, Beautiful Rosefinch, Gray-headed Bullfinch, Tibetan Blackbird, Beautiful Sibia, Ward’s Trogon, Rufous-backed SIbia, Long-tailed Sibia, Beautiful Nuthatch, Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Long-billed Wren Babbler, Eyebrowed Wren Babbler, Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler, White-breasted Parrotbill, Pale-billed Parrotbill, Gray-headed Parrotbill, Black-crowned Scimitar Babbler, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Spot-breasted Babbler, Purple Cochoa, Green Cochoa, Rufous-vented Laughingthrush, all the cuckoo species (for summer), and more to add. (Check out the Eaglenest Sela Mandala Birding Tour)
Roing Mishmi Hills
Roing is a grassland in the plains of Arunachal Pradesh, where the Mehao WLS in Dibang Valley foothills is merging with the vast flood plains of the Dibang river basin. From the grassland to the mountain top at an elevation of 8,700 ft, it offers a birding opportunity for the vast array of avian fauna. Target birds from this circuit are like - Jerdon’s Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Marsh Babbler, Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Collared Treepie, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, White-hooded Babbler, Spot-breasted Babbler, Blyth’s Tragopan, Ward’s Trogon, Sclater’s Monal, Gould’s Shortwing, Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler, Long-billed Wren Babbler, Eyebrowed Wren Babbler. This place ranks second after the Eaglenest circuit. (Read Itinerary for Roing Mishmi Hills Birding Tour)
Walong
Along the India-China-Myanmar trijunction, Walong offers a different kind of bird habitat and avian life. The vegetation is very dry compared to other parts of the Eastern Himalayas. Birding starts from Udayak Pass at 5,000 ft. At Walong, there are two major birding spots - Tilam Top and Helmet Top. Both of these two places, along with the last point of Kibithu, are home to Yunnan Nuthatch, Sichuan Leaf Warbler, Koklass Pheasant, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Godlewski’s Bunting, Siberian Pipit, Derbian Parakeet, White-cheeked Starling, Brambling, European Starling, Black-headed Greenfinch, Eurasian Siskin, etc. Most of these bird species have an extralimital distribution range here in Walong. That is why many Indian birders plan to visit this area. We would suggest you club the Namdapha birding itinerary with it, as both of these places offer birding from November to February. If you are planning a birding tour in Walong (Check the itinerary link), get back to us.
Namdapha
Namdapha birding tour can be easily clubbed with Walong, as both of these birding destinations offer winter birding. Unlike Eaglenest and Mishmi Hills, where the best birding season is summer. You can plan for Namdapha from November to February and join Walong with it. Especially two birds which are endemic to the Daphabhum range of Namdapha NP are the Snowy-throated Babbler and the Lisu Wren Babbler. Apart from these two highlight bird species, birds like Rufous-vented Laughingthrush, Brown Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, White-bellied Heron, Collared Treepie, Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-backed Sibia, Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Pale-billed Parrotbill, White-tailed Flycatcher, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Red-flanked Bush Robin, are very well seen.
