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» Dharamkot Hill
Little above McLeod Ganj, the Tibetan settlement above
Dharamsala at 1700m, starts the dense pine forest which covers
Dharamkot Hill. It is possible to walk up to the Ghalu Temple at
2200m. Although the density of birds is not high, the diversity is
remarkable. Warblers and Tits can be watched moving around in
flocks, while one may enjoy the beautiful song of several species of
thrushes, including Grey-winged Blackbird and Blue-capped Rock
Thrush. Other passerines frequently encountered are redstarts,
nuthatches, accentors, flycatchers and several species of finches.
Larger birds include woodpeckers and pigeons as well as owls, which
are difficult to see but easily heard at nighttime. Around Ghalu
Temple you may hear the calls of Mountain Scops Owl, Asian Barred
Owlet and Tawny Owl as well the mechanic staccato song of the Grey
Nightjar.
» Dharamshala Tea Estate
The Dharamsala tea gardens can be reached by taxi within less
than 20 minutes. The habitat is diversified, the tea plantations are
interspersed with scrub and small forests. Red Junglefowl and Kalij
Pheasant are common, as ist the Grey Francolin. Trees and bushes are
full of passerines, including flycatchers, buntings, thrushes and
minivets. A speciality here is the Rosy Minivet, which is not
uncommon during the summer months. Don’t forget to watch the sky for
swifts and soaring raptors. If you are lucky, you may even encounter
a shy leopard.
» The Higher Reaches of Dhauladhar
The serious birdwatcher will wish to do some high altitude
birding, for which Dharamsala offers great opportunities. The
Dhauladhar is home to many specialities of the Westhimalayas, the
star birds being of pheasants. Kalij and Koklass pheasants as well
as Himalayan Monals, the state bird of Himachal Pradesh, are
relatively numerous and easy to see, while more secretive species
include the rare Cheer Pheasant and Western Tragopan. As you walk
higher up, you have good chances to encounter Himalayan Snowcocks
and Snow Partridges, which are adapted to the inhospitable habitat
above 4000m consisting of rocks and snow. The sky is filled with
vultures and other raptors at any time of th eday.
The Dhauladhar with its open rhododendron and oak forests, dense
pine forests and grassy slopes is also rich in small birds. The
mammal enthusiast may observe species like Goral, Blue Sheep or
Yellow-throated Marten, all of which are not rare. The very lucky
might even encounter a Snow Leopard.
An ideal trek to observe the wildlife of the Dhauladhar starts at
Ghalu temple and leads via Triund and Ilaka up towards Indrahar pass
at 4200m. Up to Ilaka at 3300m, the trail is broad and mounting
gently, which makes it an ideal route. The area can be covered in
three or four days.
» Pong Wetland
The Pong Lake, which has been artificially created in the 1970s,
is a two-hours drive from Dharamsala. After the end of monsoon it
covers a huge 400 sq km and then gradually drains during the dry
season, leaving vast steppe-like barren flats. Pong Dam teems with
birds at any time of the year. It harbours up to 150'000 waterbirds
in winter – ducks, cranes, egrets, shorebirds, gulls and thousands
of Bar-headed Geese, which arrive from their breeding grounds on the
Tibetan Plateau in autumn. Pong Dam is part of the Ramsar
Convention, which aims to protect the world’s most important wetland
habitats.
In spring and autumn, tens of thousands of migratory birds, stop at
Pong Dam. 45 species of shorebirds have been recorded, including
many national rarities. In spring and summer, the huge breeding
colonies of Terns and Pratincoles are a fascinating experience,
while the flats around the lake are full of Larks and other
passerines. Even a few pairs of the globally endangered and highly
impressive Indian Skimmer breed.
The Pong Lake can be approached from several locations, but the
birdlife is usually
most diverse near the small town of Nagrota
Surian.
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