Continued from Part - I
Day 4: Hide-Hopping
A full day dedicated to strategic hide photography. We started at the Ashram Hide for Session 6, where early morning mist added a dreamlike quality to our frames. Striated Laughingthrush, Kalij Pheasant, Great Barbet, Oriental Turtle-Dove, Red Junglefowl & Himalayan Bulbul made their appearances.
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Himalayan Bulbul
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Striated Laughingthrush
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| Kalij Pheasant |
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Great Barbet
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| Oriental Turtle-Dove |
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Red Junglefowl
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In the golden light of the afternoon, we returned to
Sattal Studio and its forest trails for Session 7. The deodar and pine canopy glowed softly, creating an ideal setting for birding. Highlights included a watchful
Brown Fish-Owl, the active
Buff-barred and
Whistler’s Warblers, a charming
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, a busy
Brown-fronted Woodpecker, and the quick-moving
Black-faced Warbler — all adding life to the serene Himalayan landscape.
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| Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher |
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| Brown-fronted Woodpecker |
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| Whistlers Warbler |
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| Buff-barred Warbler |
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| Black-faced Warbler |
Before sunset, we squeezed in a final Session 8 at the same bird hide which we started our 1st session on Day1—our trip had come full circle. Here our target was the elusive Golden Bush-Robin which we spotted on the first day. We ended up with many more including Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Golden Bush-Robin (female this time), Rufous Sibia, Common Rosefinch, White-throated Laughingthrush, & a mischievous gang of Black-throated Tits.
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Brown Fish-Owl
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Day 5: Farewell at Ranibagh
On our final morning, we made a short drive to Ranibagh for one last birding session #9. The riverside was active with species like Small Niltava, Lineated Barbet, Buff-barred Warbler, Gray-breasted Prinia, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Asian Barred Owlet, Steppe Eagle, Orange-bellied Leafbird & Cinereous Tit—an excellent send-off.
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| Small Niltava |
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| Gray-breasted Prinia |
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| Cinereous Tit |
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| Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker |
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Lineated Barbet
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| Buff-barred Warbler |
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| Asian Barred Owlet |
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| Orange-bellied Leafbird-female |
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| Orange-bellied Leafbird-male |
By afternoon, we were back in Kathgodam for our
15:20 Shatabdi Express to New Delhi, arriving at
20:55. We returned with tired limbs, full memory cards, and full hearts.
📸 Highlight of the day: A large group of Steppe eagles taking off through the valley below.
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Steppe Eagle
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Final Tally: 106 Bird Species
The species count was impressive—not just for quantity, but for the diversity across habitats. From hill hides to riverside trails, we experienced the full range of bird life that the Sattal region has to offer.
Full list of birds with location is posted in ebird portal.
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| White-crested Laughingthrush |
🧳 Trip Essentials:
Gear: DSLR/Mirrorless camera with 400mm+ lens, beanbag/tripod, weather protection
Clothing: Layered winter gear, gloves, and warm socks
Best Time: November–March for clear light and active birdlife
Guide: Local expert naturalists
Final Thoughts
A birding trip is more than a checklist—it's a meditative exercise in slowing down. Each flutter in the leaves, each call in the distance, teaches you to observe, wait, and appreciate. Sattal in winter is a world unto itself, and for any nature photographer or birder, it's a must-do.
Until the next call of the wild… 🐦📷
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