Migration Black necked Cranes.

[BhutanBirds]

The arrivals & departures of Blacked necked Cranes in/from the Phobjikha valley of Bhutan is an announcement of seasonal change for the farmers. And also a total sum of achivement and deprivation in their lives.

The great cranes migrate to this valley to survive the harsh winters of the central asiatic plains. The birds find solace in the valley of Phobjikha where the food supply is plentyful and receive respect and harmony from the local community. The farmers of this high altitude valley migrate to their lower winter homes soon after the cranes start arrive to their winter breeding habitat. In the early spring as the inhabitants of Phobjikha valley arrive the birds would have gone or starting to fly back to their summer breeding grounds. Phobjikha is a heavenly abode both for the cranes and the farmers where nature bestowed beautiful scenery, rich pastures, fertile grounds and marshy valley floor, ideal for the cranes to feed.

BhutanBirds.

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Really interesting story Bhutan Birds. Sounds like a beautiful place with remarkable birds and people.

[BhutanBirds]

Yes, it is Andrew. You should consider coming to Bhutan to see the rich culture, flora & fauna.

BhutanBirds.

[AnnieW]

Beutiful description BB - you can tell this is a place that is truely special to you.

I remember reading a lonely planet guide some time ago that talked about the Black Necked Cranes and the fact that they are held sacred in Bhutanese folklore. It also mentioned a traditional folksong that mourns the departure of the cranes each spring as they leave the valley .... any chance you can share with the forum ?

[Beverlybaynes]

What a lovely story! I have been fascinated with Bhutan since the early 60s -- although I know very little about it -- when an American girl married your king.

I hope you'll continue telling us about your very special part of the world.

[phurba]

In Bhutan, the wintering grounds are usually in wide valleys consisting of marsh and agricultural land. There are four locations where crane winters, Phobjikha and Khotokha, Bumdeling and Geytsa. All of them differ in habitat quality and type. Phobjikha valley has the largest upland wetland at around 3000 meters of an elevation with heterogeneous vegetation cover within wetland complex and surrounded by blue pine conifer forests and agriculture land. Besides, worms, insects and other diet, the cranes forage on shoot of the dwarf bamboo (Yuhsania spp.) which covers the floor of the valley. Khotokha is adjacent to Phobjikha valley and there the roosting area is located in a dense stand of dying and dead Pines and birds foraged freely throughout the area's fields and grasslands. Grasslands and agricultural fields of Geytsa and Thangbi valleys in Bumthang lies above 2300 meters which is used by few couple of pairs every winter. Bumdeling differs from the other wintering habitats being at the lower elevation of 1750 meters. In Bumdeling, the birds forage in rice fields on both the valley floor and lower hillsides, and the flooded banks of Kulong Chu river were used as roosting habitat. They feed mainly on waste grains and other residue in fields and pastures.