North East India: Wakro to Walong, Lohit Valley, Arunachal Pradesh (1 Viewer)

The remote villages of Walong and Kibithu in the Lohit river valley of south-eastern Arunachal Pradesh form the eastern most frontier of India. This area has recently become popular for birding since it revealed two new additions to the Indian checklist (Yunnan Nuthatch, Black-browed Bushtit) and three species difficult to find elsewhere in India (Godlewski’s Bunting, Derbyan Parakeet, Black-headed Greenfinch). The long and arduous road to the ‘Walong area’ passes through the entirety of the Lohit river valley in India (starting at the lowlands of Wakro) and I recently birded this entire valley in a 5 day trip. Although 5 days is not enough, some very nice birds were recorded (and a total of 229 species). Imo the route can be divided into two distinct parts in terms of overall habitat. Some interesting records listed below.

(1) Wakro – Udayak Pass – Hayuliang – Hawai (subtropical evergreen & semi-evergreen broadleaf forests, bamboo, jhum)

Sample highlights: 5 Parrotbills (Lesser Rufous-headed, Greater Rufous-headed, Grey-headed, Black-throated, Spot-breasted), Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler, Chestnut-breasted Partridge (H), Rufous-vented Laughingthrush, Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Spot-throated Babbler, Large Blue Flycatcher, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Green Cochoa, Blue-fronted Robin, Lesser Shortwing, Chestnut-winged, Violet, & Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo, Mountain Scops Owl (H), Long-tailed & Silver-breasted Broadbill, Collared Treepie.

(2) Hawai – Walong – Kibithu (subtropical & temperate mixed coniferous forests)

Sample highlights: Yunnan Nuthatch, Black-browed Bushtit, Black-headed Greenfinch, Godlewski’s Bunting, Derbyan Parakeet, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Ward’s Trogon, Collared Owlet, Chestnut-eared Bunting, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Green Shrike-Babbler, Eurasian Wryneck, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Grey-crowned Warbler, Koklass Pheasant (H), Brown Bullfinch, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Himalayan Monal (H).

Link to detailed trip report with photos, maps, diary & annotated trip list:
http://www.cloudbirders.com/tripreport/repository/BARUAH_IndiaLohitValley_0405_2015.pdf

Thanks,
Pritam.

Sounds like a good trip

Nice report thanks for posting the link.

Great report as usual Pritam! I really like these kind of well-elaborated reports about less-known sites with (ofcourse) great birds.

Thanks dandsblair, temmie.

Temmie, if you plan to come to NE India again let me know.