A Year of Avian Discoveries in Samtse

A Rare Winter Visitor: Siberian Chiffchaff in Samtse

In a remarkable discovery, a single Siberian Chiffchaff was recorded in December 2021 at Yabala (also known as Sanguri) in Samtse district. This small, migratory bird is typically found in northern and eastern Europe as well as parts of Asia. Its appearance in Samtse, located in the southern foothills of the Himalayas, is a proof of the diverse range of bird species that can be found in Bhutan.

As winter sets in, many highland bird species migrate to lower altitudes, seeking warmer climates. Yabala, situated at an elevation of 1700 meters above sea level, provides a suitable wintering ground for these birds. The Siberian Chiffchaff's presence in this region was confirmed by several bird experts from Southeast Asia via Birds of Bhutan Facebook Messenger group.

Wreathed Hornbill and Eye-browed Thrush in Samtse

On November 15, 2021, a significant milestone was achieved in Samtse's birding history. Samtse Birders spotted both Wreathed Hornbill and Eye-browed Thrush at Phuntshopelri (Gomtu) in the late afternoon. The sighting of these two species was particularly exciting for local birders, who had been searching for them since 2015. While there were unsubstantiated reports of Eye-browed Thrush sightings in the past, our observation confirmed its presence in the region. During the sighting, we observed a solitary Eye-browed Thrush and a flock of 13 Wreathed Hornbills. It was noted that the hornbills were migrating from northwest to southeast.

New Bird Records from Samtse

Samtse district has recently made significant contributions to Bhutan's bird list with several exciting new records:

• Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis): The sighting location was just a few kilometers from the Indo-Bhutan border (April 2021).

• Black-headed Cuckooshrike (Lalage melanoptera): Recorded from Nyonpaling in May 2021.

• Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura): Recorded in May 2019 at Sukruti.

• Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis): Recorded in December 2019 at Jersey Farm.

• Hill Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis banyumas): Recorded from Chengmari top in March 2022.

These discoveries highlight the importance of continued birdwatching efforts in Bhutan and the potential for more exciting finds in the future.

New Additions to Samtse's Bird List (August 2020)

In August 2020, two new bird species were added to Samtse's growing list. These birds were observed in the outskirts of Samtse town, near the Forest Camp. Indian Paradise Flycatcher: While there were previous, unconfirmed reports of this species in Tendruk (April 2019) and Thika (July 2020), we finally captured photographic evidence of this stunning bird in August 2020. Golden-crested Myna: This sighting marked the second record of this species in Bhutan and the first time it had been documented with photographs. These discoveries further solidify Samtse's reputation as a birding hotspot.

Read more on Golden-crested Myna

A Late 2020 Birdwatching Bonanza in Samtse

Between September and December 2020, birders in Samtse made a series of exciting discoveries, adding eight new bird species to the district's list:

New Additions to Samtse's Bird List (September 2019 and July 2020)

Two notable bird species were added to Samtse's bird list in 2019 and 2020:

Green Cochoa: An injured juvenile Green Cochoa was first observed in Samtse in September 2019. Later, in July 2020, a group of seven adult Green Cochoas were sighted at Nyimaling.

Stork-billed Kingfisher: This striking bird was observed in two different locations in May 2020: Kalapani village and Buduni fishery pond. These discoveries further enrich the avian diversity of Samtse.