We ventured into the lush monsoon forests of Rongtong and Shivakhola for three days of immersive birding and nature exploration. Wrapped in mist, rain and vibrant greenery, every morning brought new sounds, sightings and surprises. From quiet forest edges to winding hill roads and streamside patches, the journey offered a beautiful glimpse into the rich biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas.
A JOURNEY INTO THE MONSOON FOREST
Our journey began with a drive from NJP into the rain-washed hills, where the landscape gradually transformed into dense forests, winding roads and mist-covered slopes. As we made our way towards Rongtong and Shivakhola, the monsoon had brought the entire forest alive with lush greenery, flowing streams and the calls of birds hidden among the trees.
BIRDS WE ENCOUNTERED
Over the course of our three-day journey through Rongtong and Shivakhola, we encountered a total of 44 bird species, making the trip a rewarding experience for every birding enthusiast. From colourful forest birds to elusive Himalayan species, each sighting added a special moment to our monsoon adventure.
| Indian Peafowl |
| Thick-billed Green-Pigeon |
| Pin-tailed Green-Pigeon |
| Green-billed Malkoha |
| Chestnut-winged Cuckoo |
| Violet Cuckoo |
| Lesser Cuckoo |
| Indian Cuckoo |
| Jerdon’s Baza |
| Black Baza |
| Shikra |
| Asian Barred Owlet |
| Great Hornbill |
| Oriental Pied-Hornbill |
| Chestnut-headed Bee-eater |
| Dollarbird |
| Blue-eared Barbet |
| Great Barbet |
| Blue-throated Barbet |
| Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker |
| Collared Falconet |
| Long-tailed Minivet |
| Scarlet Minivet |
| Oriental Cuckooshrike |
| Hair-crested Drongo |
| Common Green-Magpie |
| Gray Treepie |
| Rufescent Prinia |
| Black Bulbul |
| Black-crested Bulbul |
| Red-whiskered Bulbul |
| Red-vented Bulbul |
| Himalayan Bulbul |
| Indian White-eye |
| Pin-striped Tit-Babbler |
| Jungle Babbler |
| Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush |
| Velvet-fronted Nuthatch |
| Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch |
| Common Hill Myna |
| Crimson Sunbird |
| Golden-fronted Leafbird |
| Orange-bellied Leafbird |
| Bronzed Drongo |
BIRDING IN RONGTONG & SHIVAKHOLA
The lush monsoon forests of Rongtong and Shivakhola offered us an exciting variety of birdlife, with every trail and forest patch bringing new sightings. From colourful forest birds to elusive species hidden in the greenery, each encounter made the journey memorable.
BUTTERFLIES & LITTLE WONDERS
Beyond the bird sightings, the monsoon forests of Rongtong were alive with colourful butterflies moving through the lush greenery. Their delicate presence added another layer of beauty to our walks, giving us plenty of reasons to slow down, observe and appreciate the smaller wonders of the forest.
OTHER WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS
The forests also surprised us with a few memorable encounters beyond the world of birds and butterflies. From a Giant Squirrel moving through the trees to fascinating spiders spotted along the way, these unexpected sightings reminded us of how much life can be found in the quiet corners of the Eastern Himalayan forests.
THREE DAYS IN THE HILLS
Day 1 — Into the Monsoon Forests
Our journey began with a morning pickup from NJP, followed by a scenic drive through the rain-soaked forests towards Rongtong and Shivakhola. After breakfast and some en-route birding, we explored the surrounding forest patches before settling into our homestay. The afternoon brought more birding, followed by a relaxed evening of tea, introductions and sharing the first sightings of the trip.
Day 2 — A Full Day of Birding
We started early with tea and breakfast before heading out to explore the beautiful surroundings of Rongtong, Shivakhola, Paglajhora and Nurbong. The day was dedicated to birdwatching, with frequent stops along forest roads, edges and natural patches to look for different species. After returning for lunch, we continued with post-lunch birding before ending the day with tea and a discussion about the sightings.
Day 3 — Final Birding & The Journey Home
Our final morning began with one more round of birding around the forest edges and viewpoints. We explored towards Paglajhora and Nurbong, making short stops along the way for Sunbirds, Flycatchers, laughingthrushes and other forest birds. With the last sightings and memories of the misty hills, we made our way back to NJP, bringing three rewarding days of birding and exploration to an end.
MOMENTS FROM THE JOURNEY
Three days in the monsoon hills gave us much more than a list of bird sightings. From misty forest roads and quiet birding stops to shared conversations, unexpected encounters and peaceful moments surrounded by nature, every part of the journey became a memory to carry home.
These photographs capture a few of those moments — the birds we searched for, the landscapes we travelled through and the people who made the experience special.
A FEW MOMENTS WE’LL REMEMBER
Three days of monsoon birding came and went with misty mornings, forest calls, unexpected sightings and countless little moments along the way. From exploring the winding roads of Rongtong and Shivakhola to sharing the excitement of every new bird, the journey left us with memories that will stay long after we left the hills.
As we headed back to NJP, we carried with us not just photographs and a list of 44 species, but the feeling of having spent three beautiful days surrounded by the forests, birds and people that made this journey special.
