Red Natura 2000

Main Menu

  • Special Conservation Zones
  • Protection For Birds
  • Habitats Directive
  • Fauna And Flora
  • Capital

Red Natura 2000

Header Banner

Red Natura 2000

  • Special Conservation Zones
  • Protection For Birds
  • Habitats Directive
  • Fauna And Flora
  • Capital
Protection For Birds
Home›Protection For Birds›Best Bird Watching Sites in Sikkim

Best Bird Watching Sites in Sikkim

By Joyce B. Buchanan
May 15, 2021
0
0



Sikkim’s exceptional biodiversity landscape is home to over 22 restricted-range bird species, including at least 19 species endemic to the region and bird species not found anywhere else in the world. Its unique position on the map means that despite its small size, Sikkim, with over 550 species, has a bird list almost as diverse as that of Bhutan or Nepal.

Due to the progressive conservation policies of the government which are supported by the highly benign Buddhist religious beliefs of the locals, Sikkim has a very high percentage of its land under official protection as Protected Areas (PA) or Important Bird Areas ( IBA). The state provides legal protection to critical bird habitats through a network of 22 IBAs and an almost equal number of PAs.

Some key birding sites worth checking out across Sikkim are:

Eastern Sikkim

Rumtek Gompa and Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary are rich in birds, with most of the forest species seen here.

Tsomgo / Changu Lake (3,800m) and Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary (3,300m) can be explored by bird watchers for high altitude Himalayan species.

South and West Sikkim

Pelling / Pemayangtse and the neighboring villages have several interesting birding trails to take.

Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary begins at around 200m and gradually ascends to 3000m at Maenam Top. This is a good site to research the tragopan satyr, blood pheasants, rusty bellied shortwing, among others.
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary is where Satyr Tragopan can be spotted
Lake Khecheopalri is home to many waterfowl in addition to being the wintering habitat of the Black-necked Crane.

North Sikkim

Places to visit include Yumthang, Lachung / Lachen, Chungthang and Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary (2,900 – 4,300 m).



Related posts:

  1. Endangered birds ‘Monty’, ‘Rose’ lay eggs at Chicago Beach: Great Lakes Piping Plovers expand their flock
  2. Man indicted for selling protected bird feathers
  3. Peacocks, peacocks among 18 poisoned birds in Akola | Nagpur News
  4. International Bird Rescue celebrates 50 years of wildlife protection

Recent Posts

  • Local businesses have proposed to turn the Bowdon Hotel into a ‘multi-generational’ development with accommodation, a care home and a crèche
  • Green groups say bird species need habitat protection
  • Amid protests, Kerala to seek amendment of Supreme Court directive on environmentally sensitive areas
  • Anythink Libraries to Build a Nature Library
  • New flower species discovered at Monroe County Bioblitz Nature Preserve

Archives

  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021

Categories

  • Capital
  • Fauna And Flora
  • Habitats Directive
  • Protection For Birds
  • Special Conservation Zones
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy