[Travelmania]

North Bengal hills are a beautiful and refreshing destination, especially during spring. The lush green forests and the cool mountain air provide a much-needed escape from urban Pollution. As a bird lover, North Bengal hills offer an excellent opportunity to witness diverse bird species. The area is also a birding paradise for several migratory birds that flock to the region during winter. It is best to plan your visit during the early hours of the day or late in the afternoon when the light is best for capturing photographs. It's also essential to carry appropriate equipment to capture the perfect shots. I was fortunate to see rare, exotic birds such as the Rufous-necked Hornbill and several sunbirds.

My brother Debjit and I planned the above trip to North Bengal in February to visit Latpanchar for bird watching and to try our photography skills. Our close friend Prosenjit Sinha, an excellent highway driver, accompanied us with his Ford Ecosport. His office colleague accompanied Prosenjit. However, due to heavy traffic during the daytime, we opted to drive at night towards Siliguri.

Day 1: As planned, we started at 6.30 pm to reach our first stop at Kitchen Sutra on Delhi Road for an early dinner. The space justifies the name with a neat environment and good food to fast service. After having a sumptuous dinner, we kicked off on our onward journey.

Kitchen Sutra


Prosenjit is Enjoying the chill.


We planned to stop for tea at Pappu da Dhaba after Baharampur near Polsonda.

Tea Break at Pappu Da Dhaba


We could stick to our schedule and reach Pappu Da Dhaba on time. However, taking breaks and resting during long drives is essential, especially at night. Later, I took a short nap at BP Ghar in Dalkhola early morning, around 5 am, to refresh myself before continuing to Siliguri. I always prioritize our safety while driving and take necessary breaks to avoid fatigue and ensure that we arrive at our destination safely.

We were able to reach Siliguri by 7.30 am. Before continuing our journey, a tea break with your partners was a good idea. We made a great choice by selecting KRIPA HOMESTAY in Latpanchar for our stay. Choosing a homestay in a pure village area away from other homestays can provide a unique and authentic experience, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the local culture and environment.

Entry to KRIPA HOMESTAY


The Landscape view from our homestay.


Seeing different species right from the stay early in the morning is a beautiful opportunity for birdwatchers. It allows you to observe and appreciate the area's natural beauty without travelling far. In addition, staying at a homestay like KRIPA HOMESTAY provides a more personalized experience. The owners can often provide valuable insights and tips on the best places to spot different bird species in the area.
In this Homestay, two rooms are available, each with two double bed cots, and the bathroom has all the necessary facilities. The owners of the Homestay are known for their warm hospitality and helpfulness, ensuring their guests are always happy during their stay.

We had an exciting time exploring and photographing birds on our first venture! Spotting new species, like white-capped redstart and whistling thrush, is always thrilling. Our schedule was very tight, so we did a birdwatching and Photography tour in the second half of the day without wasting time. It is better to take a guide to spot the birds at specific locations. Our homestay owner Mr Saran Gurung is an excellent person with vast knowledge of the movements of the species. So strolling on the hilly roads leisurely and taking snaps whenever possible is always a pleasure.

We had a fantastic day and made many new memories of trying out this new venture in the North Bengal hills. Some snaps of the species were found.

Are you prepared for your upcoming bird watching excursion?


White Capped Redstart




Chestnut-tailed Starling




In the evening, we sat down on the lawn and enjoyed the mild chill of the hill station, chatting about our experiences. Our Homestay also arranged for a delicious Bar-b-Q, which enhanced the overall ambience and made the evening even more enjoyable. It was a perfect end to a perfect day!

KRIPA HOMESTAY with lawn and sufficient Parking




Day 2: We closed the previous day early, as we had to start our next adventure early. Our guide asked us to be ready before sunrise. We began with birdwatching at our Homestay, surrounded by lush green vegetation. We spotted beautiful birds like Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch and Lesser Yellownape in the homestay periphery.

Sunrise from our homestay


Chestnut-Bellied Nuthatch


Lesser Yellownape






Sultan Tit


Rusted-Cheeked Scimitar babbler sitting just on a tree beside the lawn of Homestay




We then headed towards the road to visit some spots where Saran guided us to watch Sunbirds. Saran informed us that Mrs Gould, a rare sunbird, visits a specific garden nearby every year. We reached the spot early with other birdwatchers and played the patience game to watch and photograph tiny birds. We were lucky enough to spot Mrs Gould and Indian White-eye prominently. We took some snaps to preserve the memory.

Patience to yield result


Mrs Gould in flying mode


Indian White Eye






Red Billed Leiothrix


Streaked Spiderhunter


Green Tailed Sunbird


When we finished exploring the place's scenic beauty, our stomachs were growling with hunger. That's when we returned to our Homestay for some much-needed breakfast. The lady owner of the Homestay had prepared a delicious, mouth-watering, homely and comforting spread. Every bite was a flavour that left us satisfied and energized for the day ahead. On return we view a beautiful tiny species with colourful feathers.

Long Tailed Shrike

[Travelmania]

Day 2 continued....

After a short rest, we were ready to explore the next destination on our list - the Bird Hide. This time, our other companions decided to stay at the Homestay for some important online official work. At the same time, we headed off to our next destination for more exploration. It was a great suggestion by Saran, as we were amazed to see some rare species up close. The host charged some money according to demand per person for a seat with complimentary tea. Sitting in the Hide to view the activity was an experience I had never had before.

Curiously watching the species from hide


Common Green Magpie


Portrait of Common Green Magpie

https://youtu.be/ugMUbuaJSvE

Blue Whistling Thrush


Hello, may I ask what brings you here?


After a few hours of birdwatching, we decided to take a break and head to our Homestay for lunch. We called it a day for the birdwatching activity and decided to explore the surrounding areas. Ahaldhara and Sittong are nearby places to visit, so we decided to visit those places after lunch. The Ahaldhara viewpoint was breathtaking and offered a panoramic view of the surrounding area. On a clear day, locals say that Mt Kanchenjunga is visible from the top. A few homestays are also attached to the viewpoint, which we found pretty relaxing. In addition, one can indulge in some light food from the momo and coffee stalls nearby. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and we highly recommend visiting this place. Next, we headed to the orange garden in Sittong. Unfortunately, it was already past the season's end, so barely any fruits were left on the trees. However, we did spot a few trees that still had oranges on them, perhaps because the owners kept them to show them to the tourists.

Orange Garden


Myself with Debjit


The homestays from Ahaldhara View Point




The condition of the road from Latpanchar to Ahaldhara and Sittong is quite poor, with numerous potholes and damages. Regrettably, the hill roads surrounding Latpanchar are also in a similar state of disrepair. Hatchbacks will face some underbelly hits in some places. Despite the road conditions, we managed to return to our stay in the evening and enjoy some evening snacks and music sitting on the lawn of the Homestay. Saran, the owner of Homestay, is an excellent singer with good fame in Nepali songs. He sang some Hindi, Bengali, and Nepali songs, giving us a fulfilling and entertaining evening. The weather was perfect for a barbeque, with a mild chill and clear skies creating a lovely atmosphere. It was the cherry on top of a great day.

Saran in Action


Our teammate Bappa is also trying to uplift the mood.


Day 3: The day for our return to our crowded and busy schedule. After spending some time bird-watching from the lawn of our Homestay, we decided to hit the road early.

Here's a picture of me with the tools and machine.


The famous Rufous-necked Hornbill


Scarlet Minivet




We enjoyed a tasty breakfast and were ready to start by 10:30 am.

Our homestay owners offer a delightful breakfast.


The homestay owner gave a last-minute farewell.


With Saran and his Father


The scenic route led us through Downhill Kurseoung, and we couldn't resist stopping by Nirvana Resort for a cup of a famous Darjeeling tea. We savoured every moment of our journey, navigating the bumpy terrain and relishing the breathtaking views.
Some snaps from our return journey from Latpanchar.

Our Steeds


Prosenjit and his companion strike a last-minute pose


Our majestic horse has always been a constant and loyal companion


We visited the tea cafe located at Nirvana Resort in Dow Hill.


Darjeeling black tea at Nirvana resort cafe.


Here are some photos we took on the lawn outside Nirvana Tea counter.




Regrettably, our companions had to extend their stay in Siliguri for a few more days due to work commitments. My brother and I decided to leave for Kolkata early to get some rest before work the next day. The trip gave me newfound confidence, and I realized that with an extra day off on the weekend, I could visit nearby places and spend some time surrounded by the beauty of nature. Hoping to escape to peaceful places where we can bask in the beauty of nature and the innocent faces of God's creations very soon.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[thirugata]

Awesome photos, thanks for sharing.
You had good sighting.

[Samba]

Bird photography is one of the toughest, & you are mastering it pretty well.
The patience required to click a rare bird is something which I clearly lack! Kudos to you for taking up this hobby. The photographs came out superb.

[Samfromindia]

Lovey captures Duster & Bird Photography. Brought back memories of our very own himadrimondal who had this combo as well, and was an inspiration for many.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...-paradise.html (Mystical Borong - A Birder's Paradise)

Rated *****

[e46]

Excellent Deb da.

Lovely shots and I must say patience is the key here, which you definitely have.

[car-go]

Wow! (thought of praising the fantastic photos in one word, but the forum asked for putting in more words) - so again, Wow! Catching a bird, not by the beak, but by the lens.

[arindam_xeta]

Awesome pictures brother Abhijit. I really love bird pictures, birding also fascinates me as a hobby, however I never see myself doing justice to the diligence and patience it needs to even give it a try. But, Himadri and now you will always be a great inspiration. 5 starred.

Regards,
Arindam

[haisaikat]

Beautiful birds captured through your lenses, this genre of photography requires such patience and time that spotting requires more effort than capturing. Even more happy to see your Crysta in action around the terrains of North Bengal. Keep more of these coming.

[Travelmania]

Originally Posted by thirugata

Awesome photos, thanks for sharing.
You had good sighting.

Thanks a lot.

Originally Posted by Samba

The patience required to click a rare bird is something which I clearly lack! Kudos to you for taking up this hobby. The photographs came out superb.

Yes I am just an amateur trying to gain knowledge . In love with this passion.Thanks Samba for appreciating the photos.

Originally Posted by Samfromindia

Lovey captures Duster & Bird Photography.

Thank you very much.

Originally Posted by e46

Excellent Deb da.

Lovely shots and I must say patience is the key here, which you definitely have.

Yes patience plays it all. Also Luck is a major factor to sight the species.

Originally Posted by car-go

Wow! (thought of praising the fantastic photos in one word, but the forum asked for putting in more words) - so again, Wow! Catching a bird, not by the beak, but by the lens.

Thanks for you nice words.

Originally Posted by arindam_xeta

Awesome pictures brother Abhijit. I really love bird pictures, birding also fascinates me as a hobby, however I never see myself doing justice to the diligence and patience it needs to even give it a try. But, Himadri and now you will always be a great inspiration. 5 starred.

Regards,
Arindam

Thanks Arindam. Its my pleasure you liked the post.

Originally Posted by haisaikat

Beautiful birds captured through your lenses, this genre of photography requires such patience and time that spotting requires more effort than capturing. Even more happy to see your Crysta in action around the terrains of North Bengal. Keep more of these coming.

Thank you more for praising the Photos as well as giving dignity to our crysta.

[xantia]

Wow - what an amazing collection! Superbly written and the photos are tac sharp. I found this very educative as a novice bird photographer. Thank you for sharing.

[Travelmania]

Originally Posted by xantia

. I found this very educative as a novice bird photographer. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for your nice words.I myself is in learning process which involves lots of patience to watch those beautiful species.

[scorched_earth]

I like reading your blogs very much, there's always something I learn. I never knew one can find so many varieties of birds in that area. I am seeing some birds like the rufus hornbill and the magpie (even though it has a trite name like a common green magpie) for the first time. It must have been a game of endurance and patience to spot these and capture it on camera. For people like us in cities, birds means broiler chicken and the ever invasive common pigeon.

The best part of your journey is two brothers traveling together, that's very nice!

[Travelmania]

Originally Posted by scorched_earth

I like reading your blogs very much; there's always something I learn.
The best part of your journey is two brothers traveling together, that's very nice!

Thanks a lot for your kind words. My brother is more than just a travel companion. He's my closest confidant and best friend. Few more Travelogues on bird watching following soon.