The deluge of rain in late September gradually subsided as October began, with only light showers in some areas. My first road trip of the month took place during the first week’s end, where I led a group of school students on an adventure-filled learning journey across parts of central Nepal.

THE ISKL TRIP
After completing all the necessary risk assessments, I was ready to embark on the trip, with our first stop being Bhorle. I had lead a similar trip last year, but it was during the first week of November. Experiencing the transition from the monsoon to the onset of autumn this time offered a refreshing perspective. The hills were at their lushest, covered in vibrant greenery, and the Trishuli River was gradually receding to its winter flow as the monsoon rains tapered off.

During our stay in Bhorle, I had limited time for birdwatching, managing to spot only a few species like the Grey Treepie, Crimson Sunbird, and some Warblers. The Takri trees were not yet in full bloom as they were last year, with about a month left before their buds would blossom. As we departed from Bhorle, we had a rafting trip to our itinerary. While documenting the experience, I glimpsed Black Kites, a Lapwing, and a few Wagtails while we were slowly floating on our rafts downriver. Across the river banks the Simal trees stood tall and wide, still covered in leaves just before their seasonal shedding for winter.

Stopping by Bandipur, I had hoped for a spectacular sunrise the next morning, but the lingering monsoon clouds had other plans. Fortunately, the sky cleared a bit later, revealing the majestic northern mountains.

The hike to Australian Camp was delightful, with the forest still dressed in its monsoon colors. The damp climate brought out the leeches, while the calls of Great Barbets echoed in the distance, occasionally accompanied by the songs of Blue-throated Barbets. The trail was adorned with flowers in full bloom, including small Chamomile species lining the path. As we entered the Rhododendron forest, I heard the calls of Laughing Thrushes, though I couldn’t quite catch a glimpse of them.

Upon reaching the camp, the weather shifted, and rain began to fall. After an hour of showers, I hoped for clear skies to catch a glimpse of the northern mountains, but the sky only cleared later that night. The next morning, I woke up around 4:30 AM to a clear sky filled with gleaming stars. As dawn approached, the eastern horizon gradually turned a brilliant orange-yellow, creating a breathtaking atmosphere. The northern mountain peaks caught the first light of the rising sun, and as the day broke, the forest came alive with birdsong.

I could hear Rufous Sibias, Verditer Flycatchers, and Grey Bushchats singing nearby, while crows soared overhead. A year ago, I had spotted a Masked Palm Civet in a nearby tree, so I tried my luck again this year but luck wasn’t on myside this time. Australian Camp is nestled in a stunning area, serving as a gateway to various trekking routes. While exploring the trails in between the forests, I spotted a Barking Deer observing me from within the dense foliage. Its brown coat was illuminated by occasional sunbeams piercing through the leaves. I carefully raised my camera to capture the moment, but the deer slipped deeper into the forest. Further along the trail, I came across a flock of White-throated Laughingthrushes foraging under the forest canopy.

On our return to Pokhara via the Dhampus trail, I spotted several Vultures riding the thermals high above, with Black Kites joining them in the sky. However, during the journey back to Pokhara and then Kathmandu, I didn’t come across many bird or insect species. Thus, my next focus after the trip was to explore the trails around Kathmandu.

KATHMANDU VALLEY
For me, the best way to explore the Kathmandu Valley is through biking and birding, with some occasional hikes in between. My first trip of the month was to Bhimdhunga for a short hike, primarily focused on observing insects and flora. As autumn sets in, temperatures gradually drop, leading to reduced insect activity compared to the monsoon season. Nevertheless, I was able to spot a few species of spiders, including Orb-weavers and Jumping spiders. I also encountered Dark Judy Butterflies fluttering around and spotted a Punchinello Butterfly resting on a leaf. Various wildflowers were in full bloom, including several species of Knotweeds, Melastome plants, and other species that I still need to identify.

My next stop was Bungamati, where I embarked on a biking and birding trip. This was my first visit back after the late September rains, which had caused flooding in several parts of the Kathmandu Valley. I headed straight to my favorite viewpoint overlooking the fields below, but to my surprise, the area was blocked off, and half of the road alongside it was closed. Continuous downpours had softened the ridge, leading to landslides. To assess the extent of the damage, I ventured down the stairs and discovered that garbage disposal was a significant part of the debris, which had flowed downhill with mud for over 200 meters.

Since I was already in the fields, I made my way to the banks of the Bagmati River. There, I spotted a Red-wattled Lapwing, Sandpipers, White Wagtails, and a few Black Kites. The river had deposited sand and other debris high up on the banks, which were once fertile fields. While exploring the area, I also observed Common Mynas, Common Stonechats, and Eurasian Collared Doves. After soaking in the altered landscape, I slowly made my way back home.

Towards the end of the month, I returned to Bhimdhunga, this time for a dedicated biking and birding session. I have a favorite spot where I like to sit quietly for at least 30 minutes, listening for any movement or calls from the surrounding woods. This time, I was rewarded with sightings of White-crested Laughingthrushes and Grey-headed Woodpeckers moving gracefully among the treetops. The subtle movements of birds and animals are fascinating; they are often so quiet that they are easy to miss.

While observing, I noticed an Irrawaddy Squirrel jumping between trees. It seemed like an adult squirrel was watching over two juveniles in a nearby tree. I also spotted a couple of pheasants foraging among the tall grasses, though I couldn’t identify or photograph them. Minivets were singing as they flew overhead, and Great Barbets made their presence known with their distinctive calls. Before leaving, I noticed a few Golden-flowered Ginger plants, also known as Ban Aduwa, sprouting with their distinctive red color bracts.

Exploring other areas of Bhimdhunga, I documented a range of bird species, including the Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Grey-hooded Warbler, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Common Tailorbird, and Long-tailed Shrike. Along the way, I found a quiet ledge offering a vantage point to observe birds above and below. In one distant tree, I spotted five different bird species, with the Red-vented Bulbul being the most vocal, while the Great Barbet and Himalayan Bulbul quietly observed. The Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler and Grey Treepie would occasionally chime in.

On my way back, I documented a pair of Scarlet Minivets foraging in a tree. While hiding near a bush, I was so focused on them that I missed the opportunity to photograph a Speckled Piculet searching for insects on a branch next to me. This was a valuable reminder to stay more alert and aware of my surroundings.

October was a less adventurous month than previous ones, but it was undoubtedly fruitful. I observed and learned a lot. Below are some of the flora and fauna species I observed and documented in October.

Bird:
Grey Bushchat, Rufous Sibia, White-throated Laughingthrush, Red-wattled lapwing, Common Sandpiper, White Wagtail ♂, Common Stonechat, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Myna, Verditer Flycatcher, Alexandrine Parakeet, Black Kite, Grey-headed woodpecker, Speckled Piculet, Scarlet Minivet ♂ ♀, Himalayan Bulbul, Great Barbet, Red-vented Bulbul, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Grey-hooded Warbler, Orange-bellied Leafbird ♀, Common Tailorbid, Long-tailed Shrike, etc.

Insect:
Small branded Swift Butterfly, Trichonephila sp. spider, Jumping spider, Dark Judy Butterfly, Bumblebee, Punchinello Butterfly, Ladybird, Robberfly, Cranefly, Caccon of a parasitoid wasp, etc.

Mammal:
Irrawaddy Squirrel, Barking Deer.

Plant:
Zingiber chrysanthum, Purple Orchid Tree, Morning Glory, Bristletips (Oxyspora paniculata), Utis (Alnus nepalensis), Melastoma malabathricum अंगेरी, Pink Knotweed, Fern, Peepal Tree (Ficus religiosa), Dhale Katus (Castanopsis indica), Lantana (Lantana camara), Pine (Pinus roxburghii), etc.

November holds special excitement as it marks the 100th monthly edition of my “What I Saw” series. Stay tuned as I’ll be reflecting on past experiences and sharing my November observations!

Ajay Narsingh Rana