As the new year begins, I find myself reminiscing about this blog-turned-repository journey now a decade long, with all its ups and downs. It has been a journey driven purely by passion for nature and conservation. After endless travels and countless species sightings, the “What I Saw” segment has become a record keeper for me, a space to look back and reflect on locations, observations, and emotions.

More than 112 monthly editions later, storytelling here has evolved. At times, it has also become a space to express the frustrations I encounter while being in nature. Hopefully, this journey continues for another decade, documenting more species, sharing more stories, and contributing in some way toward educating people about Nepal’s incredible natural diversity and the urgent need to conserve it for future generations.

It had been a while since I travelled outside Nepal. This month, I headed to Gangtok, Sikkim, with Suraj to visit Raman dai from Rachana Books and Café Fiction. I had long wanted to visit him and the bookshop, and when Suraj suggested the trip, there was no hesitation. It would also be my first time traveling to Nepal’s far eastern edge, flying to Bhadrapur (delayed a couple of hours due to fog) and then driving to the Kakarbhitta border to begin the journey into India.

Raman dai had arranged a car for us, and soon we were on a six-hour road journey toward Gangtok. Due to the flight delay, we were expected to reach Bookman’s BnB around 8 p.m., where we would stay for the remainder of the trip. Passing through the busy city of Siliguri and then onto Sevoke Road, the scenery shifted dramatically to vast stretches of green forest. Rhesus Macaques lined sections of the roadside.

I had heard much about the Teesta River and the migratory birds it hosts, so with the river flowing on our right, I kept my eyes fixed on its banks in hopes of spotting something large and winged. That plan failed, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching the beautifully sculpted riverbanks shaped by the mighty Teesta after the monsoon. By the time we reached Rangpo, dusk had settled into night, and the remainder of the journey was spent napping and anticipating our arrival.

Gangtok was larger than I had imagined. It was wonderful to finally meet Raman dai and his family, and after some catching up, we called it a night.

The next morning began with birdsong warblers, a Blue Whistling Thrush, and possibly a Red-billed Leiothrix. As the family gathered in the kitchen, our conversation naturally turned to the biodiversity around the house. Raman dai mentioned that Red-billed Leiothrix were often seen just outside while singing. I took a peek through the door and spotted birds moving through the foliage of a nearby shrub. Quite an experience.

Later, Bhauju mentioned strange sounds coming from a tree during the night. We soon discovered that a pair of Brown Hawk-Owls regularly perched outside. I was able to observe them each day, often in slightly different branches, just a few meters away.

During our walks to Enchey Monastery, we recorded sightings of Golden Jackal, Rufous Sibia, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Himalayan Bluetail, and Green-tailed Sunbird. At Tashi View Point, we watched the sunrise paint the peaks orange before slowly turning white as daylight spread across the landscape.

The trip also coincided with Raman dai’s invitation for me to present my work at Rachana Books. It was a humbling gesture. Established in 1979, Rachana Books carries a rich legacy in Gangtok and even has its own publishing wing. I had previously watched presentations on their YouTube page, writers and poets sharing their work, and standing on that same stage felt surreal. My contribution felt small, but meaningful.

I checked and rechecked my presentation outline, determined not to waste the opportunity.

As the evening approached and the seats began filling up, a sense of relief settled in. The nervousness was real at first, but once I found my rhythm, I shared my journey through PrakritiNepal.com, including our work related to dog management and conservation concerns, concluding with photographs and the stories behind them.

The Q&A session was engaging, with thoughtful questions on conservation. Afterwards, interacting with the audience was equally enriching. The room held a mix of conservation researchers, wildlife photographers, birders, teachers, and nature enthusiasts. Many echoed the need for more such conversations and platforms centered on conservation.

The trip concluded with a visit to Tsongmo Lake at 3,753 meters. Winter had left the landscape dry, but the view from the ropeway viewpoint showcasing the Himalayan range to the north, including Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) and Narsingh (5,825 m), was breathtaking. Walking along the lake’s perimeter, I spotted a flock of Plain Mountain Finches and a couple of Rufous-vented Tits. I couldn’t help but imagine how vibrant the diversity must be during spring and summer.

It was a short trip, shorter than I would have liked. But flying back on 11 January was necessary, as I was scheduled to teach a Wilderness First Aid class in Pokhara on the 12th.

On the drive down toward Siliguri, I finally spotted Great Cormorants along the Teesta River between Singtam and Rangpo, a small but satisfying moment.

Pokhara

Reaching Yamdi in Pokhara, at the same riverside location where we had conducted a session in late November, the class unfolded along the banks of the Seti River, with Machapuchare rising in the background. During breaks, I observed a flock of Scarlet Minivets, Barn Swallows, and a Siberian Stonechat. Early one morning, I also documented a Common Merganser, my first sighting of the species outside Chitwan National Park. Watching it dive into the Seti in search of fish was truly remarkable.

After three days in Pokhara, we returned to Kathmandu to conduct First Aid training for teachers at Nisarga School the following day.

The rest of the month became a mix of teaching commitments and limited time for cycling. I delivered six sessions on the flora and fauna of Nepal for the trekking guide training at Nepal Mountain Academy. I also got a bit busy finalizing a book that will be released soon.

Eventually, I managed a mountain bike ride to the western hills of Kathmandu a decision that proved rewarding. I observed Steppe Eagles and Himalayan Vultures both soaring and perched on pine trees. One Steppe Eagle rested on a hillside slope. Other sightings included Maroon Oriole, Ashy Drongo, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Spotted Dove, Rufous Treepie, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Oriental White-eye, Oriental Magpie Robin, Himalayan Bulbul, and Red-vented Bulbul.

The month concluded on a high note with the annual “In the Field” workshop, organized in collaboration with Sattya Collective at the Living Mountain Lab. The program began with introductions, followed by a presentation by Sailesh Ranjitkar, Site Management & Innovation Specialist at Living Mountain Lab.

After an initial session on composition, participants explored the property while I guided them on spotting flora and fauna and improving photographic framing. Time always seems to move faster at Living Mountain Lab. After lunch, we continued indoors with presentations and a Q&A session.

The workshop is not limited to photography; it is a platform for learning about nature and conservation. It was encouraging to see young participants actively listening and eager to document biodiversity. Understanding nature takes time, but sparking curiosity is the most important first step.

As always, it was humbling to share the limited knowledge I have. I look forward to organizing a residential workshop outside Kathmandu in the near future.

Below are some of the species of flora and fauna I was able to see and document in January.

Bird:
Sikkim (Gangtok, Changu Lake, Tista River) – Himalayan Bluetail ♀, Plain Mountain Finch, Brown Hawk-owl, Rufous-vented Tit, Rufous Sibia, Green-tailed Sunbird ♂, Blue Whistling Thrush, Red-billed Leiothrix, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Great Cormorant, etc.   

Nepal – Scarlet Minivet, Common Merganser, Barn Swallow, Siberian stonechat, Steppe Eagle, Himalayan Vulture, Large Cuckooshrike, Maroon Oriole, Ashy Drongo, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Spotted Dove, Rufous Treepie, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Oriental White-eye, Oriental Magpie Robin, Himalayan Bulbul, Red-vented Bulbul, etc.

Insect:
Ladybird Beetle (Possibly a Calvia albida), etc.

Mammal:
Sikkim (Sevoke, Gangtok) – Rhesus Macaque, Golden Jackal, Irrawaddy Squirrel.

Plant:
Ginger Lily (Possibily a Hedychium gardnerianum), Blue Himalayan Hydrangea (Hydrangea febrifuga), Large-flower lindebergia (Lindenbergia grandiflora), Utis (Alnus nepalensis), Sal (Shorea robusta),  Ferns, etc.

Ajay Narsingh Rana