Our first birding trip to the North-east India along with our first birding experience in sub-zero temperatures - and what a start we had. 103 lifers in a single trip of 8 days - now that's what North-east is all about. Mishmi Hills in itself is so unique - no wonder it is so popular aongst the birding community. The varied altitude of 3,000 feet to 9,000 feet brings in the amazing varity of bird species along with it. Such was the situation - that within no time you fill-up your camera memory card and drain down a full charged camera battery in a matter of few hours.
One trip won't do justice to Mishmi Hills, it keeps you longing for more. Enjoy some of the magnificient beauties that we managed to click.
Day 1: 9 Lifers. Our drive started from Mishmi Hills Camp (Roing) and some amazing birding happened on the way to Coffee House. Overnight stay at Coffee House in freezing temperature was a bit tough, but then again, we were there for the birds and not for the comfort of a 5-star hotels.
The gateway to Mishmi Hills
Streaked Spiderhunter (lifer)
Manipur Fulvetta (lifer)
Grey-chinned Minivet Male (lifer)
Grey-chinned Minivet Female (lifer)
Bronzed Drongo
Striated Bulbul (lifer)
Dusky Thrush (lifer)
Stripe-throated Yuhina
Green-tailed Sunbird Male (lifer)
Darjeeling Woodpecker (lifer) (clicked under heavy fog condition)
Grey-headed Bullfinch Male (lifer)
Striated Laughingthrush
Day 2: 20 Lifers. Birding at this altitude, in sub-zero temperatures, sometimes even under the heavy blanket of fog - holding the camera become a challenge. A clear sky in the morning is not a guarantee of what is going to follow in another 10 minutes, it can start pouring suddenly anytime around. And if you start feeling dejected that the day is going to be lost in rain, don't be surprised if the sun starts peeking out of the clouds along with the birds that start peeking our of their nests in search of food. Voila - birding starts again!
Day 3: 11 Lifers. Woke up in the morning at 4-30 AM not with the help of Alarm clock but with the sound of thunder and lighting. The first birding instict was demotivating as we thought we would lose out on the morning birding session - but then again got a little encouraged with what happened on the previous day and as expected - the sun was out in a matter of a few minutes and we were ready to trek.
Day 4: 18 Lifers. By the 4th day we got accustomed to our daily routine once we are back from birding in the evening. There is no regular supply of electricity at Coffee House, so the generator runs for about 2-3 hours in the evening until dinner. In that short span of time, one has to recharge all the camera batteries, mobile batteries and laptop batteries. Not just that, we also have to copy the camera memory card into the laptop to free up space for the next day birding. On an average we end up clicking about a 1000 shots each day and copying all that data into the laptop is time taking. Cannot afford to drain the battery down - so all this has to be completed withing a matter of couple of hours.
Day 5: 11 Lifers. A birding conundrum happens whenever a flock appear during the trek. One flock has the capability to fill up atleast 100 shots in your memory card but that is not the point. If it is your first visit to Mishmi Hills, then you know you are going to miss out atleast 5 lifers in that flock in a matter of 5-10 seconds, before which all of them disappear. The challenge is which one to click and which one to miss. We found ourselved amongst these flock riots on a few occasions and the experience was overwhelming.
