We’ve spent the day birding no more than a couple of miles from the hotel – mostly along the river, adjacent tea plantations and surrounding hill country. Our journey involved an interesting raft-crossing and an even more interesting return across a pedestrian suspension bridge. Several more endemics have been added to the list bringing my personal total to 16. Two raptors were additions to the trip list – both scarce eagles: Black and Rufous-bellied. But it was the evening session which proved to be the highlight with two endemics falling in quick succession: Chestnut-backed Owlet (IUCH Red List – Vulnerable) and Spot-winged Ground-thrush, with the ‘bonus bird’, Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher. The tea and cake on the deck of a near-by bird lodge was the perfect end to an excellent day.

A couple of ‘fillers’ from recent days.