BURMA

Ornithologically, Myanmar is remarkably diverse and something of a birding frontier. Yangon, the capital of Burma,  possesses treasures such as the Schwegadon Pagoda as well as many other extraordinary antiquities. The Old Bagan is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the world, rivalling Angkor Wat. A myriad of Buddhist monuments and temples stand in a 40 square kilometre area stretching back from the Irrawaddy River. This once vast, populous and thriving royal capital, built between 1058 and 1287 declined towards the end of the thirteenth century, all that remains now are a handful of religious buildings. Many other wooden buildings, such as the Kings' palace and monasteries have disappeared over time. Bagan is an excellent place to go birding and here we may see some great birds such as Rain Quail, Eurasian Wryneck, Eurasian Hoopoe, Spotted Owlet, Long-tailed Shrike, Yellow-streaked Warbler, Thick-billed Warbler and Scaly-breasted Munia. The restricted range White-bellied Minivet breeds here. Later we will explore the Irrawady River, the "Road to Mandalay", where we should enjoy views of Small Pratincole, Ruddy Shelduck, Temminck's Stint, Kentish Plover, Sand Lark and Plain Martin or even Laggar Falcons, which are known to inhabit the cliffs on the river banks. Later, we will visit Lake Inle, with its strange leg-rowing peoples and great birds such as Imperial Eagle, the rare Baer’s Pochard and Jerdon’s Buschat.

From Bagan we journey across the Irrawaddy – stopping to admire flocks of handsome Ruddy Shelduck, before heading into the hills. Mount Victoria, the highest point in the Chin Hills in the north of the country, is the focal point of our tour. We can expect to see a wide range of southern Himalayan species here. Here in the stunted oak and rhododendron forest we can find White-browed Nuthatch, the charismatic emblem of Namataung National Park. Blyth's Tragopan can very occasionally be seen in gullies on the summit but this rare and elusive pheasant is very difficult. Highlights may include Brown-capped Laughingthrush, Green Shrike-Babbler, Streak-throated Barwing, Ashy-throated and Buff-barred Warblers, Fire-tailed Sunbird, White-browed Shortwing, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler or Broad-billed Warbler. Based for several days at a rustic lodge located at a comfortable elevation on the mountain, we will bird along a jeep track that ascends to the summit. Here the possibilities are seemingly endless. Amongst lovely, old gnarled trees encrusted with orchids, lichens and ferns we will search for some real gems – species that birders dreams are made of! Mrs Hume’s Pheasant is possible here – a truly gorgeous bird. Other possibilities include the endemic White-browed Nuthatch, a very local bird only found here and in the nearby Mindat area. Mount Victoria hosts a number of species rarely if ever found elsewhere in Asia. These include some really exciting species such as Ashy Wood Pigeon, Crested Finchbill, Spot-throated Babbler, Spot-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Black-headed Shrike-Babbler, Spotted and Long-tailed wren-babblers, Chinese Babax, Grey Sibia, Brown-capped Fulvetta, Streak-throated Barwing, Red-tailed, Striped, and Brown-capped laughingthrushes, Black-breasted Thrush, and Broad-billed Warbler.

Needless to say our birding will encompass much, much more. We will enjoy just being there, the peace and tranquillity, meeting local people and tracking down delightful frogs or flying-squirrels and perhaps best of all we will be overwhelmed by large and very exciting mixed flocks and endemics that never fail to dazzle.