Birding across Myanmar(Burma) can give you the most exciting opportunity to travel throughout the country. And, this remarkable birding trip will complete you with excitement experience by across the country classic landscape of the Golden land. The route complete with magnificent ecosystem: tropical evergreen forest, mixed deciduous forest, dry forest, deciduous forest, hill and temperate evergreen forest, oak forest, pine forest, rhododendron, alpine forest, mangrove forest, beach and dune forest, swamp forest. Occasionally through farm land and vast of Ayeyarwady delta. And, boating in the river Ayeyarwady.
Hlawga wildlife park have been chosen as an initial specific place for birding. And, enjoy birding the morning sense of the day in the protected secondary forest for viewing wintering warbler species. Besides, we can search Pale-eyed Bulbul, Racket-tailed Treepie and other species too.
Plane trip to Bagan(UNESCO) 9th to 13th century is an ancient city on the bank of the Ayeyarwady river central dry zone of the country. Just over one hour flight from Yangon offer panoramic view of glorious Bagan plain with Ayeyarwady river, magnificent architecture buildings. Then, excellent bird watching site home of endemic species of birds Burmese Bushlark, White-throated Babbler, Ayeyarwady Bulbul, Burmese Collared-dove, Burmese Prinia, Jerdon’s Minivet and Hooded Treepie. And, Laggar Falcon at the top of the temple Bagan. Indian Nightjar is the essence bird before go to bed.
Open views of Ruddy Shelduck, shore birds, harriers from the wooden Boat in the famous Ayeyarwady river. Moreover, soft birding on the island for a nice variety of birds White-tailed Stonechat, Striated Babbler, Red Avadavat, Sand Lark, Zitting Cisticola with relaxing center of the day beautiful sunset and glorious Bagan Temples from the river.
After a few hours crossing Semi desert forest from Bagan, we will spend time looking for interesting dry forest species White-eyed Buzzard, White-rumped Falcon, Collared Falconet, Oriental Hobby, Orioles, Green Pigeons, Hill Myna and Laughing thrushes. This region also provide Grey-headed Parakeet, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Blossom-headed Parakeet, Red-breasted Parakeet and Alexandrine Parakeet. And, Burmese Nuthatch can be found mixed deciduous forest and dipterocarp forest. Searching drumming Himalayan Flameback in the wood. Late evening check in to Natmataung National Park site which is well known as Mt. Victoria. It is an important bird area and ASEAN Heritage Park too. The park is also considered as an ecotourism site.
At this elevation 5000 ft to 10500ft above sea level, we’ll start fantastic birding experience for variety of song birds. And, we’ll take at least for four days and bird all the way from our residence to the highest peak. After that , providing panoramic views made up of hill forest and comprises dipterocarp forest, pine forest, laurel and stone oak forest and meadows. Moving up from place to place for all wintering species and endemic, near endemic, key species of the mountain area. Then, all we can simply gaze out at locally rather common Grey Sibia, Fulvettas, Yuhinas, Bulbuls. Mt. Victoria Babax is always singing on the hillside. At the same time providing his distinctive behavior and sweet calling of Assam Laughingthrush, Stripe Laughingthrush and Brown-capped Laughingthrush and colorful Fire-tailed Sunbird. Sweet song of Rusty-fronted and Streak-throated Barwings. Species endemic to the region called White-browed Nuthatch and Burmese Bush Tit. Moreover, significant characteristic of Himalayan Cutia. Patrolling Black Eagle. A rare species of Yellow-billed Blue Magpie. Movement of different Minivets. Hill Prinia, a variety of Warbler species, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Grey Nightjar, Thrushes, Barbets offer an exciting opportunity. Colorful flowers mountain, Natmataung completes with amazing landscapes and about 300 bird species.
Back to Bagan for overnight and fly to Heho the next day. After flying over from Bagan, landed to Haho airport which can be easily accessed to Kalaw enchanting with its famous colonial buildings under cool climate. Kalaw is hill station located at an elevation of 1310 meters. Beside, many highlight species of birds such Black-tailed Crake, Dark-backed Sibia, Grey-bellied Tesia, Spotted Forktail and Sapphire Flycatcher . And, we can expect to see Burmese Yuhina which is the most significant species of the area. Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler and Spectacled Barwing usually attract to all birders.
Moving towards to Inle Lake, which is a very popular place for international and local tourists. Inle is located on the Shan Plateau of east Myanmar. The natural lake is lied in a broad valley between the two limestone ridges rising up to 1,200m above sea level and covered by hill forest. Inle Lake is also one of Myanmar ecotourism site and ASEAN heritage park and one of RAMSAR sites in Myanmar as well. The wetland sanctuary had been established to protect migratory birds and their habitats. An opportunity to see key bird species of Inle lake are Collared Myna, Jerdon’s Bushchat, Great Myna and Chinese Grassbird with 247 bird species.
This is just about three hours drive from Yangon to Ayeyarwady delta where is the best opportunity to seek Jerdon’s Babbler in the wild. It was rediscovered in Myanmar in March 2015. This trip also will offer to see Yellow-breasted Bunting(Critically endangered) species. Moreover, encounter Asian Golden Weaver, Baya Weaver and Streaked Weaver in the wide space of natural grassland. Myanmar has scored a major succeed a land of majestic in the conservation of the vulnerable Sarus Crane friendly living with indigenous people in the vast plain rice fields.
Flying to Putao, the great destination Snow-capped Mountain at the northern Myanmar. We’ll have 20 nights at the lovely location for all Himalayan bird species. Beside, northern Myanmar presents the highest with permanent snow and glaciers, with Mount Khakarborazi(5,581m) being the highest in Myanmar and in SouthEast Asia. The marvelous birding trip with classic landscape of northern Myanmar will occur at Mt. Hpon Kan Razi(3506m). The possibilities species are Blyth’s Tragopan, Hill Patridge, Spotted Nutcracker, Rufous-vented and Coral Tits, Black-faced and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushs, Rufous-backed Sibia. We can see Himalayan specialties Ward’s Trogon, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Beautiful Nuthatch with Ibisbill, Wreathed Hornbill, rare Rufous-necked Hornbill, Goldcrest. Searching near endemic species like White-bellied Heron, Rusty-bellied Shortwing, Snowy-throated Babbler and Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush.
This expedition trip is approaching to the proposed Lenya National Park, south Tenasserim sharing border with Thailand in degraded primary and bamboo forest. Rich varieties species in Tenasserim is due to the presence of different forest types like tropical evergreen forest, sundaic lowland forest, semi-evergreen forest, mangrove forest with the extent depending on topography, geological features and climatic factors. It has tropical monsoon type of climate. It is also known as home a variety of fauna and flora. Especially, it hosts critically endangered species like Gurney’s Pitta.
We are sure that our fascinating journey Birding across Myanmar provides with unforgettable experiences and full of excitement.
