Sikkim - Bird Photography Masterclass Expedition April 2023

Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the pristine forest of Eastren Himalayas. Located in the eastern Sikkim, this park lies in the Pangolakha range along the Silk route. This range extends below the Chola Range and separates Sikkim from Bhutan. It is a unique landform named Hathichirey, a place where elephants can penetrate, that forms the tri-junction between Bhutan, Sikkim and West Bengal. The park is spread over 124 square kilometers and is linked to the forests of Neora Valley National Park of West Bengal along with forests of Bhutan. The steep terrain of the Sanctuary, starting from an elevation of 1300 meters that goes all the way up to 4000 meters. Pangolakha has typical alpine- temperate-subtropical vegetation with high altitude lakes. The dominant flora in the park is Rhododendron, Silver Fir, Juniper along with Bamboo thickets.

The unique landscape supports a large variety of faunal life. Due to the varied altitudinal zone and habitat types, the Pangolakha wildlife sanctuary is home to some remarkable species. The sanctuary is also home to the State Animal of Sikkim, the Red Panda. Also, there are few wetlands which are breeding grounds for few migratory birds during summer. There are a number of rare birds found in the park like Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Great Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Fire-tailed Sunbird and many others. This park also hosts a number of elusive mammals. It is also a home to the shy and rare Musk Deer. Himalayan Goral can easily be seen here during your drives.

This park is also a favorite destination for visitors for Landscape Photographers. The twisted road from Zuluk to Thambi is one of the most beautiful photo attractions. Lungthung offers some of the best sunrise and sunset one can witness. It has clouds below you and the view of Mt. Khangchendzonga on the side. This makes Pangolakha one of the most sought after places to visit.

Expected species 

Kalij Pheasant, Black Eagle, Wedge-tailed Green-Pigeon, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Maroon Oriole, Common Green Magpie, Green-backed Tit, Black Bulbul, White- browed Scimitar-Babbler, White-throated Laughingthrush, Striated Laughingthrush, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Siva, White-browed Shrike-babbler, Rufous Sibia, Whiskered Yuhina, Great Parrotbill, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, White-tailed Nuthatch, Grey-winged Blackbird, Golden Bush Robin, Grey Bushchat, Dark-sided Flycatcher, Little Pied Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Green-tailed Sunbird, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Himalayan Monal, Eurasian Hobby, Black Eagle, Himalayan Buzzard, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Silver-eared Mesia, Bar-throated Siva, White-browed Fulvetta, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Brown Parrotbill, Himalayan Musk Deer, Himalayan Brown Goral, Takin, Moupin Pika, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Northern Raven, Red-billed Chough, Eurasian Wren, Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Eurasian Hobby, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Snow Pigeon, Northern Raven, Fire- tailed Myzornis, Eurasian Wren, Blue-fronted Redstart, Brown Bullfinch.

Assam Macaque, Tarai Gray Langur, Yellow-throated Marten, Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel, Himalayan Striped Squirrel, Asiatic Black Bear, Himalayan Serow, Masked Palm Civet, Himalayan Musk Deer, Himalayan Brown Goral, Siberian Weasel, Large-eared Pika, Royle's Pika.

Gallery images by Sushil Chikane