South Sikkim’s low elevation subtropical forest between Namchi and Melli, where hornbills and babblers live below the high Himalayan ridges.
Kitam birding takes place in Kitam Bird Sanctuary in South Sikkim, between Namchi and Melli, beside the Rangeet River. Kitam is Sikkim’s only low altitude bird sanctuary, between about 1,200 and 3,000 feet, which makes it very different from high Sikkim birding. The forest is subtropical, with sal, chir pine and mixed broad leaved forest, and the low altitude means warm days, easy walking and a long birding season.
The star birds are subtropical specialists that are hard to see higher up. Rufous necked hornbill is the headline species, with chestnut breasted partridge, grey crowned prinia, slender billed babbler, white naped yuhina, black breasted parrotbill and beautiful nuthatch among the sought after birds. Mixed flocks include minivets, flycatchers, bulbuls and warblers, and the Rangeet River edge adds kingfishers, forktails and other river birds. More than 200 bird species are recorded in Kitam, with butterflies adding colour to forest walks.
Kitam birding suits birders who want Eastern Himalayan species without high altitude trekking, photographers who want hornbills and partridges in good light, and travellers combining Sikkim with Darjeeling. It pairs with Namchi town, Ravangla and Temi Tea Garden, and with a longer Sikkim birding trip. A full morning birding walk, starting around 5:30, plus a second morning, gives a much better list than a short afternoon visit.
October to May, with October to November best for migrants and winter birds.
Bagdogra, about 70 to 80 km away.
Warm summers, pleasant winters, moderate at low altitude.
Monsoon June to September, about 2,500 mm a year, with the sanctuary open through the year.
Walking birding trails in Kitam Bird Sanctuary, morning and late afternoon, with a local guide, including riverside walks to Manpur. No jeep safari is used for Kitam birding, and most birding is on foot on forest trails.
By train, New Jalpaiguri station is the nearest major railhead, followed by road to Namchi and Kitam. By road, Kitam is about 19 km from Namchi town, between Namchi and Melli, with taxis from Namchi and Gangtok. By air, Bagdogra airport is the nearest airport, followed by road to Namchi and Kitam.
October to May is best, with October to November best for migrants and winter birds in Kitam.
Rufous necked hornbill, chestnut breasted partridge, grey crowned prinia, slender billed babbler and white naped yuhina.
Fly to Bagdogra, take a train to New Jalpaiguri, then drive to Namchi and Kitam, about 19 km from Namchi.
Yes, Kitam is low altitude, with easy forest trails and a long season, making it one of the gentlest Sikkim birding destinations.
Yes, Kitam pairs well with Darjeeling and Singalila, giving low altitude subtropical birds plus high altitude ridge birds in one trip.
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A journey through Bengal where festival traditions, wetlands and wildlife come together.
A journey through Bengal where festival traditions, wetlands and wildlife come together.
A journey through Bengal where festival traditions, wetlands and wildlife come together.
