Voyage 361

Continued from Part - I  Day 4: Hide-Hopping A full day dedicated to strategic hide photography. We started at the  Ashram Hide  for  Session 6 , where early morning mist added a dreamlike quality to our frames.  Striated Laughingthrush, Kalij Pheasant, Great Barbet,  Oriental Turtle-Dove,  Red Junglefowl   & Himalayan Bulbul  made their appearances. Himalayan Bulbul Striated Laughingthrush Kalij Pheasant Great Barbet Oriental Turtle-Dove Red Junglefowl In the golden light of the afternoon, we returned to Sattal Studio and its forest trails for Session 7 . The deodar and pine canopy glowed softly, creating an ideal setting for birding. Highlights included a watchful Brown Fish-Owl, the active Buff-barred and Whistler’s Warblers , a charming Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher , a busy Brown-fronted Woodpecker , and the quick-moving Black-faced Warbler — all adding life to the serene Himalayan landscape. Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Brow...

Location: Sattal & Surroundings, Uttarakhand, India in January Trip Type: Guided Bird Photography Tour Total bird species spotted: 106 Nestled in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, Sattal is a birder’s paradise—a serene confluence of seven lakes, dense forests, and an astonishing variety of Himalayan birdlife. This 5-day guided bird photography trip in early January was not just a break from the urban chaos but a masterclass in patience, keen observation, and the quiet thrill of capturing life in motion. Day 1: The Journey Begins – Delhi to Sattal I began the day in the early hours of a cold Delhi morning. After a swift hop on the Airport Express Line from IGI Airport to New Delhi Railway Station, boarded the 06:20 AM Shatabdi Express to Kathgodam , reaching at 11:55 AM . From Kathgodam, a scenic taxi ride brought us to our hotel in Sattal, which was our base for the trip. The transition from the city’s buzz to the calm of the lower Himalayas was almost immediate. Post-lunch,...