Far East
Red panda forest, tea hills and wetlands on the eastern plains
The Ilam hills combine red panda forest with tea gardens, and the ridges give long views east towards the Himalaya on clear days. The forests hold the rufous-throated wren-babbler, hoary-throated barwing and satyr tragopan. In the lowlands, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is a wetland of rivers, marsh and grassland, known for waterbirds and wild water buffalo.
The Kanchenjunga foothills, north of Ilam, rise through forest and terraced farmland towards the snows of the world's third highest mountain. Birders go there for forest birds and pheasants. The best season is October to April, when the monsoon has passed and the wetlands are busiest with wintering birds.
Trips in Far East
One trip here, 10 days, with 77 birds recorded on its route. Best months: March to May and October to December.
