Beautiful Birds & Scenery of the High Tops by Imran Shah

Dear Riaz Sir, I know it has been quite a while since Zahran asked me to share this account, but anyhow I am doing this now:

I visited Aliabad (my hometown) on 15 May 2016. Thinking about my sighting of Black Kites and Booted Eagles during the previous November, I went to a ledge near the Hunza River in Aliabad. There I spotted two Booted Eagles. Ravens and Large-billed Crows were attacking them and both flew towards the high mountains, north-east above Karimabad.

Next day on 16 May, I went to Karimabad to have a look at the Ultar area above Karimabad. There I saw a Golden Eagle, hovering quite high, but it seemed to have go up the valley. Luckily that night I was having a small party with some friends and we planned a three-day hike to Khuwhat top, a 4000+ m high alpine pasture above Altit village. So we hiked to the area on 17 May and returned on 19. It’s a continuous ascending hike starting from 2700m to an altitude of 4200m and the ascent took around five hours.

Hunza/Naga Valley Imran Shah

You can see from left to right Trivor Peak, Diran Peak, Rakaposhi (central), Lady Finger, Hunza Peak and Ultar Sar, above the main Hunza/Naga Valley.

Shepherd's Hut Imran Shah

The birding experience for the area was one of my best, as during these four days, I was able to spot and document no less than nine species of raptor and Himalayan Snowcock. The number of Snowcocks above 3500m and below snowline was substantial. On average I spotted 30 to 40 birds every day of the hike, mostly perched in the small grassy gorges between the sheer cliffs and avoiding the open areas; probably because of the raptors or our presence.

Himalayan Snowcock Imran Shah

During the trip I was able to spot Black Kites, about five or six from 2400m up to 4000m. Most of these Kites had worn feathers, because of moulting or some other reason.

Black Kite Imran Shah

Booted Eagles, two at Aliabad (2400m) on 15 May, 2 more at around 3000m on 17 May and another on 19 May on way down at 3500 m.

Booted Eagle Imran Shah

Common Kestrel, just one during the ascent.

Female Common Kestrel Imran Shah

Lammergeier, I saw these mostly flying around 4000m. These must be resident here, as there were both adults and juveniles. Additionally there is a gorge in the area called Garmun Har, meaning Lammergeier Gorge. According to locals Lammergeier and Golden Eagles do prey on Himalayan Snowcocks. During the three days I made 10 to 12 sightings but some might have been repeated sightings of a single bird.

Lammergeier Imran Shah

Oriental Honey Buzzard; these were quite numerous. I only saw these above 3500m. They were only flying down the valley; I imagined they were making their southwards migration. In terms of numbers; on 17 May about up to three, on 18 about 20 to 30 and on 19 about five. These Buzzards also interacted with Lammergeier, nothing aggressive, they just seemed to fly around the bigger bird.

Oriental Honey Buzzard Imran Shah

Himalayan Griffon, These were also quite numerous. During the three days I saw about 15 birds. Again these were a mix of adults and juveniles. These Griffons were flying all around the valley. Hugging the cliffs they were flying both upstream and downstream, probably searching for food.

Himalayan Griffon Imran Shah

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, just two sightings, 1 at Duikar (2700m) and a second one at the top (4200m). Anyhow Sparrowhawk is a common sight in Hunza. The only interesting thing was, the second Sparrowhawk had quite worn feathers.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Imran Shah

Golden Eagle, four sightings, one at Karimabad (2500m) and three at Khuwhat (above 3500m). I assume they are quite common in Gilgit region this year, as I have seen them in Gilgit, Juglot Guro, Aliabad, Karimabad and Gojal.

Golden Eagle Imran Shah

Eurasian Hobby, a single one on 19 May at 3000m.

Eurasian Hobby Imran Shah

Apart from the raptors the birds spotted during the four-day trip were:

Chukar Partridge (up to 4000m)

Himalayan Snowcock (up to 4000m)

Scaly-bellied Woodpecker (up to 3000m)

Common Hoopoe (up to 3000m)

Black-billed Magpie (up to 4000m)

Red-billed Chough (up to 4000m)

Yellow-billed Chough (up to 4000m)

Large-billed Crow (up to 3000m)

Common Raven (up to 4000m)

Indian Golden Oriole (up to 3000m) (now split from Eurasian Golden Oriole)

Blue Rock Thrush (up to 3000m)

Blue Whistling Thrush (up to 3000m)

Eurasian Blackbird (up to 4000m)

Blue-capped Redstart (up to 4000m)

Black Redstart (up to 3500m)

Siberian Stonechat (up to 3500m)

Pied Wheatear (up to 3500m)

Bar-tailed Tree-creeper (up to 4000m)

Cinereous Tit (up to 3000m)

Eurasian Crag Martin (up to 4000m)

Hume’s Lesser Whitethroat (up to 3500m) (now split from Lesser Whitethroat)

Common Chiffchaff (up to 4000m)

Tickell's Leaf Warbler (up to 4000m)

Sulphur-bellied Warbler (up to 3500m)

Greenish Warbler (up to 3000m)

House Sparrow (up to 3000m)

Brown Accentor (up to 3500m)

Plain Mountain Finch (up to 4000m)

Fire-fronted Serin (up to 4000m)

Eurasian Goldfinch (up to 3000m)

Common Rosefinch (up to 3000m)

White-winged Grosbeak (up to 4000m)

Rock Bunting (up to 4000m)

White-capped Bunting (up to 4000m)

ISLBIRDER: I am so very jealous, Imran, about your trip to the high tops and the wonderful birds and scenery you encountered. Your photographs are superb and your artistry in composing the shot of the Shepherd’s Hut is magical. To see that many Himalayan Snowcocks must have been memorable.

Pakistan has so much to offer eco-tourists and there is huge potential for knowledgeable and capable people like you Imran and Riaz to act as Guides for visiting birders. The income generated could persuade local people and district government offices that preserving Pakistan’s wildlife will benefit all concerned.

Keep up the great work and thank you for letting us share your experiences Imran.