Ladakh Birding Field Guide

Content Introduction Black Kite Black-necked Crane Black-winged Stilt Bluethroat Booted Eagle Brown Accentor Brown-headed Gull Citrine Wagtail Carrion Crow Common Kestrel Common Raven Desert Wheatear Eurasian Magpie Eurasian Eagle Owl Grey Wagtail Hill Pigeon Horned Lark House Sparrow Hume’s Leaf Warbler Indian Pond Heron

1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Lesser Sand Plover Common Swift Mallard Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Pallid Scops Owl Red-billed Chough Rock Pigeon Ruddy Shelduck Rufous-breasted Accentor Saker Falcon Tickell’s Leaf Warbler Tree Pipit Tufted Duck Upland Buzzard White Wagtail Chukar Partridge Hoopoe Long-tailed Shrike Pallas's Gull

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

Testimonials Organizing Team From The Field

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Introduction

Wipro earthian is one of India’s largest sustainability education programs for schools and colleges. It is designed to catalyze excellence in sustainability thinking and action amongst the youth. The Sustainability Educator Network was launched in 2018. It is an initiative to support grassroots environment educators across India. The network of educators engages in stewarding sustainability education in schools and communities in the areas they are based out of.

Navikru Eco Foundation (Navikru) joined the Wipro Sustainability Educator Network in 2021. The team at Navikru has conducted various community engagement programs involving the school community in Ladakh throughout the year. One of the programs they have executed is bird watching for the students who have participated in the Wipro earthian program in 2022.

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This booklet documents the birds that were observed by the 21 participating students from Leh, Ladakh, during a six-day birding workshop. Guided by local bird expert and naturalist, Mr Padma Gyalpo, the students learned to identify different bird species in these locations. These include Shey, Chuchot, Puga, Tsokar, and Hanley in Changthang (Eastern Ladakh). Ladakh is home to more than 400 species of birds. The region falls in the migratory path for magnificent birds like the Black-necked Crane (state bird of UT Ladakh) and Bar-headed Goose (the highest flying bird in the world) that also visit Ladakh.

The students learnt about the birds' habits and their habitats, and the importance of saving the habitats for both the residents and the migratory birds. The sightings the students made were captured by them in the form of sketches. This booklet is a compilation of their wonderful work.

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Black Kite

Migratory Bird Location Indus Belt from Hanley till Phey

Habitat Plantations and Marshes

Diet Carrion

Spotted and Sketched by

Pemba Lama Government Boys' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Black-necked Crane

Migratory Bird Location Changthang Marshes, Lakes and Ponds

Habitat Wetlands - Marshes, Lakes

Diet Shoots, Tubers, Insects and Small Fishes

Spotted and Sketched by

Tayeba Maryam Government High School, Phyang

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Black-winged Stilt

Migratory Bird Location Spituk, Shey, Chuchot, Hanley

Habitat Wetlands - Marshes, Lakes, Ponds

Diet Aquatic Invertebrates and Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Lakpa Dolma Government High School, Phyang

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Bluethroat

Migratory Bird Location All over Ladakh

Habitat Bushes and Scrubs

Diet Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Skarma Tundup Government High School, Anlay

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Booted Eagle

Migratory Bird Location Spituk, Shey, Chuchot, Hanley

Habitat Plantations and Marshes

Diet Rodents, Birds, Lizards

Spotted and Sketched by

Shaina Bathul Government High School, Phyang

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Brown Accentor

Non-migratory Bird Location Spituk, Shey, Chuchot, Hanley

Habitat Bushes and Scrubs

Diet Seeds and Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Padma Namgail Riglam Model School

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Brown-headed Gull

Migratory Bird Location Changthang Marshes, Lakes and Ponds

Habitat Rivers and Lakes

Diet Aquatic Insects, Fishes

Spotted and Sketched by

Suhail Ahmad Government High School, Chuchot Gongma

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Citrine Wagtail

Migratory Bird Location Indus Belt From Hanley till Phey

Habitat Wetlands - Marshes, Streams, Rivers

Diet Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Dazes Dolma Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, Leh 10

Carrion Crow

Non-migratory Bird Location Shey - Chuchot

Habitat Trees, Marshes and near Human Habitation

Diet Omnivorous - Insects, Carrion

Spotted and Sketched by

Tsering Phunchok Riglam Model School 11

Common Kestrel

Non-migratory Bird Location All over Ladakh

Habitat Plantations, Wetlands, Semiarid Areas

Diet Insects, Birds, Rodents and Lizards

Spotted and Sketched by

Padma Chosdon Government Higher Secondary School, Sakti 12

Common Raven

Non-migratory Bird Location Rumtse till Hanley

Habitat Mountains, Semi-arid Areas

Diet Birds, Insects, Lizards

Spotted and Sketched by

Jigmet Gyalson Government Middle School, Sankar 13

Desert Wheatear

Migratory Bird Location Indus Belt from Hanley till Phey

Habitat Dry Open Areas, Wetlands

Diet Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Shaina Bathul Government High School, Phyang

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Eurasian Magpie

Non-migratory Bird Location All over Ladakh

Habitat Plantations, Bushes and Scrubs

Diet Omnivorous - Insects, Carrion, Seeds, etc.

Spotted and Sketched by

Stanzin Angchuk Government High School, Chuchot Gongma

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Eurasian Eagle Owl

Non-migratory Bird Location Hanley

Habitat Mountains, Rocky Hills

Diet Small Rodents, Birds, Lizards

Spotted and Sketched by

Rinchen Dorjey Government Boys' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Grey Wagtail

Migratory Bird Location All over Ladakh

Habitat Rivers and Streams

Diet Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Tayeba Maryam Government High School, Phyang

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Hill Pigeon

Non-migratory Bird Location Rumtse till Hanley

Habitat Semi-arid Areas, Hills and near Human Habitation

Diet Insects, Seeds and Grains

Spotted and Sketched by

Nima Dolma Government Middle School, Sankar

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Horned Lark

Non-migratory Bird Location Changthang Marshes, Lakes and Ponds

Habitat Marshes and Semi-arid Areas

Diet Insects, Seeds and Grains

Spotted and Sketched by

Jigmet Lamo Government High School, Anlay

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House Sparrow

Non-migratory Bird Location All over Ladakh

Habitat Bushes and Scrubs and near Human Habitation

Diet Insects, Seeds and Grains

Spotted and Sketched by

Sonam Yangdol Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Hume’s Leaf Warbler

Migratory Bird Location Hanley

Habitat Tree Plantations

Diet Insects and Flies

Spotted and Sketched by

Jigmet Chostop Government Higher Secondary School, Sakti

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Indian Pond Heron

Migratory Bird Location All over Ladakh

Habitat Marshes, Rivers, Lakes and Ponds

Diet Aquatic Invertebrates and Fishes

Spotted and Sketched by

Pemba Lama Government Boys' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Lesser Sand Plover

Migratory Bird Location Tsokar, Hanley

Habitat Wetlands - Marshes and Lakes

Diet Aquatic Invertebrates, Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Tsering Skitzom Government High School, Anlay

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Common Swift

Migratory Bird Location Indus Belt from Hanley till Phey

Habitat Marshes, Hills

Diet Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Rinchen Dorjey Government Boys' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Mallard

Migratory Bird Location Tsokar, Hanley

Habitat Wetlands - Marshes, Rivers, Lakes and Ponds

Diet Aquatic Shoots and Tubers

Spotted and Sketched by

Jigmet Chorol Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Northern Shoveler

Migratory Bird Location Tsokar, Hanley

Habitat Wetlands - Rivers, Streams, Lakes and Ponds

Diet Aquatic Invertebrates and Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Stanzin Angchuk Government High School, Chuchot Gongma

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Northern Pintail

Migratory Bird Location Tsokar, Hanley

Habitat Wetlands - Rivers, Streams, Lakes and Ponds

Diet Aquatic Shoots and Tubers

Spotted and Sketched by

Tsering Phunchok Riglam Model School

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Pallid Scops Owl

Migratory Bird Location Hanley

Habitat Trees

Diet Small Rodents, Small Birds and Lizards

Spotted and Sketched by

Dazes Dolma Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Red-billed Chough

Non-migratory Bird Location All over Ladakh

Habitat Hills and Marshes

Diet Insects, Spiders and other Invertebrates

Spotted and Sketched by

Thinles Angmo Government Higher Secondary School, Sakti

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Rock Pigeon

Non-migratory Bird Location All over Ladakh

Habitat Hills and in Human Habitation

Diet Seeds

Spotted and Sketched by

Sonam Yangdol Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Ruddy Shelduck

Migratory Bird Location Tsokar, Hanley

Habitat Wetlands - Marshes, Streams, Rivers and Ponds

Diet Aquatic Shoots and Tubers

Spotted and Sketched by

Nima Dolma Government Middle School, Sankar

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Rufousbreasted Accentor

Non-migratory Bird Location Western Ladakh

Habitat Bushes and Scrubs

Diet Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Jigmet Chostop Government Higher Secondary School, Sakti

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Saker Falcon

Migratory Bird Location Hanley

Habitat Tree Plantations, Bushes and Scrubs

Diet Rodents and Birds

Spotted and Sketched by

Tonsal Nima Government Boys' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Tickell’s Leaf Warbler

Migratory Bird Location Hanley

Habitat Tree Plantations, Bushes and Scrubs

Diet Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Thinles Angmo Government Higher Secondary School, Sakti

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Tree Pipit

Migratory Bird Location Spituk, Shey, Chuchot, Hanley

Habitat Marshes and Trees

Diet Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Suhail Ahmad Government High School, Chuchot Gongma

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Tufted Duck

Migratory Bird Location Tsokar, Hanley

Habitat Lakes and Ponds

Diet Aquatic Shoots and Tubers

Spotted and Sketched by

Jigmet Chorol Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Upland Buzzard

Migratory Bird Location Tsokar, Hanley

Habitat Hills and Marshes

Diet Small Mammals, Birds, Lizards, and Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Padma Chosdon Government Higher Secondary School, Sakti

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White Wagtail

Migratory Bird Location All over Ladakh

Habitat Wetlands - Rivers, Streams, Marshes, Lakes and Ponds

Diet Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Jigmet Gyalson Government Middle School, Sankar

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Chukar Partridge

Non-migratory Bird Location All over Ladakh

Habitat Cultivated Fields, Hills

Diet Predominantly vegetarian as adults; chicks are fed mainly insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Padma Chosdon Government Higher Secondary School, Sakti

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Hoopoe

Migratory Bird Location All over Ladakh

Habitat Marshes, Bushes and Scrubs

Diet Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Lakpa Dolma Government High School, Phyang

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Long-tailed Shrike

Migratory Bird Location All over Ladakh

Habitat Trees, Bushes and Scrubs

Diet Insects

Spotted and Sketched by

Dazes Dolma Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Pallas's Gull

Migratory Bird Location Tsokar, Hanley

Habitat Rivers, Lakes and Ponds

Diet Fish, Insects, and Small Mammals

Spotted and Sketched by

Dazes Dolma Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Testimonials I recently had the pleasure of joining a six-day birdwatching tour that was amazing. We visited many beautiful places in Leh and in Changthang. In Hanle, Padma Gyalpo Sir led us to a clearing near the monastery, where we saw the most beautiful Pallid Scops Owl. It was very tiny and I will never forget that sight. The six-day bird-watching tour was an unforgettable experience. It allowed me to connect with nature. Thank you Navikru and Wipro for giving us the opportunity.

Jigmet Gyalson Government Middle School, Sankar

We became part of the bird watching tour organized by Navikru Eco Foundation. We had been doing different Wipro earthian activities. This tour added more to our knowledge, as we were getting hands-on experience. It was an incredible experience, as for the first time I visited the Puga hot springs, Tsokar and Hanley. We were able to see so many different species of birds. It taught us so much about the natural world around us. Seeing the state bird of our region, the Black-necked Crane, was amazing.

Dazes Dolma Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, Leh 43

Testimonials Throughout the journey, I witnessed a wide variety of bird species in their natural habitats. This was an experience that I will never forget. I was really amazed to see the Eurasian Eagle Owl. Its eyes were big, and it was really beautiful up in the hills of Hanley. We had to struggle to watch it. However, Padma Gyalpo Sir really made it easy for me. I cannot wait to continue my exploration of the natural world.

Rinchen Dorjey Government Boys' Higher Secondary School, Leh

I thoroughly enjoyed this bird-watching trip. I loved following Padma Gyalpo Sir and looking at birds in the spotting scope. We had our binoculars throughout the journey. I would keep looking for different birds and ask Padma Gyalpo Sir about it. I also enjoyed making the drawings of each bird at the end of the day. I had long discussions with Padma Gyalpo Sir. I enjoyed looking at the pictures of the birds on his camera. I am waiting for the Navikru Eco Foundation to organize more such events and give me the opportunity to become a part of it.

Nima Tonsal Government Boys' Higher Secondary School, Leh

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Organizing Team

Padma Gyalpo

Phuntsog Angmo

Preeti Chauhan

Stanzin Dothon

Wildlife Conservation and Birds Club of Ladakh

Founder and Managing Director, Navikru Eco Foundation

Assistant Project Lead, Navikru Eco Foundation

Field Assistant, Navikru Eco Foundation

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#FromTheField

This booklet is published as a part of Wipro earthian Program, in collaboration with Navikru Eco Foundation.

Supported by

Wipro Foundation is a public charitable trust set up for corporate citizenship and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Wipro.

Wipro earthian is a program of Wipro Foundation.