Birding at Pangot in Uttrakhand

 Located at 1400 MSL 14 km from Nainital Resort Pangot is a paradise for bird watchers. During the harsh winters when it snows in the Himalayas, birds descend to Pangot for residence in a warmer climate. Though the destination is not as cold as we presume up there in the Himalayas it is much colder.

Pangot is not a hill resort and only a few birders frequent the place. At 2100 MSL Vinyak Hill is the highest point where you can see the Chir Pheasant, Koklass Pheasant, and the Ultramarine flycatcher. The climb from Pangot township is steep and is manageable only by trained drivers.

Birders make frequent stops to watch the avian species and the Himalayan Mountain Range on a clear day.  There are frequent stops on the way like the Woodpeckers Point where woodpeckers and many interesting species are seen.

• Greater Yellow-naped Woodpecker                       
• Streak-throated Woodpecker                   
• Grey-headed Woodpecker                        
• Scaly-bellied Woodpecker                          
• Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker                          
• Stripe-breasted Woodpecker                    
• Brown-fronted Woodpecker                     
• Himalayan Woodpecker               
• Rufous-bellied Woodpecker      

 Avian species are seen all along the climb from the township. The township is small with few hutments and a store. There are a few resorts in the township that cater to the birders. Nothing Else!   The forest comprises Oak, Deodar, Pine, Cedar, and Juniper Bushes. The species inhabit this vegetation and are not hard to find by ornithologists. 

Birds of Pangot:

• Chir Pheasant
• Koklass Pheasant
• Himalayan Vultures
• Bearded Vulture
• Peregrine Falcon
• Eurasian Vulture
• Bearded Vulture
• Spot Winged Tit
• Brown-fronted woodpecker
• Himalayan Woodpecker
• Rufus bellied woodpecker, Black Eagle 
• Upland Pipit
• Mountain Bulbul,
• Hill partridge
• Lesser racket-tailed drongo
• Pink-browed rosefinch
• Mistle thrush,
• Dark-breasted rosefinch
• Yellow-browed tit
• Blue-winged thrush
• Brown Fronted Woodpecker
• Alpine Accentor
• Himalayan Quail
• Asian Barred Owlet
• Hill Partridge
• Kalij Pheasant
• Asian Palm Swift
• Little Swift
• Large Hawk-Cuckoo
• Himalayan Cuckoo
• Mountain Scops Owl
• Speckled Piculet
• Coal Tit
• Chestnut Crowned Laughing Thrush
• Maroon Oriole
• Fire Breasted Flycatcher
• Green Tailed Sunbird

The list of avain species found at Pangot is endless. If you wish to see Himalayan Birds Pangot is the right place to do so. Birders arrive here to spot birds of Pangot throughout the season. This lone isolated town does not attract general tourists but only ornithologists.