Birding Expeditions in Uttarakhand and Bihar
While I spend most of my time in the NCR wetlands, my heart beats for the wilder corners of India. Join me on guided trips to the Himalayan foothills and the stork-rich wetlands of Bhagalpur.
The Long-tailed Broadbill, a stunningly beautiful and elusive resident of the lower Himalayan forests. Photographing this bird during my Dehradun expedition was a dream come true.
A Blue-throated Barbet from the Himalayan foothills. Unlike the hides where they are often photographed, I was thrilled to capture this one in a completely wild and natural setting.
Bhagalpur in Bihar is the only place in India with six resident stork species. This video is a tribute to this underrated birding paradise, featuring species like the Greater Adjutant and Black-necked Stork.
A Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, photographed on a trip to the Himalayas. Its vibrant yellow breast and deep red feet are striking against the green forest background.
A pair of Woolly-necked Storks in the fields of Bihar. These birds are a common sight during my expeditions to the wetlands of Bhagalpur.
A male Crested Bunting from Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The contrast of its black body, chestnut wings, and prominent crest makes it a standout species of the Himalayan region.
The Himalayan Black-lored Tit, a beautiful passerine found in the montane forests. Its yellow and black plumage and spiky crest are unmistakable.
A full-body shot of the Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, showing its namesake tail.
The Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon in its natural habitat, perched among new spring leaves.
A close-up portrait of the Blue-throated Barbet from Dehradun, showing the incredible detail in its colorful face.
About Special Expeditions: Beyond Delhi-NCR
My expeditions are strictly small group affairs with a maximum of 6 people. This ensures you get the spotting scope time you need, and I have the bandwidth to help each of you get that perfect shot without disturbing the birds. We focus on ethical fieldcraft, which means we spend more time waiting and observing than walking.
When we step out of the Delhi-NCR birding circuit, the game changes. These expeditions are designed for birders and photographers who want to move beyond the checklist and really understand the ecology of a new region.
The Himalayan Foothills (Uttarakhand)
In the mountains, birding is about patience in the canopy. We track species like the Long-tailed Broadbill and the Himalayan Black-lored Tit. The challenge here is terrain and light. You learn to handle steep angles and tricky forest shadows. We spend our mornings in the forest and evenings reviewing our shots, discussing not just the technical settings, but the bird's behavior in its natural habitat.
The Stork Capital (Bhagalpur, Bihar)
Bhagalpur is a completely different world. It is the only place in India with six resident stork species. This trip is for those interested in wetland ecosystems. From the Greater Adjutant to the Woolly-necked Stork, we witness how these large birds interact with the landscape. It is raw, humid, and visually stunning.
What to Expect
These aren't luxury tours. We stay in curated nature homestays or birding lodges that keep us close to the action. We travel in dedicated SUVs to reach the best spots before sunrise. My role is to bridge the gap between seeing a bird and understanding its story. You will get guidance on:
- Fieldcraft for forest and wetland environments.
- Handling low-light situations and high-contrast plumage.
- Identifying bird calls and behavior patterns.
- Ethical approaches to getting close to elusive species.
Whether you are chasing a lifer or just want to improve your photography, these trips offer the space to slow down and really look.
Sumit Kumar Sum
I’m Sumit. When I’m not tracking birds in Delhi, I’m leading small groups into the Himalayas or the wetlands of Bihar. My focus is always on understanding the bird's story rather than just ticking them off a checklist.
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