Conserving Birds in Pakistan and Beyond

 

Top Birding Hot Spots in Pakistan - Azad Kashmir

Neelam Valley

Updated: 12/25/2005

By BCP member Muhammad Saad N Qaisrani

 

Neelum Valley of Azad Kashmir is formed by the Neelum river that flows in Azad Kashmir. The valley is characterized by beautiful grass covered hills with sparse tree cover upto Pateka. However, as the Neelum river flows alongside the road from Muzzafarabad leading along the valley upto Machiara, the sceneries in this area are exhilarating.

 

For birding in Neelum valley, there are 4 principal sites. These sites are:

 

1. Pateka

2. Machiara

3. Salkalla

4. Gurais

 

Each place has its own characteristic species. For example the Kashmir Flycatcher can be found only and only in Pateka.

 

Machiara National park is located North of Muzzafarabad City. The National Park houses a large number of species, including many near endemics. Unfortunately, the road leading to Machiara is not in a very good condition (as of October 2004).

However, the scenic beauty of the Neelum valley is paralleled by no other place in the world. From Muzzafarabad onwards, the road leading to Machiara flows right along the banks of River Neelum. Due to this reason, many species particular to a wet environment can be encountered here.

 

Some Endangered birds that are found in Neelum valley are:

 

1. Western Tragopan

2. Cheer Pheasant

3. Kashmir Flycatcher

 

Some speciality species that occur in the Neelum Valley are:

 

1. Western Tragopan

2. Cheer Pheasant

3. Kashmir Flycatcher

4. Kashmir Nuthatch

5. Koklass Pheasant

6. Black headed Jay

7. Black crested Tit

8. Himalayan Woodpecker

9. Western Crowned Warbler

10. Rufous breasted Accentor

11. Blue headed Redstart

12. Variegated Laughing thrush

13. White throated Tit

14. Rufous tailed Flycatcher

15. Himalayan Snowcock

16. Spectacled Finch

17. White cheeked Nuthatch

18. Orange bullfinch

 

Some other birds that are either rare in Pakistan or are of very  restricted distribution in Pakistan and occur in Neelum Valley are:

 

1. Black Bulbul

2. Brown Dipper

3. Winter Wren

4. Orange flanked Bush Robin

5. Blue Whistling Thrush

6. Chestnut Thrush

7. Grey hooded Warbler

8. Blue fronted Redstart

9. Grey Bush Chat

10. Plain backed Mountain Thrush

11. Scaly Thrush

12. Little Forktail

13. Yellow eyed Warbler

14. Golden Eagle

15. Northern Goshawk

16. Snow Partridge

17. Western Tragopan

18. Cheer Pheasant

19. Koklass Pheasant

20. Himalayan Monal

21. Kalij Pheasant

22. Speckled Wood Pigeon

23. Oriental Cuckoo

24. Little Cuckoo

25. Mountain Scops Owl

26. Collared Pygmy Owlet

27. Asian Barred Owlet

28. White throated Needle tail

29. White rumped Swift

30. Crested Kingfisher

31. Speckled Piculet

32. Scaly bellied Green Woodpecker

33. White bellied Redstart

34. Grey sided Bush Warbler

35. Pale Bush Warbler

36. Large billed Leaf Warbler

37. Mountain Chiffchaff

38. Goldcrest

39. Rufous tailed Flycatcher

40. Slaty blue Flycatcher

41. Grey headed Flycatcher

42. Green Shrike babbler

43. Red headed Tit

44. Fire capped Tit

45. Nutcraker

46. Russet Sparrow

47. Spotted Munia

48. Pink browed Rosefinch

49. Grey headed Bunting

50. Crested Bunting

51. White capped Redstart

52. Plumbeous Redstart

53. Upland Pipit

54. Himalayan Woodpecker

55. Verditer Flycatcher

56. Chestnut Thrush
     

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