Ladakh Briding Trip

Ladakh lies on the boundary of the Palearctic – Oriental zoogeographic regions, and also partly within the Tibetan biome. Many species are breeding migrants and the region is an important staging post for birds crossing the mighty Himalayan range during their spring and autumn migrations. To date, around 310 species have been recorded. Resident species are mainly altitudinal migrants, breeding at high elevations, but descending in winter. Explore the Thiksey wetlands and riverbanks along the Indus, including the thick buckthorn patches, the shoreline and grazing land. These areas are excellent for many species including Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica), Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta) and Rosy Pipits (A. roseatus), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii) and Hobby in summer, or Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus), White-winged Redstart (Phoenicurus erythrogaster) and Streaked Rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilloides) in winter. Two lakes in the Tsokas Plains, Tso-Kar (a salt lake) and Startsapuk-Tso (a freshwater lake) are important breeding grounds for Bar-headed Geese, Great Crested Grebe, Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus) and various terns and gulls. It is possible to watch Black-necked Cranes foraging in the boggy marshes east of Tso-Kar, or Tibetan Sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes tibetanus) coming to drink mid-morning in the northern plains. The shores of both lakes are occupied by waders, whilst the adjoining grasslands and barren hillsides host accentors, larks and finches, including Plain-backed Snowfinch (Pyrgilauda blanfordi). Resident raptors include the Golden Eagle, Upland Buzzard, Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and Little Owl (Athene noctua). From late August onwards, flocks of migrating waterfowl and waders frequent both lakes, when, occasionally, large flocks of kites, harriers and other raptors appear. Mammals include wolf, fox, weasel, kiang (wild ass), blue sheep, argali, marmot, woolly hare and pika. Some characteristic and rare birds are found in Ladakh.

Itinerary