Wildlife and birds · Namthing Pokhri
Birds of the Shelpu forest
Walk the forest road around Namthing Pokhri at dawn for mid-hill birds: barbets, laughingthrushes, minivets, sunbirds and woodpeckers. A gentler, less known alternative to Latpanchar.
The Shelpu hills around Namthing Pokhri carry broadleaf forest at about 1,300–1,500 m, the same belt that makes Latpanchar good for birds. Fewer people come here, which means quieter mornings.
Walk slowly along the road and the edge of the lake from sunrise. Listen for barbets calling from the canopy and look for flocks of minivets, tits and warblers moving through the trees.
A Sittong or Latpanchar guide can join you. Spring brings song and breeding; autumn brings clear light.
Cost: Guide ₹500–800
Questions people ask
Good to know
What birds can I see near Namthing Pokhri?
Typical mid-hill forest birds: barbets, bulbuls, laughingthrushes, minivets, tits, warblers, sunbirds and woodpeckers, with raptors overhead. Hornbills are more reliably seen at nearby Latpanchar. Sightings vary with season and time of day.
Do I need a guide for birding at Namthing Pokhri?
Not strictly, but a local guide will find and identify much more. Expect about ₹500–800 for a morning, arranged through your Sittong or Latpanchar homestay. Bring binoculars.
What is the best season for birding in the Shelpu hills?
March to May for song and breeding, and October to November for clear weather. Winter is good for some visiting species. The monsoon is wet and leech-heavy, though the forest is lush.
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