Nature · Koshi Tappu
Dawn walk on the Koshi embankment
Walk the raised embankments at the edge of the reserve as the sun rises over marsh and grass, listening for swamp francolins, watching harriers quarter the reeds and scanning the wetlands for cranes, storks and ducks.
_photographed_in_India.jpg){kind=link}
The embankments built to contain the Koshi now make perfect walking paths. Raised above the floodplain, they give long views over marshes, pools and grassland. At dawn mist drifts across the reeds, and birds call from every direction. They are the easiest way to see the reserve on foot, with long views and firm ground.
Listen for the loud, repeated call of the swamp francolin, a grassland bird with a small and declining range. Marsh harriers quarter low over the reeds, while storks, herons and egrets stand in shallow water. In winter, flocks of ducks lift off the pools as the light grows. Kingfishers, bee-eaters and prinias are common along the way.
Walks are easy and flat. Go with a bird guide who knows the best stretches and the latest sightings. Wear warm layers in winter and waterproof shoes if the ground is wet. Combine with a boat trip later in the morning. Walks last two to three hours and end before the day warms up.
Good for
Questions
What is the swamp francolin?
The swamp francolin is a ground-dwelling bird of tall wet grasslands in the Terai and northern India. It is listed as vulnerable because its habitat has largely been converted to farmland. Koshi Tappu is one of the best places in Nepal to hear and see it, especially at dawn.
Do I need a guide for walks at Koshi Tappu?
Yes, we recommend a licensed guide for any walk in or near the reserve. Wild buffalo and boar can be dangerous, and a bird guide finds and identifies far more species. Rules on guides in protected areas can change, so check current status before you travel.
When is the best time for birding at Koshi Tappu?
November to March, with December to February the peak for migrant waterbirds. Early mornings are best. Spring brings breeding residents and some passage migrants. The monsoon, from June to September, floods much of the area and is not suitable for visits.
Also in Koshi Tappu
More ways to spend the day
Rivers and lakesBoat birding on the Koshi channels
Glide along the Koshi's channels with a local boatman and a bird guide, close to ducks, storks, herons and cormorants, …
WildlifeSearching for arna, the wild buffalo
Go out with a reserve guide at dawn or dusk to find herds of arna, Nepal's last wild water buffalo, …
FoodKoshi Barrage and a riverside fish lunch
Visit the Koshi Barrage, built between 1958 and 1962 with 56 gates, watch birds on the water above it, then …