PHULCHOKI, Birds and Butterflies
The total area solely occupied by the forest only has been estimated at 1300 hectares approximately, but yet despite its relatively small size, it is still a paradise for birds and birders. With 264 species already recorded for Phulchowki, the list can still increase. Bird watching has been done along the roadside and along the trails. Phulchowki still has a large portion of forest hidden behind the summit. This area is difficult to reach because trails are few and the detours are very long. Serious birders would need a few days extra to venture out into this little visited territory. Basically, with the mountains to the north and the terai to the south, the Mahabharat range falls in between, a unique conjunction to the Palearctic North and the Oriental South. Hence, Phulchowki, being a part of the Mahabharat range, plays an important role for the migrating and wintering birds. Eighty six species of such birds have been recorded here. Many rare resident birds are also found here. The Nepal Parrotbill is a small and shy bird. What makes this even more difficult to spot is that it stays inside the dense bamboo (Arundinaria species). In 1996, a lot of these bamboos flowered and eventually died. As to what extent the Parrotbills have been affected, we do not know. Another rare and shy bird is the Spiny Babbler. Besides looking out for the rare ones, watching the common ones can also be fun. The Racket-Tailed Drongo is an uncommon sighting here despite the fact that it may be common elsewhere. The Green-Billed Malkoha is another rare sighting though it may not be rare. For beginners and professional birders alike, Phulchowki is one compact location for enjoying, learning, and appreciating its avifauna in any of its seasons.
For those who have developed a keen eye for butterflies, Phulchowki will not let you down, as this is one of the best places in Nepal for them. According to their seasons, these beautiful insects emerge to beautify and pollinate the forest. Of course, some are food for the birds, all small parts in the totality of nature. The usual practice of catching and collecting to identify the butterflies is not necessary for the larger species. A not too powerful binoculars is a very good tool to observe them. May is the best month to see some of the spectacular ones. If by any chance you are up at the summit early in the morning, you may see a large rich green butterfly flitting about unconcernedly and occasionally settling down among the rocks or on the leaves of the trees. You are lucky because you are seeing a very rare butterfly, the Kaiser-i-hind (T. imperialis), an enigma. Once this butterfly has emerged from its cocoon , it never feeds. It only flies up on ridges from 8:00 a.m. onwards in an obvious quest, waiting for females to pass by. If it has not been successful by 11:00 a.m., it heads back down into the forest to try again the next day, if it has survived to see another day. Another beautiful butterfly that flies along the top and ridges is the Blue Peacock (P. arcturus). But down below at the base, where the water is, is where most of the butterflies are. Dry seasons are very good for observing them. Most of them come to suck the moisture from the ground and some are so engrossed in feeding that you can actually pick them up by hand! However, the present status of the exact number of species is yet to be determined. The total had nearly reached 300, but due to the wide destruction of the forest in the past, the number of plant species has come down, and along with it, the butterflies as well. A further detailed study is imperative to get a clearer picture of their present status.
Phulchowki is still a dynamic forest, throbbing with life and vigor. For it to continue to remain so, the people living on the base of this magnificent hill should take it upon their shoulders for the preservation and ensuring its continuity as a little hilly paradise!
Articles By Rashmi Dahal with active help from Mahendra Sing Limbu
September 7, 2010
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