Wildlife · Binsar, Kumaon
Birding in Binsar's oak forest
Binsar's old oak forest is one of the best places in Kumaon to see Himalayan forest birds and pheasants. A slow dawn walk with a guide on the old bridle paths can produce woodpeckers, laughingthrushes, nuthatches and, with luck, kalij or koklass pheasant.
Photo: solarshakti · CC BY 2.0 · CommonsMore than 200 bird species have been recorded in Binsar, from small tits and warblers to the shy koklass pheasant. The mature oak and rhododendron forest is rich in insects and acorns, which keeps the canopy busy. Mixed flocks move through in the morning, and patience at a single spot often works better than covering ground.
Common birds include the black-headed jay, Eurasian jay, white-throated laughingthrush, chestnut-bellied nuthatch, greater yellownape, and several tits. Kalij pheasants feed on the trail edges at dawn and dusk. In winter, birds from higher up move into the sanctuary. Spring brings song and nesting.
Walk in dull clothes, keep voices low and stay on paths. Guides from the area know the forest and its calls; agree a fee before starting. Leopards live here, so start after first light and return before dark. Carry binoculars, water and a light layer, since temperatures change quickly under the canopy.
Good for
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Photo: SudiptoDutta · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Sunrise walk to Zero Point
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Village trails on the edge of Binsar
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Trips through Binsar
Do this on a trip
Each of these trips stops in Binsar. Tell us and we keep a slot for this day.
Photo: Krishan09 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Comfort
Kumaon birding: Sattal and Binsar
Private car with driver
Photo: Travelling Slacker · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Saver
Almora, Binsar and Jageshwar on a budget
Shared taxis and jeeps, with two shared private-cab legs
Photo: Travelling Slacker · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Signature
Kasar Devi and Binsar, slow and private
Private car with driver
Photo: Skalvanov · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Signature
Kumaon in depth: lakes, orchards and oak
Private car with driver
Sleep nearby
Stays in Binsar
Photo: SudiptoDutta · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Budget
KMVN Tourist Rest House, Binsar
The government rest house inside Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, run by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, sits high on the rid…
Photo: SudiptoDutta · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Luxury
Mary Budden Estate
A restored 19th-century estate inside Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, named after its last known resident, Mary Budden.…
Questions
Before you book
What birds can I see in Binsar?
Over 200 species have been recorded, including kalij and koklass pheasants, laughingthrushes, nuthatches, tits, woodpeckers, jays, magpies and forktails. Monal are reported on the higher ridges in winter but are hard to see.
When is the best time for birding in Binsar?
November to May. Winter brings altitudinal migrants and clear mornings; March to May brings breeding calls. Avoid the monsoon, when paths are slippery and leeches appear.
Are there leopards in Binsar?
Yes, leopards live in the sanctuary, along with goral, barking deer and serow. They are rarely seen. Do not walk alone at dawn or dusk off the main paths, and never after dark.