Join us for a 4 nights and 5 days bird photography masterclass expedition to Gajoldoba and Latpanchar, two of the richest and least-explored birding gems in Eastern India. Nestled in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, these locations are a part of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, a thriving avian biodiversity hotspot between the Teesta and Mahananda rivers.
Gajoldoba, with its wetland ecosystem, attracts thousands of migratory waterbirds during winter, offering excellent opportunities to photograph species such as Bar-headed Geese, Ruddy Shelducks, Northern Pintails, and various raptors. Meanwhile, the misty forests of Latpanchar, the highest point of the Mahananda WLS, are known for the elusive Himalayan birds like the Rufous-necked Hornbill, Laughingthrushes, Minivets, and Yuhinas.
This masterclass is led by Masterclass DCP mentor who will guide you through unique bird photography challenges including low-light forest shooting, dynamic compositions, and capturing birds in action. If you’re looking to refine your bird photography in a region still untouched by large tourist crowds, this is the expedition for you.
Target Species
Gajoldoba (Teesta Barrage Wetlands)
Bar-headed Goose, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Common Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Ferruginous Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Greylag Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Great Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Black Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Painted Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Glossy Ibis, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Booted Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Black Kite, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Temminck’s Stint, Little Ringed Plover, Red-wattled Lapwing, River Tern, Whiskered Tern, Siberian Rubythroat, Bluethroat, Citrine Wagtail, White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Rosy Pipit, Paddyfield Pipit, Common Stonechat, Pied Bushchat, Zitting Cisticola, various Warblers (Blyth’s Reed, Clamorous Reed, etc.).
Latpanchar (Mahananda WLS Fringe)
Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Sultan Tit, Scarlet Minivet, Short-billed Minivet, Long-tailed Minivet, Golden-throated Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Great Barbet, Black-throated Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Streaked Spiderhunter, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Long-tailed Broadbill, Maroon Oriole, Ashy Drongo, Bronzed Drongo, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Spangled Drongo, Black-naped Monarch, Verditer Flycatcher, Small Niltava, Large Niltava, Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Chestnut-headed Tesia, White-throated Fantail, Rufous Sibia, Red-tailed Minla, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Blue Whistling Thrush, Scaly Thrush, Grey-winged Blackbird, Ashy Wood Pigeon, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Crested Goshawk, Black Eagle, Common Green Magpie, Hill Myna, Himalayan Bulbul, Black Bulbul.
