Species seen so far...

Our field work have not been really productive so far. This might be due to temperatures below seasonal normals and increased precipitations. 

Anyhow, let me introduce you to my new little friends...

Commonly found around 2000 m and widespread across Nepal, the Hill Jezebel (Delias Belladonna)

 The Indian Forest Skink

The Variegated Mountain Lizard

The Collared Back Headed Snake. Their eggs where found on the trail and hatched under the monitoring of our herpetologist... Cute little guys!

 Himalayan Mountain Keelback

And here a closeup view allowing to see his forked tongue and glottis

Our young Common Leopard, rescued after being abandoned by his mother. The animal was relocated in order to reassure the inhabitants and receive necessary care.

 One of ours Himalayan shoe eating cat... There are tree living around the Guest House, all the same color. These guys are really good hunters as they bring us dead shrews and rats every single day!

Rescaping one of the many shrews found in our pitfall traps!

 After much expectation, it is on our way to the Annapurna Base Camp that we finally encounter the Hanuman Langur!

Regardless the fact that 240 species of birds have been identified in Ghandruk, I only had the chance to
observed the following ones: 

• Black Eagle
• Himalayan Vulture
• Large Billed Crow, in great numbers throughout the crops
• Blue Whistling Thrush
• White-collared Blackbird
• Himalayan Bulbul, who hangs around the house gracefully wearing a punk type headdress
• Various Warbler species
• Green-backed Tit, who keeps coming every day for the “all you can eat moths” on our dining room window!
• Common Myna
• Grey Buschchat

Ghandruk

Monday Oct 06, 2014

Namaste Ghandruk!

View from ours bedrooms

On the previous day we hiked under the scorching sun from Kilu (1400 m) to our Ghandruk pahhunahghar Guesthouse (2100 m).

Map found at the Ghandruk Museum

Today, we hike 500 m of elevation to install some cameras for wildlife data collection to determine what species are currently surviving within close proximity to agricultural activities and human encroachment through natural resources collection and also help determine what species are common within the area. We also need to download recorded data and recharge the batteries now and then.

Ours Conservation Project Supervisor and Ornithologist installing a camera

The most exciting part of the day was to be able to observe a young Common Leopard that was rescued after being abandoned by his mother. The animal was relocated in order to reassure the inhabitants and receive necessary care.

Jack and Sacha

The footage captured by the cameras show diverse species among which we fund the Himalayan black bear (Himali kalo bhalu) which also need to be relocated due to potentials conflicts with human and livestock.

At diner time, we celebrated one volunteer's birthday at the German bakery (I guess it is named that way because it sells apple pies, croissants... but it is in fact owned by a Nepalese local). Ironically, the guy we celebrated is "québécois"!

Annapurna south

Macchapucchre

Tuesday Oct 07, 2014

Projects Abroad helps ACAP by providing updated data on various species of mammals, birds, amphibians...

In the morning, we started our bird identification training to be able to help conduct an inventory from collecting data at numerous fixed point bird hides within 5 km radius of Ghandruk. These data help gain knowledge of what species are present in the Ghandruk area and for further work to study migratory patterns.

In the afternoon, we went to a bird observation location of the Himalayan swiflet and Nepal house martin. I was not able to capture any of these fast flying birds on my camera.

On route to the bird observation location

We also contribute to seed dispersal ;)