In January 2025, IFBR explored the birding paradise of India, Arunachal Pradesh.
We all met in Guwahati/Assam, India, on January 13, 2025. We successfully completed a 7 nights and 8 days birding tour to Nameri-Mandala-Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.

We also added an extra day in Guwahati/Assam, visiting Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in search of some more rare birds and animals. There, we succeeded in seeing the Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius). In total, the team sighted 201 species of birds.

We also had the opportunity to see some wild animals, eg. the Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus), the Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and the Wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee).

At Glow Bari, Eaglenest Wildlife Sancturary, we had the honour to meet and get a lecture from Mr Ramana Athreya, astronomer/ ecologist/ ornithologist, the man who discovered the bird the Bugun Liocichla (Liocichla bugunorum), a bird that was first spotted by him at Glow Bari, in 1995 and was described as a new species in 2006.

The tour was organised by Geetanjali Dhar and Avanti Holidays. We were five IFBR participants, with two vehicles, local drivers/guides and our principal guide was Dr. Nilutpal Mahanta.