- Best Time to Visit Dehing Patkai
November to mid-May is a great time to visit.
Summers : March-May is when the vegetation is at it’s lowest ebb, with the breeding season of the birds makes it very fruitful.
Dehing Patkai: Unveiling Assam's Enchanting Rainforest Symphony
Deep within Assam, India, lies Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, a verdant tapestry of rainforest teeming with life. While Asian elephants and Hoolock Gibbons rightfully capture attention, Dehing Patkai holds a special allure for birders – a symphony of vibrant feathers and echoing calls nestled amidst the emerald embrace of the forest. With over 330 recorded species, Dehing Patkai promises an unforgettable birding adventure, offering a unique blend of resident and migratory wonders.
A Realm of Layers: A Haven for Diverse Species
Dehing Patkai’s magic lies in its multi-layered rainforest structure. Towering trees form a majestic canopy, while the understory whispers with a dense layer of shrubs and ferns. This intricate habitat diversification creates a haven for a wide variety of birds, each with a preferred niche. Babblers and Laughingthrushes, a vibrant group known for their boisterous calls, thrive in the dense undergrowth. Species like the White-hooded Babbler, White-crested Laughingthrush, and Abbott’s Babbler flit amongst the foliage, a colorful spectacle for birders.
Beyond the Canopy: Soaring Beauties
While the understory boasts a vibrant cast, Dehing Patkai’s skies hold their own treasures. Soaring raptors like the Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush and the Red-headed Trogon grace the skies with their majestic presence. Birders with a keen eye might spot the elusive Oriental Honey-Buzzard, a specialist predator known for its acrobatic hunting techniques. Dehing Patkai also boasts a healthy population of hornbills, with their unmistakable casque helmets, adding a touch of prehistoric charm to the birding experience.
A Nocturnal Symphony: Unveiling the Hidden World
Dehing Patkai’s avian wonders extend beyond the daytime. Unlike many birding destinations, Dehing Patkai offers the opportunity for nocturnal birding. With the aid of a knowledgeable guide, birders can embark on an evening adventure to witness owls emerge from their slumber. The haunting calls of the Spot-bellied Eagle Owl or the Oriental Bay Owl, rarely photographed in India, create an otherworldly experience.
Exploring the Symphony: On Foot and Beyond
Dehing Patkai offers birders a choice in exploration styles. While vehicles can be used for traversing longer distances, the true birding experience lies in venturing on foot along designated forest trails. This allows for a closer look at the intricate rainforest ecosystem and the opportunity to hear the subtle calls often missed from a vehicle. Some birding tours offer elephant safaris, a unique way to navigate the dense undergrowth while minimizing impact on the forest floor.
Dehing Patkai’s allure extends beyond its feathered residents. Birdwatching expeditions often provide glimpses of the majestic Asian elephant, a gentle giant roaming the forest. Birders might also encounter the Hoolock Gibbon, the only ape species found in India, swinging through the canopy with their signature calls. This rich tapestry of biodiversity adds another layer of wonder to the birding experience.
Dehing Patkai beckons birders with its promise of diverse avian encounters, a breathtaking rainforest setting, and a glimpse into the vibrant tapestry of life in Assam. With its accessibility and unique blend of resident and migratory birds, Dehing Patkai offers an unforgettable birding adventure. So, pack your binoculars, embrace the symphony of the rainforest, and prepare to be captivated by the magic of Dehing Patkai.
Highlight Species of Dehing Patkai
- White-tailed Robin
- Malayan Night Heron
- Pied Falconet
- Oriental Bay Owl
- Ruddy Kingfisher
- Slaty-blue Flycatcher
- Long-tailed Broadbill
- Silver-breasted Broadbill
- Black-throated Sunbird
- Yellow-vented Flowerpecker
- Austen’s Hornbill
- White-winged Wood Duck
- Ruby-cheeked Sunbird
- Large Scimitar Babbler
- Pale-capped Pigeon
- Red-headed Trogon
- Violet Cuckoo
- White-cheeked Partridge
- Grey Peacock-Pheasant
- Pale-headed Woodpecker
- Wreathed Hornbill
- Eye-browed Wren Babbler
- White-hooded Babbler
- Streaked Wren Babbler
- Rufous-throated Wren Babbler
- Pygmy Wren Babbler
- Spot-throated Babbler
- Rufous-throated Fulvetta
- Rusty-bellied Shortwing
- Lesser Shortwing
Types of Safaris in Dehing Patkai
Walking Safaris/Jeep Safaris : Vehicles can be used to traverse through the sanctuary, though birding will be done on foot on the forest trails. Being a rainforest, it is best explored all throughout on foot, except while getting from one birding hotspot to the next.
How to reach Dehing Patkai
By Air : The nearest airport is Dibrugarh which is just 80 km from the Dehing-Patkai Sanctuary. Digboi, Duliajan ot Margherita are the closest town to the forest. The towns are within 20 km from the forest. Bus or taxi can be availed from the Dibrugarh (Mohanbari) Airport to these towns. Dibrugarh town is also well connected with trains.
