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Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, White-capped Redstart & Plumbeous Water Redstart. Uttarakhand, India, May 2026.

Spotted Forktail. What sets this species apart from other forktails is the striking galaxy-patterned white spotting across its back. Seen not only in streams, but also in small canals. Uttarakhand, India, May 2026.

Thrush seen in west Himalaya; White-collared Blackbird, Grey-winged Blackbird & Tickell's Thrush. Uttarakhand, India, May 2026.

Pied Thrush. Previously seen on its wintering grounds in Sri Lanka, but finding them in their breeding area is quite tough. When a male suddenly flew in and began to sing, I couldn't believe my eyes. Sleek and beautiful black-and-white palette. Uttarakhand, India, May 2026.

Long-billed Thrush, known for its strikingly long bill, is an extremely elusive bird. While they are usually found on the dark forest floor along streamsides, I was beyond thrilled to catch one perched on the branch at eye level. Uttarakhand, India, May 2026.

Kalij Pheasant is native to the Himalayan foothills and parts of South and Southeast Asia. The subspecies found in the western Himalayas is ssp.hamiltonii, known as "White-crested" Kalji Pheasant. Very common in this region. Uttarakhand, India, May 2026.

Hill Partridge. Expected no more than a quick roadside sighting even if I were to see it. Instead, I got to spend plenty of time watching scraping the ground to forage. Distinguished from male Rufous-throated by brick-red on the crown. Uttarakhand, India, May 2026.

Koklass Pheasant is distributed from the western Himalayas to eastern China. Saw them several times during this trip, but encountering one calling from a tree right in front of us for a long time remains one of my best memories. Uttarakhand, India, May 2026.

Cheer Pheasant is another top target in the western Himalaya. Because they prefer steep, grassy hillsides, seeing them is no easy task; however, managed to spot some birds, including a pair slowly foraging in an understory-free coniferous forest. Uttarakhand, India, May 2026.

HIMARAYAN MONAL. When this bird, known in Japanese as the 'rainbow pheasant,' appeared, it was as if a vibrant rainbow had stretched across the majestic Himalayan mountains. In the end, even fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of it taking flight. Uttarakhand, India, May 2026.

Fieldfare, uncommon visitor. Japan, Mar 2026.

Hen Harrier. Japan, Mar 2026.

Chinese Penduline Tit. Japan, Apr 2026.

Black-faced & Eurasian Spoonbill. Japan, Apr 2026.

Oriental Pratincole. Japan, Apr 2026.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper & Temminck's Stint. Japan, Apr 2026.

Black-tailed Godwit & Far Eastern Curlew. Japan, Apr 2026.

Hudsonian Godwit, spotted in Japan for the first time in 19 years, marking only the second record. Apr 2026.

Sunda Owlet. Sumatra, Feb 2026.

Shiny Whistling Thrush. Sumatra, Feb 2026.