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Our News
Beautiful birds of Bumdeling: Celebrating Earth Hour with young birders
This birdwatching excursion, part of WWF-Bhutan’s Earth Hour initiatives, was more than just a field trip- it was a platform for youth to engage with nature, raise awareness about climate change, and learn the importance of conservation. For the students of Trashi Yangtse, it was a chance to connect with the natural world in a meaningful way.
On 15 March 2025, 41 students and nine staff members from Trashi Yangtse Primary School did just that. We spent eight unforgettable hours exploring the Bumdeling Ramsar Site, the largest wetland in eastern Bhutan, exploring the area’s rich birdlife.
This is what we love to do on Earth Hour.
Our adventure began at 7:30am, as we tuned our eyes and ears to the multitude of birdsongs singing through spring landscapes bespeckled with rhododendrons and primulas. Even the scrubby roadside bushes came alive with the resonating songs of the brownish-flanked bush warbler.
This birdwatching excursion, part of WWF-Bhutan’s Earth Hour initiatives, was more than just a field trip- it was a platform for youth to engage with nature, raise awareness about climate change, and learn the importance of conservation. For the students of Trashi Yangtse, it was a chance to connect with the natural world in a meaningful way.
Bumdeling is a haven for birds. Over the years, our nature club has recorded winter visitors like the majestic black-necked crane, ruddy shelduck, and bar-headed geese, as well as resident species like mallards and 13 other duck varieties. The wetland also hosts stunning birds like the ibis bill, pacific golden plover, white-tailed eagle, and kingfishers.
One of the most unforgettable moments in our birdwatching journey came on a cloudy spring afternoon in 2021 , when we spotted a flock of 29 pied avocets—a rare and breathtaking sight. This uncommon sighting struck up an online conversation with Tim Inskipp, a renowned birding expert specializing in the birds of the Indian subcontinent. He shared that these birds migrate from the Bay of Bengal to Mongolia, and could be using Bumdeling as a vital stopover. This experience further deepened our appreciation for the wetland’s role in global bird migration and conservation.
Fast forward to our recent Earth Hour excursion, and the beauty of Bumdeling enchanted us even more. As we wrapped up our day at 4:30pm, we heard a series of disjointed, melodic phrases frequently interrupted by harsh “peter-peter” calls, we suspected some dusky coloured species of warblers – that we struggled to identify even with the help of field guides. To our surprise, it was a flock of brightly coloured red-billed leiothrix – a reminder that even in the outskirts of urban spaces like towns, where natural habitats are continuously declining, unassuming beauty thrives unnoticed amidst our busy lives.
However, not all trends are encouraging. Over the past decade of birdwatching in Bumdeling, we have noticed a decline in the number of ruddy shelducks visiting the wetland. This observation is a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change and habitat degradation on migratory bird populations. Birds like the ruddy shelduck are sensitive indicators of environmental health, and their declining numbers signal broader ecological challenges not just in Bhutan but in the wider region. Ruddy shelduck are migratory birds using the Central Asian Flyway, crossing the mighty Himalayas in winter to Bhutan and other countries, and flying back to its summer homes in the north in March.
Birds are the ordinary magic of our human lives. They give meaning to the mortal lives of people in the grand scheme of things. They are no lesser creations than us. Birdwatching is more than a hobby; it is a gateway to understanding and appreciating the natural world. It requires little more than curiosity, patience, and a pair of binoculars, yet it offers endless joy and a profound connection to nature.
In Bhutan, the birdwatching community has grown significantly over the past decade, thanks to the efforts of organizations like WWF-Bhutan, the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN), and the Bhutan Bird Life Society (BBLS). I believe birdwatching is not just about observing bird- it is about fostering a lifelong bond with the environment and inspiring stewardship for its preservation.
For my students, birdwatching is a source of happiness and a welcome escape from the routine of school life. Many eagerly anticipate our weekend birding trips, which offer a chance to unwind, explore, and learn.
The day after our Earth Hour excursion, as we reviewed our photos and checklist, we were thrilled to find a new entry in our club checklist: the ferruginous duck, a near threatened species. In total, we correctly identified some 30 different bird species during the trip. This reflects Bumdeling’s rich biodiversity.
Birdwatching is more than an activity—it’s a celebration of life, a lesson in conservation, and a reminder that even in the smallest moments, nature has the power to inspire and transform us. By observing and documenting changes in bird populations, like the decline of ruddy shelducks, we can better understand the impacts of climate change and take meaningful action to protect our planet. This can start from the grassroots level, like educating our school children on such critical matters.
About the author
TANDIN WANGDI is a teacher at Trashi Yangtse Primary School. He spends his weekend and free time reading poetry, writing on nature, and learning nature photography. Tandin promotes nature conservation and protection in his school and community through Youth-based Nature Club. He can be contacted at tandinw0@education.gov.bt.