Nonggang National Nature Reserve
Nonggang National Nature Reserve spans an impressive 10,077 hectares and is recognized for protecting a unique karst forest ecosystem, making it one of China's 14 key biodiversity regions. This reserve supports well over 200 bird species and is particularly renowned as the type locality for the distinctive Nonggang Babbler, which was formally described in 2008. These babblers nest in the high mountains during the summer, making access challenging, but they descend to lower altitudes in winter and often visit feeding stations, providing birdwatchers with a chance to spot them.
In addition to the Nonggang Babbler, the reserve is home to the rare and endangered White-eared Night Heron, a species known for its unpredictable sightings. During our time in Nonggang, we will make every effort to locate this elusive bird.
We will also search for a variety of other notable species, including the shy Bar-backed Partridge, Red Junglefowl, and Greater Coucal. Look for Jerdon’s Baza, Collared Scops Owl, and the striking Blue-bearded Bee-eater, along with the White-browed Piculet, Bay Woodpecker, and the sociable White-winged Magpie. The noisy Long-tailed Broadbill, Black-naped Monarch, Puff-throated Bulbul, and Black-crested Bulbul are also residents of this area.
Habitats within the reserve support species like Limestone Leaf Warbler, Pale-footed Brush Warbler, and various flycatchers such as Blue-and-white Flycatcher and Hill Blue Flycatcher. We will keep an eye out for Yunnan Fulvetta, Huet’s Fulvetta, Yellow-bellied Warbler, and Chestnut-capped Babbler, as well as Streaked Wren-Babbler, Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler, Buff-breasted Babbler, and the beautiful White-rumped Shama.
If we are exceedingly fortunate, we may catch a glimpse of the exquisite Blue-rumped Pitta, as Nonggang is one of the best locations to observe this shy species.
