SATV 15 April, Kathmandu: With the arrival of spring, the sweet sounds of the cuckoos echo through the forests. The melodious “kaaphal pakyo” song enhances the beauty and fragrance of the green forests. These bird calls, unheard during winter, have begun to fill the air as the warmer season begins.

Just as the migratory birds of winter depart, their summer counterparts have started arriving in the country to breed. Various bird species -- ranging from different kinds of cuckoos to Asian paradise flycatcher -- have come to Nepal to nest and raise their offspring.

While winter visitors are mostly seen in wetlands, summer visitors prefer villages and forested areas. Among them, the Asian paradise flycatcher, which migrates from the south, is one of the most attractive birds. 

According to bird lovers, it often builds nests and raises chicks in village bamboo groves and trees.

Several cuckoo species also arrive for the breeding season, including the cuckoo, Asian cuckoo, large hawk-cuckoo, common hawk-cuckoo, brainfever bird, plaintive cuckoo, Himalayan cuckoo, oriental cuckoo, lesser cuckoo, grey-bellied cuckoo and other cuckoo species. These birds typically nest in the forested regions 

of Nepal.

Wildlife photographer Kulraj Chaudhary confirmed that summer visitor birds have started appearing in villages. “Every year, Asian paradise flycatchers build nests in bamboo and other trees in village areas and raise their young,” he said.

These summer migratory birds begin arriving in the country around March and typically stay for six months. 

According to ornithologist Hirulal Dangaura, they return after their offspring are fully grown, usually by August. He added that birds migrate from southern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka and South Africa to Nepal during this season.

“At this time, temperatures rise significantly in those countries. Due to the extreme heat there and Nepal’s more suitable climate, many bird species come here to nest,” Dangaura said.

Other birds spotted include different species of flycatchers such as the verditer flycatcher, black-naped monarch, white-throated fantail, common lora, zitting cisticola, blue-fronted redstart, Indian pitta and blue pitta. These birds are found from Nepal’s lowland Tarai to the mid-hills.

Nature guide Suban Chaudhary said the arrival of summer migratory birds has added vibrancy to the environment. He said a noticeable increase in sightings of paradise flycatchers and cuckoo species in community forests of Kanchanpur. 

“Whenever we go birdwatching now, we regularly encounter paradise flycatchers and other summer migrants,” said Chaudhary.