In winter bird watching in Corbett National Park is the way to explore the western Himalayan avifauna; Nainital is the perfect base and scenic hill station in Kumaon region. This hill station has altitudinal variation of 400 m to 2600 m, giving the whole region a varied bird life. It is a real surprise that more than 660 bird species have been reported here. Nainital and the neighboring hills forested with oak and rhododendron yield Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Spotted Forktail, Chestnut-crowned Laughing Thrush, Red-billed Blue Magpie and Black-headed Jay.

At Jim Corbett National Park, you must visit the fairly unexplored confluence of the rivers Sona Nadi, Ramganga Palan Mandal and Kosi. The Corbett forest is frequented by the Long-tailed Broadbill, Ultramarine Flycatcher and Blue-winged Minla few names. Brown Dipper and the Slaty, Little and Spotted Forktails are normally spotted, as are the Long-billed Thrush and Common Green Magpie.

Dhikala forest zones and Gairal forest zones are the heart of Corbett National Park overlooks the Ramganga Valley and boasts of about 50 different bird’s species of prey. Large owls include the Brown Fish Owl and the rare Tawny Fish Owl. You can also spot the Bright-headed Cisticola, Chestnut-capped Babbler, kingfisher and grassland species like Hen Harrier, Red Avadavat and Grass Owl with considerable ease.

In winters, Sitabani forest reserve is the area which is famous especially for bird watching. Number of bird you can see here like Osprey and Pallases Fish Eagle are also frequently seen. The Kosi River and Bairaj are good places to observe the Ibisbill, Wall Creeper and the Great Thicknee.