Upper Setikhola valley in the west central Nepal is a flagship area for bird conservation. This valley includes two most important bird sites i.e. Pipar and Santel which have been identified as the most important bird areas in the Annapurna Conservation Area. An expedition was accomplished in 2011 to recording birds in a systematic manner in the area.

The expedition members were Laxman Prasad Poudyal, Jyotendra Jyu Thakuri, Simon Poulton, Suman Sharma, Willow Outhwaite, Lina Chalise and Sobhit Koirala.

All birds seen and heard were recorded using The Mackinnon’s species richness counting method as described by Bibby et al. 2000. Binoculars (Viking 10×42, Nikon Action 8x40, Leica 8x20, Pentax 8x40), and field guide Birds of Nepal (Grimmett et al. 2000, Fleming et al. 1984) were used to identify the species.

A total of 152 bird species was recorded representing nine orders, 29 families and 98 genera. 145 birds were recorded from 21 Mackinnon’s list. The greatest number of lists (seven) were prepared from Thulokhobang to Pilicho followed by five lists from Pilicho to Pipar, four lists from Keruwa to Thulokhobang, and four from Pipar up hill side to Namrung and a single list from Tatopani to Keruwa. A checklist of total 295 birds recorded so far in the area was prepared which represent 11 orders 38 families and 146 genera.