Part 120 - From Camp to Chomo Dzong via Mira La; Primula and bird observations

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SUMMARY:
Notes two Primula specimens and common birds observed, including Phylloscopus tibetanus and a juvenile ruby-throat. Describes the route from camp over the Mira La to Chomo Dzong with multiple river crossings and mentions a large monastery, and the Shambuling Chu entering the Nyang Chu valley.

CONTENT:
600
Younghusband

6061. Primula Nivalis sect aff. macrocarpa. I don't know this primula. The flower is very like that of P. macrocarpa as found near here. But the habitat is more like that of P. rotundifolia, the leaves are very unlike P. macrocarpa, being more the texture of P. Jaffreyana or P. rotundifolia. The calyx lobes also are very long, the white farina is like that on P. rotundifolia.
6062. Primula sp. (Minutissimae) pumilio Very little seen.

BIRDS. No. 1, 2, 3, Phylloscopus tibetanus. Pretty common here, all in dwarf rhododendron, dwarf juniper & salix. But in bad condition. All seem to have lost their tails.
No. 4. Ruby throat. A juvenile ♂, not ♀.

From Camp 12th May, to CHOMO-DZONG. The valley divides at camp, the southerly valley being the route followed by pilgrims round a mountain. The westerly valley is followed for 2 miles, after which the path leads up the hillside to the north toward the Mira La, reached after passing a small lake, in 3½. Descent on North side steep at first, to m 4½, then in broad open valley to m 7, passing some yak herd huts, L. From here to Chomo Dzong, the path is pretty steep descent, through forest, the path crossing the river several times, reaching Chomo Dz on the L bank at m 20. There is a large monastery at Chomodzong. The Shambuling Chu enters the Nyang Chu valley at 250° M.