Part 42 - Journey from Sakden to Tawang and Tsona with notes on flora and Blackbirds

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SUMMARY:
The party leaves Sakden, crosses the Se La Range via the Nyang Sang La, endures leeches at Muktur, then crosses the Tawang Chu by an iron suspension bridge and ascends to Tawang, which they recall unfavorably. They proceed via Shao to Tsona, noting rich alpine flora and exceptionally large numbers of Turdus merula buddhae between Bum La and the Tse La in the Mago district.

CONTENT:
Ibis 15.
We left Sakden on 11 July, crossed the Se La Range by the Nyang Sang La, and descended through silver birch, fir, and rhododendron forest to MUKTUR where we were almost eaten alive by leeches. The following day (July 12) we crossed the Tawang Chu by a striking iron suspension bridge, and ascended to the monastic town of Tawang (July 12), the only place in either Tibet or Bhutan of which we do not retain pleasant memories.

From Tawang to Tsona (15 July) via Shao (14 July). The passes between Tawang and Tsona held a rich flora, and at Shao, the intermediate stage, we passed through acres of Primulas and saw larger numbers of Turdus m. buddhae than I ever remember having seen before.

Ibis 273 Turdus merula buddhae. We saw this Blackbird in large numbers between 13,500 and 15,000 ft at various stages between the Bum La, north of Tawang, and the Tse La in the Mago district etc. etc. Ibis 274