DA LAT PLATEAU Alternative site name(s) Bi Doup-Nui Ba, Thuong Da Nhim Province(s) Lam Dong Coordinates 11047’ - 12000’N, 108020’ - 108040’E List of the birds of Da Lat Further reading: Birdlife International (2001)Sourcebook of Existing and Proposed Protected Areas in Vietnam. Birdlife International (2003) Directory of Important Bird Areas in Vietnam. Birding trip reports.

Topography and hydrology

Bi Dup-Nui Ba Nature Reserve is located in Lac Duong district on the Da Lat plateau. The topography of the nature reserve is mountainous and the whole site lies above c. 1,400 m. The highest points in the nature reserve are Mount Lang Bian (also known as Nui Ba) in the west, which reaches 2,167 m, and Mount Bi Dup in the east, which reaches 2,287 m.

The nature reserve contains three distinct water catchments. The east of the nature reserve, around Mount Bi Dup, is the catchment of the Da Nhim river, which feeds Da Nhim hydro-electric reservoir. The west of the nature reserve, around Mount Lang Bian, is the catchment of Dan Kia lake, which drains into the Da Dung river. Finally, streams originating in the north of the nature reserve feed the Dak Krong Kno river, which flows west then north, before joining the Srepok
river.

There are two main forest types at Bi Dup-Nui Ba Nature Reserve: coniferous forest and evergreen forest. The coniferous forest is dominated by Pinus kesiya with smaller amounts of P. merkusii. This forest type covers 21,019 ha or 29% of the nature reserve. Coniferous forest is a seral vegetation type, formed as a result of repeated burning; if the forest was not burnt, succession to broadleaf evergreen forest would occur. Evergreen forest covers 36,069 ha or 51% if the nature reserve. A large proportion of the evergreen forest belongs to the mixed broadleaf and coniferous forest subtype, containing such coniferous elements as Pinus dalatensis, Calocedrus macrolepis, Fokienia hodginsii and Podocarpus imbricatus.

The evergreen forest can be broadly classified into two forest formations: lower montane and upper montane. The lower montane evergreen forest is dominated by species in the Fagaceae and Lauraceae families, including Castanopsis indica, Lithocarpus spp., Quercus spp., Cinnamomum spp. and Litsea spp. The upper montane evergreen forest is characterised by the presence of the genera Syzygium and Rhododendron. Within the upper montane zone, Bi Dup-Nui Ba supports a small area of elfin forest. Bi Dup-Nui Ba Nature Reserve supports high levels of plant diversity and endemism. During field surveys in 1993 and 1994, a total of 827 vascular plant species were recorded at the site, of which 87 are endemic to the Central Highlands of Vietnam. An indication of the level of plant endemism is given by the fact that 23 plant species described from the area have been assigned the specific names dalatensis, bidoupensis or langbianensis. Many of the plant species recorded at Bi Dup-Nui Ba are listed in the Red Data Book of Vietnam or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants.

The fauna of Bi Dup-Nui Ba Nature Reserve is also very species rich, and exhibits high levels of endemism. To date, a total of 382 vertebrate species have been recorded at the nature reserve, comprising 89 species of mammal, 202 species of bird, 62 species of reptile and 29 species of amphibian. A number of mammal species of conservation concern have been recorded at Bi Dup-Nui Ba, including Buffcheeked Gibbon Hylobates gabriellae and Gaur Bos gaurus. In addition, the investment plan reports the occurrence of the recently discovered, endemic Giant Muntjac Megamuntiacus vuquangensis.
 

Bird fauna - Birding

The Dalat Plateau is one of the five endemic bird areas (EBAs) in Vietnam identified by BirdLife International. Eight of the eight restricted-range bird species that occur in this EBA, Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata, Yellow-billed Nuthatch Sitta solangiae, Black-hooded Laughingthrush Garrulax milleti, White-cheeked Laughingthrush G. vassali, Collared Laughingthrush G. yersini, Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler (Indochinese Wren Babbler) Jabouilleia danjoui and Vietnamese Greenfinch Carduelis monguilloti. Black-crowned Crocias Crocias langbiansis.

The Dalat Plateau also supports distinctive and endemic sub-species of Rufous-backed Sibia, Black-headed Sibia, Blue-winged Minla, Black-throated Sunbird and Red Crossbill, Vietnamese Cutia, Black-crowned Fuvetta, Black-headed Parrotbill.

Most highlights

Bar-backed Partridge, Silver Pheasant, Red-vented Barbet, Black-browed Barbet, Red-headed Trogon, Long-tailed Broadbill, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Black Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Jerdon’s Baza, Rusty-naped Pitta, Blue Pitta, Burmese Shrike, Indochinese Green Magpie, Eurasian Jay, Slender-billed Oriole, Maroon Oriole, White-throated Rock Thrush, Green Cochoa, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Blue-and-White Flycatcher, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Little Pied Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Lesser Shortwing, White-tailed Robin, Spotted Forktail, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Grey-crowned Tit, Grey-bellied Tesia, White-spectacled Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, White-cheeked Laughingthrush, Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Collared Laughingthrush, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Streaked Wren Babbler, Eyebrowed Wren Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Vietnamese Cutia, Chestnut-fronted Shrike-Babbler, Blue-winged Minla, Black-crowned Fulvetta, Indochinese Fulvetta, Grey-crowned Crocias, Rufous-backed Sibia, Black-headed Sibia, Black-headed Parrotbill, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Streaked Spiderhunter, Vietnamese Greenfinch, Red Crossbill, Brown Bullfinch.
 

Birding routes

The cool climate, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls make Dalat a popular destination for Vietnamese tourists; weekends and, especially, public holidays can be very busy. The Dalat area is also known throughout Vietnam for its market gardens and nurseries growing vegetables and flowers.

Many birding sites within a few minutes drive from Da Lat city.

Mount Lang Bian
Only 12 km north of the city, Lang Bian mountain (also called 'Nui Ba') is easily reached by motorbike taxi or car. A trail leads up the mountain through pine forest to remaining montane evergreen forest at the summit. Vietnamese Greenfinch can be found in the pines all the way along the trail, with Red Crossbill in the pines nearer the summit. The endemic Collared Laughingthrush Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Black-crowned Fulvetta can be found in the evergreen forest leading up to the summit. Other interesting species found here include Green Cochoa, White-cheeked Laughingthrush, Black-throated Sunbird and Vietnamese Cutia.

Tuyen Lam lake
This man-made lake is just 3km outside of the city and is easily reached by motorbike or car but it is necessary to hire a boat to access the remnant forest at the far end of the lake where the best birding is to be found. There are some trails through the forest but they are poorly marked and hard to find. Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Crocias and Vietnamese Greenfinch, Vietnamese Cutia are among the local specialities.

Ta Nung valley
This site, around 15 km from Da Lat by motorbike or car, is one of the best sites for Grey-crowned Crocias. Indochinese Green Magpie, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Black-hooded, White-cheeked and 'Orange-breasted' Laughingthrushes, and Grey-headed Parrotbill can also be seen here.

Deo Nui San
This forested mountain pass on the main road Di Linh to Phan Thiet around 80 km from Da Lat is the most reliable site for 'Orange-breasted' Laughingthrush. Blue and Rusty-naped Pittas, Green Cochoa, Black-hooded and White-cheeked Laughingthrushes, Indochinese Fulvetta and Grey-headed Parrotbill are also possible here.

Transportation

Da Lat is about 6-7 hours by car/bus from Ho Chi Minh City (300 km), 5 hours from Nha Trang on the National Highway 20. There are two fights from Sai Gon/Ha Noi to Da Lat at Lien Khuong airport.

Accommodations

Big tourism city, hotels from standard to 5 stars, guesthouses and restaurants everywhere.