2nd December. After another futile attempt to see Sclater's Monal we decided to bird at lower altitude today. The whole day was spent birding from the road which wound its way down through steeply forested hills. Today we were accompanied by the local chief, the owner of 160 Indian bison, and a man who is very keen on wildlife conservation in the large part of this area that he oversees. Peter Lobo is encouraging him in his conservation efforts and helping to provide a regular income to the area through eco-tourism, surely the only way to preserve this fantastic area against raids by gun- and slingshot-toting hunters.Birding highlights today included Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Rufous-throated Barwing, Vivid Niltava, Rufous-necked Hornbill and Blyth's Tragopan, frustratingly heard but not seen well despite it being only feet away from us moving through the forest undergrowth.Bird species total: 4154