Trip Report: Northwest India, December 14, 1996 - January 10, 1997

Phil Benstead, Cath Jeffs and Guy Shorrock; United Kingdom; Phil.Benstead@tesco.net

Introduction

This report is not meant to be a comprehensive bird-finding guide, the sites below are well-known and are amply dealt with in a number of freely available birding trip reports. Most important of these remains the superb report produced by Seb Buckton and Pete Morris on birding India and Nepal (available from the Oriental Bird Club, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Beds, SG19 2DL). Most of the sites are also detailed in the recently published Prion site guide by Krys Kazmierczak and Raj Singh A birdwatchers guide to India.

Sites visited

Okhla Island 14/12/96 & 10/1/97

A good site to visit if you have time to kill in Delhi, having a number of birds that are difficult elsewhere in India, e.g. White-tailed Stonechat and Striated Babbler. We saw Indian Shag, White-tailed Stonechat (4), striated babbler (common), Indian grey hornbill, Black-headed Munia, Black-throated Weaver and a variety of wetland birds. Others have seen Black Ibis, Black Francolin and Sand Lark.

How to get there: by far the easiest way to get to Okhla from New Delhi is to take an auto-rickshaw (should cost R40-50). You may have to try a number of rickshaw drivers before you get one who can figure out (or more likely believe) where you want to go. You can also take a train from New Delhi railway station to Okhla (R4) and walk or take a taxi/rickshaw/auto-rickshaw from the station to the sailing club (see map) and then return from the auto-rickshaw stand.

Accommodation: we stayed in the Pahar Ganj area during our two stays in Delhi, where there are low budget hotels to suit most peoples pockets.

Agra 15/12-16/12/96

The Taj Mahal is a must, and happily the Gardens and the river Yamuna behind it provides some good birding as well. We saw Brown Rock Chat, Dusky Crag Martin, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Grey Hornbill, Pallas' Gull and a variety of waders, gulls and terns. Others have seen Black-bellied Tern, Small Pratincole and Streaked Weaver.

How to get there: we squeezed into a train from New Delhi to Agra Cantonment station (c 3 hrs). See travel guides for more information.

Accommodation: we stayed at the India Guest House (R70 for a double) in Taj Ganj just south of the Taj Mahal.

Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park) 16/12-21/12/96

Justly world famous. Without a doubt one of the best wetland sites in Asia. The sheer number and variety of birds here is staggering. This coupled with the ease of working this site make it an unmissable venue. We were very lucky in that the rather erratic of late Siberian Cranes had returned in mid November. We also saw Indian Grey Hornbill, Collared Scops Owl, Dusky Eagle Owl, Black Bittern, Yellow Bittern, Cinnamon Bittern, Indian Nightjar, Large-tailed Nightjar, Sarus Crane, Aquila eagles, Black-necked Stork, Orange-headed Ground Thrush, Tickell's Thrush, Brown Hawk-Owl, Wire-tailed Swallow, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Streak-throated Swallow, Siberian Rubythroat and Red-headed Bunting. Others see Red-necked Falcon, Falcated Teal, Mottled Wood-Owl, Greater Painted-Snipe, Marshall's Iora, Spotted Creeper, Great Thick-knee, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Sirkeer Malkoha, Streaked Weaver, Grey-headed Lapwing, Indian Courser, Indian Skimmer and White-bellied Drongo. Pallas' Fishing-Eagle no longer appears to breed at Bharatpur.

There is also a strong supporting cast of mammals here we saw nilgai, blackbuck, chital, wild boar, smooth otter, jackal and jungle cat.

Getting there: we took a local bus from Agra to Bharatpur (R19) which took 2 1/2 hrs.

Accommodation: Cath and I stayed in the Pelican (R200 for a double), and Guy stayed next door in the Sunbird (R250). Both were comfortable, with hot water and good food. Cheaper paces are available nearby. We hired bikes on some days from the Pelican (R30 per day). It costs R25 per day to enter the National Park.

Bund Bharata 18/12/96

This Indian Skimmer site is easily reached from Bharatpur. We hired a jeep for the day (R500) and shared with other birders staying at the Sunbird. Unfortunately it was very wet during November 1996, and the reservoir was bank full, with no skimmer loafing habitat and therefore no skimmers.

We did see Sulphur-bellied Warbler (3+), Asian Palm Swift, Jungle Bush Quail (10+), Blue Rock Thrush (1) and White-capped Bunting.

Ranthambor National Park 21/12-25/12/96

A handy site to see tiger if you are short of time and cannot visit Khanya NP in Madyha Pradesh. Ranthambor also offers superb scenery and some very good birding. We saw tiger (1 after four days, others were luckier), Painted Francolin (1), Painted Spurfowl, White-eyed Buzzard, Indian Courser (3), Sirkeer Malkoha (1), Greater Painted-Snipe, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Painted Sandgrouse, Alexandrine Parakeet, White-naped Woodpecker, Eurasian Crag Martin, White-belied Drongo, Jungle Prinia, Rufous-fronted Prinia, Variable and Isabelline Wheatears, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher and White-capped Bunting. Others see Eurasian Eagle Owl, Jungle Bush-Quail, Buttonquail, Dalmatian Pelican, Tawny-bellied Babbler, and Grey-necked Bunting.

Good mammals here: apart from tiger we saw sloth bear, Indian gazelle, nilgai, chital and jackal. Others see leopard, caracal and pangolin.

We also took a jeep to the nearby Soorwhal Lake, an Indian Skimmer site. We failed to see the skimmer but did see a number of birds here that were not recorded elsewhere.

Jaiselmer and Desert National Park 27/12-30/12/96

Superb place and great birding. We stayed in the Safari Hotel and did all our own arrangements. You will need to get a Restricted Area Permit from the District Magistrate to visit Sudaseri Enclosure where the bustards are. This involves repeated visits to both the DM office and the National Park HQ in town. This is well worth the effort but budget a whole day. Various people have experienced real difficulties getting this permit however. We had no problem (i.e., it only took 6-7 hours) and the only advice I have to offer is always to wait patiently with a smile on your face, never leave the vicinity of the office (even if they say come back in two hours). We then rented a jeep (usual rate of R500 per day) from the market place. By arriving fairly early at Sudaseri we managed to see Indian Bustard, McQueens Bustard and a number of White-browed Bushchat in the enclosure. The wardens drove us in to the enclosure till we located both species. Later we had good flight views of 7 Indian Bustards. Plenty of other desert birds here too.

Ramnagar 1/1/97

Well worth the marathon 31 hour journey from Jaiselmer to get her for New Years Day. Found the Ibisbill in the usual area on the river. Also here Crested Kingfisher, Wallcreeper and Grey-backed Shrike. Dropped in to the Corbett NP office to book up our stay at Dhikala.

Corbett National Park 1/1-3/1/97

We got into the park by using the public bus from Ramnagar in the morning which goes past the gate. We birded back up the road, finding a number of good flocks and a good fruiting tree. We then picked up the afternoon bus into Dhikala. Accommodation and permit prices here seem to be increasing all the time and are getting more expensive. We elected to rough it in the budget dormitories, very noisy and not very comfortable.

Birding on foot is restricted to a small area around Dhikala camp. We saw most of our birds around the watchtower. Plenty of fresh tiger tracks every morning around the camp, so take care! Best birds: Pallas' Fish Eagle, Osprey, Red Junglefowl, Lineated Barbet, Jungle Myna, Jungle Owlet, Slaty-headed Parakeet, White-rumped Spinetail, Small Niltava, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Streak-throated Woodpecker, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker and Cinereous Vulture. We did one elephant trip out to see the gharial. Taking a guide and a jeep for the day may give you a better chance of finding roosting owls etc.

Quality Inn 3/1-4/1/97

Because access into the forest at Corbett is limited, many birders elect to stay at the luxury Quality Inn about 15 km past the gate into Corbett. We stayed in a pleasant double room for £53, which included food but not drink. It is very expensive! The forest around here is very good though, we saw: Long-billed Thrush, Small Forktail, Himalayan Rubythroat, Crested Kingfisher, Green Magpie, Emerald Dove, Brown Dipper, Plain-billed Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Black-throated Sunbird, Little Pied Flycatcher and Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher. A short raptor watch from the lawn during lunch on the last day produced Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle, Mountain Hawk-Eagle and Crested Goshawk.

Naini Tal 5/1-9/1/97

Superb mid-altitude birding. There is a wide range of accommodation here to suit all tastes. Plenty of walking here but it pays off we had: Blue-fronted Redstart, Spotted Forktail, Spot-winged Tit, Lanceolated Jay, Black-throated Tit, Striated Laughingthrush, White-tailed Nuthatch, Black-capped Sibia, Grey-winged Blackbird, Himalayan Pied Woodpecker, Scaly-bellied Green Woodpecker, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Altai Accentor, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Red-fronted Serin, Great Barbet, Vinaceous Rosefinch, Koklass Pheasant, Kaleej Pheasant, Green Shrike-Babbler, Common Hill Partridge, Yellow-browed Tit, Cinnamon Sparrow, Oriental Turtle Dove, Dark-throated Thrush and Rock Bunting.

Sat Tal 8/1/97

It is necessary to hire a car and driver, from Naini Tal, to get to this site. We birded along the road to Sat Tal picking up: Black-throated Accentor, Scaly Thrush, Tickell's Thrush, Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Speckled Piculet, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush and Greater Goldenback. In a scrubbed-up gully just downhill from Bhowali Sanatorium we had Golden Bushchat.

Mangoli Valley 9/1/97

This site is easily reached by bus from Naini Tal. Difficult area to bird, we gave it only half a day. We did see some good birds, and it is probably worth more time. We saw Lammergier, Common Hill Partridge, Lesser Yellownape, Greater Yellownape, White-bellied Yuhina, Ashy Bulbul and Steppe Eagle.

Systematic List

Order and nomenclature follows the recently published OBC checklist (Inskipp et al 1996). Following abbreviations are used: AG Agra, BB Bund Bharata, BP Bharatpur, CNP Corbett National Park, DNP Desert National Park, JS Jaiselmer, MV Mangoli Valley, NT Naini Tal, OI Okhla Island, QI Quality Inn, RG Ramnagar, RNP Ranthambhor National Park, SL Soorwhal Lake and ST Sat Tal.

  1. Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus -- CNP (heard only)
  2. Painted Francolin Francolinus pictus -- RNP
    A single bird observed at close range from a jeep whilst looking for tigers at Ranthambor on 21/12.
  3. Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus -- common in lowland areas
  4. Jungle Bush-quail Perdicula asiatica -- BB
    A single flock of about 10-12 birds observed at Bund Bharata on 18/12 were the only birds seen. Not found at Ranthambor despite searching.
  5. Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola -- NT
    At least three birds seen during stay at Naini Tal. Singles on Tiffin Top (feeding in dense bamboo), Mangoli Valley and the 'low fields'.
  6. Painted Spurfowl Galloperdix lunulata -- RNP
    This spectacular little bird was only seen at Ranthambor where it appeared to be fairly common in and around the fort, and was also seen from jeeps within the park. We failed to see it along the access road.
  7. Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha -- NT
    Single female seen briefly near Snow View and male heard calling during the late afternoon. We did not have time to go back at dawn but other birders had scored this way.
  8. Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus -- CNP, QI
  9. Kaleej Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos -- NT
    Only recorded at Naini Tal, where it appeared to be common on the Tiffin Top and Land's End trails.
  10. Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus -- common in lowlands
  11. Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica -- BP
  12. Greylag Goose Anser anser -- BP, RNP
  13. Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus -- OI, BP, SL
  14. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea -- OI, AG, BP
  15. Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos -- BP
  16. Cotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus -- BP, RNP
  17. Gadwall Anas strepera -- OI, BP, JS
  18. Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope -- OI, BP
  19. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos -- BP
  20. Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha -- BP, BB, OI
  21. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata -- OI, BP, RNP, JS
  22. Northern Pintail Anas acuta -- OI, BP, RNP, SL, JS
  23. Garganey Anas querquedula -- BP
  24. Common Teal Anas crecca -- OI, BP, RNP, SL, JS
  25. Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina -- BP, RG
  26. Common Pochard Aythya ferina -- OI, BP, SL, JS
  27. Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca -- BP
    A flock of about 300 birds on one of the jheels at Bharatpur was a fine sight.
  28. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula -- BP, SL
  29. Common Merganser Mergus merganser -- RG, QI
  30. Buttonquail spp. Turnix spp. -- BP
    A few pairs flushed from drier areas where almost certainly Little Buttonquail.
  31. Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla -- BP
  32. Speckled Piculet Picumnus inominatus -- ST
    Two birds observed one by the church at the top of the track down into the accentor fields at Sat Tal and on along the trial leading to the Christian Ashram at Sat Tal itself. These birds are easily located by listening for quiet tapping noises in flocks.
  33. Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopus nanus -- BP
    Single recorded at Bharatpur where it seems to be scarce.
  34. Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopus canicapillus -- CNP, QI
  35. Brown-fronted Woodpecker Dendrocopus auriceps -- NT, ST
  36. Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopus macei -- CNP
  37. Yellow-crowned Woodpecker Dendrocopus mahrattensis -- BP, RNP
  38. Himalayan Woodpecker Dendrocopus himalayensis -- NT
  39. Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus -- MV
  40. Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha -- QI, MV
  41. Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus -- CNP
  42. Scaly-bellied Woodpecker Picus squamatus -- NT
  43. Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus -- CNP, QI, MV
  44. Himalayan Flameback Dinopium javanense -- CNP, QI
  45. Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense -- BP, RNP
  46. Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus -- ST
  47. White-naped Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes festivus -- RNP
    Two seen briefly along the access road to the fort at Ranthambor on 25/12, were the only birds recorded.
  48. Great Barbet Megalaima virens -- NT, MV
  49. Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica -- BP
  50. Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata -- CNP
  51. Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica -- ST, MV
  52. Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala -- common in lowland areas
  53. Indian Grey Hornbill Oxyceros birostris -- AG, BP
  54. Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthraceros coronatus -- CNP
  55. Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis -- CNP
  56. Common Hoopoe Upupa epops -- common
  57. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis -- common in lowlands
  58. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis -- common in lowland areas
  59. White-throated Kingfisher Halycon smyrnensis -- OI, AG, BP, RNP
  60. Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris -- RG, QI
  61. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis -- BP, AG, RNP, RG, CNP
  62. Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis -- common in lowland areas
  63. Large Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparveroides -- CNP
    Single flew over the river towards Dhikala on 2/1.
  64. Common Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius -- BP
    Single observed briefly sitting in the top of a tree at Bharatpur on 19/12.
  65. Grey-bellied Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus -- BP
    A single bird observed at Bharatpur near the temple on 16/12.
  66. Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea -- common in lowland areas
  67. Sirkeer Malkoha Phaenocophaenus leschenaulti -- RNP
    Single bird by the ruined temple on the hill in the semi-desert area opposite the turning to RNP on 22/12.
  68. Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis -- common in lowland areas
  69. Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria -- RNP
  70. Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri -- common in lowland areas
  71. Slaty-headed Parakeet Psittacula himalayana -- CNP, QI
  72. Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala -- RNP, CNP
  73. Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri -- NT
  74. White-rumped Spinetail Zoonavena sylvatica -- CNP
    Only seen in the vicinity of the tower at Dhikala, where small numbers were seen hunting low over the canopy on a number of occasions.
  75. Asian palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis -- BB
  76. House Swift Apus affinis -- common in lowland areas
  77. Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata -- CNP, QI
  78. Collared Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena -- BP, RNP
  79. Dusky eagle Owl Bubo coromandus -- BP, RNP
  80. Tawny Owl Strix aluco -- NT
  81. Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum -- CNP
  82. Spotted Owlet Athene brama -- common in lowland areas
  83. Brown hawk Owl Ninox scutulata -- BP
  84. Long-eared Owl Asio otus -- RNP
  85. Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus -- BP
  86. Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus -- RNP
  87. Rock Pigeon Columba livia -- common
  88. Oriental turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis -- NT
  89. Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis -- common in lowland areas
  90. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis -- BP, RG, CNP
  91. Red collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica -- OI, BP
  92. Eurasian collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto -- common
  93. Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica -- QI
    A single bird down by the main river at this site was the only bird of the trip.
  94. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera -- AG, BP, RNP
  95. Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps -- DNP
    One bird seen very well feeding within the exclosure at Sudaseri on the morning of 29/12, another six flew past later on.
  96. McQueen's Bustard Chlamydotis macqueeni -- DNP
    Two birds seen within the exclosure at Sudaseri on 29/12.
  97. Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus -- BP
    Three birds present throughout our stay at Bharatpur.
  98. Sarus Crane Grus antigone -- BP, also from trains/buses
  99. Brown Crake Amaurornis akool -- OI, BP, RNP
  100. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus -- AG, BP, RNP, ST
  101. Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca -- BP
  102. Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio -- BP
  103. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus -- OI, BP, RNP
  104. Common Coot Fulica atra -- OI, BP
  105. Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus -- RNP, SL, DNP
  106. Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus -- DNP
  107. Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis -- DNP
  108. Painted Sandgrouse Pterocles indicus -- RNP
  109. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago -- BP, RNP
  110. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa -- RNP, SL
  111. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata -- SL
  112. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus -- BP, SL, JS
  113. Common Redshank Tringa totanus -- OI, AG, BP, RNP, SL, JS
  114. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis -- OI, AG, BP, RNP, SL
  115. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia -- OI, AG
  116. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus -- OI, RNP, SL
  117. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola -- OI, RNP, SL
  118. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos -- OI, BP, SL
  119. Little Stint Calidris minuta -- OI, SL, JS
  120. Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii -- OI, BP, JS
  121. Dunlin Calidris alpina -- OI, SL
  122. Ruff Philomachus pugnax -- OI, BP, SL
  123. Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis -- RNP
    A single female at close range from a jeep at Ranthambor made up for the lack of this species at Bharatpur.
  124. Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus -- BP, BB, RNP
  125. Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus -- OI, BP, RNP
  126. Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus -- BP
  127. Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris -- SL, RG, CNP
  128. Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersi -- RG
    Two birds on the river at Ramnagar on New Years Day were undoubtedly the birds of the trip.
  129. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus -- common in wetlands
  130. Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta -- OI, AG
  131. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius -- OI, SL, JS
  132. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus -- OI, SL
  133. Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus -- OI
  134. Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus -- BP, RNP
  135. River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelli -- OI, AG, SL, RG, CNP
  136. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus -- OI, AG
  137. White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus -- BP, SL
  138. Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus -- RNP
    Three in the semi-desert area just outside Ranthambor National Park on 22/12.
  139. Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans -- OI
  140. Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus -- AG
  141. Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus -- AG
  142. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus -- OI
  143. River Tern Sterna aurantia -- common in wetlands
  144. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus -- OI
  145. Osprey Pandion haliaetus -- BB, CNP
  146. Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus -- BP, RNP
  147. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus -- common in lowlands
  148. Black Kite Milvus migrans -- common in towns
  149. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus -- CNP
  150. Pallas's Fishing Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus -- CNP
  151. Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus -- MV
  152. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus -- seen at most sites
  153. White-rumped Vulture Gyps benghalensis -- seen at most sites
  154. Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus -- RNP, JS
  155. Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis -- NT, MV
  156. Eurasian griffon Gyps fulvus -- BP
  157. Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus -- DNP, CNP
  158. Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus -- BP, RNP, DNP, CNP
  159. Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus -- BP
  160. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela -- BP, RNP
  161. Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginous -- OI, BP
  162. Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus -- CNP, NT
  163. Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus -- QI
  164. Shikra Accipiter badius -- AG, BP, RNP
  165. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus -- NT
  166. White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa -- RNP
  167. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo -- NT
  168. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus -- JS
  169. Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina -- BP
  170. Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga -- BP
  171. Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax -- DNP
  172. Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis -- CNP, MV
  173. Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca -- BP
  174. Bonelli's Eagle Hieraatus fasciatus -- BP
  175. Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraatus kieneri -- QI
  176. Mountain Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis -- QI
  177. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus -- JS, CNP
  178. Laggar Falcon Falco jugger -- DNP, JS
  179. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus -- BP, CNP
  180. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis -- OI, AG, BP, RNP
  181. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus -- SL
  182. Darter Anhinga melanogaster -- BP, RNP
  183. Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger -- OI, BP, RNP
  184. Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis -- OI, BP
  185. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo -- OI, AG, BP, RNP
  186. Little Egret Egretta garzetta -- AG, BP, RNP
  187. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea -- AG, BP, RNP
  188. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea -- OI, BP, RNP
  189. Great Egret Casmerodius alba -- AG, BP, RNP
  190. Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia -- BP, RNP
  191. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis -- BP, RNP
  192. Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii -- common in wetlands
  193. Little Heron Butorides striatus -- RNP
  194. Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax -- BP, RNP
  195. Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis -- BP
  196. Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus -- BP
  197. Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis -- BP
  198. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus -- BP
  199. Black-headed Ibis Threshkiornis melanocephalus -- BP, RNP
  200. Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia -- BP
  201. Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus -- BP, SL
  202. Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus -- BP
  203. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala -- OI, BP
  204. Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans -- BP
  205. Black Stork Ciconia nigra -- RNP, CNP
  206. Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus -- OI, BP, RNP
  207. Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus -- BP, CNP
  208. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus -- OI, BP, SL, RG
  209. Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus -- BP, RNP
  210. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach -- OI, BP, RNP, JS
  211. Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis -- BP, RNP
  212. Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius -- NT
  213. Black-headed Jay Garrulus lanceolatus -- NT, MV
  214. Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha -- NT
  215. Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis -- QI
  216. Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda -- BP, RNP, CNP, QI
  217. Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae -- QI, NT, ST, MV
  218. House Crow Corvus splendens -- common
  219. Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos -- common
  220. Common Raven Corvus corax -- JS, NT
  221. Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus -- BP
  222. Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus -- CNP
  223. Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei -- CNP
  224. Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera -- BP
    A single female observed in the peripheral woodland.
  225. Small Minivet Pericrotus cinnamomeus -- BP, RNP
  226. Long-tailed Minivet Pericrotus ethologus -- RG, MV
  227. Scarlet Minivet Pericrotus flammeus -- QI, ST, MV
  228. Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike Hemipus picatus -- CNP, QI
  229. Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha -- CNP, QI, NT, ST, MV
  230. White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis -- CNP, QI, ST
  231. White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola -- RNP
  232. Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus -- OI, BP, RNP, DNP
  233. White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens -- RNP
  234. Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus -- CNP, QI
  235. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia -- RNP
  236. Marshall's Iora Aegithina nigrolutea -- RNP
    Single on 21/12.
  237. Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus -- AG, BP, BB, RNP
  238. Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii -- QI
  239. Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris -- ST
  240. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius -- BB, Sawai Modhpur
  241. Blue Whistling Thrush Myophoneus caeruleus -- RG, CNP, QI, NT
  242. Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina -- BP
  243. Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma -- ST
  244. Long-billed Thrush Zoothera monticola -- QI
  245. Tickell's Thrush Turdus unicolor -- BP, ST
  246. Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul -- NT
  247. Dark-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis -- NT
  248. Rusty-tailed Flycatcher Muscicapa ruficauda -- BP
  249. Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata -- QI, ST
  250. Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula parva -- AG, RNP, CNP, ST, MV
  251. Little pied Flycatcher Ficedula basilicana -- QI
  252. Slaty blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor -- CNP, ST
  253. Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae -- CNP, NT
  254. Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara -- QI, ST
  255. Tickell's Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae -- RNP
  256. Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis -- BP, BB, RNP, RG
  257. Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope -- BP
  258. White-tailed Rubythroat Luscinia pectoralis -- QI
  259. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica -- OI, AG, CNP
  260. Orange-flanked Bush Robin Tarsiger cyanurus -- NT, ST
  261. Golden Bush Robin Tarsiger chrysaeus -- NT, Bhowali
  262. Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis -- widespread
  263. Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata -- AG, BP, RNP, JS
  264. Blue-capped Redstart Phoenicurus coeruleocephalus -- NT
  265. Black Redstart Phoenicrurus ochrurus -- BP, BB, SL, ST
  266. Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicrurus frontalis -- NT
  267. White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarronis leucocephalus -- RG, QI
  268. Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus -- RG, CNP, QI, ST
  269. Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri -- QI
  270. Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus -- NT
    A single by the Waterfall cafe 1.5 km below the 'Low Fields' at Naini Tal on 6/1.
  271. Stoliczka's Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha -- DNP
    At least four birds seen in the exclosure at Sudaseri on the morning of 29/12.
  272. Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata -- OI, BP, RNP, CNP, ST
  273. White-tailed Stonechat Saxicola leucura -- OI
    Two birds (male and female) noted on our second visit. It is highly likely that we overlooked the rather drab females of this species on our first visit to the island.
  274. Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata -- OI, BP
  275. Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea -- RG, CNP, QI, NT, ST
  276. Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata -- RNP, JD, JS, DNP
  277. Rufous-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna -- DNP
  278. Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti -- SL, JS, DNP
  279. Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina -- RNP
    A single bird in the semi-desert area outside the park entrance on 22/12.
  280. Brown Rock-chat Cercomela fusca -- common in lowland towns
  281. Brahminy Starling Sturnus pagodarum -- common
  282. Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris -- SL
  283. Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra -- common
  284. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis -- common
  285. Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus -- OI, AG, BP, RNP
  286. Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus -- CNP
  287. Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta castanea -- QI
  288. White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis -- NT
  289. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis -- CNP, ST, MV
  290. Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria -- RG
  291. Bar-tailed Treecreeper Certhia himalayana -- CNP, NT
  292. Spot-winged Tit Parus melanolophus -- NT
  293. Great Tit Parus major -- RNP, CNP, ST
  294. Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus -- CNP, NT, ST
  295. Black-lored Tit Parus xanthogenys -- QI, NT, ST
  296. Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus -- NT
  297. Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus -- NT, ST
  298. Sand Martin Riparia riparia -- BP
  299. Plain Martin Riparia paludicola -- OI, BP, BB, RNP, CNP
  300. Eurasian Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris -- RNP
  301. Dusky Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris -- AG, BB, RNP
  302. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica -- common
  303. Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii -- BP
  304. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica -- BP, JD, CNP
  305. Streak-throated Swallow Hirundo fluvicola -- OI, BP
  306. Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus -- CNP
  307. White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis -- BP, DNP
  308. Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys -- RG
  309. Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus -- CNP
  310. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer -- common
  311. Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavala -- MV
  312. Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus -- NT, MV
  313. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis -- BP
  314. Bright-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis -- CNP
  315. Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens -- RNP, RG
  316. Grey-crowned Prinia Prinia cinereocapilla -- QI
  317. Rufous-fronted Prinia Prinia buchanani -- RNP
  318. Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis -- OI, DNP
  319. Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica -- RNP
    Single on the fort on 22/12.
  320. Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis -- OI, BP, CNP
  321. Plain Prinia Prinia inornata -- OI, BP, BB, CNP
  322. Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus -- AG, RNP, CNP
  323. Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum -- BP
  324. Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus -- BP
  325. Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata -- BP
  326. Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius -- AG, BP, RNP
  327. Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita -- OI, NT
  328. Tickell's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis -- CNP, NT, ST
  329. Sulphur-bellied Warbler Phylloscopus griseolus -- BB, RNP
  330. Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher -- NT
  331. Pallas's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus -- CNP, QI, NT, ST
  332. Brooks's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus subviridis -- RNP, CNP, NT
  333. Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei -- BP, BB
  334. Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides -- OI, BP
  335. Blyth's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides -- NT, ST
  336. Golden-spectacled Warbler Seicercus burkii -- CNP, QI, MV
  337. Grey-hooded Warbler Seicercus xanthoschistos -- CNP, QI, NT
  338. White-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax albogularis -- QI, NT
  339. White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus -- CNP, QI, NT, ST, MV
  340. Striated Laughingthrush Garrulax striatus -- NT
  341. Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush Garrulax rufogularis -- ST
  342. Streaked Laughingthrush Garrulax lineatus -- NT
  343. Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush Garrulax erythrocephalus -- NT
  344. Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrogenys -- QI, NT, ST
  345. Black-chinned Babbler Stachyris pyrrhops -- CNP, QI, ST
  346. Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense -- BB, RG
  347. Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus -- BP, RNP, DNP
  348. Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei -- OI
  349. Large Grey Babbler Turdoides malcolmi -- BP, RNP
  350. Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus -- AG, BP, RNP
  351. Green Shrike Babbler Pteruthius xanthochlorus -- NT
  352. Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe nipalensis -- CNP
  353. Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrata -- NT
  354. White-bellied Yuhina Yuhina zantholeuca -- MV
  355. Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca -- AG, JS, ST
  356. Desert Warbler Sylvia nana -- JS, DNP
  357. Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis -- AG, BP, RNP
  358. Indian Bushlark Mirafra erythroptera -- RNP, JD
  359. Black-crowned Sparrow Lark Eremopteryx nigriceps -- DNP
  360. Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Eremopteryx grisea -- BP, RNP, SL
  361. Rufous-tailed Lark Ammomanes phoenicurus -- BP, RNP
  362. Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti -- JS
  363. Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata -- DNP
  364. Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla -- RNP, SL, JS, DNP
  365. Crested Lark Galerida cristata -- SL, JS, DNP
  366. Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula -- OI, BP, RNP, CNP
  367. Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorynchos -- QI
  368. Purple Sunbird Nectarina asiatica -- common & widespread
  369. Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata -- QI
  370. Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja -- QI
  371. House Sparrow Passer domesticus -- ubiquitous
  372. Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis -- BP
  373. Russet Sparrow Passer rutilans -- NT, ST, MV
  374. Chestnut-shouldered Petronia Petronia xanthocollis -- BP
  375. White Wagtail Motacilla alba -- common
  376. White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis -- AG, BB, RNP, RG, CNP
  377. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola -- OI, BP, BB, RNP, RG
  378. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava -- OI
  379. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea -- AG, BP, RNP, QI
  380. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus -- BP
  381. Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris -- OI, BP, RNP, JS, DNP
  382. Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis -- SL
  383. Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis -- BB, RNP, ST
  384. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni -- BP, RNP, CNP, QI, ST, MV
  385. Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus -- OI, BP, ST
  386. Altai Accentor Prunella himalayana -- NT
  387. Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella strophiata -- NT, ST, MV
  388. Black-throated Accentor Prunella atrogularis -- ST
  389. Black-breasted Weaver Ploceus benghalensis -- OI, BP
  390. Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus -- BP
  391. Red Avadavat Amandava amandava -- OI, BP, BB, CNP
  392. Indian Silverbill Lonchura malabarica -- OI, BB, RNP
  393. Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca -- OI
  394. Fire-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus -- NT
  395. Yellow-breasted Greenfinch Carduelis spinoides -- NT, ST, MV
  396. Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus -- CNP, NT, ST
  397. Pink-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus rodochrous -- NT
  398. Vinaceous Rosefinch Carpodacus vinaceus -- NT
  399. Rock Bunting Emberiza cia -- NT
  400. White-capped Bunting Emberiza stewarti -- BB, RNP, NT, ST
  401. House Bunting Emberiza striolata -- JD, JS
  402. Red-headed Bunting Emberiza brunniceps -- BP

Return to trip reports.

This page served with permission of the author by Urs Geiser; ugeiser@xnet.com; October 18, 1999