Birding Ecotours Complete Northern India and Cultural Extension February/March 2009 By Duan Biggs
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Birding Ecotours Complete Northern India and Cultural Extension February/March 2009 By Duan Biggs Day 1, February 21st. Delhi and the Okhla SanctuaryThose participants who had already arrived on the 20th of February met the rest of the group at the Delhi airport, before we started making our way to Humayun’s Tomb, our first exposure to the impressive Mughal architecture. The birding kicked off, at the tomb parking lot, with the impressive Brown-headed Barbet. Our first (of very many) Rose-ringed Parakeet was seen, as was a roosting Spotted Owlet in the tomb gardens. After the tomb we made our way to Delhi’s most famous birding site – the Okhla Sanctuary. Walking the road along the dam wall, we encountered the colorful Coppersmith Barbet, and Ashy Prinia below in the shrubs. The water bodies of Okhla were teeming with birdlife as usual – Northern Shoveler, Greylag Goose, Little Grebe, and Eurasian Widgeon were dabbling on the surface. The shoreline held Great White Pelican and Eurasian Spoonbill, while a flock of Brown-headed Gulls circled above. We made our way to the far end of the sanctuary, and in the tall wetland vegetation we picked up our first of many Pied Bush Chat, as well as the striking Greater Coucal. Ruff and Common Snipe perched on the riverbank. After some effort, our local guide managed to find the range-restricted White-tailed Stonechat, while chasing up a group of scarce Striated Babblers en route. Our day was not yet done. We spished a Yellow-bellied Prinia out of the reeds, and in the setting sun we were treated to a flyover Egyptian Vulture. Our first day delivered new mammals in the form of the ubiquitous rhesus macaque as well as our first nilgai, also known as blue bull – a sizeable antelope species. Day 2, February 22nd. Delhi to Chambal SanctuaryAn early departure had us stopping midday at Mangalam – a set of wetlands alongside the main road. Here we had two regal-looking Sarus Cranes, Gadwall, and Eurasian Teal to add to our list. Graceful Prinia was in some tall reeds, and Woolly-necked and Painted Storks flew overhead. We were fortunate to have another look at the Striated Babbler, and this time everyone got onto a flying Egyptian Vulture. We arrived at the Chambal Sanctuary after a hearty lunch at our accommodations, the Chambal Safari Lodge. The road into the sanctuary passes through semi-arid acacia scrub and was teeming with birdlife – Common Babbler, Indian Robin, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Rufous-fronted Prinia, and the seldom-seen Jungle Bush Quail. The sand and gravel plains on the banks of the Chambal river held a plethora of Larks, including Crested, Hume’s Short-toed, Sand, and Greater Short-toed. Also present were Desert and Isabelline Wheatear. On the riverbank, near to where we were to board a boat, were Kentish and Little Ringed Plover, River Lapwing, and Temminck’s Stint. Once on the water, we were treated to River Tern, Indian Skimmer, Great Stone-curlew, and Pallas’s Gull. We continued upstream and enjoyed sightings of the odd-looking gharial. Bird-of-prey-wise we enjoyed a flyover Short-toed Snake Eagle. The Bar-headed Goose is a lovely bird, and we marvelled at the flocks flying by. Upon returning to our launch to head back to the lodge, we were fortunate to sight the difficult-to-see Gangetic dolphin. Day 3, February 23rd. Chambal Safari Lodge and the Taj MahalAn early morning walk around the wooded grounds of Chambal Safari Lodge delivered our first group of exquisite Green Bee-eaters. The trees were alive with birds, including the noisy Asian Koel, Yellow-throated Sparrow, Hume’s Leaf Warbler, and the stunning Plum-headed Parakeet. As we continued we added a group of Large Grey Babblers to our list, while watching the local Crested Honey Buzzard being marauded by Large-billed Crows. We marvelled at a large roost of Indian flying foxes. During breakfast a pair of Yellow-wattled Lapwing flew over and perched on a nearby field. Breakfast was finished in a hurry to track down these lovely birds. Then we left Chambal Safari Lodge and headed for the Taj Mahal, dubbed as ‘simply the most divine building on the planet’ by Indian travel guidebooks. We did stop for a close-up view of an Indian Roller on the way. The Taj enthralled all – it is a uniquely majestic piece of architecture. In the Yamuna River below the Taj we sighted a group of Ruddy Shelduck. After a relaxing lunch in Agra’s only revolving restaurant we slowly made our way to Bharatpur, with some stops to purchase local crafts en route. |
