A Wildlife & Birding Tour of Northern India November 30th – December 15th 2024

This tour was ran by Chris Mills on behalf of Oriole Birding – this tour will run again in 2025 and is available via the Oriole Birding website.

W: www.oriolebirding.com             E: info@oriolebirding.com                         T: 0800 9993036

NORTH INDIA TOUR OVERVIEW

The tour took in four areas each with its own character brought about by habitat and altitude and thus we encountered a wide variety of avifauna, mammals and other aspects of Natural History.

Firstly, we arrived in Delhi and then visited Bharatpur – set in a vast, flat plain, a World Heritage site and a wetland home to large numbers of nesting egrets, herons, ibis and storks against a backdrop of raptors, owls and passerines in the drier areas. We stayed at The Birders’ Inn for 4 nights situated just three hundred metres from the entrance gates and spent just over 3 and half days in this area.

We then travelled North and spent one night in River’s Edge Hotel, before we moved onto the Corbett National Park, staying about a mile from the park entrance at The Golden Tusk. For three mornings and three afternoons we were transported by safari jeep with mammals featuring as high on our agenda as birds.

Next, we moved on to Vangat Lodge for 2 nights in the Corbett buffer zone. Vangat has no vehicle access and we walked just over a mile to reach the camp and then took the rather exciting river crossing to the camp on a raft! Vangat is far away from the bustle, dust and noise of Indian towns, set in stunning surroundings, in a steep sided forested river valley next to the glacial waters of the Ramganga river.

Finally, we climbed higher towards the foothills of the Himalayas and birded the forest areas around Sattal staying at the appropriately named Birders’ Den complete with bird feed station and hides. The tour finished back in Delhi.

ACCOMMODATION – The accommodation during the trip was generally of a high standard. All accommodation provided hot water and Western style toilets. Temperatures ranged from hot and warm in Bharatpur to cool at Corbett and then cold overnight at Sattal with frosts, but warm and pleasant in the daytime.

Staff were friendly and went out of their way to help us. Food would be categorised as curry, but generally not as hot and spicy as what might be provided in your local UK curry house, all of it was tasty and plentiful.

TOUR IMAGES – All images in this report are copyrighted and should not be use without our permission.

Saturday 30th November 2024 – UK Heathrow Departure – The group met up at Heathrow early morning around 8am in good time to get through the required security and baggage drop formalities. This all passed quickly without incident and

the British Airways flight got away on time around 1120am, the food was simple but okay and the flight comfortable.

Sunday 1st December – Dehli to Bharatpur – With a time difference of five and a half hours, we arrived in Delhi just before 0200 local time. We were met promptly and on arrival, all members of the group were presented with a traditional garland of marigolds!

Even at this time of day Delhi is a bustling busy city! We were soon at the gates of the Ashok Country Resort Hotel arriving at 0330am local time and retired to our rooms, for a few hours of much needed sleep!

I made it out around 0730am and joined 1-2 of the group for a brief hour of pre-breakfast birding in the grounds of the hotel. Indian Peafowl and House Crow strutted around on a lawn amongst the remnants of an Indian wedding, the trees held 2 calling Greenish Warbler, Brown-headed Barbet, Black Drongo and both Red-whiskered and Red-vented Bulbul. Plus a Common Tailorbird and nice views of several Purple Sunbird. A procession of Black Kites made their way across the city and a small number of Little Swifts, Eastern Red-rumped Swallow and noisy Rose-ringed Parakeets were also overhead.  Common Myna and Jungle Babbler were prominent around the buildings and P the most surprising bird was a Red-naped Ibis sitting atop the Hotel rooftop!

Departure was soon after breakfast as we started the long drive towards Bharatpur. With the monsoon having been higher than average, there were regular pools alongside the roads and we made several stops near Palwal, Kotwan and Mathura.

Black-winged Stilt was the dominant wader but also present were Common, Green and Wood Sandpipers plus several Spot-billed Ducks. Around the waterside edges we Indian Pond Herons, Great and Little Egrets, Purple Heron, Little and Great Cormorants, White-breasted Waterhen and Purple Swamphens, a Hoopoe added our first splash of colour and a close, perched roadside Black-winged Kite had everyone rushing for their cameras!

Continuing our journey, we noted our first ubiquitous Rhesus Macaque Monkeys, these were seen most days! There were flocks of Cattle Egrets, a couple of Greater Coucal, Black Drongo, Asian Pied and Brahminy Starlings. Numerous White-throated Kingfishers were perched on roadside wires and another roadside pool near Kotban provided some additional species, with 3 White-tailed Plovers, Bronze-winged Jacana, 6 Temminck’s stints, 4 Wood Sandpipers, Painted Stork, a super Purple Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier.

Another splash of colour with 3 Asian Green Bee-eater our first of many Citrine Wagtails and Long-tailed Shrike of the trip! A drier area also offered up a surprise with 3 Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, plus Graceful Prinia and 10 Black-breasted Weaver.

Another 2-3 roadside stops first had us looking upwards as more Black and Black-winged Kites drifted above us together with 10 Egyptian Vultures. Followed by a pool with several Ruff, a Little Ringed Plover, a Shikra and 50 Pied Starling and Pied Bushchat. There was certainly a lot of pools after a good monsoon with more poolsand thelast stopof the daygiving us our first 25 Knob-billed Duck, 40 Glossy ibis, Shoveler and a noisy group of Large Grey Babbler. Phew…a wonderful first day, via roadside pools!

Darkness was falling as we arrived at the Birders’ Inn in Bharatpur. We settled into our rooms and after a welcome hot shower, we appreciated a meal of various curries.

Overnight – Birders’ Inn in Bharatpur.

Yellow-footed Green Pigeon – as Pigeons go this is a beauty!
Black-winged Kite – a regular raptor seen mainly from roadside perchesBlack-winged Kite
– a regular raptor seen mainly from roadside perches
This Indian Rat Snake was one of our first non-avian highlights at Bharatpur

Monday 2nd December – Bharatpur/Keoladeo NP – An early breakfast ensured that we were ready at first light to meet our guide Brijendra Singh and our three rickshaw drivers. Brijendra was very knowledgeable with regards to all aspects of the natural history of the reserve

It was slightly misty when we started but it soon cleared, and birding was instant as we entered the park!

We were mainly on foot, and it was slow progress as new birds popped into view each step forward, we took. The wet ditches, grassland and scrub at the start soon gave us several Red-spotted Bluethroat, Indian Robin, Oriental Magpie-robin, several Blyth’s Reed Warblers, Humes and Greenish Warblers were showing on and off and heard calling very regularly. Also Red-breasted Flycatchers were evident, plus Lesser Whitethroat, White-eared Bulbul, Ashy and Plain Prinia, several Long-tailed Shrike and Purple Sunbird.

A variety of wildfowl, Cormorants, and ducks flew overhead, plus 6 Eurasian Spoonbills. We were to see all the wildfowl and egrets etc, much better in the afternoon.

As the sun broke through and by nine, the mist had cleared. Taking our rickshaws, we followed the main track through areas of scrub with some mature trees. A small flock of Yellow-footed Green Pigeons became far more colourful and, in general, bird activity increased. Our guide showed us a lovely pair of roosting Spotted Owlet. Plus, our first really close views of the stunning White-throated Kingfisher, after witnessing many on roadside wires on the journey the day before!

With the hotel being so close by we were able to return there for lunch around 12.30pm take a break, refresh and head back out around 2pm. This time we headed directly much further into the park, away from the area of scrub and grassland and on to the much larger areas of open water. This is traversed by tree lined tracks on raised up banks.

Following on from an excellent monsoon earlier in the year, the reserve was brimming with clean fresh water and this meant good numbers and a wide variety of water birds. The Stork and Cormorant colony this year was staggering; with over a 1000 breeding pairs of Painted Storks, complimented with high numbers of Woolly-necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Little, Great White, Intermediate and Cattle Egret, Purple and Grey Herons, Oriental Darter, Indian, Little and Great Cormorants all giving excellent prolonged views. Raptors were represented by Crested Serpent Eagle, Marsh Harrier, both Indian and Greater Spotted Eagle and White-eyed Buzzard. We also had our first Snake of the trip nearby a Indian Rat Snake, that showed very well crossing the path. We next stopped to admire the near threated, Black-necked Stork, sitting atop a big nest, both male and female present with four well grown chicks on the nest! Also really good views from here of Nilgai, this is the largest antelope of Asia, and several males were up to their haunches in the water.

Another stop gave us a roosting Indian Nightjar – not far from its chosen perch last year! A little more searching gave us one of the special birds, a Black Bittern, never easy we watched as it stalked and fished in the shadows of the bankside vegetation. Towards the end of the afternoon, we located the species we had missed yesterday with 3 Sarus Cranes visible from one of the raised towers.

Nearby, we got our first views of a large group of roosting Indian Flying Foxes, staring down at us! From the raised tower there were flocks of wildfowl, hundreds of Pintail, 50 Lesser Whistling duck, 60 Gadwall, and also 3 Common Pochard. With a backdrop of stunning Grey-headed Swamphens, Bronze-winged Jacanas and flitting Citrine Wagtails.

On the way out some of the group saw our first Golden Jackal, a species we all saw well later in the trip. We returned to the hotel after an amazing first full day in the park, with well over 100 species seen today.

Overnight – Birders’ Inn in Bharatpur.

Tuesday 3rd December – Bharatpur/Keoladeo NP – This morning, we headed to the West loop path halfway from the entrance gate, visiting a

part of the wetland area we did not visit the day before. A highlight was a huge flock of c400 Pintail. They all took to the air at the same time probably due to the presence of several Eagles. The Eagles were both Indian Spotted and Greater Spotted Eagles and we were able to study several both perched and in flight to compare the slight differences.

The sound of the wingbeats of more than a thousand ducks resembled a long and distant rumble of thunder. Also seen were groups of Teal, small numbers of Shoveler, Knob-billed Ducks, 2 Cotton Pygmy Geese, 6 Garganey, Wigeon, and fly over 13 Bar-headed Geese.

As well as all the Storks, Herons and Egrets from yesterday and present again this morning there was Striated Heron. More prominent were Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill and Black-crowned Night Heron. Sarus Cranes were heard but distant. The open water was graced by 3 beautiful River Terns flying up and past us and the more wooded area gave us our first proper views of 2 Grey Hornbills, plus Brown-headed & Coppersmith Barbets.

The patterning the tertials and coverts on a spread-winged Darter are fantastic and there were plenty of these to enjoy along this stetch. Bronze-winged Jacanas and White-breasted Waterhen were present in good numbers. Of the mammals, packs of Rhesus Macaques were seen along with a family of Wild Boar, both Spotted Deer and Indian Palm Squirrel were numerous.

We had good views of both Blyth’s Reed and Clamorous Reed Warblers giving their distinctive calls along the track and then a stop for a pair of Dusky Eagle Owl at their nest, with good scope views, plus brief views here of Common Hawk-Cuckoo, seen much better late in the tour.  A lovely Eastern Black Redstart flitted along the path and an Olive-backed Pipit flew overhead calling. As we got into the drier scrub areas, we had a really spell seeing several shrikes, the first inevitably Long-tailed Shrike, then good views of 2-3 Bay-backed, but then a surprise when we stumbled over a darker looking shrike, with the scope on to it a clear Brown Shrike, not a species I have seen here at Bharatpur before! We pretty much rounded the morning off with several Stone Curlew, in the grassland.

Another great morning of birding at Bharatpur had given us lots more birds, and a good number of different species from yesterday. We were a little later back and headed straight for lunch around 1pm before heading back into the Park around 2.15pm, for our final session in the park. This afternoon we headed to Centre Point at the Southern end of the reserve and then took a steady lengthy walk to Python Point. This offered up different areas and offered a different view across the main open body of water.

Highlights in the afternoon were as follows:- 100 Lesser Whistling-Duck, a wonderful flock of 34 Cotton Pygmy-geese a species that was much commoner this year after not seeing it in recent trips. There was a vast flock of 400+ Northern Pintail, a nice raft of the garish Red-crested Pochard, and a huge raft of c1000 Eurasian Coot, amongst the plethora of wildfowl there was also 10 Knob-billed Duck, 3 Common Pochard, 5 Garganey, 10 Northern Shoveler and 4 Gadwall. Also, along the banks and edgesseveral Wood Sandpiper, Painted Stork, Oriental Darter, Little Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, 10 Purple Heron, 10 Great White Egret, 15 Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, River Tern, 20 Indian Pond Heron, 15 Black-headed Ibis and 15 Bronze-winged Jacana.

We eventually located several Pheasant-tailed Jacana from the Northern bank.As we wandered along the tracks, we had 4 Common Kingfisher, 10 White-throated Kingfisher, 2 Pied Kingfisher, 100 Streak-throated Swallow, Wire-tailed Swallow, 6 Hume’s Warbler, 10 Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Greenish Warbler, 2 Blyth’s Reed Warbler, 10 Ashy Prinia, 10 Plain Prinia and plenty of Citrine Wagtail.

Raptors were represented by several Marsh Harrier, Shikra, Greater Spotted and Indian Spotted Eagle.

A lovely dozing Spotted Owlet!
This year after a good monsoon, the Stork, Egret & Cormorant colony was full to bursting!
Painted Storks made for a photographers dream in lovely afternoon light!
Indian Darter wing drying in the sunshine
A White-throated Kingfisher a ubiquitous species seen from water to the idle of villages

Wednesday 4th December – Chambal River and area – Today consisted of a journey over to the famous Chambal river area with a boat ride. With stops in other drier non-agricultural areas en-route, and a stop for roadside pools on the way back.

Our boat trip was booked for mid-morning, so we took a steady drive straight to the Chumbal river, it an almost surreal location down a muddy track to a temporary pontoon where we boarded our luxury (wooden boat!). The next couple of hours were fantastic as we quietly motored up and down stream, at times gently drifting and getting close and personal with birds and crocodiles. We had a nice selection of birds, with several River Lapwing, greeting us on arrival. The first island we approached had a few Greater Thick-knee, these thick-knees with big eyes and heavily made-up face masks are almost even crazier looking than our own Stone Curlews! Also on the shoreline were several Egyptian Vultures, allowing very close approach in the boats, as did a Pied Kingfisher.

We also added a few waders including new species for the trip – Kentish Plover, several Greenshank and 25 Temminck’s Stint. As we drifted downstream, both Crocodiles, Gharial and Mugger were in good numbers, sat out on the edge of the sandbanks, some large adults approaching 4m in length, we had fantastic close-up views of these.

Next up was the bird we all had sought, a single Indian Skimmer was sat on a sandbank, keeping company with River Terns and 1-2 incredibly smart Black-bellied Terns (aren’t these actually the best bird of this area!?). Also a single Little Tern was unusual here, this far from the coast.

We then headed further downstream to where a pair of Bonelli’s Eagle sat atop the river cliffs, with one of the adults eventually flying along the cliffs. At this spot a couple of Blue Rock Thrush also appeared on the lower rocks and another raptor of note here was a Long-legged Buzzard passing overhead.

After the boat trip we had our packed lunches by the river watching masses of Plain Martin and Streak-throated Swallows flying overhead. We then set off on the return journey with a couple of stop offs for other birding.

Our next stop was in an area of suitable arid, rocky habitat near Khansurjapur with some small pools. Here we encountered several of the typical species of this habitat, Indian Bush-Lark, Bengal Bush lark, Crested Lark, Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, Long-billed and Tawny Pipits.  Other noteworthy species were Hoopoe, a Southern Grey Shrike and Indian Roller, the latter being seen regularly from the minibus on roadside wires!

Another good stop at roadside pools, produced several Marsh Sandpipers, 20 Black-winged Stilts, 5 Wood Sandpiper, 5 Common & 3 Spotted Redshank, 6 Common Snipe, 40 Ruff,  30 Temminck’s Stints and a single Dunlin, as well as both Jacana species, and a plethora of egrets and storks!

As 4 Indian Coursers had been seen a few days before in the Kumher area we use to visit, I took the decision to make a late afternoon dash there, there is sadly little left of suitable habitat for the Coursers and there was no sign of them, however second prize was 2 Daurian Shrikes (Isabelline) and 5 Paddyfield Pipits. Another great full day, with a whole host of additional birds seen, plus the crocodiles. The bird list was now already totalling 160+ species.

Thursday 5th December Bharatpur to Corbett NP – With bags packed and minibus loaded, we said our farewells to Birders’ Inn staff.

Minibus birding gave views, albeit fleeting as we headed on North our long journey of Black and Black-shouldered Kites, Egyptian Vulture and Shikra. White-throated Kingfishers were encountered frequently on roadside wires. Roadside pools again offered up Egrets, Cormorants and Black-winged Stilts, whilst White-throated Kingfishers were apparent in the middle of towns & Black-winged Kites along the roadside wires!

We encountered the full range of traffic using Indian roads; tractors pulling trailers loaded so high with harvested sugar cane, cows in the middle of the road etc! More concerning to the group was where we might pick up our stash of Gin and beers, which were eventually secured by Sumantha Ghosh and delivered to our ‘dry’ one night stay at rivers edge.

It was early evening by the time we reached the River Edge Hotel on the edge of Corbett NP.  We had some hot snacks and then headed to rooms before having dinner and heading off ready for an early morning start, with the search for the legendary Ibisbill!

River Lapwing a stunning elegant Plover – this one nice and close at Chambal river
A large Mugger Crocodile approaching 5m!
The stunning Gharial Crocodile showing off those amazing rows of teeth!
Indian Soft-shelled Turtle alongside the Indian Mugger Crocodile
The globally threatened Indian Skimmer showing off its bizarrely adapted bill
The slightly wacky looking Greater Thick-knee
The beautifully patterned Pied Kingfisher

Friday 6th December Ramganga River and Corbett NP – We were up and ready at 6.30am at reception for tea and coffee, then headed to the nearby Kosi river, this glacial river strewn with boulders is the location and haunt of the much sought after Ibisbill!

We started our search just to the North of the bridge and temple on the river, it’s a stunning scene here early morning with the mist hovering over the cold fast running water, with a backdrop to forest and distant mountains. The birding matched the view, first 6 Plumbeous Redstart, 4 White-capped Redstart and 5 White-and browed Wagtail, hopped around on rocks in fornt of us, then a Wallcreeper gave lovely views just on a wall nearby. The one, two and three Crested Kingfishers were superb, but after 45 minutes we still hadn’t located our big target species. Jaypee our local Indian guide had walked back down stream, whilst I was scanning upstream. I suddenly caught some movement just on the cusp of a bend in the rocks amongst the river, I quickly centred the scope on to the spot, yep there was an IBISBILL! In fact, there was two Ibisbill and as I alerted everyone a third appeared, they were distant and we got everyone on to them just in case, before we set off to get closer and better views. We then approached a bit closer walking upstream and secured nice scope views in good light. We admired these wonderful birds, with their limited distribution in the high Himalayas, birders have been seeking them out for decades at this location!

Whilst admiring the Ibisbill, activity was increasing around us and River Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 2 Striated Heron, Common Kingfisher, White-throated and another Crested kingfisher, Blue-whistling Thrush and Grey wagtail were all nearby, though it was hard not to indulge in the Plumbeous and White-capped Water Redstarts such beauties, as they worked from rock to rock, hovering and picking insects from the air!As the sun rose, we slowly headed further upstream and then cut into the fields and secondary woodland adjoining the river valley. This started to provide some new passerines for the trip with Lineated Barbet, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Common Iora, 2 White-throated Fantail, 1 Grey-headed Canary- Flycatcher and Oriental White-eye. A flycatcher appeared and gave brief and tricky views, after some consideration I decided it was a female or 1cy Little Pied Flycatcher, but I need not have worried as we were to eventually catch up with a stunning adult male later in the trip!

As we reached the road we were treated to a nice mixed flock, and for a few minutes it was full gas birding trying to ensure we all saw each of the jewels amongst the flock, which of course is never quite possible! But the standout birds, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Yellow-bellied Fairy fantail, Himalayan Flameback, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, White-throated Fantail, Grey-hooded Warbler, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, were seen by most and the stunning, crimson Long-tailed Minivets gave themselves up with one bird, unusually down low! Also, here our first Himalayan Bulbuls and Asian Tit (formerly Cinerous/Great Tit). The last star bird of the morning was a Red-breasted Parakeet sat atop a nearby tree.

We had a quick look at a known spot for Long-billed Thrush and Jaypee did see it briefly but no further joy, so it was mid-morning and we headed back to Rivers Edge. We arrived back for a hearty mid-morning breakfast, it went down very well after an adrenaline fuelled few hours birding along the river.

We had a brief bit of time for birding at the river from Rivers edge, where we had our first Vultures, 2 Red-headed or King Vultures were soaring along with 2 Himalayan Griffons, also a Peregrine high in the sky from here too.

We then took a short drive to the Golden Tusk Hotel, our next base for the next 4 nights.  It’s close to the Bijrani entrance of Corbett NP. We got our gear into our rooms and then were collected and headed out for our first afternoon jeep safari. At the Bijrani gate, formalities were completed quickly, and we entered the park in 3 jeeps, each with a driver and a local guide.

We entered an area of grassland, scrub and woodland with dried up river beds. Not far from the gate we had our first views of Asian Emerald Dove creeping around on the leaf litter, a stunning bird when catching the light! We hadn’t been travelling much further when we stopped off fortuitously to watch a White-throated Kingfisher, as we were watching and with absolutely no warning or alarm calls, a Leopard suddenly appeared and crossed the river! It then briefly paused before scrambling up what almost appeared a near vertical bank, briefly pausing at the top to give us one last look and then as quickly as it had appeared it was gone. Fortunately, two jeeps had witnessed the Leopard, and unfortunately the other was further back and out of range to beckon, admiring Tiger pug marks! It was one of those most surreal moments where you pinch yourself afterwards not quite believing what had happened, as Leopards are far less likely to be encountered in Corbett than Tiger!

Through the afternoon noteworthy birds were 2 Blue-bearded Bee-eaters, such stunning birds they gave quite a show as they glided from tree to tree, a lovely Stork-billed Kingfisher, in fact we saw four species of Kingfisher this afternoon with Common, White-throated and Crested also seen. Also Streak-throated Woodpecker, and our first of the lovely Plum-headed Parakeets, Grey Bushchats were perching close by, Changeable Hawk-eagle, 3 Black-winged Kite, Red-rumped and Barn Swallow were hunting insects in the later afternoon sunlight.Several Grey Bushchat, Brown Rock-chat, Yellow-eyed Babbler, plus Tawny and a flyover Olive-backed Pipit. Overhead, a Black Stork was new for the trip a Crested Treeswift.

Late afternoon we soon saw plenty of pugmarks and stopped a couple of times for alarm calls, but we didn’t ever really feel to close to seeing a Tiger, though we did see Spotted Deer, Sambar deer (the Tiger’s favoured prey!), Indian Muntjac and good numbers of Spotted Deer.

A Jungle Owlet obliged in the wires on the way back!  We reached the Golden Tusk, where we had high tea with fried chips, samosas and hot chai.

Overnight at Golden Tusk

Ibisbill these iconic Himalayan birds are always a pleasure to see!
The stunning Long-tailed Minivet
A wonderful encounter with this male Leopard at Corbett
Crested Kingfisher posing for us just before the Leopard appeared!
Another day another Kingfisher! – Stork-billed Kingfisher
Blue-bearded Bee-eater – a stunning forest Bee-eater species

Saturday 7th December  Corbett NP – After an early morning tea in reception, we were on our jeeps for a very early departure at 5.45am from the hotel, as we were heading to a different gate. Once through the usual formalities at the park entrance we headed through a well wooded area where Red Junglefowl were seen. After a short distance, and in an instant, a big cat appeared, crossed the track rapidly and disappeared, another Leopard, the briefest of views! With the three jeeps in convoy, just the first jeep managed a view.

Compensation was in the form of a spectacular performance by a group of Slaty-backed Woodpeckers, around 7 of these super birds, they were difficult to see perched but constantly calling and we caught views of them each time they moved.A loud, carrying and whinnying call could be heard, a little like a higher Green Woodpecker call.

Back into the woodland a range of forest birds were seen including 4 Coppersmith Barbets, 3 Lineated Barbets, Grey-headed & Streak-throated Woodpecker. Black-hooded Orioles gave their own variations of the fluty notes we associate with Golden Orioles in Europe and eventually bit by bit we got better views of these beauties.

We eventually hit a nice party of birds in the forest, and a stunning group of 20 odd Long-tailed Minivets vied for our attention alongside Scarlet Minivets, Common Woodshrike, White-throated fantail, Black-crested Bulbul, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Indian White-eye, Hume’s and Lemon-rumped warbler, also our first Lesser racket-tailed Drongo.

In the grassland Siberian Stonechats were numerous, alongside Grey Bushchat, Grey-breasted and Plain prinias, Plum-headed Parakeets flocks were regularly encountered.

Lunch was taken at the hotel and there was time for a brief walk around the hotel grounds seeing Red-breasted Flycatcher and Hume’s Warbler before returning to the park when it reopened at 2pm.

The afternoon was spent waiting for any Tiger or Leopard activity and a couple of times alarm calls alerted us to “cats” on the move, we spoke to one jeep, they had views of a Tiger crossing the road and we sat at this point for some time, but with no further alarms we moved on. Birding was a little quieter in the heat of the afternoon, but a Black Francolin gave nice views, and a super flock of 40 Yellow-footed Green Pigeons were enjoyed. A mystery raptor soared overhead, silloutted, though the pinched in wings and head certainly suggested a Oriental Honey Buzzard and indeed the quick fired off camera shots confirmed the identification!

The aptly named Stork-billed Kingfisher perched in a tree for photography, while Crested, Pied and Common sat on the riverside rocks. A distant Black Stork passed the afternoon in the same fashion as us heading across the valley. In amongst the forest, we had views of our first Great Hornbill, these superb and huge birds were delicately taking fruit from the tips of the trees. We also secured our best views of Black-hooded and Maroon Orioles.

Another amazing close encounter involved a Changeable Hawk-eagle that chased a Jungle Babbler in mid-air, then having failed to nail its prey it came back past us, literally over our jeeps and heads less than 2m away! A troop of Himalayan Langurs went about their business in trees alongside the jeeps but there were no sightings of the hoped for Tiger.

Back at the hotel, tea was taken on the lawn as the sun went down.

Overnight at Golden Tusk

Amazing close views of this Changeable Hawk-eagle after chasing a Babbler!
Himalayan Langur – an attractive looking monkey in Corbett
Golden Jackal Corbett

Sunday 8th December Corbett National Park – We headed into the park again at 6.30 to the Jhirna zone. First off was really nice views of Red Junglefowl as one wandered along the main roadside edge. Then woodpeckers dominated with Himalayan and Lesser Goldenbacks, plus Grey-headed, Grey-capped Pygmy and Fulvous- breasted Woodpeckers seen. Followed by Lesser Racket-tailed and Ashy Drongo.

An incredible group of 22 Great Hornbills were watched in flight and then a group of 6 Oriental Pied Hornbills looked diminutive in comparison with their larger cousins.

Our time was then taken up firstly with nice views of 2 Golden Jackals as they approached at one of the rest point stops, and gave great close views. Slightly more time was taken up with a rather non-descript mystery passerine, it went after some brief views from potentially a Wheatear to a Chat back to Wheatear! After a bit of debate, then some photographs and the bird giving improved longer views it was resolved as a female or immature Variable Wheatear!

The morning past by with the usual mixture of Red-vented, Red whiskered and Himalayan Bulbuls, Kingfishers, Long-tailed shrikes, Oriental Magpie-robin, and the usual forest warblers and white-eyes. The other stand out bird was the lovely Golden-fronted Leafbird, in amongst the topmost foliage it was never easy, but eventually perched out in the open giving everyone reasonable views.

During lunch, we noticed that Vultures were gathering and dropping into the fields at the rear of the Golden Tusk grounds, it soon became apparent that this was due to a dead Cow, and there was now an ever increasing number of Vultures dropping in to take advantage of the free food! They weren’t too far away and we marvelled as at least 25 Himalayan Griffon, 12 White-rumped, 2 Red-headed Vultures, 5+ Cinerous Vultures and at least 5 Steppe Eagles all gathered!

We then headed back into Jhirna zone in another area. After this afternoons drive we were left with one more game drive, so the emphasis now was to try to look a little harder for Tiger, whilst still taking in the birding as we wandered through the park. New birds encountered early afternoon were 3 Large Cuckooshrike, 20 Small Minivets and much better views of 2 Maroon Oriole.

Before heading on any further to look for cats, we were suddenly aware in the forest of some close movement nearby, our guides knew straightaway that a herd of Elephants were very close by, we sat quietly waiting and suddenly we got our first clear views of a large female Elephant, we backed off giving the herd space to pass between our jeeps. It was a lovely moment as there was just our 3 jeeps and nobody else in the area and we had amazing and close views! This was then followed up with an even closer encounter by the river, along with several other jeeps, the whole family of Elephants emerged and one of the Elephants clearly a little unhappy with the proximity of the jeeps, started roaring, a deep rib vibrating roar, as spectacular as the animal itself!

Mid-afternoon quite a few jeeps had gathered near some grassland where a few jeeps had successfully had a Tiger cross the track and it was clear from alarm calls, thet the Tiger was still nearby. As we were waiting here, 2-3 small ‘quail’ appeared along the grassland verge. It took some time, but eventually they appeared on the track just enough to get a proper look at them, proving to be 3 Jungle Bush-quail, not a species that is usually easy to see at this time of the year!

We eventually moved on and were soon waiting patiently again, as a whole series of alarm calls were heard, initially a Spotted Deer, but then a whole troop of Hanuman Langurs, clearly had eyes on a cat! The sounds were mazing and persistent, the general consensus after half an hour was it was a Leopard somewhere below them in the forest and probably not moving, unfortunately. We suddenly then heard further Spotted Deer alarm calls and we drove up a track to join several other jeeps overlooking an extensive area of grassland. The alarm calls were persistent, and 4 of our group, managed to get brief views of a Tiger as it played hide and seek through the tall grass! I never got on to it and sadly it didn’t reappear, so it felt like a rather frustrating sighting, though the build up with all the alarm calls had been very exciting!

We now headed back out after an exciting afternoon, we all just had hoped for a better or longer view!

Overnight at Golden Tusk

The stunning Black-headed Oriole perched atop a tree!
An amazing 6 Oriental Pied Hornbills followed by 22 Great Hornbills
An amazing group of 22 Great Hornbills flew over!
Juvenile Himalayan Griffon Vulture joins around 25 other vultures feeding on a dead cow
The now locally scarce White-rumped Vulture joins around 25 other vultures feeding on a dead cow
This Mother Elephant and Calf crossed the track in front of us
This Bull Elephant accompanying mother and calf

Monday 9th December Corbett NP to Vangat – For our last morning in Corbett we were in at 6.30am, passing the Jungle Owlet again on its usual wire.   This morning we were visiting the Jhirna range, a mixture of grassland and forest, Black-headed Orioles were calling and an Oriental Honey Buzzard drifted over. A Golden Jackal stalked across the track in front of us. We saw signs of Tiger with pug marks along the track but with no alarm calls we continued birding. We had a Wryneck in the grassland, plus a single Thick-billed Flowerpecker, 2 Baya Weaver, Bengal Bushlark, we then hit a nice flock in the park at breakfast in one of the rest areas with Crimson sunbird, 2 Small Niltava, Humes warbler, Lemon-rumped Warbler, 30+ Indian white-eye, 2 Golden-fronted leafbirds and shortly after a White-rumped Shama whilst getting very poor views of Puff-throated Babbler! So, no more Tigers, but another good morning’s birding andwe headed back to camp late morningfor a hearty brunch.

After brunch we gathered luggage and transferred back to minibus transport and we now headed off to our next destination, Vangat. This took us through and along the Kosi River habitat and staring from the windows paid dividends as Jaypee located a species that had so far evaded us good views – the superb, tiny raptor Collared Falconet, sat perched atop a dead tree. We also stopped off to try and see Long-billed thrush again but had poor flight views. We need not have worried, as we headed further up the hillside, Jaypee had the minibus drawing to a sharp halt! There in the middle of the shallow stream was a Long-billed Thrush unusually feeding right out in the open!

We reached Vangat mid-afternoon and offloaded gear to the camp boys at the river bridge. From here, we set off on foot. Our bags followed us thanks staff from the camp. After a mile, the path reached the bank of the river. A wooden raft carried us across two or three at a time before we walked the final stretch to the camp.  The accommodation consists of a number of thatched chalets spread across the grounds with a covered eating area next to an outdoor area where we were given drinks on arrival. A bucket of hot water was brought to our rooms for washing each evening. Owing to the altitude, in the evening each of us was given a hot water bottle. It turned out to be a luxury rather than an essential.

During a very enjoyable 2km walk to the camp, we were soon watching many new birds – Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Mountain Hawk-eagle, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Fulvous breasted Woodpecker, plus 1 Common Woodshrike, 10 Red-vented Bulbul, 10 Himalayan Bulbul, 3 Grey-hooded Warbler, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Velvet-fronted and Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Cinerous Tit, Crimson Sunbird, 10 Oriental White-eye, Plumbeous Redstart, Grey Bushchat and Crested kingfisher.

Next, we all had fun crossing the river on the wooden raft. We were all fitted up with lifejackets & hard hats! We arrived at the camp late afternoon, the feed station near the restaurant area was wonderful to watch on arrival as 10+ Red-billed Leiothrix, 5+ Blue-winged Minla, Kalij Pheasant, 2 Grey-headed Woodpecker, 10 Grey Treepie, 2 Asian emerald Dove and Jungle Babbler all came into feed.

A short walk to the river edge gave us Long-tailed Shrike, White-capped & Plumbeous Redstart,  Grey Wagtail and  White-browed Wagtail. As the sun dropped we watched on as  Bronzed Drongo’s hawked insects over the stunning river, whilst Water Redstarts flitted from rock to rock. Above them, 2 Ghoral (similar to Mountain Goats but in a separate genus of their own) fed sure footed on the vertical exposed cliffs, taking minerals!

Evening snacks were served around a campfire, before we moved to the dining table complete with glowing embers to keeps us warm, now we were higher up and in the open area dining area. Plenty of Sambar alarm calls could be heard, but we were safe inside the electrified fence of the camp!

The evening log was completed under candlelight and head torches, revealing our species total at just over 250 species now!

Overnight at Vangat

The strange looking Long-billed Thrush eventually gave itself up!
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch another stunner of a bird
Blue-winged Siva at the Buddha bird table Vanghat

Tuesday 10th December – Vangat – This morning, we were up early again with a packed breakfast. Josh and Pam decided to stay around the camp on ‘terra firma’ and film some birds around the camp and they had nice views of an array of birds including a Himalayan Rubythroat!

We took the raft and then set off birding on to the other side of the river, and immediately enjoyed good views of Wallcreeper. Once in the forest, we soon hit a nice flock of birds in the with a good flock of Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrikes, plus Lineated and Great barbet, Fulvous breasted Woodpecker, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Lesser Yellownape, Long-tailed and Scarlet Minivets, Maroon Oriole, a superb male Little Pied Flycatcher  Common Woodshrike.

A short distance further on and another flock gave us Common Ioras, Yellow-bellied Fantail Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Himalayan Black-lored tit, Grey Hooded Warbler, Velvet-fronted and Chestnut-Bellied Nuthatch, plus Rufous-bellied Niltava first a female then a lovely male, followed shortly after a Small Niltava and the stunning Black-throated Sunbird. We then continued up to a waterfall area, a beautiful setting and befitting that a Little Forktail was showing very well on the vertical rock face!

It was now midday and getting very warm, so we started heading back, but as we got close to the last descent, Jaypee and Santosh set about looking for Tawny Fish Owl. Initially Jaypee had found one, only for it to take off and possibly disappear!? Jaypee persisted with searching and brilliantly found a second roosting Tawny Fish Owl, after a bit of a struggle we eventually managed to get a scope positioned with the Owl in view and everyone got nice views through the scope.

We reached the camp for a late lunch, and we all decided that we should take a quick dip in the famous Ramaganga river. Before heading in, we were able to watch a lovely shoal of Golden Mahseer! We then all headed into the icy water, let’s say some stayed in a little longer than others! Mid-afternoon there was time for everyone to have a break or rest, before heading out for a late afternoon walk along the river. There were further views of Wallcreeper on arrival by the river, one showing well for a prolonged period on boulders close by. Bronzed Drongo were hunting insects over the trees. The usual White Capped & Plumbeous water redstarts and White-browed and Grey Wagtails were along the river, plus a bonus for Pam and John was that the Tawny Fish owl was still in view, if albeit a little more distant

We then headed towards the grassland and scrub areas, this proved fruitful with Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, plus as we arrived back the “Sleeping buddha’ aka birdtable was alive with birds coming to furit and seeds that had been laid out. Red-billed Leiothrix, Blue-winged Siva, White-crested Laughingthrush, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Blue Whistling Thrush, Grey treepie all showing very well.

We had then just sat down for afternoon tea, when a deep roar sounded, punctuated by a Spotted Deer alarm call very close by, a Tiger was very close by!! Several of the group had headed up to the watchtower in the hope that they would see the Tiger, the sound, a deep ‘ohmmmm’ came again, repeatedly! The guides rounded everyone up and we headed to the edge of the river, where they felt the Tiger would cross, just Dave with the local guide Santosh made it in time as it appeared further down the river exiting on to the near bank. The group stood quietly and carefully together just wondering if it might reappear. The sound was mesmerising, and the tension palpable! After a few minutes it was clear the Tiger had headed up its favourite track Champions Trail, and we were left to ponder a wonderful experience if a little frustrating, as I think most of us thought we were going to get views!

The day was rounded off again with evening snacks served around a campfire and the evening log and dinner was completed under candlelight and head torches!

Overnight at Vangat

The stunning Emerald Dove at Vangat below the buddha bird table
Little Forktail at the mountain stream Vangat
Tawny Fish Owl at Vangat – a superb large Owl found only in primary riverine forest

Wednesday 11th December – Vangat to Sattal – We had breakfast and then prepared to head off over the river via raft and then meet up back with the minibus to journey up to Sattal.

A brief look again at the feeders over breakfast produced Blue-winged Siva, Grey-headed Woodpecker and Red-billed Leiothrix, White-crested laughingthrushes and Great Barbet. We made our farewells to Vangat and were on the trail by 8.30am.

En route we saw a similar mix of birds to the previous day’s birding, with nothing new to be added. We reached the bridge and boarded back into the minibus, for the long steady drive up to Sattal.

A brief stop was made at a local shop selling gifts in aid of local charities and then a birding stop at the dam area near Ramnagar which hosted in excess of 100 Ruddy Shelduck, a widevariety of Egrets and Cormorants, Green and Common Sandpiper, 200 Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Red-rumped Swallow, Common Moorhen,  Red-wattled Lapwing, Indian Pond Heron,  Black Kite, Steppe eagle and 2 White-throated Kingfisher before a hair-pin filled journey onward to Sattal.

Another brief stop was made other than for lunch when 2 Buzzards were circling, this proved a good call as they were 2 Himalayan Buzzard and new for the trip.

We arrived at the Birders’ Den, our hotel for three nights, late afternoon and settled in.

Thursday 12th December – Sattal, Chaffi and Gaula river areas – We were up for an early breakfast at 6am, greeted by a clod clear frosty morning! The day  started rather well right outside the Birders Den reception when a stunning male Chestnut-bellied Rock thrush perched out in the open!

We then took the minibus to the Gaula river area, but not before a stop in the town of Bhimatal, where an Asian Barred Owlet was warming in the first rays of sunshine.

The day continued brilliantly in the Chaffi riverine forest area after a bit of searching, when 2 Spotted Forktails appeared,we watched these for some time slowly getting closer and better views. We then continued our search further downstream; we were searching for the other Forktail species, particularly Slaty-backed, and as we retraced our steps, one person in the group (I can’t recall who now, sorry!) spotted a Forktail sp. and asked.

“Does it have a grey back?”  

“Yes…yes that’s Slaty-backed” I replied!

A few nervy moments followed as it appeared briefly and then disappeared, before reappearing in plain view. Then followed good views of Slaty-backed Forktail for everyone, even standing almost alongside Spotted Forktail at one point! With two of the real target species under the belt we were able not to start properly birding.

So, after this success we then headed much further downstream into the village area, there was quite a few Siberian Chiff-chaffs here, plus the usual assembly of riverine Wagtails and Redstarts. We had brief views of 2 Rufous-breasted Accentors in flight, which despite searching we couldn’t relocate. A Slaty-blue Flycatcher gave tricky views on and off, but as we searched the scrub here, nothing could prepare us for the views we got next! Mike, who was stood about 5m away shouted us over..…”Rubythroat”!! Initially, the bird was on the edge of the vegetation but as we stood quietly it  came out and gave incredible views at close range, Himalayan Rubythroat a true stunner of a bird!

Further along the river, a close Crested Kingfisher posed but we still hadn’t found or Brown Dippers. We stopped off for a cup of chai and whilst enjoying this, connected with Bar-tailed treecreeper and a nice group of Black-throated Tits

It was now late morning, and we decided to head back up the river to our original area. We were greeted by birders watching another roosting Tawny Fish Owl! Then after some further searching, we eventually tracked down 2 Brown Dipper at last! We had good views before the disappeared back downstream, suddenly around the river and the bridge there was a lot of birds in the trees, including 2-3 Whistlers Warblers, another new species for the trip. As we watching these and a Buff-barred Warbler, a flycatcher zipped in and aout of view, eventually we got on to it and it was another little beauty Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher!

After an excellent morning’s birding we headed back to Birders Den for lunch. After lunch we headed to the hide that sits adjacent to the lodge. The hide overlooks a series of well stocked feeders and small man-made pools. This enables birders and photographers unprecedented views of birds that would be tricky to find in the forest, let alone get pictures and such great views!

At times, it was almost overwhelming with four species of Woodpecker; Lesser and Greater Yellownape, Brown-fronted and Grey-headed Woodpecker, plus Kalij Pheasants, Grey-winged Blackbird, Blue-whistling Thrush, Streaked Laughing Thrush, Rufous chinned and White-crested Laughingthrush,  Grey Treepie, Rufous Sibia, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Black-throated, Cinereous and Himalayan Black-lored tits, Red-billed Leiothrix,  and these were regularly joined by the real characters, flocks of White-throated Laughing Thrushes with their attitude and demeanour. Late afternoon we were really spoilt as the Red-billed Blue Magpies arrived en-masse, with their outrageous tails and stunning deep blue plumage, but possibly usurped by a stunning Green Magpie late afternoon!?

For a distraction from all of this, reception held several flowering bushes, and here the nectar attracting 2 Green-tailed Sunbird, including a stunning male and 2 Crimson Sunbirds as well.

It had been another cracking day, full of birds, we celebrated over beers and gin and tonics in the evening.

Overnight Birders’ Den, Sattal

The iconic Spotted Forktail
This stunning Himalayan Rubythroat gave amazing point-blank views
Whistler’s Warbler by the river bridge at Chaffi
The ‘punk of the tit world’, Black-lored Tit
The lovely Greater Yellownape this one a female
The outrageous long tailed, Red-billed Blue Magpie

Friday 13th December – Sattal – We were up again bright and early for breakfast before heading to another hide and feeding station at Sattal Church bird hide, this was going to offer a lot of similar species to Birders Den but with the opportunity for maybe 1-2 species that we hadn’t seen yet, and one particular partridge species.

Within minutes of arrival the feed-station was very busy! An incredible 60 Rufous Turtle Dove were soon present, plus 2 Red Junglefowl, 3 Kalij Pheasant, 3 Great barbet, Greater Yellownape, incredibly 5 species of Laughingthrush, with around 30 White-throated appearing, but also including Streaked, Rufous-chinned and 2 Striated Laughingthrush the latter a was a real stunner. On cue, after about an hour 4 Rufous-throated Partridges warily appeared. The photography was wonderful with close views and good light by 8am onwards, and both Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler and Red-billed Blue Magpie, Green Magpie, also appeared giving great photography opportunities!

A few other species crept into use the pool as well including Black-chinned Babbler, Common Rosefinch, Scaly-breasted Munia, Rufous-bellied Niltava and Blue-winged Minla. Slaty-headed Parakeets also appeared in the nearby trees providing better views of this species. Late morning we headed left the hide and headed to the Sattal area known as the studio area. We walked down through the wooded area to the stream and pool, encountering a small flock which held a White-bellied Epornis, a less regular species on this trip.

A walk along the stream and to the pools was fairly quiet though we did have great close views of another Spotted Forktail! Chestnut-headed Tesia was heard but refused to give views, whilst we couldn’t find any roosting Brown fish Owl at the area we have had them before. The lagoon held Green sandpiper and a couple of Kingfishers. We just had time for chai and a relaxing ten minutes, though the rather overly attentive Rhesus macaques, always on the look out for a food opportunity made it less relaxed than it should have been!

It was now time to head back for lunch and a bit of down time. After lunch, we decided we would have our last session back in the Birders Den hide, that had been the source of so many birds the afternoon before. This afternoon for over an hour the feed station was relatively quiet, which was completely at odds with any previous experience! The reason became apparent after a few birds arrived and then a large shadow passed overhead, briefly perching up, I managed to get my bino’s on to it. I couldn’t quite believe my eyes, it was clearly a Northern Goshawk, presumably attracted to the area by all the birds visiting the feed-station. It then remained quiet for another 15-20 minutes whren the Goshawk returned again passing overhead and everything scattering! Eventually after some time, birds gradually returned and late afternoon in the dying light we had amazing views as 10 Red-billed Blue Magpies appeared and a Green Magpie spent quite some time pulling chicken from one of the branches!

Overnight Birders’ Den, Sattal

Rufous-bellied Niltava – what a stunning bird!
Striated Laughingthrush – just two and only seen at the Church feedstation
Rufous-throated Partridge – four only seen at the Church feedstation
The charismatic looking Black-throated Tit
The vivid plumaged Green Magpie
Yellow-throated marten seen at Sattal coming to the two feed-stations on both days

Saturday 14th December Sattal to Delhi.

With a long journey in front of us, an early departure was made but not before a brief look at the feeders where the assemblage of birds was similar to yesterday. We stopped off for coffee along the way and dropped off Jaypee, and said our goodbyes to our lovely guide in Kashipur, who had been with us during the whole trip.

There was just time now on the way back for another typical Indian roadside stop, on the banks of the Ganges! Amidst the crazy bridge traffic, we managed to park and find a safe area to view the river and sandbanks, with a backdrop to pilgrims bathing in the Holy Water and funeral pyres in the distance, we watched several Pallas’s Gull (aka Great Black-headed!) and several Black-headed Gulls. A walk back through the market area, to find the minibus fully engaged all our senses of sound, smell and sight – a fitting end to the trip!

Our final birds, again typically Indian were around 5,000+ Black Kites soaring over a huge municipal dump area on the outskirts of Delhi! Our final task was to compete with the traffic in Delhi, not to be underestimated! A meal and shower were taken back at the Ashok Hotel before heading off to the airport at around 10.30pm and in good time for all pre-flight formalities for the overnight flight to Heathrow. Security and check-in all went to plan.

Sunday 15th December – Delhi to Heathrow – Plane boarded on time and departed around 3.30am local Delhi time, flight was uneventful and arrived back at London, Heathrow local time around 730am.

The route and locations during the tour.

Delhi-Bharatpur-Chambal River-Bharatpur-Corbett park-Vangat-Sattal-Delhi.

Bird Systematic List

 Common NameScientific Name
1Black FrancolinFrancolinus francolinus
2Grey FrancolinOrtygornis pondicerianus
3Jungle Bush QuailPerdicula asiatica
4Rufous-throated PartridgeArborophila rufogularis
5Red JunglefowlGallus gallus
6Indian PeafowlPavo cristatus
7Lesser Whistling-DuckDendrocygna javanica
8Kalij PheasantLophura leucomelanos
9Greylag GooseAnser anser
10Bar-headed GooseAnser indicus
11Knob-billed DuckSarkidiornis melanotos
12Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferruginea
13Cotton Pygmy-gooseNettapus coromandelianus
14GadwallMareca strepera
15Eurasian WigeonMareca penelope
16Indian Spot-billed DuckAnas poecilorhyncha
17Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeata
18Northern PintailAnas acuta
19GarganeySpatula querquedula
20Eurasian/Green-winged TealAnas crecca
21Red-crested PochardNetta rufina
22Common PochardAythya ferina
23Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
24Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis
25Painted StorkMycteria leucocephala
26Asian OpenbillAnastomus oscitans
27Black StorkCiconia nigra
28Asian Woolly-necked StorkCiconia episcopus
29Black-necked StorkEphippiorhynchus asiaticus
30Black-headed IbisThreskiornis melanocephalus
31Red-naped IbisPseudibis papillosa
32Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellus
33Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodia
34Black BitternIxobrychus flavicollis
35Striated HeronButorides striata
36Black-crowned Night HeronNycticorax nycticorax
37Indian Pond HeronArdeola grayii
38Grey HeronArdea cinerea
39Purple HeronArdea purpurea
40Eastern Cattle EgretBubulcus coromandus
41Great White EgretArdea alba
42Medium EgretArdea intermedia
43Little EgretEgretta garzetta
44Oriental DarterAnhinga melanogaster
45Little CormorantMicrocarbo niger
46Indian CormorantPhalacrocorax fuscicollis
47Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
48Collared FalconetMicrohierax caerulescens
49Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinus
50Black-winged KiteElanus caeruleus
51Black KiteMilvus migrans
52Pallas’s Fish-EagleHaliaeetus leucoryphus
53Crested Honey-buzzardPernis ptilorhynchus
54Egyptian VultureNeophron percnopterus
55White-rumped VultureGyps bengalensis
56Himalayan GriffonGyps himalayensis
57Black VultureAegypius monachus
58Red-headed VultureSarcogyps calvus
59Crested Serpent-EagleSpilornis cheela
60Western Marsh HarrierCircus aeruginosus
61ShikraAccipiter badius
62Eurasian SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus
63Northern GoshawkAccipiter gentilis
64White-eyed BuzzardButastur teesa
65Himalayan BuzzardButeo refectus
66Long-legged BuzzardButeo rufinus
67Indian Spotted EagleClanga hastata
68Greater Spotted EagleClanga clanga
69Steppe EagleAquila nipalensis
70Bonelli’s EagleAquila fasciata
71Changeable Hawk-EagleNisaetus cirrhatus
72Mountain Hawk-EagleNisaetus nipalensis
73White-breasted WaterhenAmaurornis phoenicurus
74Grey-headed SwamphenPorphyrio poliocephalus
75Common MoorhenGallinula chloropus
76Eurasian CootFulica atra
77Sarus CraneAntigone antigone
78Great Thick-kneeEsacus recurvirostris
79Pheasant-tailed JacanaHydrophasianus chirurgus
80Bronze-winged JacanaMetopidius indicus
81IbisbillIbidorhyncha struthersii
82AvocetRecurvirostra avosetta
83Black-winged StiltHimantopus himantopus
84River LapwingVanellus duvaucelii
85Red-wattled LapwingVanellus indicus
86White-tailed LapwingVanellus leucurus
87Little ringed PloverCharadrius dubius
88Kentish PloverAnarhynchus alexandrinus
89RuffCalidris pugnax
90Common SnipeGallinago gallinago
91Spotted RedshankTringa erythropus
92Common RedshankTringa totanus
93Common GreenshankTringa nebularia
94Marsh SandpiperTringa stagnatilis
95Green SandpiperTringa ochropus
96Wood SandpiperTringa glareola
97Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos
98Temminck’s StintCalidris temminckii
99DunlinCalidris alpina
100Pallas’s GullIchthyaetus ichthyaetus
101Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
102River TernSterna aurantia
103Little TernSternula albifrons)
104Black-bellied TernSterna acuticauda
105Indian SkimmerRynchops albicollis
106Rock DoveColumba livia
107Rufous Turtle DoveStreptopelia orientalis
108Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
109Spotted DoveSpilopelia chinensis
110Laughing DoveSpilopelia senegalensis
111Yellow-footed Green-PigeonTreron phoenicopterus
112Pin-tailed Green-PigeonTreron apicauda
113Asian Emerald DoveChalcophaps indica
114Alexandrine ParakeetPsittacula eupatria
115Ring-necked ParakeetPsittacula krameri
116Slaty-headed ParakeetPsittacula himalayana
117Plum-headed ParakeetPsittacula cyanocephala
118Red-breasted ParakeetPsittacula alexandri
119Common Hawk-CuckooHierococcyx varius
120Greater CoucalCentropus sinensis
121Indian Scops OwlOtus bakkamoena
122Asian Barred OwletGlaucidium cuculoides
123Jungle OwletGlaucidium radiatum
124Spotted OwletAthene brama
125Dusky Eagle OwlKetupa coromanda
126Tawny Fish-OwlKetupa flavipes
127Indian NightjarCaprimulgus asiaticus
128Crested TreeswiftHemiprocne coronata
129Little SwiftApus affinis
130Eurasian HoopoeUpupa epops
131Indian RollerCoracias benghalensis
132Stork-billed KingfisherPelargopsis capensis
133White-throated KingfisherHalcyon smyrnensis
134Common KingfisherAlcedo atthis
135Crested KingfisherMegaceryle lugubris
136Pied KingfisherCeryle rudis
137Blue-bearded Bee-eaterNyctyornis athertoni
138Asian Green Bee-eaterMerops orientalis
139Indian Grey HornbillOcyceros birostris
140Oriental Pied-HornbillAnthracoceros albirostris
141Great HornbillBuceros bicornis
142Great BarbetPsilopogon virens
143Brown-headed BarbetPsilopogon zeylanicus
144Lineated BarbetPsilopogon lineatus
145Blue-throated BarbetPsilopogon asiaticus
146Coppersmith BarbetPsilopogon haemacephalus
147Eurasian WryneckJynx torquilla
148Great Slaty WoodpeckerMulleripicus pulverulentus)
149Grey-capped Pygmy WoodpeckerYungipicus canicapillus
150Fulvous-breasted WoodpeckerDendrocopos macei
151Brown-fronted WoodpeckerDendrocoptes auriceps
152Yellow-crowned WoodpeckerLeiopicus mahrattensis
153Lesser YellownapePicus chlorolophus
154Greater YellownapeChrysophlegma flavinucha
155Streak-throated WoodpeckerPicus xanthopygaeus
156Grey-headed WoodpeckerPicus canus
157Himalayan FlamebackDinopium shorii
158Lesser FlamebackDinopium benghalense
159Common WoodshrikeTephrodornis pondicerianus
160Large Cuckoo-shrikeCoracina macei)
161Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrikeHemipus picatus
162Common IoraAegithina tiphia
163Small MinivetPericrocotus cinnamomeus
164Long-tailed MinivetPericrocotus ethologus
165Scarlet MinivetPericrocotus speciosus
166Brown ShrikeLanius cristatus
167Isabelline (Daurian) ShrikeLanius isabellinus
168Bay-backed ShrikeLanius vittatus
169Southern Great Grey ShrikeLanius excubitor
170Long-tailed ShrikeLanius schach
171Lesser racket-tailed drongoDicrurus remifer
172Hair-crested DrongoDicrurus hottentottus
173Black DrongoDicrurus macrocercus
174Ashy DrongoDicrurus leucophaeus
175White-bellied DrongoDicrurus caerulescens
176Bronzed DrongoDicrurus aeneus
177Black-hooded OrioleOriolus xanthornus
178Maroon OrioleOriolus traillii
179Yellow-bellied Fairy-FantailChelidorhynx hypoxanthus
180White-throated FantailRhipidura albicollis
181Black-headed JayGarrulus lanceolatus
182Red-billed Blue-MagpieUrocissa erythroryncha
183Common Green-MagpieCissa chinensis
184Rufous TreepieDendrocitta vagabunda
185Grey TreepieDendrocitta formosae
186Large-billed CrowCorvus macrorhynchos
187Jungle CrowCorvus levaillantii
188House CrowCorvus splendens
189Cinereous TitParus cinereus
190Green-backed TitParus monticolus
191Himalayan Black-lored TitMachlolophus xanthogenys
192Black-throated TitAegithalos concinnus
193Grey-throated (Plain) MartinRiparia chinensis
194Streak-throated SwallowPetrochelidon fluvicola
195Wire-tailed SwallowHirundo smithii
196Barn SwallowHirundo rustica
197Red-rumped SwallowCecropis daurica
198Bengal BushlarkMirafra assamica
199Indian BushlarkMirafra erythroptera
200Ashy-crowned Sparrow-LarkEremopterix griseus
201Crested LarkGalerida cristata
202Himalayan BulbulPycnonotus leucogenys
203White-eared BulbulPycnonotus leucotis
204Black-crested BulbulRubigula flaviventris
205Red-whiskered BulbulPycnonotus jocosus
206Red-vented BulbulPycnonotus cafer
207Ashy BulbulHemixos flavala
208Mountain BulbulIxos mcclellandii
209Black BulbulHypsipetes leucocephalus
210Striated PriniaRiparia riparia
211Grey-breasted PriniaPrinia hodgsonii
212Graceful PriniaPrinia gracilis
213Ashy PriniaPrinia socialis
214Plain PriniaPrinia inornata
215Zitting CisticolaCisticola juncidis
216Common TailorbirdOrthotomus sutorius
217Clamorous Reed WarblerAcrocephalus stentoreus
218Blyth’s Reed WarblerAcrocephalus dumetorum
219Common (Siberian) ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita tristis
220Dusky WarblerPhylloscopus fuscatus
221Buff-barred WarblerPhylloscopus pulcher
222Lemon-rumped WarblerPhylloscopus chloronotus
223Hume’s WarblerPhylloscopus humei
224Greenish WarblerPhylloscopus trochiloides
225Whistler’s WarblerPhylloscopus whistleri
226Grey-hooded WarblerPhylloscopus xanthoschistos
227Lesser WhitethroatCurruca curruca
228Puff-throated BabblerPellorneum ruficeps
229Black-chinned YuhinaYuhina nigrimenta
230Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-BabblerErythrogenys erythrogenys
231Common BabblerArgya caudata
232Large Grey BabblerArgya malcolmi
233Jungle BabblerArgya striata
234White-throated LaughingthrushPterorhinus albogularis
235White-crested LaughingthrushGarrulax leucolophus
236Striated LaughingthrushGrammatoptila striata
237Rufous-chinned LaughingthrushIanthocincla rufogularis
238Streaked LaughingthrushTrochalopteron lineatum
239Red-billed LeiothrixLeiothrix lutea
240Blue-winged MinlaActinodura cyanouroptera
241Rufous SibiaHeterophasia capistrata
242White-bellied EpornisErpornis zantholeuca)
243Yellow-eyed BabblerChrysomma sinense
244Indian White-eyeZosterops palpebrosus
245Brown DipperCinclus pallasii
246Chestnut-bellied NuthatchSitta cinnamoventris
247Velvet-fronted NuthatchSitta frontalis
248WallcreeperTichodroma muraria
249Bar-tailed TreecreeperCerthia himalayana
250Bank MynaAcridotheres ginginianus
251Common MynaAcridotheres tristis
252Indian Pied StarlingGracupica contra
253Brahminy StarlingSturnia pagodarum
254Blue Whistling-ThrushMyophonus caeruleus
255Long-billed ThrushZoothera monticola
256Grey-winged BlackbirdTurdus boulboul
257BluethroatLuscinia svecica
258Himalayan RubythroatCalliope pectoralis
259Oriental Magpie-RobinCopsychus saularis
260White-rumped ShamaCopsychus malabaricus
261Indian RobinCopsychus fulicatus
262Plumbeous RedstartPhoenicurus fuliginosus
263White-capped RedstartPhoenicurus leucocephalus
264Eastern Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochruros
265Little ForktailEnicurus scouleri
266Slaty-backed ForktailEnicurus schistaceus
267Spotted ForktailEnicurus maculatus
268Siberian StonechatSaxicola maurus
269Pied BushchatSaxicola caprata
270Grey BushchatSaxicola ferreus
271Variable WheatearOenanthe picata
272Brown Rock ChatOenanthe fusca
273Blue Rock ThrushMonticola solitarius
274Chestnut bellied Rock ThrushMonticola rufiventris
275Rufous-gorgeted FlycatcherFicedula strophiata
276Red-breasted FlycatcherFicedula parva
277Little Pied FlycatcherFicedula westermanni
278Slaty-blue FlycatcherFicedula tricolor
279Grey-headed Canary-FlycatcherCulicicapa ceylonensis
280Rufous-bellied NiltavaNiltava sundara
281Small NiltavaNiltava macgrigoriae
282Golden-fronted LeafbirdPloceus aureonucha
283Purple SunbirdCinnyris asiaticus
284Black-throated SunbirdAethopyga saturata
285Green-tailed SunbirdAethopyga nipalensis
286Crimson SunbirdAethopyga siparaja
287House SparrowPasser domesticus
288Russet SparrowPasser cinnamomeus
289Chestnut-shouldered PetroniaGymnoris xanthocollis)
290Black-breasted WeaverPloceus benghalensis)
291Indian SilverbillEuodice malabarica
292Red AvadavatAmandava amandava
293Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulata
294Rufous-breasted AccentorPrunella strophiata
295Citrine WagtailMotacilla citreola
296Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea
297White WagtailMotacilla alba
298White-browed WagtailMotacilla maderaspatensis
299Paddyfield PipitAnthus rufulus
300Tawny PipitAnthus campestris
301Olive-backed PipitAnthus hodgsoni
302Yellow-breasted GreenfinchChloris spinoides
303Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinus

Mammals & Others recorded

MAMMALSOTHERS
Greater Indian Fruit BatGharial Crocodile
Rhesus MacaqueMugger Crocodile
Hanuman LangurIndian Rock Python
Himalayan LangurIndian Rat Snake
Golden JackalSoft-shelled Roof Turtle
TigerGolden Mahseer (fish)
Indian Elephant 
Wild Boar 
Indian Muntjac 
Ghoral 
Sambar 
Spotted Deer or Chital 
Nilgai or Blue Bull 
Indian Palm Squirrel 
Yellow-throated Marten 
Indian Grey Mongoose 

A big thanks to the guides Sumantha Ghosh, Jaypee and Brijendra, plus our amazing driver Farook who drove us carefully and efficiently throughout the trip. Finally, also thank you to the group for joining us  who made it a pleasurable and fun trip to guide.

Future tours – If you are interested in joining us in India then we have a tour in December 2025 please take a look at the following page for details

W: www.oriolebirding.com             E: info@oriolebirding.com                                   T: 0800 999 3036