DOCSLIB.ORG

Northern India & the Himalayan Foothills

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Northern India & the Himalayan Foothills Northern India & the Himalayan Foothills Naturetrek Tour Report 11 - 27 January 2019 Gharial & Indian Skimmers Ibisbill & Little Egrets White-browed Shrike-babbler Indian Flying Fox Report & Images by Harish Sharma Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Tour Report Northern India & the Himalayan Foothills Tour participants: Harish Sharma (tour leader) with three Naturetrek clients Introduction This January 2019, “Northern India and The Himalayan Foothills’ tour was again a great success with 338 species of birds, 20 species of mammals, four species of reptiles and some other wonderful wildlife and culture of Northern India. On this tour, we followed a superb classical itinerary that took us to a wide variety of habitats from rich wetlands to the freshwater rivers and the dry savanna woodlands to mixed countryside habitats, sal forest and the bird-filled Himalayan foothills. This Naturetrek tour has many highlights and among them were: 55 Indian Skimmers, Ibisbill, Wallcreeper, five species of Kingfishers including the Crested and Stork-billed Kingfisher, seven species of Owls including the Collared Owlet, Tawny Fish Owl and Dusky Eagle-Owl, many species of raptors including the Imperial, Booted. Indian and Greater Spotted Eagles, Crested Serpent Eagle (eating a serpent), Mountain Hawk-Eagle, five Species of Vultures including the Himalayan Griffon and critically endangered Indian Vulture, 10 species of woodpeckers including the Great Slaty and Rufous-bellied Woodpecker and many other rarities as Greater Painted Snipe, Black Bittern, Jungle (Grey) Nightjar, Slaty-backed and Spotted Forktails, Brown Dipper, Black- bellied Tern, Orange-headed, Long-billed and Chestnut Thrush, Orange-flanked Bluetail, Blue-bearded Bee- eater, Himalayan Shrike-Babbler (split from White-browed), Blue-winged Minla, Red-billed Leiothrix, Great Hornbill, Red-billed Blue Magpies, a magnificent pair of Sarus Cranes, Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Greater Flamingoes and the several species of Bulbuls, Flycatchers, Warblers, Laughingthrushes, Redstarts and Sunbirds. Among the mammals and reptiles, highlights of the tour were: Common Grey Mongoose, brilliant encounters with Gangetic Dolphin, Marsh Mugger and Gharial and the Bengal Fox (which was seen first time on this itinerary, on Chambal river boat trip), superb views of the Golden Jackals and sun-basking Indian Rock Python in Keoladeo, close encounter of Asian Wild Elephants, Nilgai, Sambar Deer, Nepal Grey Langur and several other species of deer and monkeys. However, perhaps the top highlight must be a brilliant sighting of a male Royal Bengal Tiger, resting in a dry stream in Corbett National park. We also enjoyed the Indian food, Masala Chai almost everyday, driving through the countryside villages and its people, temples and the holy river Ganges. This tour is truly more than just birds and undoubtably, it was another a great Naturetrek tour! Day 1 Friday 11th January The group travelled from the UK Day 2 Saturday 12th January Arrived New Delhi & in the afternoon visit Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary The international flight from London arrived on time at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, where the Naturetrek guests were welcomed by the tour leader and walked to the parking area. After settling in the air- conditioned car, we drove for about eight minutes to the Hotel Novotel, Airocity. After doing early check in © Naturetrek August 19 1 Northern India & the Himalayan Foothills Tour Report formalities, we had enough time for a wash and change and a hot lunch before we headed to Sultanpur National Park (a bird Sanctuary) in the state of Haryana. It took about an hour to reach there. The weather was sunny and some of the highlights of Sultanpur bird Sanctuary were a Brooks’s Leaf Warbler, which is rarity of this place, Grey and Purple Heron, Painted and Black-necked Stork, Eurasian Hoopoe, White-tailed-Lapwing, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Glossy Ibis, Greater Flamingo, White-throated Kingfishers, Red Avadavat and Bluethroat. Sultanpur is the great place to start any birding tour of Northern India. We returned in the evening for over-night stay at the Hotel Novotel., New Delhi. Day 3 Sunday 13th January Drive to Bharatpur and afternoon visit Keoladeo National Park We checked out the hotel after breakfast and drove for five to six hours to Bharatpur in the state of Rajasthan. We made our first stop at the outskirt of Delhi to see Crested Lark perched on the electric wires, Black Drongos, Long-tailed Shrike, Black-winged Kite and the Rose-ringed Parakeets. Later on, we had great views of Indian Sarus Crane, feeding in a small wetland area, where we also saw Long-legged Buzzard, Indian Silverbill, Green Sandpiper, White-throated kingfisher, a mixed flock of Plain Martins, Barn Swallows and Wire-tailed Swallows, White and Citrine Wagtails with some other common birds. After driving three hours, we made a stop for tea/coffee; there we saw a Shikra perched on a tree and several Bank Mynas and Asian Pied Starlings on other trees. In Bharatpur, we stayed the Hotel Birders Inn, situated five minutes walking distance from the bird sanctuary. After a delicious hot lunch, we drove to the park gate and we hired cycle rickshaw to go bird watching in Keoladeo National Park. It was founded by the Maharajas of Bharatpur under the British Raj in late 18th century, who developed it for duck shooting. Known locally as Ghana, the bird sanctuary which was declared a National park in 1981 and was listed in the World Heritage Natural Site in 1985. The park attracts over 380 species of birds which migrate from Russia, Central Asia, Europe and Himalaya. Some of the good birds seen today were Spotted Owlet, Rufous Treepie, Black Drongo, Long-tailed Shrike, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Indian Robin, Southern Coucal, Brown-headed Barbet, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Western Marsh Harrier, Red- crested Pochard, Indian Spot-billed Duck and Purple Sunbird. We saw new mammals such as Asiatic Golden Jackal and the Spotted Deer. After spending a few hours’ good time, we returned to our hotel. Day 4 Monday 14th January Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur Today we did morning and afternoon birding into the park by cycle rickshaw. It was little misty in the morning but got clear around 11am and then was very pleasant weather. In the morning, we did the nursery and the woodland area and had some great birds including the Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Spotted Owlet, Egyptian Vultures perched on the dead trees, Grey Francolins, Indian Grey Hornbill, Orange-headed Thrush, Tickell’s Thrush, Coppersmith Barbet, Grey Bush Chat, Citrine Wagtail, Indian Stone-curlew (Thick-knee) and Yellow- throated Sparrow (also known as Chestnut-shouldered Petronia). While we were searching for the Stone-curlew, we had a brilliant encounter with a big Indian Rock Python, sun-basking near the burrows. 2 © Naturetrek August 19 Northern India & the Himalayan Foothills Tour Report After a hot lunch, we did the main road towards Sapan Mori area and enjoyed the boat ride, which was a great experience, where we saw a Jungle (Grey) Nightjar roosting on a tree and mixed flocks of waterfowl. Other great birds seen today were Black Bittern, Knob-billed (Comb) Duck, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Bay-backed Shrike, Dusky Eagle-Owl, Indian and Greater Spotted Eagles, Imperial and Booted Eagles, Indian Cormorant, and Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans. We stayed overnight at Hotel Birders Inn. Day 5 Tuesday 15th January Bayana. Bund Baretha and Chambal river After hot breakfast, we left with a packed lunch for a full-day excursion to Bayana, Bund Baretha and Chambal river. Today we drove through the countryside, with villages, all the fields were full of yellow flowers of mustard, dry terrain and some rocky areas. In the evening we had a boat ride in the Chambal river. Our first stop was near the railway line where we had brilliant views of Red Avadavat, Scaly-breasted Munias, Indian Silverbill, Plain and Ashy Prinias. Baya Weavers and Common Babblers were feeding on the tall reed grass. Later on, we approached the Bayana hills near the Bayana town and walked through a wonderful street to the nesting place of Indian Vultures, a critically endangered species of India. There we had some great views of Indian Vultures nesting on the cliffs and saw a dozen of them sun-basking on the top of the small hill. Some other good birds seen here including the Indian Chat, Common Kestrel, Plum-headed Parakeets, Dusky Crag Martin, Citrine and Grey Wagtail, Rufous-tailed Lark, Common Babbler, Yellow-eyed Babbler etc. Later we drove towards the Bund Baretha and had the masala tea/coffee break at the irrigation department inspection bungalow. There was a large roosting colony of Indian Flying Foxes (Fruit Bats) that roosts in the Mango and Ficus trees. After saying thanks to the Chaiwala, we were on the road again and had a wonderful sighting of an Asiatic Golden Jackal feasting on a carcass. In the same place we saw Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Desert and Variable Wheatears, Indian Bush Lark, and Great Grey Shrike. (The Grey Shrikes here used to be known as Southern Grey but are now included as Great Grey). Our packed lunches were eaten at a scenic and wonderful place called Talabshahi. Duck shoots were organized here by maharajas of Dholpur before 1971. While we were having our picnic lunch, we saw an Osprey catching a fish in front of us and also saw a River Tern and Dalmatian Pelicans. In the afternoon, we reached at the Chambal river or Gharial sanctuary there we had a boat trip which was absolutely amazing. We enjoyed 55 Indian Skimmers sun-basking near the Gharial, a Black-bellied Tern, Great Stone-curlew (Thick-knee), Kentish Plover, Blue Rock Thrush, and Spotted Owlet perched in a hole.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Divergence of Populaitions of Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla Flava, and Citrine Wagtail, Motacilla Citreola (Motacillidae, Passeriformes), in the Middle Volga of Russia
    Vestnik zoologii, 50(2): 135–146, 2016 DOI 10.1515/vzoo-2016-0016 UDC 598.2:598.829:591.5 DIVERGENCE OF POPULAITIONS OF YELLOW WAGTAIL, MOTACILLA FLAVA, AND CITRINE WAGTAIL, MOTACILLA CITREOLA (MOTACILLIDAE, PASSERIFORMES), IN THE MIDDLE VOLGA OF RUSSIA E. A. Artemieva, A. V. Mishchenko, D. K. Makarov Ulyanovsk State Pedagogical University of I. N. Ulyanov, sq. 100-letia of V. I. Lenin, 4, Ulyanovsk, 432700 Russia [email protected] Divergence of Populations of Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla fl ava, and Citrine wagtaill, Motacilla citreola (Motacillidae, Passeriformes), in the Middle Volga of Russia. Artemieva, E. A., Mishchenko, A. V., Makarov, D. K. — Blood samples of “yellow” wagtails collected in the areas geographically representing the Middle Volga breeding populations of these species were investigated. Aft er isolation of mtDNA barkoding of studied “yellow” wagtails species was conducted. Amplifi cation of the subunit of cytochrome oxidase I gene used as a genetic marker for the comparison of the samples was carried out. Aft er sequencing and sequence alignment of gene cytochrome c-oxidase I, based on the comparison of genetic distances between individuals of the studied species using Jalview phylogenetic trees of populations of species Motacilla fl ava Linnaeus, 1758 and Motacilla citreola Pallas, 1776 were constructed. Key words: phenotype, genotype, population, mtDNA barkoding, wagtails, Middle Volga. Introduction Among the most controversial in the taxonomic terms groupings passerine bird occupies a special place polytypical complex Motacilla fl ava in sensu lato (Gladkov, 1954; Portenko, 1960; Stepanyan, 1990; Sotnikov, 2006; Artemyeva, Muraviev, 2012 b), forms the group’s inherent very complex individual and geographical variability (Zarudny 1891; Beregovoy, 1970; Bakhtadze, 1987; Grichik, 1992; Babenko, 1981; Red’kin, 2001 a, 2001 b; Muraviev et al., 2014; Cramp, 1988; Artemieva, et al., 2013) .
    [Show full text]
  • Download Download
    Ornithological Observations http://oo.adu.org.za An electronic journal published by the Animal Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town and BirdLife South Africa Ornithological Observations accepts papers containing faunistic information about birds. This includes descriptions of distribution, behaviour, breeding, foraging, food, movement, measurements, habitat and plumage. It will also consider for publication a variety of other interesting or relevant ornithological material: reports of projects and conferences, annotated checklists for a site or region, specialist bibliographies, and any other interesting or relevant material. Editor: Arnold van der Westhuizen FOUR RECORDS OF CITRINE WAGTAIL MOTACILLA CITREOLA IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE BIGGER PICTURE Les G Underhill Recommended citation format: Underhill LG 2015. Four records of Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola in South Africa: the bigger picture. Ornithological Observations, Vol 6: 65-67 URL: http://oo.adu.org.za/content.php?id=180 Published online: 02 May 2015 (with corrections on 02 May 2015) - ISSN 2219-0341 - Ornithological Observations, Vol 6: 65-67 65 FOUR RECORDS OF CITRINE WAGTAIL MOTACILLA CITREOLA IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE BIGGER PICTURE Les G Underhill* Animal Demography Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 * Corresponding author: [email protected] Citrine Wagtails Motacilla citreola have a vast breeding range in central Eurasia. In the west, this range extends from Finland via Poland to Turkey and covers roughly the eastern half of Europe, and it continues eastwards to about half way across Asia; the range extends from roughly the Himalayas in the south to Siberia in the north (Tyler 2004). The breeding range is expanding westwards across Europe (Tyler 2004).
    [Show full text]
  • The Institute for Bird Populations 2012
    BIRD POPULATIONS A journal of global avian biogeography Volume 11 2012 (2011-2012) Bird Populations 11:1-6 © The Institute for Bird Populations 2012 A SURVEY OF AVIFAUNAL DIVERSITY IN WETLANDS AROUND KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK, BHARATPUR, RAJASTHAN, INDIA1 BHUMESH SINGH BHADOURIA2, VINOD B. MATHUR, AND K. SIVAKUMAR Wildlife Institute of India Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India K. R. ANOOP Keoladeo National Park Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India Abstract. Keoladeo National Park, a world heritage site, is famous for its rich avifaunal diversity but is now facing water shortages. Therefore, many species of migratory birds have been moving to nearby wetlands for foraging. In this connection, a survey was carried out during 2009-10 to understand the status of birds and their use of these wetlands. A total of 27 wetlands have been identified within 100 km radius of the Keoladeo National Park, and within them 75 species of water birds were recorded. Of the 27 wetlands, Rediabundh is the most species rich with 44 bird species, while only one species was found in Chicksana wetland. Larger-sized wetlands with more water attracted larger numbers of species, including more individual birds, than the smaller wetlands. A landscape level conservation plan, including these wetlands, is needed for the long term conservation of birds in Keoladeo National Park. Key words: India, Keoladeo National Park, Rediabundh, Wetland bird populations. DIVERSIDAD AVIFAUNISTICA EN LOS HUMEDALES ALEDAÑOS AL PARQUE NACIONAL KEOLADEO, BHARATPUR, RAJASTHAN, INDIA Resumen. El Parque Nacional Keoladeo, sitio patrimonio de la humanidad, es famoso por su rica diversidad de aves pero se enfrenta a cortes de agua.
    [Show full text]
  • Motacilla Citreola
    Report under the Article 12 of the Birds Directive European Environment Agency Period 2008-2012 European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity Motacilla citreola Annex I No International action plan No Citrine Wagtail, Motacilla citreola, is a species of passerine bird in the wagtail and pipit family found in wetland ecosystems. Motacilla citreola has a breeding population size of 240-510 pairs and a breeding range size of 18700 square kilometres in the EU27. The breeding population trend in the EU27 is Increasing in the short term and Increasing in the long term. The EU population status of Motacilla citreola was assessed as Secure, because the species does not meet any of the IUCN Red List criteria for threatened or Near Threatened, or the criteria for Depleted or Declining (the EU27 population or range has not declined by 20% or more since 1980). Page 1 Motacilla citreola Report under the Article 12 of the Birds Directive Assessment of status at the European level Breeding Breeding range Winter population Breeding population trend Range trend Winter trend Population population size Short Long area Short Long population size Short Long status term term term term term term 240 - 510 p + + 18700 Secure See the endnotes for more informationi Page 2 Motacilla citreola Report under the Article 12 of the Birds Directive Page 3 Motacilla citreola Report under the Article 12 of the Birds Directive Trends at the Member State level Breeding Breeding range Winter population Winter % in Breeding population trend Range trend trend MS/Ter. population EU27 population size area Short Long Short Long size Short Long term term term term term term EE 30.7 40 - 80 p + + 6500 + + FI 30.7 5 - 30 p + + 6100 x + LT 17.3 100 - 200 p + + 2200 0 0 LV 17.3 50 - 130 p + + 3680 x + PL 50 - 60 p + + x x SK 4.0 0 - 2 p x + 300 + + See the endnotes for more informationii Page 4 Motacilla citreola Report under the Article 12 of the Birds Directive Page 5 Motacilla citreola Report under the Article 12 of the Birds Directive Short-term winter population trend was not reported for this species.
    [Show full text]
  • Genetic Divergence of the Species of the Yellow Wagtails Group (Passeriformes, Motacillidae) in European Territory of Russia
    Vestnik zoologii, 50(2): 279–282, 2016 DOI 10.1515/vzoo-2016-0034 UDC 598.2:598.829:591.5 GENETIC DIVERGENCE OF THE SPECIES OF THE YELLOW WAGTAILS GROUP (PASSERIFORMES, MOTACILLIDAE) IN EUROPEAN TERRITORY OF RUSSIA E. A. Artemieva, A. V. Mishchenko, D. K. Makarov Ulyanovsk State Pedagogical University of I. N. Ulyanov, 100-letiya of V. I. Lenin birth sq., 4, Ulyanovsk, RUS-432700 Russia E-mail: [email protected] Genetic Divergence of the Species of the Yellow Wagtails Group (Passeriformes, Motacillidae) in European Territory of Russia. Artemieva, E. A., Mishchenko, A. V., Makarov, D. K. — Phenotypic and genotypic diversity of populations of species of the yellow wagtails in the space of their ranges in a wide sympatry refl ects the mechanisms of reproductive isolation of species and forms of subspecies rank and features of microevolution group — polytypic complex Motacilla fl ava Linnaeus, 1758. Th e distribution of species of the yellow wagtails in the European part of Russia is sympatric. Th e purpose of this study was to investigate whether sympatric settlement led to any genetic separation between the populations of these species. 20 blood samples and 2 samples of eggs collected in areas geographically representing the MID and the southern Russian breeding populations of these species, including all juvenile ringed in 2012, were used. Aft er the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 4 types of the yellow wagtails group Motacilla fl ava L., 1758; M. feldegg Michahelles, 1830; M. lutea (S. G. Gmelin, 1774); M. cilreola Pallas, 1776 (Passeriformes, Motacillidae) were sequenced. Aft er aligning the sequences of the gene cytochrome oxidase I, based on the comparison of genetic distances between these species phylogenetic tree of genus Motacilla was constructed.
    [Show full text]
  • Migratory Birds of Ladakh a Brief Long Distance Continental Migration
    WORLD'S MIGRATORY BIRDS DAY 08 MAY, 2021 B R O W N H E A D E D G U L L MIGRATORY BIRDS OF LADAKH A BRIEF LONG DISTANCE CONTINENTAL MIGRATION the Arctic Ocean and the Indian Ocean, and comprises several migration routes of waterbirds. It also touches “West Asian- East African Flyway”. Presence of number of high-altitude wetlands (>2500 m amsl altitude) with thin human population makes Ladakh a suitable habitat for migration and breeding of continental birds, including wetlands of very big size (e.g., Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar, etc.). C O M M O N S A N D P I P E R Ladakh provides a vast habitat for the water birds through its complex Ladakh landscape has significance network of wetlands including two being located at the conjunction of most important wetlands (Tso Moriri, four zoogeographic zones of the world Tso Kar) which have been designated (Palearctic, Oriental, Sino-Japanese and as Ramsar sites. Sahara-Arabian). In India, Ladakh landscape falls in Trans-Himalayan Nearly 89 bird species (long distance biogeographic zone and two provinces migrants) either breed or roost in (Ladakh Mountains, 1A) and (Tibetan Ladakh, and most of them (59) are Plateau, 1B). “Summer Migrants”, those have their breeding grounds here. Trans-Himalayan Ladakh is an integral part of the "Central Asian Flyway" of migratory birds which a large part of the globe (Asia and Europe) between Ladakh also hosts 25 bird species, during their migration along the Central Asian Flyway, as “Passage Migrants” which roost in the region.
    [Show full text]
  • Red List of Bangladesh 2015
    Red List of Bangladesh Volume 1: Summary Chief National Technical Expert Mohammad Ali Reza Khan Technical Coordinator Mohammad Shahad Mahabub Chowdhury IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature Bangladesh Country Office 2015 i The designation of geographical entitles in this book and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature concerning the legal status of any country, territory, administration, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The biodiversity database and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily reflect those of IUCN, Bangladesh Forest Department and The World Bank. This publication has been made possible because of the funding received from The World Bank through Bangladesh Forest Department to implement the subproject entitled ‘Updating Species Red List of Bangladesh’ under the ‘Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection (SRCWP)’ Project. Published by: IUCN Bangladesh Country Office Copyright: © 2015 Bangladesh Forest Department and IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holders, provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holders. Citation: Of this volume IUCN Bangladesh. 2015. Red List of Bangladesh Volume 1: Summary. IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp. xvi+122. ISBN: 978-984-34-0733-7 Publication Assistant: Sheikh Asaduzzaman Design and Printed by: Progressive Printers Pvt.
    [Show full text]
  • The Autumn Migration of the Citrine Wagtail, Motacilla Citreola, in the Lviv Region (W
    THE RING 42 (2020) 10.2478/ring-2020-0003 THE AUTUMN MIGRATION OF THE CITRINE WAGTAIL, MOTACILLA CITREOLA, IN THE LVIV REGION (W. UKRAINE) DURING ITS RANGE EXPANSION Oksana S. Hnatyna, Ihor M. Horban and Maryana A. Senyk ABSTRACT Hnatyna O. S., Horban I. M., Senyk M. A. 2020. The autumn migration of the Citrine Wagtail, Motacilla citreola, in the Lviv region (W. Ukraine) during its range expansion. Ring 42: 39–50. The Citrine Wagtail has been gradually expanding its breeding range from Asia westward into Europe since the middle of the last century. New breeding records of this species further to the west of Europe have emerged during the last several decades. The distribution of the Citrine Wagtail in Western Ukraine began at the end of the last century. A total of 48 Citrine Wagtails were ringed in August 1995–2016 at the Cholgynskyy ornithological reserve (West-Ukrainian Ornithological Station). The birds were recorded mainly in the first half of August, peaking from the beginning of the second decade to the middle of the month. At the beginning of August there were wagtails in different stages of moult. Adult moulted birds were recorded from the beginning of the second decade of August, while juvenile birds underwent partial moult during the first part of the month. The mean weight of adult moulted birds was higher than that of juveniles. At the beginning of August many Citrine Wagtails were lean, without fat reserves, with the mean fat class increasing by the end of the month. The autumn passage of M. citreola took place in W.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Yellow Wagtail
    # 014 Bird-o-soar 21 March 2018 WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL Photographic record of leucistic Motacilla flava from Porbandar, Gujarat IUCN Red List: Global: Least Concern (Birdlife International 2017) Aberrantly coloured Western Yellow Wagtail (Photo: Dhaval Vargiya) The sighting of Leucistic Western yellow wagtail Motacilla flava at Karly II Wetland (21.6320300N & 69.6508750E) of Aves [Class of Birds] Mokarsagar Wetland Complex of Porbandar District, Gujarat, on 22 March 2015, is probably the first known published record of Passeriformes [Order of perching birds] leucism in Western Yellow Wagtail from India. Records of colour Motacillidae aberrations in Indian birds between 1886–2015 have been already [Family of Pipits and published but do not include Wagtail sp. (Mahabal et al. 2016). Wagtails] Western Yellow Wagtail is a common winter visitor to Motacilla flava [Western Yellow Wagtail] Gujarat and seen in suitable habitats across the state (Ganpule 2016). Head, nape and ear-coverts are dark slate-grey, sometimes Species described by Linnaeus in 1758 with a trace of a white supercilium. Back is olive and wings brown with two yellowish bars. Tail is dark brown with white outer edge. Zoo’s Print Vol. 33 | No. 3 37 # 014 Bird-o-soar 21 March 2018 The bird is bright yellow from chin to under Global Distribution: Native: Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Austria; tail-coverts. Winter plumage is duller, with Azerbaijan; Bahrain; Bangladesh; Belarus; Belgium; Benin; Bhutan; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Botswana; Bulgaria; Burkina Faso; the grey on head mixed with olive. Sexes Burundi; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; China; Congo; Congo, The Democratic Republic of the; Côte d’Ivoire; Croatia; are more or less alike.
    [Show full text]
  • Birds and Tigers of Northern India
    Dusky Eagle Owl on a nest at Keoladeo Ghana N.P. (all photos by Dave Farrow unless otherwise indicated) BIRDS AND TIGERS OF NORTHERN INDIA 21 NOVEMBER – 8 DECEMBER 2016 LEADER: DAVE FARROW This year’s ‘Birds and Tigers of Northern India’ tour was once again a very successful visual feast of avian delights. This tour is full of regional specialities and Indian subcontinent endemics, and among the many highlights were a total of 53 individual Owls seen of 9 species, including Dusky Eagle Owl on a nest, four Tawny Fish Owls and four Brown Fish Owls. We had great fortune with gamebirds, with three Cheer Pheasants plus stunning views of a pair of Koklass Pheasant, plus many Kalij Pheasants, Painted Spurfowl 1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Birds and Tigers of Northern India www.birdquest-tours.com and Jungle Bush-Quail. We also saw Ibisbill, Red-naped Ibis, Black-necked Stork, Sarus Cranes, Indian, Himalayan and Red-headed Vulture, Pallas's and Lesser Fish Eagles, Brown Crake, Indian and Great Stone- curlew, Yellow-wattled and White-tailed Lapwing, Black-bellied and River Tern, Painted and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, and 15 species of Woodpecker including Great Slaty, Himalayan Pied, White-naped and Himalayan Flameback. We found plenty of Slaty-headed and Plum-headed Parakeet, Black-headed Jay, a Rufous-tailed Lark, Indian Bush Lark, the holy trinity of Nepal, Pygmy and Scaly-bellied Wren-Babblers, plus Brook’s Leaf Warbler, Black-faced and Booted Warbler, Black-chinned Babbler, six species of Laughingthrush including Rufous-chinned, Chestnut-bellied and White-tailed Nuthatch, Wallcreeper, Chestnut and Black-throated Thrushes, White-tailed Rubythroat, Golden Bush Robin, dapper Spotted Forktails, Blue-capped Redstart, Variable Wheatear, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Black-breasted Weaver, Altai Accentor, Brown Bullfinch, Blyth’s Rosefinch (a write-in), Crested, White-capped and Red-headed Bunting.
    [Show full text]
  • Mammals Recorded in Ladakh
    Map of the Indus Valley near Leh and the Rumbak section of Hemis National Park. Numbered localities: 1 Leh, 2 Shey Marshes, 3 Thiksey Monastery, 4 Zingchen, 5 Campsite, 6 Husing Valley, 7 Rumbak Village, 8 Urutse, 9 Ganda La / Kandala and 10 Tarbung Valley (map by Jon Lehmberg) Cover photo: Scenery in Tarbung Valley, 29th November 2010, ©Erling Krabbe Front page design by Jon Lehmberg. Trip report written by Ulrik Andersen, reviewed and improved by all participants. Bird and mammal lists by Morten Heegaard and Erling Krabbe. Photographs as indicated. Copenhagen, Denmark, January 2011. 2 Mammals recorded in Ladakh Mammal taxonomy as in "Birds and Mammals of Ladakh" by Otto Pfister (Oxford University Press, 2004), except as described in taxonomic notes. List compiled by Morten Heegaard. Snow Leopard Panthera uncia Several registrations of faeces, urine-markings and tracks during our stay in the area. A brief sighting of one walking high on a ridge against the sky at dusk by two observers (LH,UA) on 26th Nov. A very prolonged (over 4 hours), completely fantastic and unbelievable observation by the whole group of a "younger", but fully grown male (maybe 5 years old or so) in Tarbung Valley on 29th Nov. As noted in the diary, we were fortunate enough to observe a wide variety of behaviours and actions. A professional film crew would have been able to capture a lot of "BBC class" footage! How lucky can you get?! Taxonomic note: Recent research has demonstrated that the Snow Leopard is a Panthera. Earlier, it was placed in its own genus, and until recently the scientific name was Uncia uncia (the name used by Pfister).
    [Show full text]
  • Northern India: Tigers, Birds and the Himalayas Trip Report October 2017
    NORTHERN INDIA: TIGERS, BIRDS AND THE HIMALAYAS TRIP REPORT OCTOBER 2017 By Andy Walker A gorgeous Indian endemic, the Painted Spurfowl, was seen well during the tour. www.birdingecotours.com [email protected] 2 | T R I P R E P O R T India: Tigers, Birds and the Himalayas 2017 This was a customized version of our usual northern India tour, scheduled for January. This tour for Charley and Paul commenced on the 16th of October 2017 at Ranthambhore and concluded in New Delhi on the 30th October 2017. Prior to the tour Charley and Paul took a pre-tour exploring New Delhi and Jaipur and had a one-day extension in New Delhi for some birding there. The tour visited the world-famous Ranthambhore, Keoladeo Ghana (formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), Corbett, and Sultanpur National Parks and spent time in the breathtaking scenery of the Himalayan foothills at Pangot and Sattal. A visit to this part of India would not be complete without taking in the majestic UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj Mahal, and so we visited these also. India is well known for its amazing food, and we sampled a great deal of interesting and tasty local dishes throughout the tour. The above combined makes for a perfect Indian birding tour. The tour connected with many exciting birds, such as Indian Skimmer, Indian Courser, Kalij, Koklass, and Cheer Pheasants, Painted Spurfowl, Indian Spotted Eagle, Bearded (Lammergeier), Red-headed, Indian, and Himalayan Vultures, Collared Falconet, Sarus Crane, Black-necked Stork, Small Pratincole, Painted Sandgrouse, Brown Fish Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Black-bellied and River Terns, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Great Hornbill, Spotted Forktail, Grey-winged Blackbird, Long-billed and Scaly Thrushes, Himalayan and Siberian Rubythroats, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Striated and Rufous- chinned Laughingthrushes, Grey-crowned Prinia, White-browed Bush Chat, and over 1,600 Red-headed Buntings.
    [Show full text]