TonyQ's Big Year: Number 4

[Treepol]

@TonyQ what a fabulous BY so far and its only April! I liked the variety of UK birds - all those ducks, the robins, bullfinch and the nuthatch caught me eye.

 

The Indian birds are amazing, I enjoyed the bee-eaters, owls, hornbills and the parakeets. The Blossom-headed parakeet was the show-stopper for me.

 

Would you say that Bharatpur was worth a visit, and if so, how long would you recommend?

[TonyQ]

@Treepol

Based on our experience,at the time of the year we visited I would certainly recommend it for people who are interested in birds.

We did see some mammals (including a distant view of a Jackal), and some snakes, but the experience is about birds.

 

We spent 2 half days there and saw 91 species (many of these were also seen at other places, but many were only seen here. Generally one could get closer to the birds here than in the other places). We really enjoyed it.

 

We made all our arrangements throught The Birders Inn. We arranged to be picked up after breakfast in Delhi, and the car took us to The Birders Inn. I think it took about 4 hours or so. We had lunch at The Birders  Inn and then spent the afternoon in Keolada National Park (the entrance is about 200m away). We asked The Birders Inn to arrange a guide for us (1500Rs for a half day). Cycle Rickshaws operate in the park (our guide arranged for one to pick us up) and they have a fixed rate of 150Rs per hour. There is one main track which is used by the Cycle Rickshaws, and on either side there are many smaller tracks that you can walk on, and many pools - with lots of birds.

 

We had dinner and brekfast at the Inn and then spent the morning of the second day in the park. We had lunch, shower and then got the car to take us to Delhi. A nice meal in Delhi and then onto the airport and home.

 

We thought that it fitted really well on the end of our trip, and fitted in well with our late flight. If we go to Delhi again (and I am sure we will) we would think about visiting again. We would also consider going for two nights. We would probably then have a guide for part of the time, and also spend some time there without a guide to spend a more relaxed time watching the birds. However a day (or two half days) is very worthwhile. We would stay at the Birders Inn again, and the food would be fine for a couple of days. We didn't spend any time visiting the town so can't really comment on that.

 

Obviously you would need to look at climate data, and possibly bird migration. I think we were just after the peak of migration, but there were still a lot of Northern birds there.

 

I seem to recall that @Galana has also visited the park, I think he stayed at a different hotel. He may care to comment or direct you to his trip report.

 

Edited April 30, 2019 by TonyQ

[Galana]

@TonyQ and @Treepol Yup. I have been more than once or twice. Always good. Once it was so dry even the turtles were walking and the big ones had 24 hour security to stop theft. I stayed at "The Bargh" each time. A 200 year old pink marble palace set in manicured grounds full of different birds and the food excellent. My man in Delhi fixes me up and arranges an excellent guide. Happy to provide details by PM.

Obviously winter is best for all the migrant waterfowl in their millions.

Also if you can afford the time the surrounding area can be very rewarding too. A local guide will know these places such as Bund Barita and even the local areas by the river.

Culture is catered for by Agra and Fatephur Sikri.

[TonyQ]

151.In108. Indian Cormorant  Phalacrocorax fuscicollis        

Satpura           21.02.2019

[TonyQ]

152.In109. Indian Spotted Eagle  Clanga hastata     

Keolada National Park            05.03.2019

Keolada National Park            05.03.2019

[TonyQ]

153.In110. Indian Vulture  Gyps indicus        

Satpura           19.02.2019

Satpura           21.02.2019

[TonyQ]

154.In111. Indian Yellow Tit  Machlolophus apolonotus/Parus apolonotus   

Forsyth Lodge, Satpura          20.02.2019

Forsyth Lodge, Satpura          20.02.2019

[TonyQ]

155.In112. Intermediate Egret  Ardea intermedia      

Keolada National Park            05.03.2019

[TonyQ]

156.In113. Jungle Babbler  Turdoides striata

Lodhi Garden, Delhi    25.02.2019

Keolada National Park            05.03.2019

[TonyQ]

157.In114. Jungle Myna  Acridotheres fuscus           

Kaziranga        03.03.2019

With Wild Pig, Kaziranga        26.02.2019

[TonyQ]

158.In115. Jungle Nightjar  Caprimulgus indicus       

Satpura           20.02.2019

[TonyQ]

159.In116. Jungle Owlet  Glaucidium radiatum         

Satpura           20.02.2019

[TonyQ]

160.In117. Kalij Pheasant  Lophura leucomelanos    

(f) Kaziranga        01.03.2019

(m) Kaziranga        01.03.2019

[Zim Girl]

Ahh, love the Jungle Owlet @TonyQ

[Galana]

3 hours ago, TonyQ said:

152.In109. Indian Spotted Eagle  Clanga hastata     

Eh?

[TonyQ]

@Galana

Does the"eh?" apply to all of it, or a particular part. . Do you think it is a different species -or I have done something else wrong? I find Brown Eagles very difficult!

(I do note the Scientific name can be Aquila hastata - I have seen it named differently in different places)

All suggestions welcome

[Galana]

4 hours ago, TonyQ said:

apply to all of it, or a particular part.

I was not even looking at the Scientific name. 

I think the bird is a Black-eared Kite.

[TonyQ]

Thank you @Galana  - your knowledge and expertise is very valuable to those of us that have neither!

 

18 hours ago, TonyQ said:

@Galana

 I find Brown Eagles very difficult!

 

Especially difficult when they are not even Eagles

Back to the Drawing Board! So -

152.In109. Black-eared Kite  Milvus lineatus

 

[Galana]

1 hour ago, TonyQ said:

Back to the Drawing Board! So -

152.In109. Black-eared Kite  Milvus lineatus

Well at least you keep the tick as I don't think you have posted BEK.  It's a much overlooked bird where folks tend to ignore "Black Kites". Much as they do in Africa.

[TonyQ]

161.In118. Knob-billed Duck  Sarkidiornis melanotos

Satpura           22.02.2019

Satpura           22.02.2019

[TonyQ]

162.In119. Large Cuckooshrike  Coracina macei      

 

Satpura           21.02.2019     

[TonyQ]

163.In120. Large Hawk-cuckoo  Hierococcyx sparverioides 

Kaziranga        02.03.2019

[TonyQ]

164.In121. Laughing Dove  Spilopelia senegalensis 

Keolada National Park            05.03.2019

[TonyQ]

165.In122. Lesser Adjutant  Leptoptilos javanicus     

Kaziranga        28.02.2019

[TonyQ]

166.In123. Lesser Coucal  Centropus bengalensis   

Kaziranga        28.02.2019