TonyQ's Big Year 2024

[michael-ibk]

Interesting you saw so many species we also got in Oman. Your Desert Wheatear gave me pause because of the uniform head (and the fact the females looked a bit different in Oman, but could be wrong).

[TonyQ]

Thank you @michael-ibk. We have been noticing the overlap between some of the Oman birds and some from this area of India.

Desert Wheatear - our guid said it can be difficult to tell Desert and Isabelline (!) Wheatears when they are a bit worn. Non-breeding females have a plain head. The distinguishing factor between the two species (he suggested) was the amount of black on the wing edges. We are happy to go with his guidance - but either would have been a Lifer!

 

A few more. THis time from the boat trip on the Chambal River

 

139.In106 Wire-tailed Swallow  Hirundo smithii           

Waiting by the boat dock, Chambal River            17.02.24

[TonyQ]

140.In107 River Lapwing  Vanellus duvaucelii           

Chambal River            17.02.24

Corbett NP Dhikala Zone       20.02.24

[TonyQ]

141.In108 Great Thick-knee  Esacus recurvirostris  

Chambal River            17.02.24

I really like Thick-knees, wonderful birds

[TonyQ]

142.In109 White-browed Wagtail  Motacilla maderaspatensis       

Chambal River            17.02.24

[TonyQ]

143.In110 River Tern  Sterna aurantia          

Chambal River            17.02.24

[TonyQ]

144.In111 Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos     

Chambal River            17.02.24

[TonyQ]

145.In112 Egyptian Vulture  Neophron percnopterus  

Display/courtship, Chambal River            17.02.24

[TonyQ]

146.In113 Small Pratincole  Glareola lactea 

Seen briefly on a sandbank, Chambal River            17.02.24

[TonyQ]

147.In114 Black-bellied Tern  Sterna acuticauda           

Chambal River            17.02.24

Chambal River            17.02.24

[TonyQ]

148.In115 Brown Crake  Zapornia akool       

Chambal River            17.02.24

It took a bit of hunting, but we were excited when we (i.e. our guide) found it

[TonyQ]

149.In116 Osprey       Pandion haliaetus      

Again, surprising how close a small boat can go, Chambal River            17.02.24

[TonyQ]

150.In117 Temminck's Stint  Calidris temminckii           

Chambal River            17.02.24

Very pleased to see this. From a distance we thought "Sandpiper" but as we got closer we had a great view.

[TonyQ]

151.In118 Indian Skimmer  Rynchops albicollis           

Chambal River            17.02.24

Chambal River            17.02.24

 

This was one of our main reasons for going to Chambal, so we were delighted to see them

[xelas]

Birding from the boat almost always pay huge dividends!

[michael-ibk]

It does. Great birds and shots. 

[Kitsafari]

a bit belated but congrats on the century. the saurus cranes are gorgeous!

a brilliant collection, and so many just in 2 days. 

[PeterHG]

The river trip certainly gave you many great birds and photos!

[TonyQ]

@PeterHG@Kitsafari@michael-ibk@xelasthank you

 

The final few from this first part of the trip, all from a stop on the way back from Chambal to Bharatpur

 

In119   Common Snipe  Gallinago gallinago 

Already seen in the UK

Return from Chambal 17.02.24

[TonyQ]

152.In120 Lesser Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna javanica          

Return from Chambal 17.02.24

[TonyQ]

153.In121 Greater Painted-snipe  Rostratula benghalensis  

Distant, but very distinctive, Return from Chambal 17.02.24

[TonyQ]

154.In122 Ruff  Calidris pugnax        

Return from Chambal 17.02.24

[TonyQ]

155.In123 Bank Myna  Acridotheres ginginianus           

Return from Chambal 17.02.24

[TonyQ]

156.In124 White Wagtail  Motacilla alba       

Return from Chambal 17.02.24

[Peter Connan]

Every one a beauty Tony!

I especially like the Painted Snipe. A bird I have been hoping to see for a long time.