India 17/12/05 - 8/1/06

Itinerary

Sat 17 Dec 2005 : Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi International by Alitalia at 2250 hrs. Met at the airport by representative of Gurudongma North. Transferred to Noida near Okhla. Check in at Raddison Hotel.  

Sun 18 Dec : Delhi – Okhla - Agra

Morning Short drive to Okhla Temple Bund for Birding

Key Species seen: White-tailed Stonechat and Striated Babbler.

Okhla reedbeds at sunrise

 

Extensive reedbeds that play host to White-tailed Stonechats

 

Vegetation-choked channels at Okhla



Huge flocks of wildfowl wintering at Okhla

 

 Okhla funeral preparation

Returned to hotel for lunch before making the afternoon drive to the Howard Park Plaza Hotel at Agra.

 

 

 

Agra

Mon 19 Dec : Taj Mahal – Drive to Chambal

Early morning visit to the Taj Mahal. Late morning drive to Chambal arriving before lunch.  After lunch drive to the Chambal River where we spent the remainder of the daylight cruising the Chambal River by motorboat. Returned to the Chambal Safari Lodge for overnight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taj Mahal

Key Species seen: Brown-headed Barbet and Indian Skimmer. Also saw the non-avian treats of Gharial, Marsh Crocodiles and Ganges River Dolphin.

 Chambal Safari Lodge

 

Fruit Bats at Chambal

 

 

 

Chambal River

 

Crocodiles along the Chambal River

Gharial and Great Thick-knee along the Chambal River

 

 

 

 

Gharials along the Chambal River

 

Jackal alongside the Chambal River

 

Our crew aboard our motorboat

 

All too soon dusk fell on the Chambal River

 

Tues 20 Dec : Chambal - Bharatpur

Morning spent birding the Chambal Safari Lodge and nearby fields.

 Outdoor breakfast at Chambal Safari Lodge

Key Species seen: Red-necked Falcon.

After lunch drive to Fatehpur Sikri and on to Bharatpur. Overnight Laxmi Vilas Palace.

 

 

 

 

 

Fatehpur Sikri

 

 

 Laxmi Vilas Palace, Bharatpur

Wed 21 Dec : Bharatpur – Bund Baretha - Bharatpur:

All day visit to Bund Baretha and back to Bharatpur. Returned to the Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel for overnight. Unfortunately a day hampered by thick fog in the morning and rain in the afternoon.

 A foggy Bund Baretha Reservoir

 

Bund Baretha

 

Indian Vulture colony cliffs near Bund Baretha

 

Weaver nests at cliffs near Bund Baretha

Key Species seen: Indian (Long-billed) Vulture, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Indian Bushlark and House Bunting.

Thur 22 Dec : Bharatpur - Jaipur

Morning Bharatpur walking from the Forest Lodge along the Ram band, south to Mrig Tal taking the brick path to the Jatoli Canal before a quick visit to Keoladeo Temple returning to the Forest Lodge by rickshaw.

 

Bharatpur entrance

 

Depressing 'hall of fame' of thousands of Ducks shot at this site

 

 

Jheels at a misty Bharatpur

 

Bluebuck at Bharatpur

 Palm Squirrels at Bharatpur

Arriving for lunch in style

Key Species seen: Streak-throated Swallow.

After lunch drive to Jaipur – the pink city. Alsisar Haveli Hotel overnight.

 Evening arrival in Jaipur

 

 

 

Jaipur

 

 

Alsisar Haveli Hotel

Fri 23 Dec : Jaipur

Spent all day around Jaipur visiting the Grass Nursery Farm, Jal Mahal, the Amber Fort and the Nahargarh Biological Park.

Jaipur

 

Jaipur Grass Farm

 

Key Species seen: Spotted Creeper and White-bellied Minivet.

 Jal Mahal, Jaipur

 

 

 

Amber Fort

Nahargarh Biological Park, Jaipur

Bluebuck at Nahargarh Biological Park, Jaipur

 

Returned to the Alsisar Haveli Hotel overnight.

Sat 24 Dec : Jaipur - Kumbalgarh

Made the long drive to Kumhalgarh in the Aravalli Hills. Checked in at Hotel Aodhi. Afternoon birding in the vicinity of the village and well marked on the map in A Birdwatchers’ Guide to India.

Hotel Aodhi

 

 

It seemed a pretty tough existence for the locals round here

 

The availability of water seemed key to the species present here

 

Key Species seen: Spot-breasted Fantail and Green Avadavat.

Sun 25 Dec :  Kumbalgarh WLS - Jaisamand

Morning: Kumbalgarh birding by jeep inside the Wildlife Sanctuary.

 

 Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Key Species seen: Grey Junglefowl, Red Spurfowl and Jungle Prinia.

After lunch a quick look at the impressive Kumbalgarh Fort before driving to Jaisamand. Checked in at Jaisamand Lake Hotel reached by boat across the lake.

  Kumbalgarh Fort

 

Jaisamund Lake

Mon 26 Dec : Jaisamand – Udhaipur

Spent the morning birding the Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary. Drove back to Udhaipur stopping in decent habitat. Boarded the evening 2 AC sleeper train to Ahmedabad departing 1930 hrs.

 Firewood gatherers in Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Jaisamund roadside stop

Tues 27 Dec : Ahmedabad - Zainabad

Arrived at 0430 hrs at Ahmedabad by train from Udhaipur. Met at the station by representative of Desert Coursers and driven to Camp Zainabad. Spent the day birding the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch by jeep and spotlighting after dark.

 

 Camp Zainabad, Little Rann of Kutch

 

Birding the Little Rann of Kutch

 

 

 

Little Rann of Kutch - we really enjoyed it here

 

Livestock grazing the Little Rann of Kutch

 

 

 

Wild Ass at the Little Rann of Kutch

 

Key Species seen: Sykes’s Nightjar and MacQueen’s Bustard.

Wed 28 Dec : Little Rann of Kutch

Spent the day birding the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch. Overnight Camp Zainabad.



 

 the irrigated periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch

Key Species seen: Sirkeer Malkoha and Yellow-eyed Stock Dove (first record for Gujarat)

Thur 29 Dec :  Little Rann of Kutch

Spent the day birding the Little Rann of Kutch and spotlighting after dark.

 

Little Rann of Kutch

 

These two thought we might like to purchase a goat!

Key Species: Hume’s Lesser Whitethroat

Fri 30 Dec : Zainabad – Bhuj – Tera.

Spent the morning driving to Bhuj. Met Arpit Deomorari and accompanied to Police headquaters to obtain permit for visiting restricted areas of Great Rann only to find it was no longer necessary. Drove to Tera stopping at a dry wadi enroute. Checked in at the KERC Guest house.

Key Species seen: White-naped Tit and Grey-necked Bunting.

Sat 31 Dec : Tera – Soneri Hills - Naliya Done - Tera

Drove to the Soneri Hills spending much of the morning there. Then toured the Naliya Done Grasslands. Overnight at KERC Guest House.

 Soneri Hills

 

Gerbil in the Soneri Hills

 

Key Species seen: Rock Bush-Quail and Stoliczka’s Buschat.

Sun 01 Jan 2006 : Tera – Naliya Done Grasslands - Jakhau

Spent the morning touring the Naliya Done Grasslands and the afternoon at Jakhau fishing village and saltpans. Back to Tera for overnight at KERC Guest House

 Naliya Done Grasslands

 

Naliya Done Cotton

Part of the huge fishing fleet at Jakhau

Fish drying area at Jakhau

Blue? Whale Skeleton at Jakhau

Part of the huge saltpan complex at Jakhau
 

Key Species: Heuglin’s Gull and Sykes’s Lark.

Mon 02 Jan :  Tera - Fulay - Bhuj

Drove to Fulay for dawn spending the morning birding there and into the adjacent Great Rann of Kutch. Drove to overnight at Bhuj at a Motel opposite the Toran Rann Resort.

 

With Arpit Deomorari at the Hypocolius roost site



 



 

Near Fulay, Kutch

 

 Great Rann of Kutch

Key Species seen: Grey Hypocolius.

Tue 03 Jan : Bhuj - Jaisalmer

All day drive from Bhuj to Jaisalmer switching car and drivers at the Rajasthan border. Ral Mahal Hotel overnight.

 Ral Mahal Hotel at Jaisalmer

Key species: Laggar Falcon and Demoiselle Crane.

Wed 04 Dec :  Jaisalmer - Fossil Park - Jaisalmer

Early morning visit to the Fossil Park. Then returned to Jaisalmere to start the long-winded ordeal of obtaining permits to visit the Desert National Park. Ral Mahal Hotel overnight.

  Jaisalmer Fort from the Fossil Park

 

Jaisalmer Fort

 

 

 

 

 

Inside Jaisalmer Fort

  

Thur 05 Dec : Jaisalmer – Desert NP – Khuri – Jaisalmer

Spent the morning birding on foot in the Sudersi Bustard Enclosure. Then continued south birding the track to Khuri returning to Jaisalmer in the evening.

 Entrance to the Desert National Park


Desert National Park

 

Grasslands of the Desert National Park

Sand Dune in the Desert National Park

 

Searching for Bustards the easy way in the Desert National Park

Searching for Bustards the not so easy way in the Desert National Park

Desert National Park



Key Species seen: Great Indian Bustard, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Bimaculated Lark and Rufous-tailed Wheatear

Return to Jaisalmer for overnight at hotel.

Fri 06 Dec : Jaisalmer – Fossil Park – Kheechan - Phalodi

Second morning visit to the Fossil Park. Drove to Phalodi checking-in at the Lal Niwas Palace Hotel before visiting Kheechan for the evening.

 

Lal Niwas Palace Hotel in Phalodi

 

Kheechan sand dunes covered in Demoiselle Cranes

Key Species seen: Plain Leaf Warbler

Sat 07 Dec :  Phalodi – Khichen - Jodhpor - Delhi

Morning visit Kheechan. Drove to Jodhpur and flew to Delhi by Jet Air 1400 / 1520.

Met by Gen. Gupte and transferred to the West End Inn Hotel near Dehli Airport.

Sun 8th Day 23

Transfer to Dehli International airport and left for London at 02.50 hrs.

 

Systematic List

Black Francolin – Francolinus francolinus C

In Gujarat single males were seen at the Naliya Done grasslands on the 31^st and nearby Lala Bustard Sanctuary on the 1^st.

Grey Francolin – Francolinus pondicerianus interpositus C

This species proved widespread with a single seen at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 7 seen at Nahargarh Biological Park near Jaipur on the 23^rd, 1 at Kumbhalgarh on the 25^th, 1 near Camp Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th with 4 seen there on the 28^th and 5 there on the 29^th, 6 at the Lala Bustard Sanctuary on the 31^st, 1 at the Lala Bustard Sanctuary, 2 at the Naliya Done grasslands and 7 whilst driving between sites in Kutch on the 1^st, 5 at Fulay on the 2^nd, 5 whilst driving from Bhuj to Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 2 in fields near the Fossil Park at Jaisalmer on the 6^th and 6 whilst driving from Kheechan to Jodhpur on the 7^th.

Common Quail – Coturnix coturnix coturnix C

We saw 2 whilst spotlighting in a field of thistles near Camp Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch during the evenings of both the 27^th and 29^th.

 Common Quail near Camp Zainabad

Jungle Bush-Quail – Perdicula asiatica C

Two coveys totalling 12 individuals were seen on the 24^th in the fields in the immediate vicinity of the village and the well marked on the Map of Kumbhalgarh in Kazmierczak & Singh.

Rock Bush-Quail – Perdicula argoondah meinertzhagen C (Endemic)

Whilst following-up a Grey-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani in the Soneri Hills, Kutch, on the 31^st we flushed a covey of 6 individuals, 5 of which flew out of sight over a nearby ridge, leaving a lone individual to first freeze just a couple of metres from us and then silently creep down the slope away from us. 

Red Spurfowl – Galloperdix spadicea caurina C (Endemic)

A pair seen on the 25^th walking away from us up the slope of a scrub covered stony hillside just north of the sanctuary boundary at Kumbhalgarh just north of the village and the well marked on the Map of Kumbhalgarh in Kazmierczak & Singh.

Grey Junglefowl – Gallus sonneratii C (Endemic)

Around 15, including some fine males, were seen along the nallah bordered by riverine forest within the sanctuary at Kumbhalgarh on the 25^th.

 Grey Junglefowl at Kumbhalgarh

Indian Peafowl – Pavo cristatus C

Widespread being noted on eighteen dates with 4 seen between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th, 20 between Agra and Chambal on the 19th, 5 between Chambal and Bharatpur on the 20^th, 40 on our visit to Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 30 between Bharatpur and Jaipur on the 22^nd, 15 at the sites around Jaipur on the 22^nd, 4 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh and a male displaying at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 1 at Kumbalgarh on the 25^th, 1 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th, 4 near Zainabad, Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th and 5 there on the 28^th, 20 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 3 near Naliya on the 31^st and 2 there on the 1^st, 1 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 8 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 3 at the Jaisalmer Fossil Park on the 4^th and 6 there on the 6^th. Often to be seen in villages and small towns as they are not persecuted.

Indian Peafowl at Jaisalmer Fossil Park

Lesser Whistling Duck – Dendrocygna javanica C

We saw 75 from the Chambal River boat trip on the 19^th.

 Lesser Whistling Duck along the Chambal River

Greylag Goose – Anser anser rubrirostris C

We saw 250 at Okhla Barrage on the 18^th, 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 5 in the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th and 15 there the following day.

 Eastern Greylag at Bharatpur

Bar-headed Goose – Anser indicus C

We saw 100 from the Chambal River boat trip on the 19^th and 200 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 Bar-headed Geese along the Chambal River

Ruddy Shelduck – Tadorna ferruginea C

We saw 8 at Okhla on the 18^th, 20 from the Chambal River boat trip on the 19^th, 2 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st and 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 Ruddy Shelduck at the Chambal River

Common Shelduck – Tadorna tadorna C

We saw 15 at Okhla on the 18^th and a single individual at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on both the 28^th and 29^th.

 

Comb Duck – Sarkidiornis melanotos melanotos C

We saw 3 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

Cotton Pygmy-Goose – Nettapus coromandelianus coromandelianus C

We saw a party of 7 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st.

 

Gadwall – Anas strepera strepera C

We saw 2 at Okhla on the 18th, 3 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th, 6 north of Naliya on the 1^st and 10 at Kheechan on the 6^th.

 

Wigeon – Anas penelope C

We saw 10 at Okhla on the 18^th, 5 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 29^th and 4 north of Naliya on the 1^st.

 

Indian Spot-billed Duck – Anas poecilorhyncha poecilorhyncha C

We saw 2 at Okhla on the 18^th, 2 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and 1 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Shoveler – Anas clypeata C

We saw 500 at Okhla on the 18^th, 1 from the Chambal River boat trip on the 19^th, 5 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th and 29^th, 4 north of Naliya on the 1^st, 1 flew over Fulay on the 2^nd and 2 were present at Kheechan on the 6^th.

 

Northern Pintail – Anas acuta C

We saw 50 at Okhla on the 18^th, 40 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 30 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 28^th and 29^th and 6 at Kheechan on the 6^th.

 

Garganey – Anas querquedula C

A single female was seen at Okhla on the 18^th.

 

Common Teal – Anas crecca C

We saw 20 at Okhla on the 18^th, 30 from the Chambal River boat trip on the 19^th, 25 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 10 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 25 there on the 28^th and 10 on the 29^th, 4 north of Naliya on the 1^st, 6 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th and 4 at Kheechan on the 6^th.

 

Red-crested Pochard – Rhodonessa rufina C

Single drakes were seen at Bund Baretha on the 21^st and at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

Common Pochard – Aythya ferina C

We saw 25 at Okhla on the 18^th, 3 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 3 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 29^th and 1 at Kheechan on the 6^th.

 

Tufted Duck – Aythya fuligula C

A single drake was seen at Okhla on the 18^th.

 

Wryneck – Jynx torquilla C

A single individual was seen at a roadside acacia grove between Khuri and Jaisalmer on the 5^th.

 

Yellow-crowned Woodpecker – Dendrocopos mahrattensis C

We saw 2 at Chambal Safari Camp on the 19^th, 1 near Bund Baretha on the 21^st and 1 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

Streak-throated Woodpecker – Picus xanthopygaeus C

A single male was seen within the sanctuary at Kumbhalgarh on the 25^th.

 

Black-rumped Flameback – Dinopium benghalense C

We saw 2 at Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th, 1 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and singles at Kumbhalgarh on both the 24^th and 25^th.

 Black-rumped Flameback at Bharatpur

Brown-headed Barbet – Megalaima zeylanica C

We saw singles in the gardens of the Taj Mahal and in a fruiting fig tree at Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th.

 

Coppersmith Barbet – Megalaima haemacephala indica C

We saw a single adult at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

Indian Grey Hornbill – Ocyceros birostris C

We saw 3 at Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th and 2 roadside between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th.

 

Hoopoe – Upupa epops epops C

We saw 2 at Chambal Safari Camp on the 19^th and 4 there on the 20^th, 2 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 4 around Jaipur on the 23^rd, 2 between Jaipur and Kumbhalgarh on the 24^th, 1 between Kumbhalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 1 near Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 2 there on the 28^th and 5 on the 29^th, singles near Naliya on the 31^st and 1^st, 1 near Fulay on the 2^nd and 1 at the Fossil Park at Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 

Hoopoe at Chambal

 

Indian Roller – Coracias benghalensis benghalensis C

We saw 1 between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th, 2 between Agra and Chambal on the 19^th, 2 near Chambal on the 20^th, 3 on our visit to Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 6 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 5 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 2 near Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 1 there on the 28^th, 3 between Zainabad and Bhuj and 2 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 2 near the Soneri Hills on the 31^st and 4 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Common Kingfisher – Alcedo atthis atthis C

We saw singles from the Chambal River boat trip on the 19^th and at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th and 29^th.

 

White-throated Kingfisher – Halcyon smyrnensis smyrnensis C

We saw 1 at Okhla and 4 on the drive from Dehli to Agra on the 18^th, 2 on the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 1 at Jaipur on the 23^rd, 5 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 1 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th, 2 at Zainabad on the 27^th, 2 there on the 28^th and 1 on the 29^th, 11 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 1 near Naliya on the 31^st, 1 at the Lala Bustard Reserve on the 1^st, 1 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 6 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 1 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th and 2 at Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 Smyrna Kingfisher at Bharatpur

Pied Kingfisher – Ceryle rudis leucomelanurus C

We saw 2 from the Chambal River boat trip on the 19^th, 2 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 1 near Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 28^th, 4 there on the 29^th and 5 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th.

 

Green Bee-eater – Merops orientalis C

We saw 1 at Ohkla on the 18^th, 4 at Nahargarh Biological Park on the 23^rd, 8 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 40 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th, 25 near Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 30 there on the 28^th and 15 there on the 29^th, 44 between Zainabad and Bhuj and 14 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 15 at sites around Naliya on the 31^st, 6 there on the 1^st, 5 in the Great Rann of Kutch on the 2^nd, 20 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 4 in the Thar Desert on the 5^th and 5 between Jaisalmer and Kheechan on the 6^th.

 

Green Bee-eaters in the Little Rann of Kutch

 

Common Hawk Cuckoo – Hierococcyx varius varius C

An adult performed superbly near the small park at Bund Baretha on the 21^st.

 

Asian Koel – Eudynamys scolopacea scolopacea C

A male was seen at Okhla on the 18^th, a male was seen at Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th, a female was seen just west of Bhuj on the 30^th, a pair were seen in Naliya town on the 31^st and near Fulay on the 2^nd.

 Male Asian Koel at Chambal

Sirkeer Malkoha – Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii C

Singles were seen on farmland near Zainabad at the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 28^th and to the west of Zainabad on the 30^th.

 Sirkeer Malkoha at the Little Rann of Kutch

Greater Coucal – Centropus sinensis parroti C

We saw a single from the Chambal River Trip on the 19^th, 2 on the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 1 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 around Jaipur on the 23^rd, 1 at Kumbalgarh on the 25^th, 2 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th, 1 near Zainabad, Little Rann of Kutch on the 28^th, 1 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th and 1 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Alexandrine Parakeet – Psittacula eupatria C

We saw 10 within the Kumalgarh Sanctuary on the 25^th.

 

Rose-ringed Parakeet – Psittacula krameri C

We saw 50 between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th, 50 at the Taj Mahal and 25 between Agra and Chambal on the 19^th, 50 at Chambal Safari Camp and 10 at Fatehpur Sikri on the 20^th, 60 on the day we visied Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 60 at Bharatpur and 20 between Bharatpur and Jaipur on the 22^nd, 50 around Jaipur on the 23^rd, 40 between Jaipur and Kumalgarh on the 24^th, 25 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 20 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th, 5 near Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th and 5 there on the 28^th and 29^th, 5 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 5 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 22 at Kheechan on the 6^th and 3 between Kheechan and Jodhpur on the 7^th.

 

Plum-headed Parakeet – Psittacula cyanocephala C

We saw 1 at Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th, 3 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 1 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th and 10 at Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th.

 

Little Swift – Apus affinis C

We saw 1 between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th, 2 at the Taj Mahal on the 19th, 20 at Fatehpur Sikri on the 20^th, 5 at Bharatpur on the 2^nd and 2 near Kumbalgarh on the 24^th.

 

Spotted Owlet – Athene brama indica C

We saw 2 in the large fig tree at the start of the Okhla Temple bund on the 18^th, 2 sat together in their roost hole at Chambal Safari Camp on the 19^th, 1 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 3 near Zainabad, Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th and 2 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st.

 Spotted Owlet at Chambal

Sykes’s Nightjar – Caprimulgus mahrattensis C

We saw 5 whilst spotlighting on a farm near Zainabad at the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th and 10 whilst spotlighting again there on the 29^th.

 



 

  

 

 

 

Sykes's Nightjars at the Little Rann of Kutch

 

Indian Nightjar – Caprimulgus asiaticus asiaticus C

A single individual was seen whilst spotlighting on a farm near Zainabad at the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th.

 

 

 Indian Nightjar at Zainabad

Rock Pigeon – Columba livia intermedia C

Seen daily in large numbers with a daily maximum of 250 noted at Kheechan on the 6^th.

 

Yellow-eyed Pigeon – Columba eversmanni C

The greatest surprise of the trip was finding 3 sat on an island at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th. We watched them for an hour in the afternoon as they sunbathed before they flew off strongly west.

 

 

 Yellow-eyed Stock Doves (first record for Gujarat)

Laughing Dove – Streptopelia senegalensis cambayensis C

We saw 1 at Okhla on the 18^th, 2 between Agra and Chambal on the 19^th, 5 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 at Jaipur on the 23^rd, 4 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 6 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 4 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th, 20 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th and 15 there on the 29^th, 20 between Zainabad and Bhuj and 2 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 5 near Naliya on the 31^st, 2 there on the 1^st, 5 in the Great Rann of Kutch on the 2^nd, 50 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 10 at Jaisalmere on the 4^th and 6 in the Thar Desert on the 5^th.

 

Spotted Dove – Streptopelia chinensis suratensis C

We saw 2 at Kumbalgarh and 3 at Udaipur on the 25^th and 4 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th.

 

Red Collared Dove – Streptopelia tranquebarica tranquebarica C

We saw 25 near Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 28^th and 5 there the following day.

 

Collared Dove – Streptopelia decaocto decaocto C

We saw 6 at the Taj Mahal on the 19^th, 5 at Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th, 5 on the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 25 between Bharatpur and Jaipur on the 22^nd, 5 at Jaipur on the 23^rd, 190 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 6 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 10 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th, 20 near Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 25 there on the 28^th and 10 there on the 29^th, 50 between Zainabad and Bhuj and 1 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 10 around Naliya on the 31^st, 6 there on the 1^st, 2 in the Great Rann of Kutch on the 2^nd, 250 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 2 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th, 40 in the Thar Desert on the 5^th, 20 near the Fossil Park at Jaisalmer on the 6^th and 1,000 between Kheechan and Jodhpur on the 7^th.

 

Yellow-footed Green Pigeon – Treron phoenicoptera C

We saw 2 at the Okhla Temple Bund on the 18^th, 3 at Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th and 4 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

Great Indian Bustard – Ardeotis nigriceps (Endemic) C

We saw 13 at the Sudaseri Bustard Enclosure at the Desert National Park in the Thar Desert on the 5^th. Incredibly, whilst watching a party of 5 walking through the grasslands another party of 8 flew past us.

 

Macqueen’s (Houbara) Bustard – Chlamydotis (undulata) macqueeni C

We saw a party of 6 in the morning and another 2 in the evening in the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th and 2 in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 29^th and 1 in the Sudaseri Bustard Enclosure at the Desert National Park in the Thar Desert on the 5^th.

Two Macqueen's Bustards in the Little Rann of Kutch

 

Sarus Crane – Grus antigone antigone C

We saw a single juvenile at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

Demoiselle Crane – Grus virgo C

We saw 146 at a small tank just south of Jaisalmere in the late afternoon of the 3^rd, an estimated 3,000 at pools on the southern outskirts of Kheechan on the 6^th and an estimated 5,000 at the feeding station at Kheechan on the 7^th. Spectacular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Demoiselle Cranes at Kheechan

Common Crane – Grus grus C

We saw 12 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 25 there on the 28^th and 15 on the 29^th, 3 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 30 near Naliya on the 31^st and an impressive 1,250 whilst crossing the Little Rann of Kutch on the 3^rd.

Common Cranes in the Little Rann of Kutch

 

White-breasted Waterhen – Amaurornis phoenicurus phoenicurus C

We saw 5 between Bharatpur and Bund Baretha on the 21^st and 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

Purple Swamphen – Porphyrio porphyrio poliocephalus C

We saw 20 at Okhla on the 18^th and 2 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st.

Moorhen – Gallinula chloropus chloropus C

We saw 5 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 5 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th and 4 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 29^th.

Coot – Fulica atra atra C

We saw 80 at Okhla on the 18^th, 1 from the Chambal River Trip on the 19^th, 75 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 400 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 3 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th with 20 seen there on both the 28^th and 29^th and 2 seen between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse – Pterocles exustus hindustan C

We saw 35 near Zainabad in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 80 there on the 28^th and 30 on the 29^th, 15 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 30 at the sites around Naliya on the 31^st and 35 there on the 1^st, 10 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 2 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 50 at the Sudaseri Bustard Enclosure at the Desert National Park in the Thar Desert on the 5^th and 40 between Jaisalmer and Phalodi on the 6^th.

Two pairs of Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse in the Little Rann

 

Pair of Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse in the Little Rann

 

 

 

 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse in the Little Rann

 

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse at Soneri

Painted Sandgrouse – Pterocles indicus C

We saw 8 near the Soneri Hills on the 31^st and a pair near Fulay on the 2^nd.

 

 Painted Sandgrouse at the Soneri Hills

Common Snipe – Gallinago gallinago gallinago C

We saw 1 at Okhla on the 18^th, 1 from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th, 2 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st and 3 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 29^th.

 

Black-tailed Godwit – Limosa limosa limosa C

We saw 250 at Okhla on the 18^th, 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th and 1 there on the 29^th and 5 whilst crossing the Little Rann of Kutch on the 30^th.

 

Bar-tailed Godwit – Limosa lapponica taymyrensis C

We saw 250 at the Jakhau mudflats on the 1^st.

 

Whimbrel – Numenius phaeopus phaeopus C

We saw 1 at the Jakhau mudflats on the 1^st.

 

Eurasian Curlew – Numenius arquata orientalis C

We saw 4 near Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, with 2 there on the 28^th and 29^th and 5 at the Jakhau mudflats on the 1^st.

 

Spotted Redshank – Tringa erythropus C

We saw 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th and 2 there on the 29^th.

 

Redshank – Tringa tetanus C

We saw singles at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and near Jaipur on the 24^th.

 

Marsh Sandpiper – Tringa stagnatilis C

We saw 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th and 1 at a pool in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 29^th.

 

Greenshank – Tringa nebularia C

We saw 2 at Okhla on the 18^th, 1 from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th, 2 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 1 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 1 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th and 2 there on the 29^th and 3 at Jakhau on the 1^st.

 

Green Sandpiper – Tringa ochropus C

We saw 2 at Okhla on the 18^th, 1 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 1 near Jaipur on the 24^th, 1 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 29^th and 2 seen between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Wood Sandpiper – Tringa glareola C

We saw 2 at Okhla on the 18^th and 1 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st.

 

Terek Sandpiper – Xenus cinereus C

We saw 5 at the Jakhau mudflats on the 1^st.

 

Common Sandpiper – Actitis hypoleucos C

We saw 1 at Okhla on the 18^th, 1 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 1 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 2 at Jakhau on the 1^st and 1 at Kheechan on the 6^th.

 

Turnstone – Arenaria interpres interpres C

We saw 2 at the Jakhau mudflats on the 1^st.

 

Great Knot – Calidris tenuirostris C

Another surprise of the trip was finding a flock of 50 and then another 5 at the Jakhau mudflats on the 1^st.

 

Little Stint – Calidris minuta C

We saw 2 at Okhla on the 18^th, 5 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the27th, 10 there on the 28^th and 15 on the 29^th.

 

Temminck’s Stint – Calidris temminckii C

We saw singles at Okhla on the 18^th, from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th, at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th and 29^th and north of Naliya on the 1^st.

 

Dunlin – Calidris alpina C

We saw 2 at a pool in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 29^th.

 

Curlew Sandpiper – Calidris ferruginea C

We saw 6 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th.

 

Ruff – Philomachus pugnax C

We saw 1 at Jal Mahal at Jaipur on the 23^rd, 6 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, with 75 there on the 28^th and 500 arriving to roost there on the 29^th, 200 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd and 100 at the Kheechan Demoiselle Crane feeding station on the 6^th.

 

Bronze-winged Jacana – Metopidius indicus C

We saw 2 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st.

 

Stone Curlew – Burhinus oedicnemus indicus C

We saw a pair just north of Jaisamund on the 26^th and 1 whilst out spotlighting on farmland near Zainabad at the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th.

 

Great Thick-knee – Esacus recurvirostris C

We saw 3 from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th.

Great Thick-knee and Indian Skimmers at the Chambal River

 

 

Great Thick-knees at the Chambal River

 

Oystercatcher – Haematopus ostralegus longipes C

We saw 30 at the Jakhau mudflats on the 1^st.

 

Black-winged Stilt – Himantopus himantopus C

We saw 60 at Okhla on the 18^th, 2 between Agra and Chambal on the 19^th, 8 at Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th, 5 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 50 at Jal Mahal, Jaipur on the 23^rd, 5 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 10 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 20 there on the 28^th and 25 on the 29^th, 30 at the Jakhau saltpans on the 1^st, 6 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 8 at Kheechan on the 6^th and 8 between Kheechan and Jodhpur on the 7^th.

 

Avocet – Recurvirostra avosetta C

We saw 8 at Okhla on the 18^th, 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 5 there on the 28^th and 1 on the 29^th and a flock of 150 at the Jakhau saltpans on the 1^st.

 

Grey Plover – Pluvialis squatarola C

We saw 6 at the Jakhau mudflats on the 1^st.

 

Little Ringed Plover – Charadrius dubius C

We saw 10 at a pool in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 29^th.

Kentish Plover – Charadrius alexandrinus alexandrinus C

We saw 1 from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th and 2 at Jakhau on the 1^st.

 

Lesser Sand Plover – Charadrius mongolus C

We saw 10 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 5 there on the 28^th and 2 at a pool in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 29^th.

 

Greater Sand Plover – Charadrius leschenaultii C

We saw 1 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th.

 

Northern Lapwing – Vanellus vanellus C

We saw a single individual at the Okhla Temple bund on the 18^th.

 

Yellow-wattled Lapwing – Vanellus malabaricus C

We saw 2 on farmland near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 28^th, 4 near Naliya on the 31^st and 6 along the road leading to Jakhau on the 1^st.

 

 Yellow-wattled Lapwing at Jakhau

River Lapwing – Vanellus duvaucelii C

We saw 5 from the Chambal River boat trip on the 19^th.

 

Red-wattled Lapwing – Vanellus indicus indicus C

We saw 6 at Okhla and 4 between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th, 15 between Agra and Chambal on the 19^th, 6 at the Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th, 5 on the trip to Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 at Jal Mahal, Jaipur on the 23^rd, 8 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh and 2 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 6 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th, 4 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the27th, 28^th and 29^th, 35 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 6 north of Naliya on the 1^st, 10 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 2 between Jaisalmer and Phalodi on the 6^th and 5 between Kheechan and Jodhpur on the 7^th.

 

White-tailed Plover – Vanellus leucurus C

We saw 2 at Okhla on the 18^th and 1 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th.

 

Cream-coloured Courser – Cursorius cursor bogulubovi C

We saw 25 south of the Sudaseri Bustard Enclosure at the Desert National Park in the Thar Desert on the 5^th.

 

Flighty Cream-coloured Coursers in the Desert National Park

 

Indian Courser – Cursorius coromandelicus C

We saw 20 in the Naliya grasslands on the 31^st and 6 there the following day.

 

 Indian Courser at the Naliya Grasslands

Indian Skimmer – Rynchops albicollis C

We saw 33 from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th. Superb.

 

 

 

Indian Skimmers along the Chambal River

 

Heuglin’s Gull – Larus heuglini heuglini C

We saw 350 at Jakhau fishing village on the 1^st.

 First-winter Heuglin's Gull at Jakhau

 

 

 

 

Heuglin's Gulls at Jakhau

 

Presumed Steppe Gull L.c. barabensis at Jakhau

Great Black-headed Gull – Larus ichthyaetus C

We saw 4 from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th.

 First-winter Great Black-headed Gull along the Chambal River

Brown-headed Gull – Larus brunnicephalus C

We saw 20 at Okhla on the 18^th, 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th and 2 at Jakhau on the 1^st.

 

Black-headed Gull – Larus ridibundus C

We saw 400 at Okhla on the 18^th, 1 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 at Jaisamund Lake on the 26^th, 6 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th and 28^th.

 

Slender-billed Gull – Larus genei C

We saw 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 4 there on the 28^th and 20 on the 29^th and 500 at the Jakhau saltpans on the 1^st.

 

Gull-billed Tern – Gelochelidon nilotica nilotica C

We saw 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 15 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 30 there on the 28^th and 29^th, 1 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 1 at the Naliya Grasslands on the 31^st and 40 at the Jakhau saltpans on the 1^st.

 

Caspian Tern – Sterna caspia C

We saw 2 at Jakhau on the 1^st.

 

River Tern – Sterna aurantia C

We saw 12 from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th, 1 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 6 along a river in the Aravali Hills on the 25^th, 6 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th, 20 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 40 there on the 28^th and 10 on the 29^th.

 

 

River Tern along the Chambal River

 

Lesser Crested Tern – Sterna bengalensis bengalensis C

A single individual was seen at the Jakhau mudflats on the 1^st.

 

Black-bellied Tern – Sterna acuticauda C

A single individual was seen from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th.

 

Whiskered Tern – Chlidonias hybridus C

We saw 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 25 there on the 28^th and 50 on the 29^th, 2 at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 30^th and 5 there on the 3^rd.

 

White-winged Black Tern – Chlidonias leucopterus C

We saw 5 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th and 15 there on the 29^th.

 

Osprey – Pandion haliaetus haliaetus C

We saw 1 from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th and 3 at Jakhau on the 1^st.

 

Osprey at the Chambal River

 

Oriental Honey-Buzzard – Pernis ptilorhyncus ruficollis C

We saw 1 at the Chambal Safari Camp on the 19^th and 4 there on the 20^th.

 

Black-shouldered Kite – Elanus caeruleus vociferus C

We saw 1 between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th, 1 at Chambal Safari Camp on the 19^th, 2 at the Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd, 3 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh and 2 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 1 near Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 2 there on the 28^th and 3 on the 29^th, 7 between Zainabad and Bhuj and 1 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 2 near Naliya on the 31^st, 1 there on the 1^st, 18 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd and 10 at Dehli Airport on the 7^th.

 

 

Black-shouldered Kite at Jaipur Grass Nursery

 

Black Kite – Milvus migrans govinda C

We saw 53 at Noida/Okhla and 10 between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th, 10 at the Taj Mahal on the 19^th, 1 at Chambal Safari Camp and 9 at Fatehpur Sikri on the 20^th, 25 around Jaipur on the 23^rd, 8 at Udaipur on the 25^th, 6 there on the 26^th, 1 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 1 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th and 9 at Dehli Airport on the 7^th.

 

Egyptian Vulture – Neophron percnopterus ginginianus C

We saw 5 at Chambal Safari Camp on the 19^th and 1 there on the 20^th, 4 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 2 at Jaisamund Lake and 5 at Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th, 10 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 5 in the Thar Desert on the 5^th and 2 between Jaisalmer and Phalodi on the 6^th.

 

Egyptian Vulture in the Desert National Park

 

White-rumped Vulture – Gyps bengalensis C

We saw 20 sat by the roadside whilst crossing the Little Rann of Kutch on the 30^th and 2 at the Soneri Hills on the 31^st.

 

White-rumped Vultures in the Little Rann of Kutch

 Adult White-rumped Vulture in the Little Rann of Kutch

 

Immature White-rumped Vulture in the Little Rann of Kutch

 

Indian (Long-billed) Vulture – Gyps indicus C

We saw 15 including a juvenile sat in a nest at their breeding cliffs near Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th and 3 just north of Jaisamund on the 26^th.

 

 

Indian Long-billed Vultures near Bund Baretha

 

Eurasian Griffon – Gyps fulvus fulvescens C

We saw 1 sat by the roadside whilst crossing the Little Rann of Kutch on the 30^th, 30 in the Thar Desert on the 5^th and 2 between Jaisalmer and Phalodi on the 6^th.

 Eurasian Griifon in the Little Rann of Kutch

Black Vulture – Aegypius monachus C

We saw 6 in the Thar Desert on the 5^th.

Black, Griffon & White-rumped Vulture in the Desert National Park

 

 

Black & Griffon Vultures in the Desert National Park

 

Red-headed Vulture – Sarcogyps calvus C

We saw 1 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th and 2 in the Thar Desert on the 5^th.

 

Red-headed Vulture in the Desert National Park

 

Short-toed Eagle – Circaetus gallicus C

We saw singles at the Naliya Done Grasslands on the 31^st and in the Thar Desert on the 5^th.

 

Crested Serpent Eagle – Spilornis cheela cheela C

A single adult was seen at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

Marsh Harrier – Circus aeruginosus aeruginosus C

We saw 3 at Okhla on the 18^th, 3 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 near Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 3 there on the 28^th and 2 on the 29^th, 2 north of Naliya on the 1^st and 2 whilst crossing the Little Rann of Kutch on the 3^rd.

 

Pallid Harrier – Circus macrourus C

Single males were seen near Zainabad in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, at the Lala Bustard Reserve on the 31^st and between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Montagu’s Harrier – Circus pygargus C

We saw 3 near Zainabad in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 2 at the Naliya Done Grasslands on the 31^st and 1 at Fulay on the 2^nd.

 

 Female Montagu's Harrier at the Naliya Done Grasslands

Shikra – Accipiter badius dussumieri C

We saw 1 at Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th, 1 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 1 at Jaipur on the 23^rd, 1 near Zainabad in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 2 there on the 28^th and 2 on the 29^th, 1 near Fulay on the 2^nd and 1 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th.

 

Long-legged Buzzard – Buteo rufinus rufinus C

We saw 1 on farmland on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th, 3 at the Soneri Hills on the 31^st, 3 north of Naliya on the 1^st, 4 in the Great Rann of Kutch on the 2^nd, 1 between Bhuj and Fulay on the 3^rd, 1 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th, 3 in the Thar Desert on the 5^th, 6 between Jaisalmer and Phalodi on the 6^th and 1 between Kheechan and Jodhpur on the 7^th.

 

Long-legged Buzzard in the Desert National Park

 

Spotted Eagle – Aquila clanga C

We saw 5 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and 1 in the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th.

 

Immature Spotted Eagle at Bharatpur

Tawny Eagle – Aquila rapax vindhiana C

We saw singles sat on a nest in the Great Rann of Kutch on the 2^nd and between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Steppe Eagle – Aquila nipalensis nipalensis C

We saw 1 at Nagarhagh Biological Park on the 23^rd, 1 north of Jaisamund on the 26^th, 1 in the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th and 1 there on the 29^th, 1 at the Naliya Done Grasslands on the 31^st, 15 in the Great Rann of Kutch on the 2^nd, 5 in the Thar Desert on the 5^th and 1 near the Fossil Park at Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 Steppe Eagles near Fulay

Eastern Imperial Eagle – Aquila heliaca C

A superb adult was seen perched at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

Bonelli’s Eagle – Hieraaetus fasciatus fasciatus C

Two were seen in the vicinity of a nest from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th.

 

 

Bonelli's Eagle along the Chambal River

Booted Eagle – Hieraaetus pennatus C

We saw 1 pale morph adult at the Chambal Safari Camp on the 22^nd.

 

Crested (Changeable) Hawk Eagle – Spizaetus cirrhatus cirrhatus C

A single adult was seen within the sanctuary at Kumbalgarh on the 25^th.

 

 

Crested Hawk-Eagle at Kumbalgarh

 

Kestrel – Falco tinnunculus C

We saw 1 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 1 at Jaipur on the 23^rd, 2 between Jaipur and Kubalgarh on the 24^th, 1 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 1 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 3 there on the 28^th and 2 on the 29^th, 2 at the Soneri Hills on the 31^st, 4 around Naliya on the 1^st, 1 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 2 in the Thar Desert on the 5^th, 1 near Jaisalmer on the 6^th and 1 between Kheechan and Jodhpur on the 7^th.

 

Red-necked Falcon – Falco chicquera chicquera C

A superb adult was seen both in flight and perched atop a large tree at the Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th.

 

Laggar Falcon – Falco jugger C

Pairs were seen between the Rajasthan border and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, at the Sudaseri Bustard Enclosure at the Desert National Park in the Thar Desert and c.5km south of there on the 5^th.

 

 

Laggar Falcon in the Desert National Park

 

Peregrine – Falco peregrinus C

Singles were seen around the Radisson Hotel at Noida on the 18^th, perched on the Taj Mahal on the 19^th, at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th.

 

Little Grebe – Tachybaptus ruficollis capensis C

We saw 16 at Okhla on the 18^th, 2 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 6 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 1 near Jaipur on the 24^th, 2 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 3 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th, 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 3 there on the 28^th and 5 on the 29^th, 3 near Naliya on the 1^st and 6 at Kheechan on the 6^th. The Ripley Guide states subspecific treatment of regional populations needs revision stating both capensis and poggei may occur in the region.

 

Great Crested Grebe – Podiceps cristatus cristatus C

We saw 2 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st and 1 on a village tank near Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 29^th.

 

Oriental Darter – Anhinga melanogaster C

We saw 1 from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th, 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and 5 north of Naliya on the 1^st.

 

Little Cormorant – Phalacrocorax niger C

We saw 20 at Okhla on the 18^th, 5 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and 2 near Zainabad at the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th.

 

Indian Cormorant – Phalacrocorax fuscicollis C

We saw 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 Little Cormorant and Indian Cormorants

Great Cormorant – Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis C

We saw 20 at Okhla on the 18^th, 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 5 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th and 6 at Gadisar Tank, Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 

Little Egret – Egretta garzetta garzetta C

We saw 5 at Okhla on the 18^th, 1 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 10 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 20 there on the 28^th and 10 on the 29^th, 6 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th and 2 near Naliya on the 1^st.

 

Western Reef Egret – Egretta gularis schistacea C

We saw 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th, 1 there on the 29^th, 10 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th and 6 at Jakhau on the 1^st.

 Western Reef Egret at Jakhau

Grey Heron – Ardea cinerea rectirostris C

We saw 5 at Okhla on the 18^th, 1 at the Taj Mahal and 2 from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th, 6 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 at Jal Mahal, Jaipur on the 23^rd, 2 at Jaisamund Lake on the 26^th, 3 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 5 there on the 28^th and 29^th, 2 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th and 2 at Jakhau on the 1^st. The Ripley Guide notes that rectirostris is not always recognised.

 

Purple Heron – Ardea purpurea manilensis C

We saw 2 at Okhla on the 18^th and 4 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

Great Egret – Egretta alba modesta C

We saw 2 at Okhla on the 18^th, 2 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 20 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 25 there on the 28^th and 20 there on the 29^th, 10 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 6 at Jakhau on the 1^st and 1 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Intermediate Egret – Mesophoyx intermedia intermedia C

We saw 1 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st.

 

Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis coromandus C

We saw 50 between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th, 5 at the Taj Mahal and 15 between Agra and Chambal on the 19^th, 10 near Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th, 5 on the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 30 between Bharatpur and Jaipur on the 22^nd, 1 at Nagarharh Biological Park on the 23^rd, 4 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 6 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th, 2 near Zainabad on the 29^th, 10 between Zainabad and Bhuj and 2 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 2 at the Naliya Done Grasslands on the 2^nd, 10 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 1 at Kheechan on the 6^th and 3 near Jodhpur on the 7^th. The Ripley Guide states that consistent differences between ibis and coromandus in breeding plumage, proportions and vocalisations indicate they are better treated as two species.

 

Indian Pond Heron – Ardeola grayii C

We saw 10 at Okhla on the 18th, 1 at the Taj Mahal on the 19^th, 2 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 28^th and 29^th, 1 near Naliya on the 31^st and 5 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Night Heron – Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax C

We saw 25 roosting at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

Greater Flamingo – Phoenicopterus (ruber) roseus C

We saw 35 at Ohkla on the 18^th, 1 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th and 29^th, 2 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th and 60 at the Jakhau saltpans on the 1^st.

 

Glossy Ibis – Plegadis falcinellus C

We saw 10 at Okhla on the 18^th, 1 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 1 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and 3 north of Naliya on the 1^st.

 

Black-headed Ibis – Threskiornis melanocephalus C

We saw 2 at Okhla on the 18^th and 6 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 Black-headed Ibis at Bharatpur

Black Ibis – Pseudibis papillosa C

We saw 10 from the Chambal River trip on the 19^th, 1 at the Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th, 12 at a tank near Naliya on the 31^st and 5 north of Naliya on the 1^st.

 

 

 

 Black Ibis along the Chambal River

Eurasian Spoonbill – Platalea leucorodia major C

We saw 15 at Okhla on the 18^th, 50 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 50 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 50 there on the 28^th and 70 there on the 29^th, 2 at Jakhau on the 1^st, 10 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd and 1 at Gadisar Tank on the 6^th.

 

White Pelican – Pelecanus onocotalus C

We saw 2 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 80 in the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th, 600 flew into roost at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 29^th, 20 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th and 10 at Jakhau on the 1^st.

 White Pelicans in the Little Rann of Kutch

Dalmatian Pelican - Pelecanus crispus C

We saw at least 4 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 29^th.

Dalmatian Pelican over the Little Rann of Kutch

 

Immature Dalmatian Pelican in the Little Rann of Kutch

 

Dalmatian and White Pelicans and Spoonbills in the Little Rann

  



Painted Stork – Mycteria leucocephala C

We saw 1 at Okhla on the 18^th, 4 at Fatehpur Sikri on the 20^th, 500 at their breeding colony at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 2 there on the 28^th and 5 on the 29^th, 2 near Naliya on the 1^st and 3 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 Asian Openbill and Painted Stork at Bharatpur

Asian Openbill – Anastomus oscitans C

We saw 5 at Okhla on the 18^th, 1 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 near Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th and 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 28^th.

 

Woolly-necked Stork – Ciconia episcopus episcopus C

We saw 1 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and 1 at Jaisamund Lake and 4 near Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th.

Black-necked Stork – Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus asiaticus C

We saw a single adult at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

Isabelline Shrike – Lanius isabellinus arenarius C

We saw 1 at Chambal Safari Camp on the 20^th, 1 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 6 on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 2 on the 28^th and 5 on the 29^th, 1 near Naliya on the 1^st and 1 near Jaisalmer Fossil Park on the 6^th.

 

 

 Isabelline Shrike at Bund Baretha

Bay-backed Shrike – Lanius vittatus C

We saw 3 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 1 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 at Jaipur on the 23^rd, 2 near Zainabad on the 27^th, 28^th and 29^th, 6 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 3 at the Soneri Hills on the 31^st and 2 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Long-tailed Shrike – Lanius schach (erythronotus group) C

We saw 2 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 5 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, and 1 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th.

 Long-tailed Shrike at Little Rann of Kutch

Southern Grey Shrike – Lanius meridionalis pallidirostris / lahtora C

A single first-winter L.m. pallidirostris was seen in scrub alongside the Chambal River on the 19^th. We saw 15 of the form L.m. lahtora between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 1 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 3 there on the 28^th and 2 on the 29^th, 8 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 2 near Naliya on the 31^st, 3 at the Naliya Done Grasslands on the 1^st, 1 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 10 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 1 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th, 8 at the Desert National Park and surrounding area on the 5^th, 5 between Jaisalmer and Phalodi on the 6^th and 4 between Kheechan and Jodhpur on the 7^th.

 

 

 Southern Grey Shrike L.m. lahtora in the Little Rann of Kutch

presumed adult Steppe Grey Shrike L.m. pallidirostris in the Desert National Park

Rufous Treepie – Dendrocitta vagabunda C

We saw 1 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 19^th, 3 there on the 20^th, 1 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 4 at Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd, 1 near Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 3 within Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th and 2 at Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th.

 

House Crow – Corvus splendens splendens C

Seen daily in good numbers. Daily maximums of 200 were estimated between Noida and Agra on the 18^th and between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd although a concentration of 150 were seen feeding on a dead Cow at Fulay on the 2^nd – unfortunately not a Vulture to be seen there. 

 

Large-billed Crow – Corvus macrorhynchos culminatus C

We saw 5 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 19^th and 20^th, 2 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 5 between Bharatpur and Jaipur on the 22^nd and 15 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th.

 

Raven – Corvus corax subcorax C

A single individual was seen 5km south of the Sudarsi Bustard Enclosure at the Desert National Park on the 5^th.

 

Golden Oriole – Oriolus oriolus kundoo C

A smart male was seen at Bharatpur on the 22^nd. The Ripley Guide treats kundoo as a full species.

 Indian Golden Oriole at Bharatpur

Small Minivet – Pericrocotus cinnamomeus pallidus C

We saw 8 at Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd, 1 within Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th, 1 at the Soneri Hills on the 31^st and 1 near Fulay on the 2^nd.

 

 Small Minivet at Jaipur Grass Nursery

White-bellied Minivet – Pericrocotus erythropygius erythropygius C

A single female was seen at Nagarharh Biological Park at Jaipur on the 23^rd. Although twice located during the afternoon unfortunately on neither occasion was it accompanied by a male.

 

 

White-bellied Minivet at Nagarharh Biological Park

 

Spot-breasted Fantail – Rhipidura albogularis C

A single individual was seen near the well marked on the map of Kumbalgarh on the 24^th.

 

White-browed Fantail – Rhipidura aureola aureola C

We saw 4 at sites around Jaipur on the 23^rd, 3 at Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th, 2 near Jaisamund on the 26^th and 1 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th.

 

Black Drongo – Dicrurus macrocercus C

We saw 20 between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th, 10 between Agra and Chambal on the 19^th, 5 between Chambal and Bharatpur on the 20^th, 5 the day we visied Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 5 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 around Jaipur on the 23^rd, 15 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 10 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 10 near Jaisamund on the 26^th, 6 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 3 there on the 28^th and 2 on the 29^th, 10 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 10 at the Soneri Hills on the 31^st, 12 at the Lala Bustard Reserve on the 1^st, 8 in the Great Rann of Kutch on the 2^nd, 20 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 1 at Jaisalmer Fossil Park on the 6^th and 2 near Kheechan on the 7^th.

 Immature Black Drongo in the Little Rann of Kutch

White-bellied Drongo – Dicrurus caerulescens C

We saw 2 at Hotel Aodhi at Kumbalgarh on the 25^th.

Common Iora – Aegithina tiphia C

We saw 2 within the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th and 4 at the Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th.

Marshall’s Iora – Aegithina nigrolutea C

We saw 2 at the Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd and 1 at a dry wadi just south of Fulay on the 2^nd.

 Marshall's Iora at Jaipur Grass Nursery

Common Woodshrike – Tephrodornis pondicerianus C

We saw 1 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 4 at the Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd, 2 within the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th, 2 near Jaisamund on the 26^th, 2 west of Bhuj on the 30^th and 2 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st.

 

Blue Rock Thrush – Monticola solitarius C

We saw singles at the base of the cliffs at the Indian (Long-billed) Vulture colony near Bund Baretha on the 21^st, between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th and near Fulay on the 2^nd. 

 

Red-breasted Flycatcher – Ficedula parva C

A male was seen at Okhla Temple Bund on the 18^th, a male was seen at the Chambal Safari Lodge on the 19^th and 4 were seen there on the 20^th, 2 were seen at the park at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 5 were seen at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 1 was seen at the Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd, 3 were seen in Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th and 1 at Camp Zainabad on the 28^th. I checked as many as possible but never identified any Taiga Flycatchers Ficedula albicilla.

 

 Male Red-breasted Flycatchers at Chambal

Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher – Cyornis tickelliae tickelliae C

Single males were seen within the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th and roadside between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th.

 

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher – Culicicapa ceylonensis calochrysea C

Singles were seen at the park at Bund Baretha on the 21^st and at Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd.

 

Bluethroat – Luscinia svecica C

We saw 5 at Okhla on the 18^th, 2 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st and 5 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

Magpie Robin – Copsychus saularis saularis C

We saw 1 at Okhla on the 18^th, 5 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 at Jaipur on the 23^rd and 1 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th.

 

Indian Robin – Saxicoloides fulicata cambaiensis C

We saw 1 at the Chambal River on the 19^th, 10 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21st, 1 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 5 at Nagarharh Biological Park on the 23^rd, 10 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 there on the 25^th, 12 at Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th, 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th and 28^th, 4 between Zainabad and Bhuj and 1 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 15 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st, 5 at the Lala Bustard Reserve on the 1^st, 3 in the Great Rann of Kutch on the 2^nd, 2 between Bhuj and Jaisamer on the 3^rd and 3 near the Desert National Park on the 5^th.

 

Female Indian Robin at Fulay



 

 

Male Indian Robins in the Desert National Park

 

Black Redstart – Phoenicurus ochruros C

We saw 1 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 3 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 1 at Nagarharh Biological Park on the 23^rd, 1 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 1 within the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th, 2 at Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th, 2 at Camp Zainabad on the 27^th, 1 there on the 28^th and 29^th, 2 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st, 1 north of Naliya on the 1^st, 2 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 2 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 1 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th, 5 in the Desert National Park area on the 5^th and 1 near Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 

Stoliczka’s Bushchat – Saxicola macrorhyncha C

We saw a non-breeding plumaged male around the base of the Observation Tower at the Lala Bustard Sanctuary on the 31^st. Several times it performed its bizarre terrestrial ‘puff and roll’ display!

 

 

 

 

 

Male Stoliczka’s Bushchat at the Lala Bustard Sanctuary

 

Siberian (Common) Stonechat – Saxicola torquata indica / maura C

We saw 1 between Agra and Chambal on the 19^th, 1 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh and 1 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 8 there on the 28^th and 1 on the 29^th, 2 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 2 at the Soneri Hills on the 31^st and 2 at the Lala Bustard Sanctuary on the 1^st.

 

White-tailed Stonechat – Saxicola leucura C

A pair were seen at the Okhla Temple Bund on the 18^th.

 Female White-tailed Stonechat at Okhla

 

 

 

 

Male White-tailed Stonechat at Okhla

 

Pied Bushchat – Saxicola caprata bicolor C

We saw singles at Okhla on the 18^th, Chambal River on the 19^th, Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 10 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 5 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 1 there on the 25^th, and 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 29^th.

 

Variable Wheatear – Oenanthe picata capistrata / picata C

We saw 2 picata near Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 6 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 3 there on the 28^th and 2 on the 29^th, 8 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st, 6 at the Lala Bustard Sanctuary on the 1^st, 3 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 2 at Jaisalmer Fossil Park on the 4^th, 15 in the Desert National Park area on the 5^th, 8 between Jaisalmer and Phalodi on the 6^th and 2 capistrata between Kheechan and Jodhpur on the 7^th.

Female Variable Wheatear O.p. picata in the Little Rann of Kutch

 

Female Variable Wheatear O.p. capistrata at Fulay

 

Male Variable Wheatear O.p. picata at Jaisalme

 

Rufous-tailed Wheatear – Oenanthe xanthoprymna chrysopygia C

We saw 1 around 5km south of the Sudarsi Bustard Enclosure at the Desert National Park and 1 near Khuri both on the 5^th. The Ripley Guide notes that chrysopygia has long beern considered conspecific with xanthoprymna on the basis of a few apparent hybrids that have now been reidentified as first-winter xanthoprymna hence they suggest chrysopygia is better treated as a full species.

 

 

 

Rufous-tailed Wheatears in the Desert National Park

 

Desert Wheatear – Oenanthe deserti deserti C

We saw 1 at the Chambal River on the 19^th, 10 in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 6 there on the 28^th and 15 on the 29^th, 10 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st, 8 at the Lala Bustard Sanctuary on the 1^st, 12 in the Great Rann of Kutch on the 2^nd, 1 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd and 15 in the Desert National Park area on the 5^th.

Female Desert Wheatear at Naliya Done

Male Desert Wheatear in the Desert National Park

Isabelline Wheatear – Oenanthe isabellina C

We saw 2 in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 28^th, 2 at the Naliya Done Grasslands on the 31^st and 1^st and 2 in the Sudarsi Bustard Enclosure in the Desert National Park on the 5^th.

Isabelline Wheatear in the Desert National Park

 

Brown Rock-Chat – Cercomela fusca C

We saw 5 at Fatehpur Sikri on the 20^th, 8 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 at Nagarharh Biological Park on the 23^rd, 2 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 there on the 25^th, 2 within Jaisamund Wuildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th and 4 around Phalodi town on the 6^th.

 Brown Rock Chat at Fatehpur Sikri

Brahminy Starling – Sturnus pagodarum C

We saw 1 at the Chambal River on the 19^th, 5 at the Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 5 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 15 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 28^th and 29^th, 6 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 1 at Lala Bustard Sanctuary on the 1^st, 8 near Fulay on the 2^nd and 6 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 Brahminy Starling at Chambal

Rosy Starling – Sturnus roseus C

We saw 30 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 50 there on the 28^th and 35 on the 29^th, 150 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 100 near Naliya on the 1^st, 100 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd and 5 between Kheechan and Jodhpur on the 7^th.

Starling – Sturnus vulgaris C

We saw 1 in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 29^th.

 

Asian Pied Starling – Sturnus contra contra C

We saw 15 between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th, 5 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 19^th and 20^th, 10 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 5 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and 10 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th.

 

Common Myna – Acridotheres tristis tristis C

We saw 2 between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th, 8 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 10 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 25 between Bharatpur and Jaipur on the 22^nd, 5 at Jaipur on the 23^rd, 15 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 5 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 29^th, 10 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 4 near Naliya on the 31^st, 6 there on the 1^st and 6 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Bank Myna – Acridotheres ginginianus C

We saw 25 between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th, 10 between Agra and Chambal on the 19^th, 35 between Chambal and Bharatpur on the 20^th, 20 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 40 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 28^th and 1 on the 29^th, 15 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 3 near Naliya on the 31^st, 2 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd and 1 near Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 

Spotted Creeper – Salpornis spilonotus C

A superb individual was seen with a mixed species flock at Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd. It originally accompanied a flock consisting of Common Woodshrikes, Small Minivets and Marshall’s Ioras.

 

 

 

 

 Spotted Creeper in the Jaipur Grass Nursery

Great Tit – Parus major C

We saw 2 at Jaipur Grass Nursery and 4 at Nagarharh Biological Park on the 23^rd, 5 within the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th and 12 at Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th.

 

Eastern Great Tit at Nahargarh Biological Park, Jaipur

 

White-naped Tit – Parus nuchalis C

We saw a group of 3 along a dry watercourse c.25km west of Bhuj on the 30^th, 1 along a dry watercourse at the Soneri Hills on the 31^st and 1 at another dry wadi just south of Fulay on the 2^nd.

 

 

 

White-naped Tit at Fulay

 

Black-lored Tit – Parus xanthogenys aplonotus C

We saw 5 in a small patch of roadside forest between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th. The Ripley Guide suggests elevating aplonotus to full species status.

 

Sand Martin – Riparia riparia C

We saw 5 in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 28^th and 2 there the following day.

 

Plain Martin – Riparia paludicola chinensis C

We saw 15 at Okhla on the 18^th, 20 at the Chambal River on the 19^th, 2 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th and 20 at Kheechan on the 6^th.

 

Plain Martin at Kumbalgarh

 

Dusky Crag Martin – Hirundo concolor concolor C

We saw 2 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 1 at Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd, 1 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 near Kumbalgarh on the 25^th and 5 just south of Fulay on the 2^nd.

 

Swallow – Hirundo rustica C

We saw 40 at Okhla on the 18^th, 35 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 3 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 3 there on the 28^th and 10 on the 29^th, 30 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 25 at sites around Naliya on the 1^st and 25 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Wire-tailed Swallow – Hirundo smithii filifera C

We saw 2 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and 1 seen between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th.

 

Red-rumped Swallow – Hirundo daurica C

We saw 10 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 29^th, 6 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th and 4 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st.

 

Streak-throated Swallow – Hirundo fluvicola C

We saw 10 feeding over the jheels at Bharatpur on the 22^nd.

 

White-eared Bulbul – Pycnonotus leucotis C

We saw 15 at the Chambal River on the 19^th, 20 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 10 there on the 28^th and 15 on the 29^th, 6 near Naliya on the 1^st, 8 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 5 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th, 2 near the Desert National Park on the 5^th, 4 between Jaisalmer and Phalodi on the 6^th and 1 near Kheechan on the 7^th.

 

Red-vented Bulbul – Pycnonotus cafer humayuni C

We saw 6 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 5 between Bharatpur and Jaipur on the 22^nd, 5 at Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd, 2 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 25 in Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th, 10 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st, 2 near Naliya on the 1^st, 6 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 2 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th, 4 near the Desert National Park on the 5^th, 4 near Kheechan on the 6^th and 2 near Kheechan on the 7^th.

 Red-vented Bulbul at Kumbalgarh

Grey Hypocolius – Hypocolius ampelinus C

We saw an adult male, an adult female and a juvenile near Fulay on the 2^nd. Superb.

 

Male Grey Hypocolius and White-eared Bulbul near Fulay

 

Male Grey Hypocolius near Fulay

 Juvenile Grey Hypocolius near Fulay

Rufous-fronted Prinia – Prinia buchanani C

We saw 2 at the base of the cliffs at the Indian (Long-billed) Vulture colony near Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 5 north of Jaisamund on the 26^th, 15 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st and 3 near the Desert National Park on the 5^th.

 

Grey-breasted Prinia – Prinia hodgsonii hodgsonii C

We saw 6 within the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th.

 

Jungle Prinia – Prinia sylvatica C

We saw a pair within the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th.

 

Yellow-bellied Prinia – Prinia flaviventris flaviventris C

We saw 2 from the Okhla Temple bund on the 18^th.

 

Ashy Prinia – Prinia socialis C

We saw 8 at Okhla on the 18^th, 2 near Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th and 2 there on the 25^th.

 

Plain Prinia – Prinia inornata C

We saw 4 at Okhla on the 18^th, 2 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 5 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 4 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 5 at Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd, 2 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th and 25^th, 4 in Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th, 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th and 28^th, 6 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st and 2 near Fulay on the 2^nd.

Plain Prinia at Okhla

 

Oriental White-eye – Zosterops palpebrosus C

We saw 1 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 19^th, 5 at Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th and 10 at Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th.

 

Paddyfield Warbler – Acrocephalus agricola C

We saw 1 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 29^th.

 

Blyth’s Reed Warbler – Acrocephalus dumetorum C

We saw 1 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 27^th, 1 there on the 28^th and 2 on the 29^th.

 

Clamorous Reed Warbler – Acrocephalus stentoreus C

We saw 1 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and 2 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 29^th.

Clamorous Reed Warbler at Bharatpur

 

Sykes’s Warbler – Hippolais rama C

We saw 2 in acacias to the north of Jaisamund on the 26^th and 1 in acacias outside the Fossil Park at Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 

Common Tailorbird – Orthotomus sutorius C

We saw 1 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 19^th, 2 near Jaipur on the 23^rd, 2 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th and 2 north of Jaisamund on the 26^th.

 

Siberian Chiffchaff – Phylloscopus colybita tristis C

We saw 5 at Okhla Temple bund on the 18^th, 1 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 19^th, 4 there on the 20^th, 6 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 5 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 1 at Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd, 5 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 6 north of Jaisamund on the 26^th, 3 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 1 there on the 29^th, 2 near Khuri on the 5^th and 1 near the Fossil Park at Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 

Plain Leaf Warbler – Phylloscopus neglectus C

We saw 2 along the edge of an acacia-lined mustard field just outside the Fossil Park at Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 

Sulphur-bellied Warbler – Phylloscopus griseolus C

We saw 1 along the entrance road to Nagarharh Biological Park at Jaipur on thr 23^rd, 1 within the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th and 3 north of Jaisalmer on the 26^th.

 

Sulphur-bellied Warbler at the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Hume’s Leaf Warbler – Phylloscopus humei C

We saw 3 at Okhla Temple bund on the 18^th, 3 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 19^th, 8 there on the 20^th, heard one at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, saw 1 at Nagarharh Biological Park on the 23^rd, 1 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th and 1 north of Jaisamund on the 26^th.

 Hume's Leaf Warbler at Chambal

Greenish Warbler – Phylloscopus trochiloides viridanus C

We saw and heard 1 at Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th.

 

Striated Grassbird – Megalurus palustris toklao C

We saw 5 at the Okhla Temple bund on the 18^th.

 

Tawny-bellied Babbler – Dumetia hyperythra albogularis C

We saw 6 within the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th and 3 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th.

 Tawny-bellied Babblers between Jaisamund and Udaipur

Yellow-eyed Babbler – Chrysomma sinense hypoleucum C

We saw 4 north of Jaisamund on the 26^th.

 

Common Babbler – Turdoides caudatus C

We saw 1 at the Indian (Long-billed) Vulture colony near Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 10 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 15 there on the 28^th and 29^th, 4 between Zainabad and Bhuj and 2 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 15 around Naliya on the 31^st, 8 there on the 1^st, 12 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 6 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 15 the day we visited Desert National Park on the 5^th and 8 near Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 

Striated Babbler – Turdoides earlei C

We saw 5 at the Okhla Temple bund on the 18^th.

 

 

Striated Babbler at Okhla

 

Large Grey Babbler – Turdoides malcomi C

We saw 6 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 5 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 12 at Jaipur Grass Nursery on the 23^rd, 15 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 5 at Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and 1 between Kumbalgarh and Udaipur on the 25^th, 10 between Jaisamund and Udaipur on the 26^th, 4 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th and 5 there on the 28^th.

 Large Grey Babbler at Chambal

Jungle Babbler – Turdoides striatus C

We saw 1 at Okhla on the 18^th, 15 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 19^th, 20 there on the 20^th, 10 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 15 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 5 near Jaipur on the 23^rd, 5 near Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 10 in the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th, 5 north of Jaisamund on the 26^th and 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th.

 Jungle Babbler at Chambal

Lesser Whitethroat – Sylvia curruca halimodendri / minula C

We saw 3 at Okhla on the 18^th, 2 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 6 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 20 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, 10 at Jaipur Grass Nursery and 2 at Nagarharh Biological Park on the 23^rd, 1 near Udaipur on the 25^th, 15 in the Jaisamund Wildlife Sanctuary on the 26^th, 6 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 3 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st, 4 near Naliya on the 1^st, 5 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 5 at the Jaisalmer Fossil Park on the 4^th, 15 the day we visited Desert National Park on the 5^th and 15 at the Jaisalmer Fossil Park on the 6^th.

Desert Lesser Whitethroat S.c. minula in the Desert National Park

 

Hume’s Lesser Whitethroat – Sylvia althaea C

We saw 1 near Zainabad on the 27^th and 1 at the wetland created by the dam at the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch near Zainabad on the 29^th.

 

Asian Desert Warbler – Sylvia nana C

We saw 4 in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 29^th, 1 at the Lala Bustard Sanctuary loosely associating with the Stolickza’s Bushchat on the 31^st and 6 the day we visited the Desert National Park area on the 5^th.

 Asian Desert Warbler in the Little Rann of Kutch

Asian Desert Warbler at  the Lala Bustard Sanctuary

Eastern Orphean Warbler – Sylvia (hortensis) crassirostris jerdoni C

We saw 2 north of Jaisamund on the 26^th, 1 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 28^th, 1 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st and 2 near Fulay on the 2nd.

Indian Bushlark – Mirafra erythroptera C

We saw 1 near Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 near Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st, 1 at the Jaisalmer Fossil Park on the 4^th and 2 at the Desert National Park on the 5^th.

 

Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark – Eremopterix nigriceps C

We saw 15 at the Desert National Park on the 5^th.

Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark in the Desert National Park

 

Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark – Eremopterix grisea C

We saw 30 near Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 10 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 1 there on the 28^th and 5 on the 29^th, 6 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th and 10 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Rufous-tailed Lark – Ammomanes phoenicurus phoenicurus C

We saw 8 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 1 there on the 28^th and 2 on the 29^th, 1 near Fulay on the 2^nd and 3 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd.

 

Desert Lark – Ammomanes deserti phoenicuroides C

We saw 4 at Jaisalmer Fossil Park on the 4^th and 4 at the Desert National Park on the 5^th.

 

Hoopoe Lark – Alaemon alaudipes doriae C

We saw 2 in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 29^th.

 

 

 Hoopoe Larks in the Little Rann of Kutch

Bimaculated Lark – Melanocorypha bimaculata torquata C

We saw 63 at the Desert National Park on the 5^th, 60 at the fields opposite the Fossil Park at Jaisalmer on the 6^th and 10 between Kheechan and Jodhpur on the 7^th.

 

Greater Short-toed Lark – Calandrella brachydactyla longipennis C

We saw 100 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 500 in the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 150 there on the 28^th and 1,000 there on the 29^th when 2 were seen to be incapacitated by a dust devil, 150 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 100 near Naliya on the 31^st, 100 there on the 1^st, 80 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 8 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th, 75 at the Desert National Park on the 5^th and 10 near Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 Short-toed Lark at the Little Rann of Kutch

 

 

Short-toed Lark incapacitated by a dust devil at Little Rann of Kutch

 

Short-toed Lark in the Desert National Park

Crested Lark – Galerida cristata C

We saw 1 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 6 there on the 28^th and 10 on the 29^th and 1 in the fields near the Jaisalmer Fossil Park on the 6^th.

 

Sykes’s Lark – Galerida deva C

We saw 5 on the edge of the Naliya grasslands on the 1^st.

 

Sykes's Lark at the Naliya Grasslands

 

Thick-billed Flowerpecker – Dicaeum agile agile C

We saw 1 from the clearing at the Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th.

 

Purple Sunbird – Nectarinia asiatica C

We saw 1 at Okhla on the 18^th, 8 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 10 at sites around Jaipur on the 23^rd, 15 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 25 there on the 28^th and 5 on the 29^th, 5 between Zainabad and Bhuj and 1 between Tera and Bhuj on the 30^th, 2 near Naliya on the 31^st, 2 north of Naliya on the 1^st, 8 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 1 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 2 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th, 10 the day we visited Desert National Park on the 5^th and 8 near Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 

House Sparrow – Passer domesticus indicus C

We saw 6 at Noida on the 18^th, 40 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 20 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 80 around Jaipur on the 23^rd, 20 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 10 between Kumbalgarh and Jaisamund on the 25^th, 10 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 6 there on the 28^th and 15 on the 29^th, 12 between Zainabad and Bhuj on the 30^th, 6 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st, 10 near Naliya on the 1^st, 6 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 20 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 10 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th, 25 the day we visited Desert National Park on the 5^th, 10 at Jaisalmer on the 6^th and 5 on the 7^th.

 

Chestnut-shouldered Petronia – Petronia xanthocollis transfuga C

We saw 2 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 6 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 12 north of Jaisamund on the 26^th, 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th and 10 near Fulay on the 2^nd.

 

White Wagtail – Motacilla alba C

We saw 1 at Okhla on the 18^th, 1 at the River Chambal on the 19^th, 10 at the Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 1 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 1 tentatively identified a personata at Ral Mahal, Jaipur on the 23^rd, 15 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 4 at Jakhau on the 1^st, 2 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 1 between Bhuj and Jaisalmer on the 3^rd, 1 near Jaisalmer on the 4^th and 1 there on the 6^th.

 

White-browed Wagtail – Motacilla maderaspatensis C

We saw 4 at the Chambal River on the 19^th.

 

Citrine Wagtail – Motacilla citreola C

We saw 10 at Okhla on the 18^th, 10 at Bharatpur on the 22^nd and 3 north of Naliya on the 1^st.

 Citrine Wagtail at Okhla

Yellow Wagtail – Motacilla flava C

We saw 2 at Okhla on the 18^th and 4 feldegg/melanogrisea at Jakhau on the 1^st.

 

Grey Wagtail – Motacilla cinerea melanope C

We saw singles at Bharatpur on the 22^nd, near Kumbalgarh on the 25^th and north of Jaisamund on the 26^th.

 

Tawny Pipit – Anthus campestris C

We saw 5 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 6 between Jaipur and Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 2 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Ran of Kutch on the 27^th, 5 there on the 28^th and 2 on the 29^th, 1 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 2 in the Soneri Hills and 4 in the Naliya Done grasslands on the 31^st, 15 at sites around Naliya on the 1^st, 2 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 2 near Jaisalmer on the 4^th, 4 there on the 5^th and 6 the day we visited Desert National Park on the 6^th.

 

Tawny Pipit at Jaisalmer

 

Long-billed Pipit – Anthus similis C

We saw 2 in fields near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th.

 

Tree Pipit – Anthus trivialis C

We saw 10 in the fields adjacent to the Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th.

 

Olive-backed Pipit – Anthus hodgsoni C

We saw 1 at the Chambal Safari Lodge on the 19^th and 2 at the Nagarharh Biological Park at Jaipur on the 23^rd.

 

Red-throated Pipit – Anthus cervinus cervinus C

We tentatively identified 1 at the Okhla Temple bund on the 18^th.

 

Baya Weaver – Ploceus philippinus philippinus C

We saw 5 at Okhla on the 18^th, 40 including 2 well-streaked immatures near Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 6 near Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 6 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 6 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st and 10 near Fulay on the 2^nd.

Red Avadavat – Amandava amandava amandava C

We saw 20 at Okhla and 5 between Dehli and Agra on the 18^th and 1 near Bund Baretha on the 21^st.  

 

Green Avadavat – Amandava formosa C

We saw 8 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th in the vicinity of the well marked on the Map of Kumbhalgarh in Kazmierczak & Singh.

 

 

 Green Avadavats at Kumbalgarh

Indian Silverbill – Lonchura malabarica C

We saw 15 at Okhla on the 18^th, 5 at Chambal Safari Lodge on the 20^th, 15 the day we visited Bund Baretha on the 21^st, 5 at Kumbalgarh on the 24^th, 10 north of Jaisamund on the 26^th, 8 near Zainabad on the periphery of the Little Rann of Kutch on the 27^th, 6 there on the 28^th and 29^th, 2 between Bhuj and Tera on the 30^th, 2 at the Soneri Hills and 10 near Naliya on the 31^st, 6 around Naliya on the 1^st, 2 near Fulay on the 2^nd, 8 at Jaisalmer on the 4^th, 6 the day we visited Desert National Park on the 5^th and 6 near Jaisalmer on the 6^th.

 

Scaly-breasted Munia – Lonchura punctulata C

We saw 5 at Kumbalgarh on the 25^th.

 

Common Rosefinch – Carpodacus erythrinus C

We saw 3 from the jeep ride at Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on the 25^th.

 

Crested Bunting – Melophus lathami C

We saw a single male at the well marked on the Map of Kumbhalgarh in Kazmierczak & Singh on the 24th.

 

 

Male Crested Bunting at Kumbhalgarh

 

Grey-necked Bunting – Emberiza buchanani C

We saw 1 in a dry wadi west of Bhuj on the 30^th and 5 in the Soneri Hills on the 31^st.

Male Grey-necked Bunting in the Soneri Hills  

 

White-capped Bunting – Emberiza stewarti C

We saw 3 at the River Chambal on the 19^th and 3 at Bund Baretha on the 21^st.

 

House Bunting – Emberiza striolata striolata C

We saw 1 at the Indian Vulture colony near Bund Baretha on the 21^st and 2 at a stone quarry just west of Jaisalmer on the 4^th.