India - April 2023 (Bharatpur area and River Chambal) (1 Viewer)

[Mike Hunter]

Happy new year to BF members.

I'm going to Eaglenest (NE India) on a birding trip and ahead of that I'm looking to have a few days in the Delhi area, from 9 to 14 April (some flex).

Key targets are: Indian Courser, Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied Tern, Sand Lark

Itinerary could be something like this:

Day 01: Delhi to Sultanpur for half day birding, later drive to Bharatpur

Day 02: Full day in Bharatpur (key bird is Indian Courser)

Day 03: Bharatpur - Chambal - river trip for Indian Skimmer and Black-bellied Tern

Day 04: Spare day to target birds

Day 05: Bharatpur or Chambal to Delhi (Okhla Island?)

Day 06: Could add another day if helpful

Will be with a car and driver / guide which I'm looking at now. If anyone is in the area or interested in teaming up please let me know. If any birders can recommend a driver / guide then I'd be very grateful (as this could increase my options).

Many thanks

Mike

 

[Andy Adcock]

I was just checking my reports and the only place I've bumped in to Yellow-footed Green Pigeon away from Burma, is Delhi Zoo grounds. Not sure it's likely on the rest of your itinerary?

 

[Farnboro John]

I was just checking my reports and the only place I've bumped in to Yellow-footed Green Pigeon away from Burma, is Delhi Zoo grounds. Not sure it's likely on the rest of your itinerary?

I'm not sure either, it's not my area of expertise, but we had it at Bandhavgarh so it may not be as difficult in India as you think?

John

 

[Andy Adcock]

I'm not sure either, it's not my area of expertise, but we had it at Bandhavgarh so it may not be as difficult in India as you think?

John

In the lowlands maybe, they're going to Eagle Nest and I'm not sure they'll get them at
Sultanpur, Bharatpur (key bird is Indian Courser) (Not heard of this at Bharatpur btw}
Chambal or Okhla Island which, IIRC, is the target area for White-tailed Stonechat?

 

[Mike Hunter]

Agree, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon isn't that tricky in the lowlands, I've seen before in India at Bharatpur.

I've now more-or-less sorted a car and local guide if anyone is up for seeing Indian Courser and Indian Skimmer and just having an enjoyable few days birding south of Delhi. Still not too late for any recommendations on car / guides.

Best regards

Mike

 

[Steve Lister]

In the lowlands maybe, they're going to Eagle Nest and I'm not sure they'll get them at
Sultanpur, Bharatpur (key bird is Indian Courser) (Not heard of this at Bharatpur btw}
Chambal or Okhla Island which, IIRC, is the target area for White-tailed Stonechat?

Regarding Indian Courser, I saw 30 at Bharatpur in March 2003 when it was unusually dry there.
It is also a regular bird at Sultanpur - I saw two there in March 2003 and seven in February 2004. Not been since.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Regarding Indian Courser, I saw 30 at Bharatpur in March 2003 when it was unusually dry there.
It is also a regular bird at Sultanpur - I saw two there in March 2003 and seven in February 2004. Not been since.

I was there almost 15 years before when I wasn't aware of the Courser there.

Probably the last year the Sibe Crane was seen.

 

[Mike Hunter]

Hi Andy / Steve

Things have changed a lot in the Delhi area. Most obviously in the vultures. When I was first there in the mid-1990s the skies were full of vultures, now that same vulture is critically endangered.

Bharatpur and Sultanpur still turn up Indian Courser. Not in the numbers of past decades. Bharatpur isn't as reliable a site as it once was (I dipped on my last visit despite a lot of effort), but there is a good reliable site a few miles to the north west.

White-tailed Stonechat does still occur at Okhla Island but it's very difficult now because of disturbance. But I expect to give it a go when I'm there.

Talking of change, the world lost Siberian Crane from the Indian subcontinent in 2001 as you say Andy. How long before the Middle East and Eurasia loses its one bird. Very sad reflection of human impact on this fragile planet.

Mike

 

[Andy Adcock]

Hi Andy / Steve

Things have changed a lot in the Delhi area. Most obviously in the vultures. When I was first there in the mid-1990s the skies were full of vultures, now that same vulture is critically endangered.

Bharatpur and Sultanpur still turn up Indian Courser. Not in the numbers of past decades. Bharatpur isn't as reliable a site as it once was (I dipped on my last visit despite a lot of effort), but there is a good reliable site a few miles to the north west.

White-tailed Stonechat does still occur at Okhla Island but it's very difficult now because of disturbance. But I expect to give it a go when I'm there.

Talking of change, the world lost Siberian Crane from the Indian subcontinent in 2001 as you say Andy. How long before the Middle East and Eurasia loses its one bird. Very sad reflection of human impact on this fragile planet.

Mike

They banned the use of diclofenac as I recall, is it still being used illegally, if not, why the continued decline?

I didn't see any Skimmers when I was there either.

 

[DMW]

I'm not sure Indian Skimmers were ever regular at Bharatpur itself? There's a nearby reservoir, Bund Baretha, that used to be quite reliable at certain times of year, but I don't know if that's still the case.

 

[temmie]

What's the story about Yellow-footed Green Pigeon? As far as I know, it's a widespread and numerous bird in most parts of India.

 

[DMW]

What's the story about Yellow-footed Green Pigeon? As far as I know, it's a widespread and numerous bird in most parts of India.

I'm not sure there is a story!

 

[Andy Adcock]

I'm not sure Indian Skimmers were ever regular at Bharatpur itself? There's a nearby reservoir, Bund Baretha, that used to be quite reliable at certain times of year, but I don't know if that's still the case.

That's where I went.

 

[Andy Adcock]

What's the story about Yellow-footed Green Pigeon? As far as I know, it's a widespread and numerous bird in most parts of India.

My comment was prompted by the split of the Vinous-breasted Mynah in Buirma. My point is that YFGP is a lowland bird and I'm not sure they'll see it where they're going plus, I've seen suggestions that the race in Burma may get split?

 

[temmie]

My comment was prompted by the split of the Vinous-breasted Mynah in Buirma. My point is that YFGP is a lowland bird and I'm not sure they'll see it where they're going plus, I've seen suggestions that the race in Burma may get split?

I see! I have been curious as well about the splitting potential of the Indian subcontinent vs. SE Asian birds.
Just noting that the Indian ssp. is fairly common throughout (and thus so in the areas mentioned in the first post), and it shouldn't be too hard to connect with this bird.

 

[Mike Hunter]

That's where I went.

And me but dipped!

Hence doing it right this time

Mike

 

[Mike Hunter]

Quick update. I saw all possible 12 targets.

Indian Courser is a tricky bird to see after March but my local guide, CB Singh, Comfort Bird Tours India, had a couple of good contacts, one of whom was keeping tabs on a pair. I enjoyed great views of one bird.

River Chambal cruise was awesome with Indian Skimmers, summer plumaged Black-bellied Terns and a great performance from a Ganges River Dolphin.

Black-breasted Weaver (finally) was routine but rather more good fortune needed to see Indian Spotted Eagle and Red-headed Bunting (finally finally).

Thanks to CB for guiding and company who I'd recommend (www.cbti.co.uk).

Mike

 

[McMadd]

Quick update. I saw all possible 12 targets.

Indian Courser is a tricky bird to see after March but my local guide, CB Singh, Comfort Bird Tours India, had a couple of good contacts, one of whom was keeping tabs on a pair. I enjoyed great views of one bird.

River Chambal cruise was awesome with Indian Skimmers, summer plumaged Black-bellied Terns and a great performance from a Ganges River Dolphin.

Black-breasted Weaver (finally) was routine but rather more good fortune needed to see Indian Spotted Eagle and Red-headed Bunting (finally finally).

Thanks to CB for guiding and company who I'd recommend (www.cbti.co.uk).

Mike

Mike

When I click your link it goes to this?

 

[Mike Hunter]

Mike

When I click your link it goes to this?

My apologies - my fault - it's this: Comfort Bird Tour India.

Thanks McMadd for highlighting.

Best regards

Mike