India: tigers and birds (1 Viewer)

[Egret]

My wife and I are going to India becuase she wants to see a Tiger in the wild. Currently our favoured trip is the Naturetrek "Just Tigers!" but ther are so many choices. As we do want to get some good birdwatching as well we would appreciate any thoughts form those who have visited before.

Thanks

Andy Shand

 

[Jos Stratford]

VERY easy to do this trip independently ...the best spot in recent years is Ranthambhore for the tigers. Spent four days there last winter and saw FOUR tigers and one leopard ...talking to the guys on organised trips, it seemed that winter tigers were seen on more than half of safaris into the national park (so plan two or more trips!). Incidently, one of the best spot for birding is along the entrance road, not inside the park - simply for the reason you can walk and see the birds much easier. All trip reports you might read tend to say this too. BUT, it was here that I saw one of the tigers and the leopard - very nice to be strolling along, then to see one of these great cats, but obviously there are safety issues.
It seems the cats are common in this fringe zone, but so too are quite a few people walking up and down the road - there has not been an attack here on people, and the opinion is stay on/near the road and the tigers will move off.
It was planned as a birding trip, but the tigers were absolutely the highlight number one - the tiger I saw in this fringe zone was under a tree in which I saw a White-naped Woodpecker, a real stunner too. The leopard was standing on a cliff top in the evening sun looking down at me ...and as I was on foot, I was very happy 'cos after watching it for a while, a jeep appeared on the road - I flagged them doen to show the leopard, then got rewarded with a lift back to town, saving the 10 km or so walk

If sounds a bit dodgy for you on foot, very easy to arrange jeeps etc to take you into the park.

Also went to Corbett for three days - harder to see tigers there cos vegetation is thicker. I think others saw tigers each day while I was there, but I didn't.

Not in India, but I think the BEST place to look for tigers, rhinos, birds and everything is Chitwan in Nepal - totally amazing and, with a guide, you can walk everywhere and I didn't rtent a vehicle at all here. High tiger density makes it rather exciting walking here, plus even higher population of rhinos - I have a (long) trip report, if you're interested I will sent it via e-mail

 

[Sumit]

Hi Andy,
There are four National Parks which are favoured by those who primarily want to see tigers in the wild. In order of probability of success, they are:
Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh - certain, all days
Kanha, Madhya Pradesh - certain, all days
Ranthambhore, Rajasthan - Very good chance of success on any given day
Corbett, Uttaranchal - One in 3-4 trips during March - June
The best birding is, unfortunately, in reverse order.
Corbett is in the Himalayan foothills and is a birding hotspot,. You can get a brief idea of the area from my website at:
http://www.kolkatabirds.com/corbett.htm
Corbett certainly has more variety in mammals and Asian Elephants can only be seen here (not the other three). It is also the most picturesque.
Ranthambhor is in an arid area and has good dry area birds plus a good variety of raptors. Rajasthan is very colourful and that is an added attraction.
Kanha is mixed decidous forest and (other than tigers) has Wild Dog, Swamp Deer and usual Central Indian wildlife. Pretty.
Bandhavgarh is small, has a little history, and tigers. It is difficult to reach but visited by many because of the level of certainty of seeing the big cat. Possibly the easiest place in the world to see the striped feline. Bird life is similar to Kanha.

Hope that helps!

Sumit

 

[Chigrl]

Oh I hate tigers. Seeing one in the wild must be as dull and boring as seeing one in the zoo. But I've seen the birds there and they are awesome!

 

[Katy Penland]

Oh I hate tigers. Seeing one in the wild must be as dull and boring as seeing one in the zoo.

Nah, you don't really think so, do you?

The only live Bengal tiger I've been close to was on a chain and it was a "guest star" on one of the ALF episodes, a show I worked on back in the '80s. It was breathtaking even if all it was doing was plopped down in the shade of a tree next to the stage. The "wrangler" would let us come up and pet it but only one at a time and very quietly and slowly. It was even more beautiful up close but I was astounded at how UNsoft its fur was, coarse in fact. But what an extraordinary animal. I don't know how he came to be used in TV and film (many times they're circus refugees or rescued/rehabbed but unreleasable animals), but he was one magnificent beast. A real pussycat from the way he behaved that day.

I'd give my eyeteeth to see one prowling around in the wild. Or even just plopped down under a shade tree somewhere.

 

[Chigrl]

Nah, you don't really think so, do you?

Oh yes, I can't stand tigers. I think they're ugly. They make me physically ill just looking at them. I especially hate watching them run and all that flab on their butt and belly flapping up and down. If they were fat, like bears, and had buns, like horses, they might at least look half way decent. But they don't. Whenever I go to the zoo, I don't even look at the lions, tigers and leopards. I look at anything else, but not panthers or spiders. Though spiders with me is different. I can't look at a spider because I'm terrified to death of them. I'm not scared of panthers, just disgusted by them. Although I do like snow leopards, but they are the only large felines I like. They have a lot of fur and it covers that flab on their bellies. Personally, I don't know why anyone likes them for anything more than the stripes. But if I want to see a good-looking animal with stripes, I look at zebras. JMO.

 

[Sumit]

Oh yes, I can't stand tigers. I think they're ugly. They make me physically ill just looking at them. I especially hate watching them run and all that flab on their butt and belly flapping up and down. If they were fat, like bears, and had buns, like horses, they might at least look half way decent. But they don't. Whenever I go to the zoo, I don't even look at the lions, tigers and leopards. I look at anything else, but not panthers or spiders. Though spiders with me is different. I can't look at a spider because I'm terrified to death of them. I'm not scared of panthers, just disgusted by them. Although I do like snow leopards, but they are the only large felines I like. They have a lot of fur and it covers that flab on their bellies. Personally, I don't know why anyone likes them for anything more than the stripes. But if I want to see a good-looking animal with stripes, I look at zebras. JMO.

Tiger, fat !!!!???? Sleekest thing you can find in an Indian forest. Please see wild Indian Tigress at:
http://www.kolkatabirds.com/corbett/tiger8c.jpg

You must be seeing a lot of overfed Siberian Tigers at zoos. Let me assure you that seeing a wild tiger ten feet away from an open pick-up can quickly evaporate any illusions of indifference. I have spent a lifetime in forests with tigers and seeing one up close in the wild is a very humbling experience every time even for the bravest biped.

But each to his/her own I suppose......

Cheers!
Sumit

 

[Chigrl]

If tigers were fat, at least they'd look somewhat cool. Maybe fill in all that flab they have. Trust me, I've been near tigers before and it had no effect on me. I just don't like them. Now, being near a polar bear, even in the zoos, was humbling for me! That is truly a powerful, magnificent animal! They're bigger and stronger than tigers and it shows in every step they take. But I do hope this man and his wife have fun, and watch out for mosquitoes. They'll get you quicker than the tigers will!

 

[Jos Stratford]

Oh I hate tigers. Seeing one in the wild must be as dull and boring as seeing one in the zoo. But I've seen the birds there and they are awesome!

!!! Have to say that White-naped Woodpecker is one hell of a stunning bird, but when totally out of the blue I saw a tiger under the very same tree, it was worth a dozen of those woodpeckers. Another time, a female appearing out of the woodland, can't say the words 'dull' or 'boring' sprung to mind

But each to their own, India has got some amazing birds, but for this here birder, a trip to India without a tiger would be a sad trip

 

[Chigrl]

!!! But each to their own, India has got some amazing birds, but for this here birder, a trip to India without a tiger would be a sad trip

To me a trip to India without seeing a tiger would be a blessing, at least I could stay awake during a tour.:bounce: I'd gladly kill a tiger to see a red naped woodpecker! I'm a truly bird loving woman. Never seen a bird I didn't like but I cannot stand tigers, lions or leopards.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Never seen a bird I didn't like but I cannot stand tigers, lions or leopards.

Agree on the first point (never seen a bird I didn't like), but will have to agree to disagree on the second - them there big cats are right up my street
Seen dozens of lions and would like dozens more, had a fair few leopards and certainly not enough and precious few tigers so far ) But had very nice spot where my White-naped Woodpecker was - saw a leopard whilst wlking there in the evening, then first thing in the morniing the tiger. Got a very nice moggie sitting here at home too, but I guess you're not too fussed on them either!

 

[Chigrl]

Agree on the first point (never seen a bird I didn't like), but will have to agree to disagree on the second - them there big cats are right up my street
Seen dozens of lions and would like dozens more, had a fair few leopards and certainly not enough and precious few tigers so far ) But had very nice spot where my White-naped Woodpecker was - saw a leopard whilst wlking there in the evening, then first thing in the morniing the tiger. Got a very nice moggie sitting here at home too, but I guess you're not too fussed on them either!

I'm afraid I don't know what a moggie is. The only large felines I like (and I mean the ONLY ONLY one) are snow leopards. And only because I like their pale coloration on them with that long fur, and they don't have the flab that jingles on their belly or butt when they walk. If they do, the fur covers it up and it doesn't show. Plus I think they have a sweeter expression than tigers o Lions I just like drawing them because they're so easy (a 3-year old could draw a lion!), but as an animal, I think they are dull and boring.

 

[Blackstart]

So glad to see that this thread requesting information on where to see tigers and birds in India has become the place for someone's juvenile, asinine comments on her dislike of the big cats.

Isn't it the job of forum moderators to keep threads from descending into decidedly off-theme remarks from the clueless?

-Adam

 

[Egret]

Presumably Chigrl is seeking our anguished responses; it is the fuel that keeps trolls in their zombi-like state. As the person who asked the initial question I would suggest that we now close this thread and leave Chigrl in his cave.

Thanks for the helpful responses; lots to think about it.

 

[Chigrl]

So glad to see that this thread requesting information on where to see tigers and birds in India has become the place for someone's juvenile, asinine comments on her dislike of the big cats.

Isn't it the job of forum moderators to keep threads from descending into decidedly off-theme remarks from the clueless?

-Adam

Well, call them what you will, but they're my views. I still don't like tigers. And your post doesn't make me like them any better.

 

[Chigrl]

Presumably Chigrl is seeking our anguished responses; it is the fuel that keeps trolls in their zombi-like state. As the person who asked the initial question I would suggest that we now close this thread and leave Chigrl in his cave.

Thanks for the helpful responses; lots to think about it.

Actually, with all due respect, I don't care what you think. I have my opinions, and anyone who knows me knows I'm not afraid to say what I feel.

 

[Katy Penland]

Okay, Chigrl, you've made your point. Now please respect others' rights to love the big cats you profess to hate, and move on.

Andy, did you get the information you needed? I don't want to ask to have this thread closed since it's got some great info in it, and others may want to add to it later. I may delete the other irrelevant messages, however.

 

[Chigrl]

Okay, Chigrl, you've made your point. Now please respect others' rights to love the big cats you profess to hate, and move on.

I haven't got a problem as long as others respect my right to hate panthers if that's what I feel, without ridicule and name-calling.

 

[Katy Penland]

Chigirl, you set yourself up for ridicule by participating in a thread whose subject was clearly marked and further inciting comment by saying you'd "gladly kill a tiger." This is patently provocative and off-topic, and you know it. Move on.

 

[Chigrl]

Last post to clarify what I meant, THEN I will move on. When I said I'd kill a tiger, I didn't mean it in a litteral sense (this isn't Conan the Barbarian writing this!). Like the term "kill the camera" means to tune the camera out of one subject, so I meant I would gladly tune out a tiger to see a bird. My bad, I should have made that clear. As much as I hate tigers, I do respect their place in the world.