We had been advised to get to the Chambal River as early as
possible before people came and flushed all the birds. As a result we left
Jungle Lodge at 5 in the morning to get to Chambal for first light. We got a
little lost on the way but were still on site for half 7.
Chambal
River Cruise
We began our river cruise at 8 so our river cruise was done
in the orange glow of sunrise. As a result of our early start there were good
numbers of waders and wagtails around, but there was a distinct lack of
crocodiles as it was still too cool for them to emerge from the river. The boat
cruise lasted for about an hour and a half, and whilst it wasn’t dripping with
birds once again the change of scenery produced a new assortment of species;
with many new waders added to our trip list. Almost all of the bird species
which were site specific we managed; Indian Skimmer, River Tern, Great Thick
Knee, Pallas Gull. The river was also alive beneath the surface, with huge
shoals of fish with their eyes emerging above the water.
After the boat trip we spent a bit of time birding the
riverbank. We checked all areas of scrub and open land with many good birds
found. Sadly our time birding there was cut short after we were advised to
return to the river, as gangs apparently operate in that area…
Highlights
Ganges
River Dolphin - One of the highlights of whole trip! We had not seen any
Gharial on the cruise and it had not delivered on the whole in the way we would
have liked. Then, on our way back to the boatyard NP and I spotted a large
shape appear and disappear in the water. It clicked with NP who shouted that he
thought he had a river dolphin. There was a lot of suspense in the following
minutes before it appeared again. This was a pattern that followed for about
ten minutes before everyone connected with it. We figured that it would then
just swim off upriver, but it lingered and could be seen regularly whilst we
birded the river shore. I knew that River Dolphin was possible beforehand, but
not in my wildest dreams did I think we would see this critically endangered
species.
Crocodiles - There are
two species at this site, and both are easy to see. However, because of our
early boat trip hardly any crocodiles had emerged from the water, and it wasn’t
until we were birding the riverbank that we saw Gharial. We did get close to a
few Mugger Crocodiles that emerged at the end of our trip. It was brilliant to
be able to get so close to these prehistoric beasts.
River
Lapwing - When we arrived at the boatyard we were treated to several of
these rather fine birds lined up next to the boat jetty. They are really smart
birds, and very approachable, really enjoyable to watch.
Painted
Snipe - After yesterday’s males, today we were treated to a more
accessible viewing of a very smart female bird on the banks of the river. I was
actually able to approach the bird and get good views of it. A much more
rewarding experience than yesterday!
-River Lapwing
-Mugger Crocodile
-Indian Skimmer & River Tern
-Great Thick-knee
-Brown-headed Gull
-White-browed Wagtail
-Gharial
-Paddyfield Pipit
-Sirkeer Malkhoa
-Ganges River Dolphin
Species
List:
Chambal
River Cruise: Masked Wagtail, Sykes Wagtail, White-browed Wagtail, Ruddy
Shelduck, River Lapwing, Red-wattled Lapwing, Great Stone Curlew, Pied
Kingfisher, White-breasted Kingfisher, Feral Pigeon, Shikra, Black-winged
Stilt, Painted Snipe, Brown-headed Gull, Palla’s Gull, Indian Robin, Common
Babbler, Paddyfield Pipit, Brown-throated Martin, Laggar Falcon, River Tern,
Indian Skimmer, Blue Rock Thrush, Bar-headed Goose, Brookes Leaf Warbler,
Sirkeer Malkhoa, Egyptian Vulture, Grey Heron, Painted Stork, Chestnut-bellied
Sandgrouse, Tree Pipit, Grey Francolin, Indian Peafowl, Red-breasted
Flycatcher, Black Redstart, Red-rumped Swallow, Kentish Plover, Little Ringed
Plover, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, House Crow,
Taj Mahal
Somewhat disappointing in all honesty! It wouldn’t be a trip
to India without seeing this famous building. However, because we went on a
Friday the main gardens were closed so our viewing was restricted to the back
garden, and the beauty was somewhat lost. That being said, the back garden was
a good place for birds, and there were quite a few migrants in the fruit trees
in the garden.
Highlights
Grey-headed
Wagtail - The variety of flava subspecies is fascinating. The most
common in India was Sykes Wagtail, the same that we had seen in Oman. The only
other race we saw was a single Thunbergi which
was on a puddle in the gardens, my first of this race.
Common
Tiger - The flowering bushes in the garden were alive with this
stunning butterfly species. One bush in the top corner had double figures
covering it.
-Sykes Wagtail
-Grey-headed Wagtail
-Five-striped Palm Squirrel
-Large Grey Babbler
-Hoopoe
Species
List:
Taj Mahal: Black Kite,
Lesser Adujanat, Whiskered Tern, Purple Sunbird, Avocet, Hume’s Leaf Warbler,
House Crow, Ruff, Sykes Wagtail, Grey-headed Wagtail, Egyptian Vulture,
Black-winged Stilt, Plain Martin, Barn Swallow, Large Grey Babbler, Collard
Dove, Laughing Dove, Taiga Flycatcher, Siberian Chiffchaff, Hoopoe, Oriental
White-eye, Cattle Egret, Black Drongo, Red-vented Bulbul, Rufous Treepie,
Ring-necked Parakeet, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Common Myna, Little Swift, Five-striped Palm Squirrel, Common Tiger,
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