Sunday, 28 April 2019

India: Northeast

The last part of my India birding trip this year took me to the Northeast for a brief trip, where I birded the phenomenal Eaglesnest Area and Kaziranga National Park. With a stop at Nameri Tiger Reserve to break up the journey.

Eaglesnest offered some of the best birding I've ever experienced in Asia, some remarkable species and great views of most of these and I can't wait to get back for a much longer stint. It was a target trip to try and see the monotypic Spotted Elachura, which we got (and finished around 350 species in a week).

Some of the highlights from Eaglesnest area included: Bugun Liocichla (to complete my world list of Liocichlas!), Temminck's Tragopan, Ward's Trogon, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Kalij Pheasant, Beautiful Nuthatch, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, and Himalayan Cutia.

The Eaglesnest area was also heaving with Laughingthrushes with Spotted (stunner!), Scaly, Blue-winged, Black-faced, Bhutan, Striated, and Chestnut-crowned all see well. Wren-babblers and related species were also numerous and we found Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler, Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, Bar-winged Wren-Babbler (one of my favourites), Scaly-breasted Cupwing etc... Barwings, Scimitar-Babblers, Sibias, and Parrotbills were also plentiful. Keep an eye open for the full trip report coming soon. 

Nameri was all about one bird, and after a bit of a hike through the jungle with an armed guard (protection from the animals!) I found myself watching a pair of Endangered (BirdLife) White-winged Ducks! Fantastic.

Kaziranga was all about one animal, the Indian One-horned Rhinoceros. An incredible animal - will be posting about the animals of India in my next post. Also had some great birds while here such as Greater Adjutant, Lesser Adjutant, Swamp Francolin, Indian Grassbird, Dusky Eagle Owl, Black-necked Stork, Slender-billed Babbler, Spot-billed Pelican, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Black-breasted Weaver, Finn's Weaver, and Blue-naped Pitta to name a few.

Here are a few bird pics.... 

Bugun Liocichla

Spotted Laughingthrush

Bar-winged Wren-Babbler

Spotted Elachura
 
Black-headed Shrike-Babbler

Blue-capped Rock Thrush

Brown Fish Owl

Brown Hawk-Owl

Dusky Eagle Owl

Eurasian Hoopoe

Golden-naped Finch

Green-tailed Sunbird

Indian Roller

Lesser Adjutant

Pallas's Fish Eagle

Stripe-throated Yuhina

White-winged Duck

Yellow-rumped Honeyguide









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