Indian Animals

So, as you can tell from the 6 month gap in posts things have again been rather hectic... after this amazing set of Indian trips (see previous posts) I headed over to the US - Ohio and Michigan with details of that trip to follow soon, along with another bash around South America, this time Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador..... lots to come.

But for now, here's some of the non-avian treats we had as we visited the northwest, south, and northeast of the wonderfully diverse country of India.....

Asiatic Lion - this male came walking straight towards us, spectacular moment in Gir National Park and (along with Great Indian Bustard) was one of the main reasons for heading into the northwest of the country

Indian Leopard - amazing views

Asiatic Lion - enjoyed watching this lioness and cubs

Asiatic Wild Ass - a beautiful creature

Asiatic Wild Ass - several family groups found in the desert

Indian One-horned Rhinoceros - like looking at a dinosaur! 

Indian One-horned Rhinoceros - baby!

Indian One-horned Rhinoceros - mother!

Golden Jackal - keeping an eye out on the lions! 

Indian Giant Squirrel - HUGE! 

Jungle Cat - found whilst driving round at night looking for nightjars

(Red) Desert Fox - very cool 

(Red) Desert Fox - seeking some shelter from the sun

Nilgiri Tahr - very local

King Cobra - reptile highlight! 

India: Northwest

Just back from three tours around India. The first was to the Northwest with Great Indian Bustard being the main target, as well as some non-birds like Asiatic Lion and Asiatic Wild Ass. Through in Indian Leopard, Grey Hypocolius, Demoiselle Crane, Indian Courser and a ton of other great birds it was all good fun...

To see the Great Indian Bustard was amazing, especially given the situation out there currently. So we were very happy/relieved to get a couple of these soon-to-be-extinct (unfortunately) huge birds.

A pair of Critically Endangered (BirdLife International) Great Indian Bustards

Several other highlight birds were found and included the likes of Green Avadavat, White-browed (Stolitczka's) Bush Chat, Marshall's Iora, Sykes's Lark, White-naped Tit and White-bellied Minivet.

Oh and Dalmatian Pelican, to complete my world list of pelicans! Had a small group of them including one stunning full on breeding plumage bird.

The area is good for raptors and we found Indian Vulture, Steppe Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Montagu's Harrier, White-eyed Buzzard, and best of all a nesting pair of Red-necked Falcons.

Waterbodies out in the desert were stacked out with shorebirds/waders, but who can resist looking at huge flocks of Demoiselle Crane, Common Crane, Great White Pelican, Painted Stork, Greater Flamingo, and Lesser Flamingo. All beautiful birds.

Also did well for nightjars with good perched views of Sykes's Nightjar, Indian Nightjar, and Jungle Nightjar.

Other small mammals included Indian Desert Jird, Jungle Cat, Golden Jackal, Indian Fox and Desert Fox. Plenty to look at, and I look forward to going back a bit earlier in the year next time which will undoubtedly be even better!

Here are a few bird pics, will post the mammals in a separate post:

Bay-backed Shrike

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

Citrine Wagtail

Common Crane

Crested Bunting

Crested Honey Buzzard

Demoiselle Crane

Desert Lark

Egyptian Vulture

Green Avadavat

Indian Courser

Montagu's Harrier

Painted Stork

Red-necked Falcon

Sykes's Nightjar

Western (Black-headed) Yellow Wagtail

White-browed (Stolitczka's) Bush Chat

White-eyed Buzzard

Grey Hypocolius

White-naped Tit