Northern India Bird and Mammal Trip Lists

India trip itinerary

We arrived in Delhi at 3 a.m. on the morning of 24th December, and after breakfast and finding some species in the hotel grounds, we drove to Okla, on the bank of the Yamuna river to scan through flocks of waders and waterbirds. We took a small boat over to Okla island: a strip of cultivation in the middle of the Yamuna where several Gangetic specialities can be found. After lunch, we visited Okla Barrage, where we started to 'get our eye in' for the commoner species we'd be encountering on the trip. The main attraction was the vast flocks of waterfowl, and we were lucky enough to see a lone Black-necked Stork.

On 25th December, we set off for a four hour drive to Keoladeo Ghana reserve, near the bustling town of Bharatpur. Taking in the sights and sounds of India, and noting the birds which were to be found in even the most unlikely of village ponds, we travelled along. As we got nearer to Bharatpur, we saw more and larger waterbirds, and after a holdup for a festival in the town itself, we arrived, with huge numbers of people (it's a public holiday) at Forest Lodge in time for lunch.
After lunch, we joined our guide, Sohan Lal, and walked along the less busy embankment behind the Reserve HQ, adding another 40 species to our trip total, but being almost overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of birds, as well as their variety. In the late afternoon, we were met by Bholu Khan for Christmas drinks around a bonfire before filing in for dinner.

For three days December 26-28, we explored the many facets of this small but varied sanctuary, visiting the Kadam forest and the dry open savannah as well as the famous wetland habitats.

After an early lunch on December 29th, we drove to Agra, stopping to visit the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, where we had a guide to give us a conducted tour of the interesting former Mogul capital. We reached Agra in late afternoon, giving us plenty of time to revive before our early morning trip to the Taj Mahal the next day. Thick mist made our experience very evocative, and made the Taj Mahal itself look even more mystical than in the usual 'tourist brochure' pictures, and we were all more than impressed by the building's beauty. However, we also managed to see plenty of birds on the near banks of the Yamuna river behind the famous monument.
This was our 'cultural day', so later in the morning, we went for a guided view of the Red Fort, after which we went out to Sikandra and Akbar's tomb, situated in a pleasant parkland.
On December 31st, we left our hotel at 4 a.m. to catch the train to Sawai Madhopur, the nearest station to Ranthambhore, which was our next destination. Four hours later, we were picked up and taken to an old Maharaja's shooting lodge, Jhoomer Bawari - a magnificent pink edifice perched on the top of a hill, affording excellent views over the surrounding arid countryside.
In the afternoon, we took our first jeep drive into the reserve, and started to get to grips with the very different birds of the habitats of Ranthanbhore.

January 1st - 4th
Our routine at Ranthambhore was breakfast at 6 a.m. followed by an 06.30 start to our morning game drive. It was cold in the open jeeps in the early mornings: fortunately, the friends who had driven us to the airport before our trip had been to Ranthambhore at the same time of year, and insisted we went back into the house to pick up hats and gloves at least! - we weren't sorry! The game drives lasted about 2 1/2 hours, and later in the morning we walked and birded in the dry scrubby habitats near Jhoomer Bawari. After a short rest and lunch, we went for our afternoon game drives from 14.30 until dark.
On the afternoon of the 1st January, our luck was in, and we saw a fantastic male Tiger, which of course had been at the top of our 'wish list' for the trip. Our luck continued the next day, when again we saw a male, marking his territory along the track only metres ahead of us. Later, we saw a Tigress in another part of the reserve, and on the morning of our final day in Ranthambhore we saw another Tigress, at point blank range, circling our jeep.

On January 3rd, we travelled out to Surwal Dam on an open lorry done up as a 'canter'. Some of the Ranthambhore guides who had a 'day off' came with us, keen to increase their experience of local birds. Among many interesting birds, some of the more interesting were a group of over twenty Greater Stone Plovers.

After our final encounter with the Tigress on the morning of January 4th, we set off for our overnight stay at Junea, the closest accommodation to Sokhalia Bustard Sanctuary. On our way there, we stopped very briefly to scan for waterbirds at a big reservoir near the town of Diggi. this turned up a promising number of birds, and would definitely be worth a longer look.
Our accommodation in Junea was a lovely white-painted building overlooking the lake, with wonderfully attentive hosts. There was a verandah overlooking the lake where we could sip sundowners while watching birds fly to their roosts, the highlight of which was hundreds of Cliff Swallows, which flew in around sunset to roost in their mud nests on one of the building walls. In the morning, they all flew out again, as one.

Early on the morning of January 5th, we headed out to the Sokhalia Bustard Reserve. Our luck had run out, because although the warden came with us and assured us that the bustards had been seen a few days previously, we failed to find any; and birds were generally rather sparse. Oh well, you win some, you lose some: and you've got to have an 'excuse' for going back!
Although the afternoon itinerary was to have included a trip to Jaipur and the Amber Palace, the group decided we'd rather stay at Junea, relaxing, talking to our hosts, and birding around the accommodation and the lake. Again, this location would be worth an extensive visit. One of the wonderful things for me was that you could sit up in bed and watch the birds on the lake out of the bedroom window!

On January 6th, we left early, and after brief photo stops at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the winds) and the Amber Palace in Jaipur, we returned on the long drive to New Delhi, arriving at another wetland reserve, Sultanpur jheel, just outside the city in time for a picnic lunch before heading out to explore this excellent reserve. This lesser-known reserve is, in many ways, a 'mini Bharatpur' with island colonies of Painted Storks and Cormorants, and large flocks of waterbirds feeding on the jheel, as well as the warblers and other passerines in the surrounding trees and bushes.
At 3 a.m. on January 7th, we set off for our early check-in for our flight back to London, but when we got to the airport, we found we had been 'bumped', so it was on to a city hotel for some breakfast and some sleep. Our tour guide, Paul Dukes and a representative of our land agent went back to the airport to arrange flights for the next day, and in the afternoon they arranged for us to have a tour or New Delhi, which was an unexpected bonus! The following day, we flew back to London, and managed to get on a shuttle to Glasgow on standby.

All in all, a fantastic trip, and I'd love to go back to India again. If only it weren't the monsoon in my main holiday from work!

Bird List

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficolis widely distributed

White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus 2 over Agra; c100 Surwal Dam; 60+ near Diggi, c70 Sultanpur

Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus c15 Bharatpur; 100s Ranthambhore and Surwal Damj; also Junea and Sultanpur.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo c25 Bharatpur; 100s Ranthambhore and Surwal Dam, also Junea and Sultanpur

Indian Cormorant(Shag) Phalacrocorax fusciscollis 10+ Okla; hundreds Bharatpur; 20+ Junea; 30+ Sultanpur

Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger widely distributed

Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster c50 Bharatpur, also Ranthambhoree and Sultanpur

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea widespread in small numbers, concentrations at Bharatpur, Okla and Surwal Dam

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea A few Okla, many Bharatpur, some Ranthambhore, Surwal and 25+ Sultanpur

Striated Heron Butorides striatus 2-3 daily at Ranthambhore

Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii common and widespread on every little patch of water

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis frequent by roadsides and in the reserves.

Great Egret Egretta alba 100s Bharatpur; also Surwal Dam

Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia Generally plentiful and widespread on wetlands

Little Egret Egretta garzetta Plentiful on most wetlands, outnumbered by Intermediate

Black-headed Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 20+ Bharatpur, 1 Ranthambhore, 5+ Junea, 50+ Sultanpur

Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis One at Bharatpur

Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala Many at Bharatpur and Sultanpur, with well-grown young in the colonies, elsewhere a few at Ranthambhore, 20+ Surwal Dam and some on other bigger lakes.

Asian Open-billed Stork Anastomus oscitans Several Okla, many Bharatpur (many young in nests) 1 Junea

White-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus c20 Okla; several in and around Bharatpur, up to 5 Ranthambhore and a few other individuals en route.

Black Stork Ciconia nigra One on lake near Diggi

Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus One Okla; 4-8 at Bharatpur

Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus One at Bharatpur

White Ibis Thresdiornis melanocephalus 50= Bharatpur, 20+ Ranthambhore, 20+ Sultanpur, smaller numbers elsewhere

Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa Five at Sultanpur Jheel

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus up to 80+ Bharatpur, 8+ Junea

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 10+ Okla; up to 100+ Bharatpur, 80+ on lake near Diggi' 10+ Junea

Eastern Greylag Anser anser Many Bharatpur

Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus 100+ Bharatpur 5 Junea, 50+ Sultanpur

Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica 80+ Bharatpur; c10 Ranthambhore

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 20+ Okla; c6 Bharatpur, 3 Agra (Yamuna river) 2 Ranthambhore; 2 Sultanpur

ShelduckTadorna tadorna 20+ Okla

Pintail Anas acuta Large numbers Okla and Bharatpur; the commonest duck overall.

Common Teal Anas creca small flocks throughout, but 200+ Bharatpur

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 20+ Sultanpur

Spotbill Duck Anas poecilorhynca 50+ Bharatpur, 100+ near Diggi, also at Junea and Sultanpur

Gadwall Anas strepera Okla; Bharatpur; Ranthambhore, Junea and Sultanpur, also Agra at Yamuna river

Wigeon Anas penelope Seen at most of wetlands visited; large numbers at Okla Barrage and Surwal dam

Garganey Anas querquedula 1 female Bharatpur, 1 SD

Shoveler Anas clypeata reasonable numbers at most of the lakes and wetlands visited

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina c30 Okla; 50+ Bharatpur

Pochard Aythya ferina Many Okla, Bharatpur; Sur; Junea and Sultanpur

Ferrugious Duck Aythya nyroca 6-10 only at Bharatpur

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Small flocks at Okla, Bharatpur, Sultanpur and Jaipur. Larger flocks on Lake near Diggi and Junea

Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromanelianus 20+ Bharatpur; 30+ Ranthambhore and a few Junea

Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos 100+ Bharatpur

Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus various singles, mostly by roadside

Oriental Honey-Buzzard Pernis ptilorrhynchus Singles Ranthambhore and Junea

Black Kite Milvus migrans Abundant cities, but absent from reserves

Shikra Accipiter badius Singles regularly encountered; nice views at Bharatpur

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 2 Bharatpur

Bonelli's Eagle Hieraaetus fasictus Imm. Bharatpur

Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca Immature at Bharatpur

Steppe Eagle Aquila rapax Up to 4 Bharatpur

Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga c20 Bharatpur including the fulvescens form; 2 Sultanpur

Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Probably imm at Bharatpur

Pallas's Sea Eagle Halieetus leucoryphus imm Bharatpur

White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Imm Bharatpur

King Vulture Aegypius calvus 2 Bharatpur and 1-2 Sawai Madhopur

Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus Bharatpur and Ranthambhore area

Indian White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis Common throughout

Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnoperus Often seen in smallish numbers in towns or by roadside

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 10+ Okla; 15-20 Bharatpur and several at Junea

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus Single in dry area of Bharatpur

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela up to 3 Bharatpur; 2+ Ranthambhore

Osprey Pandion haliaerus singles Bharatpur and Junea

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2 singles Ranthambhore

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus 1 Okla Island

Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus Very common Bharatpur and Ranthambhore; others seen at roadside and at other birding localities

Jungle Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica 6+ at Ranthambhore

Painted Spurfowl Galloperdix lunulata 2/3 prs Ranthambhore

Common Peafowl Pavo cristatus Widespread and commonly seen, esp Ranthambhore

Common Crane Grus grus 40-50 Bharatpur

Sarus Crane Grus antigone Up to 10 Bharatpur and en-route; 10+ Surwal Dam, 5 Sultanpur jheel

Brown Crake Amaurornis akool 1 Okla; 2+ Bharatpur and c12 Ranthambhore

White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Widespread in suitable habitat; common Bharatpur

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus many Bharatpur, Ranthambhore, Jun, Sultanpur jheel

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Common Bharatpur, several Junea, 5-6 Sultanpur jheel

Coot Fulica atra very common Okla and Bharatpur, also Surwal Dam and Junea

Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus A few at Ranthambhore and Bharatpur

Bronze-winded Jacana Metopidius indicus c12 Bharatpur; several Ranthambhore

Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis 2 Bharatpur

Black-winged Stilt Himantorpus himantopus Common in almost every pool and jheel.

Avocet Recurvisorstra avosetta 20+ Okla, one en route from Sokhalia and one Sultanpur jheel

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus 10+ Bharatpurratpur, heard Sawai Madhopur, one Junea

Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvisrostris 2 Ranthambhore, 20+ Surwal Dam

Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus 4 near Ranthambhore

White-tailed Plover Vanellus leucurus 20-30+ Bharatpur, several Junea; 30+ Sultanpur jheel

Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Common and widespread from city waste land to large wetlands

River Lapwing Vanellus duvaaucelli 20+ Okla; 10+ Agra

Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus 10+ near Ranthambhore, several in reserve

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Several Agra behind Taj; 20+ Surwal Dam, 10+ Junea

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Up to 50+ seen at the larger wetlands

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 4+ Bharatpur, 10+ Junea; 100+ Sultanpur jheel

Redshank Tringa totanus Small numbers; 10+ Okla

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis several Okla, Bharatpur and Surwal Dam

Greenshank Tringa nebularia seen usually singly at many localities

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Up to 6 seen daily

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola max 10+ Bharatpur

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Widespread in small numbers

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Singles Bharatpur; Surwal Dam and 10+Junea

Little Stint Calidris minuta Several Okla, 50+ Agra (behind Taj); 10+ Junea and Surwal Dam

Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii 3-4 Surwal Dam and several Junea

Dunlin Calidris alpina Surwal Dam and Junea

Ruff Philomachus pugnax Large flocks Okla; Surwal Dam; Sultanpur jheel and Bharatpur

Herring Gull Larus argentatus 2 Surwal Dam; 2 Junea 1 on lake near Diggi

Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Okla; Surwal Dam and Junea

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Okla, Surwal Dam and Junea

Whiskered Tern Chlidonais hybrida Okla, Bharatpur and Ranthambhore; 20+ Junea and 40+ on LND

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 4+ Junea

Indian River Tern Sterna aurantia Widespread on lakes and rivers; 30+ Surwal Dam

Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda 2 Agra; 15+ Surwal Dam; 20+ Junea

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus 2 near Sawai Madhopur and 50+ Sokhalia

Painted Sandgrouse Pterocles indicus 4-5 Ranthambhore/Sawai Madhopur

Yellow-legged Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera 100+ Bharatpur and Ranthambhore

Collared Dove Stretpopelia decaocto Common/abundant throughout

Red Turtle Dove Streptopelia tranqubarica 20+ Bharatpurratpur, 30+ enroute to Surwal Dam and between Ranthambhore and Junea

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis A few in Ranthambhore area

Laughing (Palm) Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Common and widespread

Rock Dove Columba livia Common and widespread.

Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria 1 Okla and a few Ranthambhore

Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Common and widespread, often in large numbers

Plum (Blossom)-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyancephala Daily Sawai Madhopur/Ranthambhore with flocks up to 30+

Sirkeer Malkoha Taccocua leschenaultii 1 in dry area near Jhoomer Bawari at Sawai Madhopur

Plaintive (Grey-breasted) Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus 3+ Bharatpur

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Regularly seen in wet areas, 10+ Bharatpur

Barn Owl Tyto alba 2 juvs calling for food Junea, a third calling nearby

Collared Scops Owl Otus bakkomoena 3-4Bharatpur including 'red-phase', 2-4 Ranthambhore

Dusky Horned Owl Bubo coromandus Bharatpur and Ranthambhore

Brown Fish Owl Bubo zeylonensis 2-3 adults + juv Ranthambhore

Spotted Owlet Athene brama 2 Bharatpur; 1 Sikandra (Agra); several Ranthambhore; heard Junea

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus 1 in dry country near Jhoomer Bawari, Sawai Madhopur

Indian Eagle Owl 1 Jhoomer Bawari, Sawai Madhopur

Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus 3+ Bharatpur

Long-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus 3 roosting on ground in Bharatpur tree nursery

Little Swift Apus affinis locally common over towns

Lesser Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Several seen at a variety of river and lake locations

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis up to ten seen in wetland and riverine habitats

Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis 2 Ranthambhore

White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrensis Widespread and common throught tour

Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis Common along roadside; frequent in Ranthambhore/Jaipur

Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis Another regular roadside bird

Hoopoe Upupa epops Widespread and common

Grey Hornbill Tockus birostris Several around Bharatpur; 1 Sikandra (Agra)

Green (Brown-headed) Barbet Megalaima zeylanica 1 Sikandra (Agra)

Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala Bharatpur; Ranthambhore and Delhi

Wryneck Jynx torquilla 1 Bharatpur 5 Sawai Madhopur

Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker Dinopium benghalense Small numbers regular, esp Bharatpur

Mahratta Woodpecker Picoides mahrattensis 4 Bharatpur; Sawai Madhopur and Ranthambhore

Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Picoides moluccensis 1 Bharatpur

Rufous-winged Bushlark Mirafra assamica 4-5 in dry country near Sawai Madhopur

Ashy-crowned Sparrow (Finch)-Lark Erempterix grisea 10+ Surwal Dam

Rufous-tailed Finch-Lark Ammonames phoenicurus 2 near Surwal; 1 Ranthambhore

Short-toed Lark Callendrella cinerea Big flocks at Surwal Dam and en route to Junea/Sokhalia

Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata 10+ Surwal Dam; Sokhalia

Crested Lark Galerida cristata A few at Bharatpur, Surwal Dam and Sokhalia

Small Skylark Alauda gulgula Several Sawai Madhopur/Ranthambhore area

Plain Sand Martin Riparia paludicola Widespread and common especially Bharatpur and Sultanpur jheel

Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris 3-4 over Ranthambhore

Dusky Crag Martin Hirundo concolor Sawai Madhopur and Ranthambhore; Delhi

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Common and widespread

Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Bharatpur, Surwal and Junea

Indian Cliff Swallow Hirundo fluvicola Colonies at Kosi River and near Bharatpur not occupied, but 100+ in occupied colony at Junea. individuals also seen among Plain Sand Martins at Bharatpur and Ranthambhore

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Several amongst hirundings at Bharatpur

Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 2 Bharatpur

Black Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis Common and widespread

White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Several Bharatpur and Ranthambhore

Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus Bharatpur nursery

Brahminy Starling (Myna) Sturnus pagodarum Regular in small numbers

Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus Imm in field near Surwal Dam

Eurasian Starling Sturnus vulgaris Small flocks in cultivation at Okla, Bharatpur, Surwal Dam and Junea

Pied Starling (Myna) Acridotheres tristis Abundant throughout

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Abundant throughout tour

Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus Locally common but patchy distribution

Indian Tree-pie Dendrocitta vababunda Locally numerous esp Bharatpur and Ranthambhore

House Crow Corvus splendens Often abundant

Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Generally small numbers

Common Wood-shrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus up to 5 Bharatpur and several Ranthambhore

Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamonmeus Small flocks at Bharatpur and Ranthambhore

Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus 1 male Bharatpur

Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Male and two females Ranthambhore

Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer widespread and often abundant

Red-whiskered Bulbul Pyconotus leucogenys Seen in Ambassador and Ashok hotel grounds, Delhi

White-cheeked Bulbul Pyconotus leucogenys Numerous Bharatpur; a few in the Ranthambhore area

Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus 5+ okla; 15+ Bharatpur; 10-12 Ranthambhor/Sawai Madhopur

Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei About a dozen Okla Island

Large Grey Babbler Turdoides malcolmi Numerous in all drier areas

Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus Common and widespread

Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva Up to 10+ Bharatpur; 4-5 Ranthambhore also Junea and Sultanpur jheel

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher Muscicapa tickelliae Several Ranthambhore

Grey-headed Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis 5-6 Bharatpur; 3-4 Ranthambhore; 2 junea 2 Sultanpur jheel

Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Frequently heard and widely distributed

Siberian Rubythroat Erithacus calliope Stunning male, Forest Lodge, Bharatpur

Bluethroat Erithacus svecicus 3+ Okla; numerous Bharatpur; 1 Ranthambhore; several Sultanpur jheel

Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis Widespread but particularly numerous Bharatpur

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochrurus Bharatpur; Ranthambhore and Jun

Brown Rock Chat Cercomela fusca Plentiful around the agra monuments; aoso near Bharatpur; near Sawai Madhopur and near Sultanpur jheel

Stonechat Saxicola torquata A few in the drier areas of Bharatpur, singles Ranthambhore; 15+ Sokhalia

White-tailed Stonechat Saxicola leucura Male and female Okla Island

Dark Grey Bush Chat Saxicola Ferrea A few at Ranthambhore

Pied Bush Chat Saxicola caprata Okla; Bharatpur; Junea; Sokhalia; Sultanpur jheel

Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Several in dry area near Sawai Madhopur; several Surwal Dam

Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti Sawai Madhopur; Surwal Dam and Sokhalia

Eastern Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka Male near Sawai Madhopur; 2 males Surwal Dam and several Sokhalia

Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata Widespread and particularly common in the drier areas

Orange-headed Ground Thrush Zoothera citrina singles Bharatpur and Ranthambhore

Grey Tit Parus major Ranthambhore

Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta castanea Bharatpur

Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni Small flocks Bharatpur; Ranthambhore; Junea and Sultanpur jheel

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Small numbers in dry habitat at Okla; Ranthambhore; Sokhalia and Surwal

Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis 2 each at Bharatpur and Surwal Dam

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 10+ Okla, 1-2 Bharatpur; male melanogrisea Agra; several Surwal Dam

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola Frequent in wet areas esp. Bharatpur

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Seen in small nunbers in several places

White Wagtail Motacilla alba Encountered in a variety of races at many localities

Large Pied Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis Singles/pairs at a number of localities esp Bharatpur

Purple Sunbird Nectarenia asiatica Seen/heard almost daily in small numbers

Oriental White-Eye Zosterops palpebrosa Small flocks Bharatpur and Ranthambhore

Long-tailed (Rufous-backed) Shrike Lanius schach Up to 10+ noted almost daily

Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus Regularly seen and locally numerous

Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor Observed in drier areas, more frequent in Ranthambhore/Junea region

Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus One seen Dec 31st

House Sparrow Passer domesticus Common and widespread

Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia zanthocollis 10+ Bharatpur; flocks Jhoomer Bawari and Ranthambhore

Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus 80+ Bharatpur

Black-throated Weaver Ploceus benghalensis c50 Okla Island and 100+ in dry area of Bharatpur

Red Avadavit Estrilda amandava Up to 20+ Bharatpur

White-throated Munia Lonchura malabarica Single Bharatpur; more frequent in Ranthambhore/Junea area, day counts of 20-30

White-capped Bunting Emberiza stewarti A pair on two days at Ranthambhore

Mammal List

Common (Grey) (Hanuman) Langur Seen on five days, especially at the monuments and around Jhoomer Bawari

Royal Bengal Tiger Seen on three days at Ranthambhore, two males and one or two females

Common Mongoose 

Ruddy Mongoose Ranthambhore only

Jackal Heard rather than seen

Five-striped Palm Squirrel Common and widespread

Chinkara A few near Jhoomer Bawari

Nilgai seen on eleven days, including animals in farmland away from reserves

Sambar Bharatpur and Ranthambhore

Chital (Spotted Deer) Bharatpur, Ranthambhore and Sultanpur Jheel

Indian Wild Boar Numerous at Ranthambhore, including one chased, but not caught, by a Tiger

Reptiles List

Monitor Lizard Singles Bharatpur and Ranthambhore

Rock Python 4-5 Bharatpur

Water Snake Ranthambhore

Terrapin sp. a number at Bharatpur and Ranthambhore, some very big.