Bird Watching in India

The Indian region with over 1250 of the world's 8650 species of birds, Is incredibly rich in bird life. Due to the variety of habitats and climate, this number rises to over 2000 with sub species included. the Indian avifauna Is largely oriental with a good mixture of palearctic elements. About 150 Of the species found in India are endemic to altitude ranges from sea level to the high Himalayas, rainfall from its lowest in Rajasthan desert conditions to its highest in Cherapunji in the North east, one of the wettest places in the world. The climate in large Parts on India encourages plant growth hence insect activity increases, This provides ample stock and abundant sources for avian nourishment throughout the year.

India is truly a land of contrasts, which never fails to surprise and fascinate the visitor. The birdwatcher will find plenty to search for and study and will realize that more than a few tripsare necessary to do justice to The indigenous birding.

The most important things to bring with you are an open mind, a sense of humour and a flexible attitude as a trip to India is always an adventure. your birding and travel experiences will always be successful and enjoyable, If you come armed with these attributes.

Corbett national park is a birdwatcher's paradise. The park, with its rich bio geographic diversity, is home to more than 600 species of birds - about Half of the total species found in the entire Indian subcontinent! It is Considered one of the true bird parks of the world. Raptors are of infinite Variety and occasionally species of hawks and eagles appear. You can see Eagles, vultures, buzzards, parakeets, owls, orioles, drongos, thrushes, Babblers, bulbuls, cuckoos, doves, bee eaters, rollers, flycatchers, warblers, Robins, chats, finches, forktails, hornbills, kingfishers and many many More. The numerous water bodies provide an ideal habitat for ducks and Waders which are migratory. The park forms a natural crossroad and meeting ground for avian species from high altitude areas, plains and eastern and Western regions. Because of this unique location, the bird population is Pretty high throughout the year, with winter visitors, summer visitors, Altitudinal migrants, passage migrants and local migrants. The park is An avid birdwatcher's destination.

Sample Tour Plan [Nine Days and Eight Nights- Nov to April]

Day One [Delhi-Bhimtal] Drive in the morning to Bhimtal (7 hours). Afternoon birding with a guide near the lodge. This habitats offers different species like White-crested Laughing Thrushes, black winged kite, Red-billed Leothrix, Himalayan Ruby throat, crested and rock bunting. This scattered and deliberately undeveloped area is one of the most pleasant destinations. Overnight stay.

Day Two [Bhimtal- Nainital] Half day birding in and around Bhimtal. Look for laughing thrushes, accentors, woodpeckers etc.You will be transferred to Nainital (1 hr.), a journey that takes you on one of the world's more spectacular mountain roads as we climb up into the Kumaon Hills on our way to this delightful "lake city."A long trail leads up to Cheena Peak, which at 2610 metres offers views of the Garhwal Himalayas including Nanda Devi. The viewpoint is alive with Grey headed Canary flycatchers, White-throated Laughing thrushes, Grey-winged Blackbirds and green backed tits. We can also look for Hill Barbet, Slaty grey Woodpecker, black chinned babbler, black headed and maroon orioles. Nearby mountains could include Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Lammergeier and Chukar,Khalij Pheasant, crimson Sunbird and the Fire-capped Tit.

Day Three [Nainital- Ranikhet] Early start for a 3.5-hour drive to Ranikhet through the Himalayan roads. Rest of the day birding in the surroundings. One can see fire-tailed or green tailed sunbirds, sultan tits, scaly breasted wren-babbler, Black bulbul, Black capped Sibia, Black Eagle, King Vulture, Black breasted sunbird, Blue throated Barbet etc.

Day Four [Ranikhet-Corbett National Park] Half day birding in Ranikhet and surrounding areas. You could come across Blue whistling thrush, Booted Hawk Eagle, Broad billed roller, green, gold or rose finch, Brown crested tit etc. Arrive at the Corbett Camp by sundown for campfire barbecue. Dinner and overnight at Camp

Day Five [Corbett Camp-Corbett National Park ] At Corbett Camp wake up at leisure, after breakfast walk in the surrounding forest and Riverside to observe the flora and fauna of the area. Corbett Camp makes an ideal base for birding in Corbett National Park, India. Post lunch game drive to the Jhirna range to observe the wildlife of the area. Back to camp for Campfire. Dinner and overnight at Camp.

Corbett National Park india has a spectacular avifauna diversity. About 580 species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded in and around the reserve and 49 species of diurnal raptors are found here forming a characteristic element of the avifauna. Great pie hornbill, Pallas's fishing eagle, lesser grey headed fishing eagle, red- thighed falconet are some of the endangered birds found in Corbett. More birds include Tawny Fish Owl, Great Hornbill, scaly bellied woodpecker, red breasted Parakeet, Himalayan Swiftlet, grey headed Fish Eagle, Stork-billed Kingfisher and Himalayan Ruby throat.

Day Six [Dhikala Forest Lodge (Corbett National Park)] Drive early morning to Dhikala tourism zone. Arrive at the main tourist complex, Dhikala check in. Afternoon visit to the grasslands for birding. Overnight stay at Dhikala Forest Lodge. Birding in the lower jungle track along the Ramganga river is very rewarding for water birds such as river lapwings, waders, mergansers and other waterfowl. While relaxing at the lodge or visiting the grasslands one can see large-tailed nightjar, jungle owlet, spot-bellied owlet, grass owl, common and white-tailed stonechat, black francolin, purple and crimson sunbird, golden-fronted leafbird, black-shouldered kite, hen harrier, changeable hawk-eagle etc.

Day Seven [Corbett National Park] Morning elephant safari through the grasslands and dense forests. This is the best mode of transport for wildlife viewing. Return at 0900 hours for breakfast and then spend time till lunch on a watchtower overlooking a water hole. Drive to Corbett Camp. Arrive Corbett Camp for dinner. Overnight stay.Some of the best birding areas of Dhikala are Sambhar Road and Khinanauli. One can expect to see great slaty woodpecker, great hornbill, puff-throated babbler, white-rumped shama, pallas's fish eagle etc.

Day Eight [Corbett National Park] Full day at Corbett with a morning or evening elephant / jeep ride into the park. You may search the boulder-strewn river for the rare and elusive Ibisbill as well as brown dipper. The best birding areas are in the buffer zone along the Kosi River near Corbett Camp. You can also bird-watch across the river from the resort which can be crossed by a bridge a short distance upriver from the hotel or by wading across the Kosi. It can be fairly rewarding as one can see mergansers, crested kingfisher, green heron, egrets and cormorants etc.

Day Nine [Corbett National Park-Delhi] You will explore the river edge at Kumeria for Brown Fish Owl, barred owlet, Plumbeous Redstart, brown dipper and the three species of forktails. Many new species are possible in the forest and could include Crested Tree Swift, Spangled Drongo and Blue-bearded Bee-eater. Drive back to Delhi at noon. Arrive Delhi in the evening (6 hour drive).

Best time to visit Corbett National Park India is between mid-October to April. Bird sightings depend greatly on season, timing, and patience. Sightings mentioned in the itinerary are only a guide and cannot be guaranteed.

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