Day 1: Afternoon visit with Bikram to the wetlands around Mandkaula produced a scattering of wetland species. Most of the regular duck species were observed in small numbers though the highlight was a male and three female Red-crested Pochards. Many of the waders were coming in to breeding plumage and the Little Ringed and Kentish Plovers were specially attractive in their spring colours. A pair of Sarus Cranes in the fields were of
note as was a circling Bonelli's Eagle and a large flock of Pied Avocets. Bikram and Bill Harvey had Greater Flamingos and Great White Pelicans a fortnight before from the same area, but we dipped on this occasion as return migration had commenced and most of the area had dried up.
Day 2: Slow driving conditions resulted in late arrival at Bikram's cottage in Dehradun. The highlight of the remaining day, spent in the extensive gardens, was a European Goldfinch. We would later see a flock of six at the same place. A pair of feeding Grey-headed Woodpeckers were also good additions to my image collection.
Day 3: We were joined today by Arun P. Singh for our trip to the higher elevation Mussoori area. Arun's knowledge of birding hotspots in the area is only comparable with his wide knowledge of local birds. It was a great pleasure to bird in his company and his ability to identify calls added a missing dimension to our birding day. We located many good birds on the trip and my highlights included Pink-browed Rosefinch, Rock Bunting and
Bar-tailed Treecreeper. Good birds for the area included Rufous-breasted Accentor, Chestnut-tailed Minla and Striated Yuhina. Arun had Brown Bullfinch and Spot-winged Starling from the same area a week before.
Day 4: The celebration of the Festival of Colours on this day meant restricted movement in the immediate area in and around Bikram's farm. Waiting for the Nepal Wren Babbler in its usual haunt resulted in a good look at a male Tickell's Thrush and a Lemon-rumped Warbler. The Wren Babbler of course did not show up.
Day 5: Early departure for Rajaji National Park in the company of Arun. The birding for the day started at the Suswa River on the outskirts of Rajaji. Steppe Eagle, Common Chiffchaffs, River Lapwing, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch were observed in the marshy area famed for its collection of shy waders like Brown Crake and Water Rail. The waders did not show up on the day but the area looked extremely promising for good birds if time is devoted. Moving on to the Phanduwala
- Kansrao - Motichur trail, we recorded Whistler's Warbler, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, both hornbill species, Crested Treeswift and Greater Flameback. Arun also heard a Black-crested Bulbul calling. Criss-crossing across the Park we reached the Chilla Range in the afternoon. The 28 km drive had White-capped Bunting, Dollarbird, White-eyed Buzzard, Indian Vulture and a
lone Black Stork. Red Junglefowl and Indian Peafowl were seen in great numbers and is a highlight of Chilla.
Day 6: Early morning birding around the farm had a female Lesser Yellownape and a small flock of White-rumped Munias. On the return trip to New Delhi, Assan Barrage held some ducks dominated by Ruddy Shelducks.
Day 7: a.m. departure for Kolkata.
1. Grey Francolin
Francolinus pondicerianus
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
2. Hill Partridge
Arborophila torqueola
Seen by two observers at Cloud's End, Mussoori
3.
Red Junglefowl
Gallus gallus
Abundant at Rajaji National Park
4. Indian Peafowl
Pavo cristatus
Common in the lowlands
5. Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferruginea
Small numbers at Mandkaula and about fifty at Assan Barrage.
6. Gadwall
Anas strepera
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
7. Eurasian Wigeon
Anas penelope
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana and also on the Ganges at Haridwar.
8. Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Three birds on the Ganges at Haridwar
9. Spot-billed Duck
Anas poecilorhyncha
Only two birds seen at Mandkaula wetlands
10. Northern Shoveler
Anas clypeata
11. Northern Pintail
Anas acuta
Both at Mandkaula and at Haridwar
12. Garganey
Anas querquedula
Small numbers at Mandkaula
13. Common Teal
Anas crecca
14. Red-crested Pochard
Rhodonessa rufina
One male and three females at Mandkaula wetlands. A few on the Ganges.
15. Common Pochard
Aythya ferina
A few at Haridwar.
16. Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligula
Two birds on the Ganges at Haridwar.
17. Speckled Piculet
Picumnus innominatus
Singles at Cloud's End, Mussoori and at Dehradun
18. Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
Dendrocopos canicapillus
Single bird at Rajaji National Park
19. Yellow-crowned Woodpecker
Dendrocopos mahrattensis
Female at Mandkaula wetlands
20. Lesser Yellownape
Picus chlorolophus
Female at Dehradun. Possibly building a nest.
21. Greater Yellownape
Picus flavinucha
Rajaji
22. Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus
Pair at Dehradun
23. Black-rumped Flameback
Dinopium benghalense
Single bird at Rajaji National Park
24. Greater Flameback
Chrysocolaptes lucidus
Pair at Rajaji
25. Great Barbet
Megalaima virens
Common at higher elevations around Dehradun
26. Lineated Barbet
Megalaima lineata
Both at Dehradun and Rajaji
27. Blue-throated Barbet
Megalaima asiatica
Dehradun area
28. Coppersmith Barbet
Megalaima haemacephala
Single observer record from Dehradun
29. Indian Grey Hornbill
Ocyceros birostris
Common at Rajaji National Park
30. Oriental Pied Hornbill
Anthracoceros albirostris
At least three pairs at Rajaji National Park.
31. Common Hoopoe
Upupa epops
Observed at Mandkaula wetlands
32. Indian Roller
Coracias benghalensis
Both at Mandkaula as well as Rajaji. Not as common anywhere as one would expect.
33. Dollarbird
Eurystomus orientalis
Single bird seen in flight in the Chilla Range.
34. Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
Lone observation from Mandkaula wetlands
35. White-throated Kingfisher
Halcyon smyrnensis
36. Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
Both at Rajaji and at Mandkaula
37. Green Bee-eater
Merops orientalis
38. Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Merops philippinus
Small flock in agricultural area just outside Rajaji Park
39. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Merops leschenaulti
Dehradun area
40. Common Hawk Cuckoo
Hierococcyx varius
Heard at all locations.
41. Indian Cuckoo
Cuculus micropterus
Single calling bird recorded at Dehradun
42. Asian Koel
Eudynamys scolopacea
Lowlands
43. Greater Coucal
Centropus sinensis
Mandkaula wetlands
44. Alexandrine Parakeet
Psittacula eupatria
Rajaji National Park
45. Rose-ringed Parakeet
Psittacula krameri
46. Slaty-headed Parakeet
Psittacula himalayana
Several flocks seen in the Dehradun area
47. Plum-headed Parakeet
Psittacula cyanocephala
Reasonably common at all elevations
48. Asian Palm Swift
Cypsiurus balasiensis
49. House Swift
Apus affinis
50. Crested Treeswift
Hemiprocne coronata
Two males observed in the Kansrao Range, Rajaji National Park.
51. Asian Barred Owlet
Glaucidium cuculoides
Pair at Dehradun
52. Brown Hawk Owl
Ninox scutulata
Calling bird at Dehradun.
53. Savanna Nightjar
Caprimulgus affinis
Calling bird at Dehradun presumably of this species.
54. Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
55. Oriental Turtle Dove
Streptopelia orientalis
In the Mussoori area at some elevation over Dehradun.
56. Laughing Dove
Streptopelia senegalensis
Lowlands
57. Spotted Dove
Streptopelia chinensis
Recorded from all locations.
58. Red Collared Dove
Streptopelia tranquebarica
Lowlands in Haryana.
59. Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaocto
60. Emerald Dove
Chalcophaps indica
Phanduwala area, Rajaji National Park
61. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Treron phoenicoptera
Lowlands and also at Rajaji
62. Sarus Crane Grus antigone
Pair on the drive to Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
63. White-breasted Waterhen
Amaurornis phoenicurus
Rajaji
64. Purple Swamphen
Porphyrio porphyrio
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
65. Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
66. Common Coot
Fulica atra
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana and at Haridwar
67. Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinago
Two birds flushed at Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
68. Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
69. Common Redshank
Tringa totanus
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
70. Marsh Sandpiper
Tringa stagnatilis
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
71. Common Greenshank
Tringa nebularia
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana and along the Suswa river, Rajaji
72. Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareola
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana and along the Suswa river, Rajaji
73. Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana. Also at Rajaji.
74. Little Stint
Calidris minuta
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
75. Temminck’s Stint
Calidris temminckii
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
76. Ruff
Philomachus pugnax
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
77. Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus
Common in the lowlands
78. Pied Avocet
Recurvirostra avosetta
Flock of fifty birds at Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
79. Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubius
Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
80. Kentish Plover
Charadrius alexandrinus
In breeding plumage at Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
81. Yellow-wattled Lapwing
Vanellus malarbaricus
On the drive to Mandkaula area
82. River Lapwing
Vanellus duvaucelii
Along the Suswa river, Rajaji
83. Red-wattled Lapwing
Vanellus indicus
84. Pallas’s Gull
Larus ichthyaetus
On the Ganges at Haridwar.
85. Whiskered Tern
Chlidonias hybridus
Single bird at Mandkaula wetlands, Haryana
86. Black-shouldered Kite
Elanus caeruleus
Possibly the most commonly met raptor of the trip after the Black Kite
87. Black Kite
Milvus migrans
Common
88. Lammergeier
Gypaetus barbatus
A immature seen well in flight by two observers on the drive from Mussoori to Cloud's End.
89. Egyptian Vulture
Neophron percnopterus
Pair (possibly nesting) across the Tons River at Dehradun and also in the lowlands.
90. White-rumped Vulture
Gyps bengalensis
Two different birds observed over the Chilla Range, Rajaji
91. Indian Vulture
Gyps indicus
Single observation of an over-flying bird over the Chilla Range, Rajaji was possibly this species.
92. Himalayan Griffon
Gyps himalayensis
Small numbers seen in the Mussoori area.
93. Crested Serpent Eagle
Spilornis cheela
Nesting bird at Kansrao Range, Rajaji. Also observed at some other locations in the Park.
94. Eurasian Marsh Harrier
Circus aeruginosus
Two females at Mandkaula keeping the ducks busy.
95. Shikra
Accipiter badius
Mandkaula wetland and Rajaji
96. Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus
Single observation at Dehradun
97. White-eyed Buzzard
Butastur teesa
One bird spotted in the Chilla Range, Rajaji
98. Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
One observation in Rajaji of a bird moving away was possibly of this species.
99. Steppe Eagle
Aquila nipalensis
At Mussoori garbage dump and along the Suswa river.
100. Bonelli’s Eagle
Hieraaetus fasciatus
Single circling bird over the Mandkaula wetlands.
101. Mountain Hawk Eagle
Spizaetus nipalensis
Only one bird noted over Mussoori
102. Common Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Lowland observation only
103. Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis
Mandkaula
104. Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus
Four birds on the Ganges at Haridwar. Coming in to full breeding plumage.
105. Little Cormorant
Phalacrocorax niger
Common near water
106. Indian Cormorant
Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
Ganges at Haridwar
107. Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo
Ganges at Haridwar and at Mandkaula and Assan
108. Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
109. Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
A few at Mandkaula wetlands
110. Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea
Two at Mandkaula wetlands
111. Great Egret
Casmerodius albus
112. Intermediate Egret
Mesophoyx intermedia
113. Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
114. Indian Pond Heron
Ardeola grayii
115. Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Mandkaula wetlands
116. Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
Single bird at Mandkaula
117. Black-headed Ibis
Threskiornis melanocephalus
At least seven birds on the drive to the Mandkaula area
118. Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodia
Mandkaula area
119. Painted Stork
Mycteria leucocephala
Haridwar and Mandkaula in good numbers
120. Asian Openbill
Anastomus oscitans
Three birds at Mandkaula
121. Black Stork
Ciconia nigra
One bird seen flying at sunset in the Chilla Range, Rajaji
122. Woolly-necked Stork
Ciconia episcopus
Four at Mandkaula wetlands
123. Long-tailed Shrike
Lanius schach
Both at Mandkaula and at Dehradun and Rajaji
124. Black-headed Jay
Garrulus lanceolatus
Single observation at Mussoori
125. Red-billed Blue Magpie
Urocissa erythrorhyncha
Common at elevations higher than Dehradun
126. Rufous Treepie
Dendrocitta vagabunda
Both at Dehradun and in the lowlands
127. Grey Treepie
Dendrocitta formosae
Regularly seen in the Dehradun area.
128. House Crow
Corvus splendens
129. Large-billed Crow
Corvus macrorhynchos
All sites visited
130. Black-hooded Oriole
Oriolus xanthornus
Only in the Phanduwala area of Rajaji
131. Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii
A few seen feeding on rhododendron blooms at Cloud's End, Mussoori
132. Long-tailed Minivet
Pericrocotus ethologus
Dehradun and Mussoori
133. Scarlet Minivet
Pericrocotus flammeus
Rajaji National Park
134. Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike
Hemipus picatus
Seen everyday at Dehradun
135. White-throated Fantail
Rhipidura albicollis
Common
136. White-browed Fantail Flycatcher
Rhipidura aureola
Dehradun and Rajaji National Park
137. Black Drongo
Dicrurus macrocercus
138. Ashy Drongo
Dicrurus leucophaeus
Common
139. Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus
Kansrao Range, Rajaji
140. Asian Paradise-flycatcher
Terpsiphone paradisi
Single male briefly observed at Dehradun.
141. Common Iora
Aegithina tiphia
Rajaji
142. Common Woodshrike
Tephrodornis pondicerianus
Single observer sighting at Phanduwala, Rajaji
143. Blue Whistling Thrush
Myophonus caeruleus
144. Tickell’s Thrush
Turdus unicolor
Two at Dehradun
145. Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher
Ficedula strophiata
Cloud's End, Mussoori and Rajaji
146. Red-throated Flycatcher
Ficedula parva
Single observation at Dehradun
147. Ultramarine Flycatcher
Ficedula superciliaris
Both at Mussoori as well as Dehradun
148. Verditer Flycatcher
Eumyias thalassina
Common at elevations
149. Rufous-bellied Niltava
Niltava sundara
Single female recorded at Dehradun
150. Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher
Culicicapa ceylonensis
Mussoori and Rajaji National Park
151. Orange-flanked Bush Robin
Tarsiger cyanurus
Benog Sanctuary, Mussoori
152. Oriental Magpie Robin
Copsychus saularis
153. White-rumped Shama
Copsychus malabaricus
Heard regularly at Rajaji
154. Indian Robin
Saxicoloides fulicata
Both at Dehradun and the lowlands
155. Blue-fronted Redstart
Phoenicurus frontalis
Couple of birds at Mussoori
156. White-capped Water Redstart
Chaimarrornis leucocephalus
At Dehradun
157. Pied Bushchat
Saxicola caprata
Very common. Every location held a number of these birds.
158. Grey Bushchat
Saxicola ferrea
Surprisingly rare with only two observed at higher elevations around Mussoori
159. Brown Rock-chat
Cercomela fusca
Lowlands
160. Brahminy Starling
Sturnus pagodarum
Lowlands
161. Asian Pied Starling
Sturnus contra
162. Common Myna
Acridotheres tristis
163. Bank Myna
Acridotheres ginginianus
164. Jungle Myna
Acridotheres fuscus
A few pairs in the Dehradun area
165. Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch
Sitta castanea
Rajaji National Park
166. White-tailed Nuthatch
Sitta himalayensis
Single bird noted on the way to Mussoori from Dehradun
167. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
Sitta frontalis
Common in suitable habitat in Rajaji
168. Bar-tailed Treecreeper
Certhia himalayana
Great views of two birds at Mussoori
169. Spot-winged Tit
Parus melanolophus
A few at Mussoori
170. Great Tit
Parus major
Dehradun and Rajaji area
171. Green-backed Tit
Parus monticolus
Mussoori area only
172. Black-lored Tit
Parus xanthogenys
One observation around Mussoori
173. Yellow-browed Tit
Sylviparus modestus
Single observer record in the Mussoori area
174. Black-throated Tit
Aegithalos concinnus
Higher elevations around Dehradun
175. Dusky Crag Martin
Hirundo concolor
Lowlands observation
176. Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Mandkaula wetlands and Rajaji
177. Red-rumped Swallow
Hirundo daurica
Dehradun and Rajaji area
178. Striated Swallow
Hirundo striolata
Around Assan Barrage and at Haridwar
179. Red-whiskered Bulbul
Pycnonotus jocosus
Dehradun
180. Himalayan Bulbul
Pycnonotus leucogenys
Dehradun and Rajaji
181. Red-vented Bulbul
Pycnonotus cafer
182. Mountain Bulbul
Hypsipetes mcclellandii
Two birds seen well at Cloud's End, Mussoori.
183. Black Bulbul
Hypsipetes leucocephalus
A few at Dehradun. More common at higher elevations.
184. Grey-breasted Prinia
Prinia hodgsonii
Common in the Dehradun area
185. Graceful Prinia
Prinia gracilis
Mandkaula wetlands
186. Jungle Prinia
Prinia sylvatica
One bird seen during the drive at Chilla, Rajaji possibly this species.
187. Ashy Prinia
Prinia socialis
188. Oriental White-eye
Zosterops palpebrosus
Common
189. Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler
Cettia fortipes
Dehradun area
190. Common Tailorbird
Orthotomus sutorius
Deharadun and Rajaji
191. Common Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybita
Many in the marshes along the Suswa river, Rajaji.
192. Sulphur-bellied Warbler
Phylloscopus griseolus
Surprisingly common in the Dehradun area.
193. Ashy-throated Warbler
Phylloscopus maculipennis
Mussoori area. Few observations.
194. Lemon-rumped Warbler
Phylloscopus chloronotus
A fair number in the Dehradun area
195. Hume’s Warbler
Phylloscopus humei
196. Greenish Warbler
Phylloscopus trochiloides
Dominant phylloscopus in the Dehradun area
197. Grey-hooded Warbler
Seicercus xanthoschistos
A few in the Dehradun and Mussoori area.
198. Whistler's Warbler
Seicercus whistleri
A number at Phanduwala, Rajaji
199. White-throated Laughingthrush
Garrulax albogularis
Heard on the drive to Mussoori
200. White-crested Laughingthrush
Garrulax leucolophus
Call record from Rajaji National Park
201. Striated Laughingthrush
Garrulax striatus
Cloud's End, Mussoori held a few
202. Streaked Laughingthrush
Garrulax lineatus
Common at Dehradun and higher elevations
203. Variegated Laughingthrush
Garrulax variegatus
Single observer record from Cloud's End, Mussoori
204. Puff-throated Babbler
Pellorneum ruficeps
Great views of a pair at Rajaji National park
205. Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler
Pomatorhinus erythrogenys
Dehradun area. Heard at Rajaji
206. Black-chinned Babbler
Stachyris pyrrhops
Daily in the Dehradun area
207. Yellow-eyed Babbler
Chrysomma sinense
Dehradun and at various places outside Rajaji
208. Common Babbler
Turdoides caudatus
Mandkaula area
209. Large Grey Babbler
Turdoides malcolmi
Mandkaula area
210. Jungle Babbler
Turdoides striatus
211. Red-billed Leiothrix
Leiothrix lutea
Dozens in the Dehradun area
212. Chestnut-tailed Minla
Minla strigula
Single observer record near Cloud's End, Mussoori
213. Striated Yuhina
Yuhina castaniceps
Single observer record near Cloud's End, Mussoori
214. Whiskered Yuhina
Yuhina flavicollis
Small numbers near Cloud's End, Mussoori
215. Singing Bushlark
Mirafra cantillans
Mandkaula wetlands
216. Indian Bushlark
Mirafra erythroptera
Mandkaula wetlands
217. Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark
Eremopterix grisea
Mandkaula wetlands
218. Crested Lark Galerida cristata
Mandkaula wetlands
219. Pale-billed Flowerpecker
Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
Dehradun
220. Purple Sunbird
Nectarinia asiatica
Dominating the Crimson Sunbirds at Dehradun
221. Crimson Sunbird
Aethopyga siparaja
222. House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
223. Russet Sparrow Passer rutilans
Mussoori
224. Chestnut-shouldered Petronia
Petronia xanthocollis
Both at Mandkaula and Rajaji
225. White Wagtail
Motacilla alba
Small numbers at all locations
226. White-browed Wagtail
Motacilla maderaspatensis
Suswa river, Rajaji and inside the Park
227. Citrine Wagtail
Motacilla citreola
Brilliant male at Mandkaula
228. Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava
Mandkaula
229. Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinerea
Dehradun and Rajaji
230. Paddyfield Pipit
Anthus rufulus
Mandkaula wetlands had a few
231. Olive-backed Pipit
Anthus hodgsoni
Uncommon. Two on the way to Dehradun
232. Rufous-breasted Accentor
Prunella strophiata
Good record of a single bird on the road from Dehradun to Mussoori
233. Baya Weaver
Ploceus philippinus
Rajaji area
234. Red Avadavat
Amandava amandava
Chilla range, Rajaji National Park
235. White-rumped Munia
Lonchura striata
Small flock at Dehradun
236. Yellow-breasted Greenfinch
Carduelis spinoides
A flock of twenty on the Suswa river near Rajaji
237. European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
Six birds of ssp. caniceps at Dehradun. May be over wintering ?
238.
Common Rosefinch
Carpodacus erythrinus
Common
239. Pink-browed Rosefinch
Carpodacus rodochrous
Met twice in the Mussoori area
240. Rock Bunting
Emberiza cia
Small flock by the roadside on the drive from Mussoori to Cloud's End
241. White-capped Bunting
Emberiza stewarti
Two birds by the riverside, Chilla, Rajaji
