(delhibirdpix) Tal Chapar: Trip Report & Yellow-footed Green Pigeon

In keeping with my resolution to visit Tal Chapar atleast one a month (if not twice which is what i have averaged since i came back to delhi :) ), I went there last weekend and birded with Sh. SS Poonia, Range Forest Officer.

 

Chapar  was a raptor heaven as usual (if not in species by sheer number encountered). Most of the winter visitors have gone and the heat was punishing but the birding was fantastic. 21 Tawny Eagles , Laggar falcons, Red-headed Vultures, 4 Adult White-eyed buzzards, very few greater short-toed larks, plenty of long-billed and few tawny pipits. Another surprise for me was Grey-necked Bunting (2-3 small flocks of 3-4 seen) which I had expected would be well out of India by now. Saw a few red-headed buntings enroute (in Haryana limits)

Photography was a challenge as temperatures were soaring to 42 degrees celsius with by 10.15 AM. But that made waterholes areas for hectic activity.

 

Non Bird life dominated by foxes - desert and indian, monitors - yellow and desert as well as the ubiquitous spiny tailed lizard (which is why i guess the high concentration of tawny eagles.)

 

Mr. Poonia even reported a honey badger at night around the forest office a few nights ago (didn't know that they would survive in that habitat!!!)

 

Surprisingly the Eurasian sparrow hawks which came in August end and have stayed throughout the winter this time were still around. We saw two different individuals chasing flocks of blue rock pigeons as well as eurasian collared doves.

 

 

Highlights (over 2 birding sessions - one evening and one morning)
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Tawny Eagle
White-eyed buzzard
Eqyptian vulture
Red-headed vulture
Common Kestrel
Booted Eagle
Grey-headed Bunting
Tawny Pipit
Long-billed Pipit
Paddyfield Pipit
Lesser Whitethroat(?)
Red-collared Dove
Blyth's Reed Warbler(will post for confirmation)

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