DAY 1 - ARRIVAL, AMRITSAR, & HARIKE WETLANDS
Arrive early morning in Amritsar, an important Sikh religious center in Punjab, located in northwest India. After arrival, visit the Golden Temple and nearby Akal Takht followed by transfer to Harike Wetlands south of the city. These wetlands were formed by an irrigation dam on the River Sutlej, one of the five great rivers in Punjab. Afternoon birding there (see below). Night at a hotel in Harike.
DAY 2 - HARIKE WETLANDS & BIRD SANCTUARY
We have the entire day to bird the wetlands around Harike. Our primary target species is the near-endemic Rufous-vented Grass Babbler, found only in Punjab and neighboring Pakistan. This species favors the more dense reed and cane growth in the wetlands. Other specialties we'll be seeking are Sand Lark, Moustached Warbler, Mountain Chiffchaff, Jerdon's Babbler, Striated Babbler, White-tailed Stonechat, Black-breasted Weaver, and Sind Sparrow. These species have restricted ranges to varying extents in India. In addition, we'll see a good variety of more widely distributed wetland birds. Notable among these are Ruddy Shelduck, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Gray-headed Swamphen, White-breasted Waterhen, Red-wattled Lapwing, White-tailed Lapwing, Ruff, Brown-headed Gull, Pallas's Gull, Indian Cormorant, and Indian Pond-Heron. A number of raptors are also likely, notably Greater Spotted Eagle, Shikra, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, and Black Kite. In addition to wetlands, patches of acacia woodland and various open areas provide good habitat for many other birds. A variety of boreal and Himalayan migrants are likely during winter and early spring including Long-tailed Minivet, White-crowned Penduline-Tit, Brooks's Leaf Warbler, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Black-throated Thrush, Bluethroat, Siberian Stonechat, and Rosy Pipit. Lots of other widely distributed species are also possible. Examples are Gray Francolin, Spotted Owlet, Indian Gray Hornbill, White-throated Kingfisher, Black-rumped Flameback, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Long-tailed Shrike, Rufous Treepie, Common Tailorbird, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Indian White-eye, Indian Robin, Red-breasted Flycatcher, and White-browed Wagtail. Night at a hotel in Harike.
DAY 3 - TRANSFER TO CHHAPAR
After breakfast, we have a long drive south to the town of Chhapar in Rajasthan Province. This town is located near the wildlife sanctuary we'll be visiting the following day. The transfer typically takes about 9 hours of driving. Night at a hotel in Chhapar.
DAY 4 - TAL CHHAPAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
We have this entire day to bird the Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary protects a remnant of once widespread grassland and acacia forest in a now mostly populated region. The primary purpose of this sanctuary is to protect a large population of the striking Blackbuck, a splendid antelope native to India and Nepal and introduced in South Africa. We'll certainly have good views of this species while birding the reserve. Our primary target bird is the localized endemic Indian Spotted Dreeper. Other birds we may encounter include Indian Courser, Great Gray Shrike, Greater Short-toed Lark, Bimaculated Lark, White-eared Bulbul, Common Babbler, Brahminy Starling, White-browed Bushchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Desert Wheatear, Brown Rock Chat, and Variable Wheatear. A variety of raptors are still common in this region including Egyptian Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Eurasian Griffon, Imperial Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Red-necked Falcon, and Laggar Falcon. Night at a hotel in Bikaner.
DAY 5 - JORBEER & TRANSFER TO JAISALMER
During early morning we'll visit the Jorbeer rubbish dump outside Bikaner. Our primary target bird is wintering Yellow-eyed Pigeon, a declining species with vulnerable status that occurs there in large numbers. The site also attracts raptors such as Egyptian Vulture, Steppe Eagle, and Black Kite. From there we have a 5½ drive southwest to Jaisalmer. Enroute we'll stop at the Khichan Demoiselle Crane Feeding Station, where thousands of cranes congregate during winter months from November to February. Night at a hotel in Jaisalmer.
DAYS 6 & 7 - THAR DESERT
We have two days to explore the eastern corner of the Thar Desert in Desert National Park from our base in Jaisalmer. This vast desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, covers some 77,000SqMi of northwest India and neighboring Pakistan. Much of the desert is covered by shifting sand dunes. We'll be birding a large area of natural grassland and scattered bush and trees that is fenced in to protect it from grazing cattle. Our primary target species is the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard that roams these grasslands inside and outside the fenced enclosure. It's not an easy bird to find so we've allowed two days to search for it, along with another morning if needed. The other main attraction is the localized White-browed Bushchat, a vulnerable species restricted to the Thar Desert and its vicinity. During our explorations we will see a good variety of other typical desert birds of this region. We can expect, for example, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, possibly Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Cream-colored Courser, Imperial Eagle, Asian Green Bee-eater, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, Desert Lark, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Greater Short-toed Lark, Rufous-fronted Prinia, Delicate Prinia, Asian Desert Warbler, and Trumpeter Finch. One afternoon we should have time to visit the Jaisalmer Fort that is situated on a plateau in town. Built in 1159AD, it has a long history of defending the town from invaders and is now a World Heritage site. Nights at a hotel in Jaisalmer.
DAY 8 - TRANSFER & SIYANA
Early morning birding in Thar Desert if needed. Then transfer to the village of Siyana, also called Siana. This village is located in the transition area between the Thar Desert and the Aravalli Hills. The transfer takes around 5 hours, so we should have time after arrival for some birding outside town. Night at a hotel in Siyana.
DAY 9 - SIYANA
The area outside Siyana is a mosaic of plains, sand dunes, scrub jungle, and rocky outcrops. We have a full day to explore the area looking for the near-endemic Sirkeer Malkoha, a skulking bird that will take a little effort to see well, the near-endemic Indian Bushlark, and the scarce nomadic White-bellied Minivet. Other possibilities include Rock Bush-Quail, Red Collared-Dove, Painted Sandgrouse, Indian Thick-knee, Yellow-legged Buttonquail, Barred Buttonquail, Indian Scops-Owl, Rock Eagle-Owl, Eurasian Hoopoe, White-browed Fantail, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Red-rumped Swallow, Black Redstart, Yellow-throated Sparrow, and Striolated Bunting. With some luck we could also see the critically endangered Indian Vulture. There is an outside chance of seeing a Leopard. This site is where David Attenborough filmed them for his Life of Mammals series in 2002, but now they are much more scarce. Nights at a hotel in Siyana.
DAY 10 - SIYANA & MOUNT ABU
After some morning birding outside Siyana, we'll drive up Mount Abu not too far away. It's about a 3 hour drive. This mountain on the southern end of the Aravalli Range is a small hill station below the summit. Our main target bird is the rare endemic Green Avadavat. It's not always seen but there's a very good chance of encountering a flock of this little-known species. The bird occurrs in open fields and scrub around the hill station. Other birds we can expect in the area include Red Spurfowl, , possibly the more difficult Gray Junglefowl, Coppersmith Barbet, Brown-headed Barbet, Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Alexandrine Parakeet, Plum-headed Parakeet, White-bellied Drongo, Indian Yellow Tit, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Indian Scimitar-Babbler, Common Rosefinch, White-capped Bunting, and Crested Bunting. Night at a hotel in Mount Abu Hill Station.
DAY 11 - MOUNT ABU & TRANSFER TO BAJANA
Morning birding at Mount Abu. Mid morning depart for drive southwest to Bajana, about a 5½ hour drive. Night at a hotel in Bajana.
DAY 12 - LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH
All day birding Little Rann of Kutch. This area is part of vast saline flats that is seasonally flooded during monsoon rains. It's the last stronghold of the Indian Wild Ass or Onager. Much of the region has little vegetation, but areas of bush and grass around the periphery are good habitat for both the asses and birds. Wintering MacQueen's Bustards occur here though the population has been severely depleted because of falconers from Arabia. Wetlands on the edge of the Little Rann attract a great diversity of water birds including Bar-headed Goose, Knob-billed Duck, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Sarus Crane, Common Crane, White-tailed Lapwing, Asian Openbill, Black Stork, Asian Woolly-necked Stork, White Stork, Painted Stork, Great White Pelican, Spot-billed Pelican, Dalmatian Pelican, Black-headed Ibis, Red-naped Ibis, and a variety of shorebirds. In dry fields and grassy wetlands we hope to see Small Pratincole, Oriental Pratincole, and Collared Pratincole. Other birds we may see are Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Indian Courser, Pallid Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Pallid Scops-Owl, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Rosy Starling, Pied Bushchat, and Baya Weaver. Some night birding should produce Indian Nightjar and perhaps the little known Sykes's Nightjar. Nights at a hotel in Bajana.
DAY 13 - TRANSFER TO MOTI VIRANI
Morning transfer to Moti Virani, about a 6 hour drive. Enroute we'll make a stop along the coast to bird some mudflats where we should see the very different Crab-plover, so different that it's in a family all its own. We can also expect other shorebirds such as Tibetan Sand-Plover, Greater Sand-Plover, various sandpipers, and perhaps with luck Indian Skimmer. After arrival, some afternoon birding near town as time permits. Night at a hotel in Moti Virani.
DAYS 14 & 15 - GREAT RANN OF KUTCH
We have two full days to bird the Great Rann of Kutch. The habitat on the edge of the vast salt flats is comprised of grasslands, alluvial mudflats, shallow seasonal wetlands, rocky outcrops, and dry thorn scrub. Specialties we'll be targeting are Sykes's Nightjar, White-tailed Iora, White-naped Tit, Tawny Lark, Persian Wheatear, and Hypocolius. Other birds we may find include Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Spotted Sandgrouse, Painted Sandgrouse, White-bellied Minivet, Jungle Prinia, Sykes's Warbler, Asian Desert Warbler, and Gray-necked Bunting. Nights at a hotel in Moti Virani.
DAY 16 - FLIGHT & TANSA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
After breakfast we'll take a morning flight from Bhuj to Mumbai. After arrival and lunch, we'll have a full afternoon to look for the rare endemic Forest Owl in Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. Unlike most owls, this species is diurnal. We'll be exploring the extensive evergreen broadleaf woodland in the valleys looking for this poorly known species. It's best seen in mornings and late afternoon. We won't ignore other birds while looking for the owl. Other possibilities include Common Hawk-Cuckoo, Crested Treeswift, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Black Eagle, White-eyed Buzzard, Jungle Owlet, Malabar Trogon, White-naped Woodpecker, Malabar Parakeet, Large Cuckooshrike, Indian Golden Oriole, Black-hooded Oriole, Indian Paradise-Flycatcher, Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher, Green Warbler, Western Crowned Warbler, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Thick-billed Flowerpecker, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Jerdon's Leafbird, Golden-fronted Leafbird. Night at a hotel near Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary.
DAY 17 - TANSA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY & DEPARTURE
Much of the day birding Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. Afternoon transfer to Mumbai for departure flight. Most international flights depart at midnight or later. If continuing on to our Northern India tour, several evening flights are available. End of tour at the Mumbai Airport.
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