india - a wildlife cruise on the brahmaputra river courtesy of wendy ... boats and we were overcome...

India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River

Naturetrek Tour Report 28 March - 14 April 2014

Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England

T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426

E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Report compiled by Sujan Chatterjee

Images courtesy of Wendy Schmitt

Indian Elephant Blue-throated Barbet

Tiger Hoolock Gibbon

mailto:[email protected]

Tour Report India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River

© Naturetrek August 14 1

Tour Leader: Sujan Chatterjee

Participants: Bryan Cupples

Janet Cupples

Barbara Sharp

Pamela Mynott

Siegfried Schmitt

Wendy Schmitt

Peter Robinson

Pauline Robinson

John Hoar

Joan Hoar

Malcolm Reader

Sally Reader

Thomas Mackie

Wendy Mackie

Day 0 Thursday 27th March

Travel from the UK

Day 1 Friday 28th March

The new Kolkata Airport welcomed all fourteen of the guests to India. Next stop was the Hyatt hotel. After

some rest we left at 2pm to visit the Indian Botanic Gardens. We travelled through the busy roads of Kolkata

and got a glimpse of the busy city, a distant view of the Victoria Memorial, the race course and the Fort Williams.

We reached the gardens and started off with Red-breasted Parakeets, Asian Koel, Five-striped Palm Squirrel;

Black-rumped Flameback; Coppersmith Barbet; Spotted Owlet; Jungle Babblers; Yellow-footed Green Pigeons;

White-throated Kingfishers; Jungle Babblers; Bronze-winged Jacanas. It was warm and jetlag was catching up so

we returned to our vehicle at 430pm and drove back to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Day 2 Saturday 29th March

We caught our flight and arrived at Dibrugarh airport at 1pm. We drove along the highway enjoying the beautiful

lush scenery of Assam, its ponds, villages, houses and rice fields. We stopped for a few birds en route such as a

pair of Slender-billed Vultures, Barbets, Kingfishers, Purple Swamphens etc. After four hour’s drive we reached

the banks of the Brahmaputra, while large Indian Flying Foxes flew over us. The whole crew helped us to board

the country boat and sort out our luggage. We got on board to be welcomed by Prateek. After a briefing about

the ship we went for dinner.

Day 3 Sunday 30th March

We woke early for the visit to the Gibbon Sanctuary. Curlews flew over the water while we had our morning cup

of tea on the deck.

India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report

2 © Naturetrek August 14

We arrived after an hour’s drive. Our first sighting was a Malayan Giant Squirrel close to the forest office. Most

couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw this giant; not something one is used to seeing on a bird feeder. On

most trips the Western Hoolock Gibbons co-operate but on this day they wanted to make us work hard. They

were deep inside the forest and we had to follow the calls for some time; through thick bush and undergrowth

until we found them. Later we found another family and everybody got good views. We had great views of a

troop of Capped Langurs too. They fed in the canopy right above the main track and gave some good photo

opportunities.

After breakfast, a sumptuous field breakfast of porridge, bacon and eggs to order, we went back walking on the

main trail. Several pretty butterflies kept us all occupied for a while, until we spotted a few more Malayan Giant

Squirrels. Another family of Hoolocks were tracked off road. After a few Sultan Tits, Scarlet Minivets and

Spangled Drongos; we decided to return and the vehicle picked us up at the end of the walk.

On the way back we stopped at some marshes. The first one gave us great views of Pheasant Tailed Jacanas,

White-vented Mynas and a difficult view of Pacific Golden Plover. The second and larger marsh close to the

Ghat, gave us some great birds like Spot-billed Ducks, Lesser Adjutants, Glossy Ibis, Black-headed Ibis, Purple

Moorhen, and Watercock. After lunch we took the opportunity of long daylight hours to go for a walk in the

village. We were rewarded by Asian Barred Owlet, Black Bulbuls, Chestnut-capped Babblers and Striated

Babblers. As we went we heard calls of the Swamp Francolin. This is a very enigmatic bird and has always

proven difficult to see on some trips. So we very silently waited and the bird came right out in the open for a

drink. What great sight! ‘Gasps’ and ‘Gosh’s’ were heard from various parties. While we were at it, Mohan found

a fabulous Brown Hawk Owl, roosting in a villager’s back garden. Meanwhile the wind picked up and our

Captain decided against sailing that afternoon. So we spent some more time looking for some more birds.

Day 4 Monday 31st March

Early this morning, we set sail and the morning sun made the Brahmaputra look amazing. While we sipped our

morning cuppa, a drama unfolded. A flock of Cattle Egrets were flying behind our boat and suddenly out of the

blue a Peregrine Falcon appeared and swooped down on the flock. It zigzagged itself behind an individual and

chased it. The egret, to save itself, landed on the boat and sat under the canopy very close to us with all its

feathers on its head raised. The Peregrine gave up and disappeared. One life saved...while one stayed hungry.

We reached the sand bank (or sand walls!) and as we moored we set our binoculars on the hundreds of Blue-

tailed Bee-eaters that have descended here to breed. These summer migrants come from all over to breed on the

river banks before monsoon breaks. They swarmed the skies competing with Green Bee-eaters. We soon got on

to the country boat and sailed to the makeshift jetty and got into our jeeps waiting on the sandy bank. Our first

stop was at Sakoli Bheel where we checked out the drying lake. Beautiful Pheasant-tailed Jacanas walked through

the marsh. Striated Grassbirds; Grey-backed Shrikes; Ruddy Shelducks; Osprey; Lesser Adjutants; Tufted Ducks;

were all there for us to see.

We then moved on to the first Monastery. The elder Monks were still in prayer when we arrived at the Auniati

Monastery. We then walked around and visited the Monastery’s Museum. As we strolled around the campus we

saw Stork-billed Kingfisher; Asian Barred Owlet; Oriental White-eye, Red Whiskered Bulbuls, Lineated Barbets,

Rufous Treepies etc.



We then boarded our vehicles and headed for the Uttar Kamalabari Chatra (Monastery). Prateek our Captain

took us to the room of one of the monks. He is a master flute player. A couple of short pieces left us speechless

and teary-eyed. We arrived at the monastery and were ushered in to the ‘namghar’ or prayer hall. The 9 young

monks were waiting dressed up for the performance. They sang and danced for us with cymbals and heavy

drums. The fifteen minute performance, which is a prelude to a night play, kept us mesmerised.

Before we returned to Charaidew we made a quick stop at a local Mustard oil press. It was quite an experience to

see these big old machines pressing oil out of the mustard seeds. In the afternoon we sailed towards a Mishing

village called Jatiabari.

Day 5 Tuesday 1st April

Today we decided to take a pre-breakfast walk. Some of us took off over the grassy sand dunes and found some

good birds. Sally had already spotted an Owl which had landed in the scrubs. So as we tried to locate it, this big

bird took off from another spot and sailed over the dunes and disappeared. It was a Short-eared Owl! We then

walked on and found a few Rufous-winged (Bengal) Bushlarks singing and displaying at the same time. One

landed on a stick and gave us good views. We also spotted a couple of Bluethroats. They kept coming in and out

of the grass tufts giving us excellent views. As we turned back to return to our ship, we spotted a few sparrow-

sized bird descend on the sand. They were buntings. More appeared and landed on the sand and in the scrubs.

There were three species in all - Chestnut-eared, Yellow-breasted and Black-faced Buntings. What a way to start

the morning!

After breakfast we got off again to visit the Jatiabari village. This pretty and quaint village is under threat from

severe erosion by the river. The prediction is that it won’t survive this year’s monsoon. We walked through this

unique village belonging to the Mishing Tribe. The Mising people live in traditional stilt-houses with walls of

plaited bamboo and front-door-ladders hewn from tree-trunks, surrounded by fragrant gardens full of coriander,

tomatoes, chillies and onions. They are also extremely welcoming to unexpected strangers who turn up on cruise

boats and we were overcome by the delight they showed while peering through a telescope at a distant Drongo

or seeing photos of themselves. A visit to their school was among the many highlights of a wonderful morning

spent in the company of the people of Jatiabari.

Some of the other delights here included a Durian Redstart in a bamboo thicket, a beautiful Crimson Sunbird

giving superb views, Spangled Drongos feeding on nectar from the blossoming trees… Black baby pigs and

white newborn goat kids also attracted admiration here. We very reluctantly returned to our ship and then set sail

for Dhansiri Mukh. This river mouth marks the north-east corner of Kaziranga National Park. The channel we

plan to take the day after was shallow so it needed some checking out. So all hands (weight) on deck we had to

load up and set sail to check out the channel. While we sailed and the crew tried to memorise the right track, we

saw Water Buffaloes cooling themselves in the Brahmaputra, we also spotted a few Grey-headed Fish Eagles and

Oriental Pied Hornbills. We eventually made it to the destination and on the way back we spotted a wild

‘Makhna’ elephant grazing on the bank.



Day 6 Wednesday 2nd April

We were off after breakfast onto the country boat. After sailing upstream for 60 minutes we reached the sand

banks where our jeeps were waiting. After driving for fifteen minutes we reached the Park Ranger office. While

paper work was being sorted we had our breakfast while enjoying the scope view of the Spotted Owlet. We saw

our first distant Rhino in a few minutes time. We drove towards the Sohola Bheel (Lake) and meanwhile saw

Greater Adjutants, Black-necked Storks, and several raptors like the Grey-headed and Crested Serpent Eagles;

Pallas’s Fish Eagle; Griffons etc. Several distant Elephants, Buffaloes, Swamp and Hog Deer were also seen.

We drove on and at one location we saw a family of Smooth-coated Otters clambering on to a sandy island.

They gave us great views as they twisted and turned, yawned, stretched and eventually scampered off to catch

fish. We also saw a few more Rhinos near the ponds in various poses. We finished off the morning drive at a

convenient spot on the sand bank to board the country boat. We then boarded Charaidew and started to sail. We

settled down for lunch after a great morning ride. While sailing we spotted a few more rhinos on land and several

more birds. By sun down we made it to Silghat our destination for the day.

Day 7 Thursday 3rd April

Today we made a visit to the western sector of the park also known as the Baguri Range. The drive took us to

the Donga watchtower, which overlooks the Donga Lake. Scores of Rhinos, buffaloes, Hog Deer and Swamp

Deer dotted the meadow. Few scattered Ducks and Geese grazed along the edge of the water while huge Knife

Fishes breached the surface of the lake. After a while we did a drive around the track and added more birds and

more closer views of the big game and thereafter called it a day.

In the afternoon we strolled up the path along the river and gathered around an old temple. The stage was set

here and a surprise was in store for us. A bus load of kids arrived in their beautiful Bihu festival dress and also

with their traditional musical instruments. They put up a superb song and dance program for us in front of the

Temple. Their energetic performance absolutely enthralled us. The last performance happened while the sun set

over the mighty Brahmaputra and cool breeze blew over the banks and the Gangetic Dolphins breached the

surface of the dark waters.

Day 8 Friday 4th April

Today we wanted to do something different. We drove to a nearby tea plantation before breakfast and birded

along the forest edge. The sky was overcast and it was slow going initially. We spotted a few Owlets and warblers

to start with. Then as we walked on we clocked a few very good birds. We started off with a beautiful Siberian

Rubythroat. This skulker likes being in tea gardens as they provide good cover. This one showed itself very well

and stayed long enough for all to get great views. Then a Great Pied Hornbill flew over us and landed on a

distant tree but still gave us some good clear views. We then climbed a small hill and spotted a pair of Wreathed

Hornbills. They were obscure at first then they gave us some brief views before flying off in the distance.

After breakfast and our next program, we had some time to spare, so on request we made a quick visit to a

nearby Jute processing factory. It was quite a learning experience to see how Jute is processed from a plant and

then turned into sacks.



We then headed towards Kaziranga. We stopped first at a beautiful lodge for lunch. But before lunch we decided

to give an elephant a wash. The beautiful 40 year old matriarch named Hun Mala (Golden Garland) was patiently

waiting in the shade and thwarting fly attacks with a branch. She quietly and gracefully plonked herself in the

nearby pond for a bath. And many of us jumped in the muddy water to give her a good scrub behind her ears.

After a sumptuous lunch, as we were just about in the mood to doze off, we had to gather ourselves for an

afternoon drive in the Kohora Range. The drive started off with the usual Rhinos, Buffaloes and Swamp deer.

We headed towards the Daflang watchtower for a sunset on the lake. As we approached the tower, we stopped

to look at pair of Rhinos, mother and grown up calf. While we were there we saw a Tiger pop out from the tall,

wall-like elephant grass in the background! It came out a few metres in front of the Rhinos. The Hog deer started

to bark in alarm and the Rhinos swung to look at the Tiger. The Tiger was unperturbed by all this - it just sat

down and kept eyeing the rhinos. After a while it started to walk towards the rhinos and walked past behind

them looking back at the rhinos, sizing them up and snarling. It then walked along the edge of the grass and

disappeared. We expected the Tiger to appear somewhere in front and cross the path. Instead it came up from

behind and quickly disappeared again. We waited for a few more minutes and decided to go up the watchtower

and wait. After nearly half an hour the Tiger decided to show up on the edge of the road and finally crossed the

track in the perfect golden light and silently disappeared in the grass. Nobody spoke for a long time...

Day 9 Saturday 5th April

Our last day in Kaziranga...so we decided to start off with a grand elephant ride. There were not many other

guests around so it was just us riding the big guys. These grand animals took us really close to dozens of Rhinos,

including a few with small calves. Some males had big gashes on their shoulders from previous fights. During the

one hour ride we added a few more birds to our list and some really close up shots of some of Swamp and Hog

Deer. After the ride, Imran landed up with a bunch of bananas as a treat. This caused a stir amongst the usually

disciplined elephants. Meanwhile Mohan spotted a couple of Owlets and drew us away from the elephants...a

clever ploy indeed. We then headed for a nearby lodge for breakfast and for our final safari in this magnificent

park.

We set sail for Tezpur after we returned from the ride. We moored close to the old Military Town near a sand

bank. A Hindu festival was on along the banks of the river where flower and fire was offered to the river

goddess. Some of us decided to make a visit and got some good colourful photos.

Day 10 Sunday 6th April

Today we had a different activity in mind. We drove for an hour and a half to the edge of the Jia Bhoreli River.

Our rubber dinghies were waiting for us with their paddlers and raring to go. After donning the life jackets we all

got onto the dinghies and started floating downstream. Our target bird today was Ibisbill. Before we saw our

Ibisbills we saw Pied Kingfishers; River Lapwings; Small Pratincoles; River Terns and Black Storks. We missed

the Ibisbills at the regular spot. But soon, on the next shingle bed, we found three of these enigmatic birds. We

then spotted a few Great Thick-knees. These waders are always well camouflaged and are difficult to spot. We

had great views as we stopped our dinghies so that everybody could get a good look at them. After about two

hours of floating and negotiating some small rapids, we reached the river bank where we got off.



We went back to the eco camp for the use of the facilities and went to visit the conservation centre for the

Pygmy Hogs. We then drove back to Charaidew and sailed downstream. Before sundown we moored on our

own sandy beach. And in the evening, our crew organised a fabulous Brahmaputra barbeque for all.

Day 11 Monday 7th April

Today was our last day of sailing. As we had some time in hand we made a quick dash to a nearby village. The

families living there are under constant threat of erosion of land. Constant efforts are on to save the land from

the mighty Brahmaputra. We walked around and were introduced to the village elders by Babu. We visited

people’s homes and talked to the kids and even added a few birds to our list.

We floated past the vast expanses of sandy beaches of the mighty Brahmaputra. We reached the Peacock Island

by lunch time and decided to moor on the north bank of the river for the evening. We made a visit to the

Temple with two purposes; to see the temple of course, and also to see a few rare Golden Langurs, which reside

on the island. After climbing several steps, we reached the shops and there they were, sitting on a tamarind tree

chomping on cakes and bread (not the best diet). Some of us visited the temple while some sat around watching

the Langurs. With energy levels still high some decided to go for a shopping spree led by Imran, the man who

knew Guwahati much more than I did. The evening ended with the farewell dinner.

Day 12 Tuesday 8th April

This morning we sailed for the last time and moored along the Pandu Jetty. We had a late start today. We visited

the most famous temple of Assam, the Kamaksya Temple. We drove to the base and walked up to the door of

the temple, and then we walked barefoot on the stone floors amongst a large crowd of devotees. An hour or so

was spent at the temple looking at the ancient architecture.

We came back to Charaidew and bid adieu to the superb team of the boat which was our home for the last 10

days. We drove to the famous Gorchuk rubbish tip to look for the Greater Adjutant Storks. We drove through

heaps of garbage and stopped on the edge of a lake. There were several Greater Adjutants, along with them there

were thousands of Black Kites, and Cattle Egrets in breeding plumage. Next we tried our luck at the Deepor

Bheel Wetland. We saw vast flocks of Lesser Whistling Teal, camouflaged amongst the lily pads, and even a few

Cotton Pygmy Goose and a few Ashy Woodswallows. Next step was to arrive at the airport and to fly to

Kolkata. This was the end of the main tour…

There are many to thank for making it all happen. Thanks must go first to our outstanding naturalist guides:

Imran, Babu and Mohan. Thanks go too to Prateek for his many insights into life in norhteast India and his staff

and crew deserve huge praise and work hard behind the scenes to keep us safe and afloat. Our jeep drivers,

minibus drivers, rafters, mahouts and, not least, lovely elephants and the majestic tiger all also contributed greatly

to the success of a great tour. We thank them all and we most sincerely thank you for coming on this trip!



Sunderbans extension

Day 13 - 17 Wednesday 9th – Sunday 17th April

After saying goodbye to the main team; John, Joan, Malcolm, Sally, Tom, Wendy and myself headed to the

Sunderbans. The village highway has been newly tarred so we had a smooth ride through the myriad of village

activities. We reached Godkhali in three hours. We were greeted by Nitai, our captain. We boarded the newly

refurbished boat ‘Baba Nabin’. With a hot cup of ‘cha’ in hand we set sail for the Bali Island. During the stay in

Sunderbans we covered a whole spectrum. Not just wildlife and birds but a lot of culture too. Sajnekhali, the

head quarters gave us some insight to Sunderbans through its beautiful Museum. We spotted a few Water

Monitors there too. The next few days were spent sailing through the creeks and channels of Sunderbans

spotting waders, 6 species of Kingfishers including the rare Ruddy and Brown-winged Kingfisher. We spotted

an Irrawaddy Dolphin on one such cruise. On land we spotted several Woodpeckers, Warblers, Ioras, Sunbirds,

Treepeis and Green Pigeons. On one morning we even coaxed a view of the most rare and elusive Mangrove

Pitta from our boat. One evening we spotted a Large-tailed Nightjar, which was calling from a nearby tree close

to our lodge. In the villages the festive season was on, coinciding with Bengali New Year. A village fair was on

and we made an evening visit. This fair is 60 years old and attracted people from afar. The special attractions

were the all night social theatre and the noodle shops. In the humid evening we even managed to do some retail

therapy. On the last day we did a village walk combined with some bird watching. Thereafter we said goodbye to

the largest mangrove in the world and headed for Kolkata.

Day 18 Monday 14th April

Our final day in Kolkata... this was spent looking at the city. We made a visit to the Flower Market; Jain Temple;

Park Street Cemetery; and St John’s Church. We even did some retail therapy from a local garment shop and

after spending the afternoon at leisure we said goodbye to Kolkata

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Tour Report India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River


Species List

Birds ( = recorded but not counted; H = heard only)

Bo

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March/April

Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

1 Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis H

2 Blue-breasted Quail Coturnix chinensis

3 Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus H

4 Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica

5 Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus

6 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

7 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

8 Cotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus

9 Gadwall Anas strepera

10 Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

11 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

12 Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha

13 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata

14 Northern Pintail Anas acuta

15 Common Teal Anas crecca

16 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

17 Common Merganser Mergus merganser

18 Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus

19 Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei

20 Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus

21 Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense H

22 Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus

23 Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata



Bo

tan

ics

en

rou

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bo

n/N

ee

ma

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s

su

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March/April


24 Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica H

25 Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala

26 Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis

27 Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus

28 Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris

29 Common Hoopoe Upupa epops

30 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis

31 Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis

32 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

33 Brown-winged Kingfisher Halcyon amauropterus

34 Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon capensis

35 Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda

36 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis

37 Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata

38 Collared Kingfisher Todirhampus chloris

39 Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni H

40 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis

41 Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus

42 Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti

43 Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius

44 Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus

45 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea H

46 Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis

47 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis H H

48 Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria

49 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri

50 Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseata H



Bo

tan

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rou

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n/N

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ma

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Ma

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Bo

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Ko

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su

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March/April


51 Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri

52 Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis

53 House Swift Apus affinis

54 Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

55 Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides

56 Spotted Owlet Athene brama

57 Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata

58 Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus H

59 Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis

60 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis

61 Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica

62 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

63 Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta

64 Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera

65 Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea

66 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus

67 Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

68 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

69 Watercock Gallicrex cinerea

70 Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis

71 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata

72 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

73 Common Redshank Tringa totanus

74 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

75 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

76 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

77 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos



Bo

tan

ics

en

rou

te

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n/N

ee

ma

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March/April


78 Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii

79 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus

80 Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus

81 Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris

82 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

83 Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva

84 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

85 Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus

86 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

87 River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii

88 Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus

89 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus

90 Small Pratincole Glareola lactea

91 Pallas's Gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus

92 Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus

93 River Tern Sterna aurantia

94 Osprey Pandion haliaetus

95 Oriental Honey-Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus

96 Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus

97 Black Kite Milvus migrans

98 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus

99 Pallas's Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus

100 White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster

101 Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus

102 Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris

103 Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis

104 Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus



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March/April


105 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela

106 Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos

107 Shikra Accipiter badius

108 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis

109 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo

110 Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga

111 Indian Spotted Eagle Pomarina hastata

112 Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus

113 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

114 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

115 Little Grebe Podiceps ruficollis

116 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

117 Darter Anhinga melanogaster

118 Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger

119 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

120 Little Egret Egretta garzetta

121 White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis

122 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

123 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

124 Great Egret Casmerodius albus

125 Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia

126 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

127 Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii

128 Little Heron Butroides striatus

129 Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis

130 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus

131 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus



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March/April


132 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

133 Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus

134 Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis

135 Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans

136 Black Stork Ciconia nigra

137 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus

138 Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus

139 Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus

140 Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius

141 Mangrove Pitta Pitta megarhyncha H

142 Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons

143 Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus

144 Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach tricolor

145 Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus

146 Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda

147 House Crow Corvus splendens

148 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos

149 Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus

150 Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis

151 Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus

152 Golden Oriole Oriolus kondoo

153 Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei

154 Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos

155 Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera

156 Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus

157 Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus

158 White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis



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March/April


159 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus

160 Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus

161 Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus

162 Greater Racket Tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus

163 Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea

164 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia H

165 Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla

166 Pale-chinned Flycatcher Cyornis poliogenys

167 Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope

168 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica

169 Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis

170 White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus

171 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

172 Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus

173 White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus

174 Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fulginosus

175 Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata

176 White-tailed Stonechat Saxicola leucura

177 Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus

178 Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra

179 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis

180 Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus

181 White-vented Myna Acridotheres grandis

182 Northern Hill Myna Gracula religiosa

183 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis

184 Great Tit Parus major

185 Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea



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March/April


186 Plain Martin Riparia paludicola

187 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

188 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii

189 Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica

190 Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus

191 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus

192 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer

193 White-throated Bulbul Alophoixus flaveolus

194 Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus

195 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

196 Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris H

197 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata

198 Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus H

199 Blunt-winged Warbler Acrocephalus concinens

200 Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum

201 Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus

202 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius

203 Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis

204 Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus H

205 Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides

206 Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris

207 Abbott's Babbler Malacocincla abbotti

208 Striped Tit-Babbler Macronous gularis

209 Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata

210 Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei

211 Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus

212 Greater-necklaced Garrulax pectoralis



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March/April


Laughingthrush

213 Rufous-winged Bushlark Mirafra assamica

214 Sand Lark Calandrella raytal

215 Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum

216 Loten's Sunbird Nectarinia lotenia

217 Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica

218 Purple-rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica

219 Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja

220 House Sparrow Passer domesticus

221 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

222 White Wagtail Motacilla alba

223 Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola

224 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

225 Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus

226 Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus

227 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus

228 White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata

229 Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberzia aureola

230 Black-faced Bunting Emberzia spodocephala

231 Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata

Mammal Species

1 Hoolock Gibbon Bunopithecus hoolock

2 Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta

6 Golden Langur Trachypithecus geei

7 Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus



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9 Sambar Cervus unicolor

10 Swamp deer Cervus duvaucelii

11 Indian Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak

12 Hog Deer Axis porcinus

13 Spotted Deer Axis axis

14 Asiatic Wild Buffalo Bubalus arnee

15 Wild Pig Sus scrofa

17 Asian Elephant Elephus maximus

18 Greater One-horned Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis

22 Tiger Panthera tigris

25 Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perpicillata

27 Small Indian Mongoose Herpestes javanicus

29 Malayan Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolor

30 Five-striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus pennanti

31 Himalayan striped Squirrel Tamiops macclellandi

33 Hoary- bellied Himalayan Squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus

37 Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus

38 Gangetic River Dolphin Platanista gangetica

39 Irrawaddy Dolphin Orcacella brevirostris

Reptiles & Amphibians

Copperheaded Trinket Snake Coelognathus helena

Northern House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus

Assam Roof Turtle Pangshura sylhetensis

water monitor Varanus salvator

taipei frog Rhacophorus taipeianus



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March/April


Bengal Monitor Varanus bengalensis

Indian Tent Turtle Pangshura tentoria

Marbled Toad Bufo stomaticus

Chequered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator

Butterflies

Commander Moduza procris

Red Lacewing Cethosia biblis

Common Crow Euploea core

Gaudy Baron Euthalia lubentina

Dark Archduke Lexias dirtea

Yellow Helen Papilio nephelus

Great Mormon Papilio memnon

Small Grass Yellow Eurema brigitta

Red spot Jezebel Delias descombi

Large Oak blue Arhopala amantes

Plain Tiger Danaus Chrysippus

Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea

Red Lacewing Cethosia biblis

Leopard Lacewing Cethosia cyane

Yellow Jack Sailor Lasippa viraja

Common Sailor Neptis hylas

Yellow Sailor Neptis ananta

Grey Pansy Junonia atlites

Lemon Pansy Junonia lemonias

Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace



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March/April


Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus

Striped Tiger Danaus genutia

Bengal Dingiest Sailor Neptis harita

Psyche Leptosia nina

Chocolate Grass Yellow Eurema sari

Grey Count Tanaecia lepidea

Northern Birdwing Troides helena

Common Raven Papilio castor

Red-based Jezebel Delias pasithoe

Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae

Common Mormon Papilio polytes

Smooth-coated Otter Asian Barred Owlet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troides_helena

india - a wildlife cruise on the brahmaputra river courtesy of wendy ... boats and we were overcome...

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