india - a wildlife cruise on the brahmaputra river (plus

India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River (plus Sunderbans extension)

Naturetrek Tour Report 30 March - 18 April 2010

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

Asian Elephant – by Ann & Tony Armitage River Boat on the Brahmaputra River – by Peter Laszlo

Asian One-horned Rhino – by Peter Laszlo Elephant Bank Safari – by Peter Laszlo

Tour Report India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River (plus Sunderbans extension)

© Naturetrek July 10 1

Tour Leader: Sujan Chatterjee

Participants: Peter Laszlo

Susanne Laszlo

Jamie Mortimer

Lesley Mortimer

Tony Armitage

Ann Armitage

Dallas Wynne

Terry Wynne

Colin Smith

Jane Smith

Roger Miller

Geri Miller

Sue Hughes

Indra Pucknell

Barbara Griffiths

Day 0 Tuesday 30th March

Travel from the UK or overseas to India

Day 1 Wednesday 31st March

After we all arrived we drove through the ever busy streets of Kolkata to the Hyatt. After some rest we left at

3pm to visit the Indian Botanic Gardens. We travelled through the streets of Kolkata and got a glimpse of the

busy city, a distant view of the Victoria Memorial, the Racecourse and the Fort Williams. We reached the gardens

and started off with a pair of Spotted Owlets, Yellow-footed Green Pigeons, White-throated and Stork-billed

Kingfishers, Jungle Babblers, and Bronze-winged Jacanas were the entertainers of the evening. The heat made us

turn back after a while and we returned to our hotel for a well deserved rest.

Day 2 Thursday 1st April

Our flight was delayed by an hour and so we arrived at Jorhat airport and as usual were received warmly by

Imran, Udit and Babajan. After an hour’s drive we reached the banks of the Brahmaputra to see that the rain

from the past week had damaged the road. The bus has to wait 500m away from the boat and all our bags had to

be carried across. We arrived on board to be welcomed by Kunal and his crew. A late lunch was served, and the

walk was abandoned due to an oncoming thunderstorm. In the evening we were introduced to the crew and the

staff of the ship and the running of the ship was explained to all. At night there was lightning and a heavy

downpour.


Tour Report

2 © Naturetrek July 10

Day 3 Friday 2nd April

We woke up early for the visit to the Gibbon Sanctuary. Even though we were sceptical about the weather, we

were spared any showers during the visit. We all trekked through the forest trail. At first we saw a few Rhesus

Macaques close to the forest office, we thereafter started following signs of the Hoolock Gibbons. We went off

road and went trekking deep inside the forest and came up to our first pair of apes. They sat on top of the

canopy and serenaded at top volume. They put on quite a show and we had great views. Then we spotted

something else climbing the trees in the distance - Pig-tailed macaques came into sight! This rare and elusive

animal kept moving through the foliage at times showing well. As we returned to the call of breakfast, a troop of

Capped Langurs came into view. The troop stayed around for a while until we decided to move on. A

sumptuous breakfast awaited us at the resthouse area.

After some chow we went back to walking on the main trail. Several pretty butterflies kept us all occupied for a

while until a pair of male gibbons showed up close to the path. They kept croaking and then decided to jump

from canopy to canopy to cross the path. Ruby-cheeked Sunbirds, Drongo Cuckoos, and Black-naped Monarchs

were some of the birds we saw on the walk.

At 11am we decided to return by the bus which picked us up at the end of the walk. We then drove back to

Neemati. On the way we stopped at the large marsh close to the Ghat. Some of the birds seen at the drying

marsh were Spot-billed Ducks, Lesser Adjutants, Spot-billed Pelicans, Glossy Ibis and several Purple Moorhens.

On our return we set sail for Majuli Island. The sailing was not long so we decided to have a short walk around

the small hamlet, seeing Asian Barred Owlet, Indian Roller, Green Bee-eaters and Grey-backed Shrikes.

Day 4 Saturday 3rd April

We woke up to a clear breezy morning, but it poured again at 6am, and then we had a very cheerful and sunny

breakfast on board Sukapha. After some of us had seen our first two dolphins we all geared up for our morning

excursions. As we boarded the sky turned very grim and dark. We arrived at the Kamalabari Ghat, and Apurba

our man from Majuli, greeted us on the sandy banks. After we boarded the waiting cars, the skies opened up. We

drove through wet village roads and as we reached our first stop at Sakoli Bheel where we planned some birding,

the sky cleared up and the sun came out. Beautiful Pheasant-tailed Jacanas in breeding plumage walked through

the marsh. Striated Grassbirds, Grey-backed Shrikes, Spot-billed Pelicans, Osprey, Lesser Adjutants, and

Ferruginous Pochards were all there for us to see. A small canoe had two Pieds and one Common Kingfisher

sitting on one corner.

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

Monastery. We then walked around the Monastery and visited the Monastery’s Museum. As we waited for

everyone to come out of the museum a Crimson Sunbird duo paid a visit to the adjoining flowering tree. Fights

broke out when the third one decided to make a visit. These little gems of the forest gave brilliant views before

they vanished from the area. We then boarded our vehicles and headed for the Uttar Kamalabari Chatra

(Monastery). On the way we stopped for a few minutes to see a Grey-headed Fish Eagle which sat on a large Silk

Cotton Tree giving great views; we also spotted a tree full of roosting Flying Foxes.


Tour Report


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. The cymbals, the chanting, the dancing and the drumming kept

everybody mesmerised. Afterwards we thanked the monks, and walked around the monastery and met the head

Monk of the monastery. He had many blessings to offer and some homemade sweets to distribute. We thereafter

headed back to Sukapha.

In the afternoon we sailed towards Bokaduar the Mishing village. We arrived by the banks of the village in the

late afternoon. After we had moored, some of us went for stroll in the village fields. Some common birds like

White-throated Kingfisher, Black-hooded Orioles, and Asian Barred Owlets were seen before we retired for the

night.

Day 5 Sunday 4th April

We woke up amidst the voices of the little kids who had come to visit us from Mishing village. It was Sunday, so

as we got off Sukapha to see the village, a large entourage followed us into the village. The mishing women

gathered to get a glimpse of us, and some came up to greet us into the village. Udit led the team into people’s

homes and showed us around. Hand woven wraps were brought for sale. Vibrant colours of the wraps (Mekhola

Chador) attracted everybody’s attention. We strolled through the village and a demonstration was given by Udit

and Imran on how to grind masala and how to de-husk rice. After an hour we slowly walked out of the village

into the paddyfield and thereafter onto Sukapha.

In the afternoon we started to sail westwards towards Dhansirimukh towards Kaziranga. In the late afternoon as

we approached the forest areas we spotted two elephants feeding on the edge of the river. We quickly got on the

country boat to have a closer look at the pachyderms. The elephants paid no heed at our approach and kept

feeding at the waters edge. After many photographs we came on board and then went for a stroll on the

sandbank. Today was Indra’s birthday and that was celebrated with lot of gusto on the beach.

Day 6 Monday 5th April

We were off after breakfast onto the country boat. After sailing upstream for 20 minutes we reached the sand

banks where our jeeps were waiting. As we got off our waiting drivers showed the pugmarks of a Tiger which

had walked along the edge of the water. After driving for fifteen minutes we reached the Park Rangers office.

Paper work was sorted while we waited and looked at some birds. Due to heavy rains in the past few weeks the

route was only half open for tourists. We saw our first Rhino within a few minutes. We stopped along the Sohola

Bheel (Lake) seeing Greater Adjutants, Black-necked Storks, and several raptors like the Grey-headed and Pallas’

Fish Eagle. We even witnessed a fight between a Black-necked Stork and an Adjutant over a snake. We drove

on until Rangamatia Camp and then returned on the same track. We even saw a pair of Great Hornbills on the

return trip.

We then drove back to the sand bank to board the country boat. As we sailed on, we again saw two bull

elephants grazing close to the shore. So we came up close to the animals for some great pictures. We then

boarded Sukapha and sailed down south towards Silghat.


Tour Report


Day 7 Tuesday 6th April

Today due to some ministerial visit we decided to forgo the elephant ride and instead go for a Jeep Safari at the

Central Range. The ride took us through this magnificent park across the vast grasslands and woodlands dotted

with herbivores like Rhinos, Buffaloes, Hog and Swamp Deer and at times Elephants. Our ride produced many

birds like Fish Eagles, Spot-billed Pelicans, Oriental Pied Hornbills, Asian Barred Owlet, Blossom-headed

Parakeets and many others.

After our 4 hour ride we headed back to the gate and boarded our waiting buses to visit a nearby lodge for some

lunch. After some lunch and beer we were invited to take a look at an elephant washing session on the narrow

channel bordering the camp. We thereafter returned to Sukapha. Afternoon on the deck produced some great

views of Gangetic Dolphins fishing close to the ship against a golden Sunset. In the evening Sukapha organised a

Bihu Dance program on the sandy beach for the guests.

Day 8 Wednesday 7th April

We had an early start and an hour’s drive to the park. An Elephant ride was the only thing on our minds. As we

reached the gates we waited to be let in. And we then drove to where the parks elephants were all queuing up for

us to get on. We rode the awaiting elephants through the newly born green grass. We flushed a Bengal Florican

which flew over us and settled in a ditch. We saw several Rhinos, Swamp Deer and Hog Deer at close range

from the ride, along with Rufous-winged Bush Larks, Swamp Francolins, Adjutants etc.

After the one hour ride we drove to the Western (Bagori) Range for our morning safari. We arrived at the gates

where our jeeps and breakfast awaited us. We rode through the grasslands and wetlands of the western range,

and we came across a few more Rhinos and Buffaloes. Then we spotted a Chinese Pond Heron; a very rare bird

for India. The bird stood at a distance in full breeding plumage, which made it stand out in the grass. We moved

on to see more birds and animals.

On our return some of us went to shop for some garden fresh tea leaves while the rest returned to Sukapha. We

set sail after lunch for our next stop Tezpur. On arrival at Tezpur we still had daylight hours, so an impromptu

trip to a local temple was organised which most participated in.

Day 9 Thursday 8th April

Today we had a different activity in mind. We drove for an hour to reach the Nameri Tiger Reserve. An eco

camp based on the boundaries of the reserve had prepared some breakfast for us which we ate while Oriental

Hobbies and Red-breasted Parakeets flew above the camp every few minutes. We then drove for another half

hour to the edge of the Jia Bhoreli River. Our rubber dinghies were waiting for us with their paddlers. We were

going rafting. After donning the life jackets we all got onto the dinghies and started floating downstream. We saw

Crested Kingfishers, Thick-knees, River Lapwings, Small Pratincoles, River Terns and several other birds while

on the raft. 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 Pygmy Hogs. After we had seen the strange guinea pig like animals, we came across Dr Parag Deka.

He gave us an impromptu talk on the conservation program of these miniature pigs.


Tour Report


We then drove back to Sukapha and sailed downstream towards Orang Tiger Reserve. After 4 hours of sailing

we anchored on a sand bank. Few of us then took the country boat to a nearby island village. There was a small

population living on this island. Their makeshift grass houses were fascinating to see. There was a lot of rice and

chillies being grown on the fertile silt. We walked along the edge of the reed bed and spotted the White-tailed

Stonechats, Pipits, Swamp Prinia, Oriental Skylarks etc. We tried for the Short-eared Owls but they seemed to

have moved elsewhere. We came back to the boat before dark.

Day 10 Friday 9th April

We arrived at the edge of the Orang National Park. The erosion had eaten up the banks so we put a plank from

the country boat on to the bank and boarded the waiting vehicles. We were greeted by a displaying Bengal

Florican which jumped up from the grass. We split our team in two and went in clock and anti-clockwise

directions. Some saw Rhinos, Finn’s Weavers, and Rufous-rumped Grassbirds; while others saw Brown Fish

Owls and Wild Boars.

We returned to Sukapha by lunchtime and sailed towards Ganesh Pahar. We made an afternoon visit to the very

pretty and idyllic village Sonoka, which is set in the backdrop of a small semicircular hill. The long settled Biharis

and Assamese people live here in peace and harmony. Udit led us through the village explaining their way of life

to us and showing us the unique assamese weaving in one of the homes. Another day came to a close with a

glorious sunset on the horizon.

Day 11 Saturday 10th April

Today was a day packed with culture. First visit was to an island temple of Umananda. This is also the place

where we see the cake eating Golden Langurs. After we had visited the temple, with a bit of looking around we

found them right behind the temple basking in the sun. Our next visit was to the most famous temple of Assam,

the Kamaksya Temple. We went up the stone steps and weaved our way around the devotees looking at the

structures, taking in the sights and sounds of the place. We also went inside the temple where devotees offer

their prayers.

We came back to Sukapha for some lunch and rest. Next we visited the even more infamous Gorchuk, the

garbage dump famous for the population of Greater Adjutant Storks. We drove along the highway to reach this

fantastic dump. Hundreds of storks sat around the dump along with few hundred Black Kites and Cattle Egrets.

Our next and final stop was at a local ethnic clothes shop which sells clothes made by the village women’s co-

operatives. Tonight we had the farewell dinner. We all got dressed up for it and amidst many photographs and

best wishes we thanked the whole Sukapha crew for looking after us so well during the cruise.

Day 12 Sunday 11th April

We wanted to add Sualkuchi to our itinerary this time. An hour’s drive took us to this silk village. Every

household here is a silk weaving centre. Various wraps and saries etc are being painstakingly woven over long

hours. We were also shown how the silk is extracted from the cocoon and how designs are created on the silk

wraps. We then visited a Mulberry plantation but we were not in the right season to see the cocoons.


Tour Report


We returned to Sukapha for the last time and after lunch we sailed to the Pandu Ghat to make our connection

for the airport. We said our goodbyes to the crew of Sukapha and drove to the airport. We flew back to Kolkata

and headed once more for the Hyatt.

Day 13 Monday 12th April

End of main tour – beginning of extension to the Sunderbans

At 7am in the morning, Terry, Dallas, Peter, Suzanne, Jamie, Leslie, Tony and Ann left for the airport to catch

their UK flight home. Gerry and Roger stayed back in Kolkata for a city sojourn. While Indra, Barbara, Sue,

Jane and Colin and myself started for the second leg of the journey to the mangroves of the Sunderbans.

We drove through the narrow road leading to the Godkhali Ferry Ghat, dodging the maze of goats, geese and

three wheel indigenous vehicles. The Bidya River was very choppy so we did a quick embark and were off for an

hour’s journey to the ‘Sunderbans Jungle Camp’ situated on the Bali Island. As we walked into our camp we were

warmly greeted Mr Sambhu, the manager. We settled down and after lunch we set off for Sajnekhali, the Park

HQ for our permits. Our Camp Guide Proshanto arranged the permits and we sauntered off and climbed the

watchtower to see a few Spotted Deer and Rhesus Macaques to start with, and then we saw a few birds like

Bronze Drongos, Little Cormorants etc. As light faded we then headed back to camp

Day 14 Tuesday 13th April

The morning showed some cloudy weather. We did not have any rain but, the game of cloud and sunshine made

our day very enjoyable and not as hot as usual. We reached the watchtower at Sudhyanyakhali at 800hrs. Some

Spotted Deer came to drink from the manmade pond in front. After a few minutes wait, a small flock of

Orange-breasted Green Pigeons showed up - they are India’s prettiest pigeons. Mangrove Pittas called in the

distance, while Collared and Spotted Doves drank from the edge of the pond. We then started to move on.

Prashanto spotted in the distance the backs of two crocodiles. We slowly inched forward with our boat towards

the crocs. I expected them to go under after a few seconds but to our amazement they hung around and showed

themselves well. After a while they started to snap and charge towards each other at top speed. After a few

hundred pictures we left them at peace and moved on! The rest of the day was uneventful but we saw a majestic

White-bellied Sea Eagle flying very close to us.

The evening entertainment was a short folk play performed by the local boys and girls called ‘Bonobibi and

Dukhe Yatra’.

Day 15 Wednesday 14th April

We started with our usual timings; a 7am breakfast; and at 7:45am embarking the boat. We headed south through

the wide channel and entered the creeks. We got off at the Dobanki Watchtower for a few minutes. The tide was

very high at the time we were there. A herd of Chital Deer came up very close and as they came up to the water


Tour Report


they were either wading through or jumping high to evade the water. They made great pictures as they flew in air

to evade the puddles.

We kept sailing on and at 1615 we arrived at the Sudhanyakhali watchtower to try our luck with a few more

birds. We all got on to the tower and scoured around to see what was happening. A few Orange-breasted Green

Pigeons flew around along with a few Collared Doves. A few more people (from our own camp) arrived at the

tower and in few seconds there was a flurry of excitement. A large male Tiger had arrived from the left side of

the pond! It came close to the embankment and quietly sat down with only its head showing. A deer was there

drinking water unaware of the tiger initially and moved around very casually - the excitement was at its peak and

heart pounding...we all waited for something to happen. The tiger kept turning its head towards the tower and

then slowly it lowered its head and became invisible. We meanwhile saw a Chestnut-capped Babbler close to the

tower and also managed to lure out a magnificent Mangrove Pitta, which came and sat on a bare tree opposite

us. As we all concentrated on the birds, I spotted a second Tiger on the right. This was female with its head

sticking out from the fringes; but she backed up and vanished and never returned. Meanwhile the first Tiger got

up and showed itself but to our dismay instead of coming up to the pond, it walked back into the bushes. As the

light had faded we also retreated with excitement at seeing two Mangrove Man-eaters in the wild!

Day 16 Thursday 15th April

Today was a very hot day. The sun beat down on us and not much was seen throughout the day except for some

Deer and Kingfishers. We came back to camp for lunch and a bit of rest. We headed for the Sudhanyakhali

Tower again. As all waited for the tiger to appear like yesterday, I kept an eye out for the Mangrove Pitta. I tried

to lure the Pittas to no avail. As the light failed, the Pittas became more vocal and then finally one appeared on a

distant tree, a second one flew across to join the first and we could see two through our bins. Then both came

out and flew on the ground very close to the tower. One even displayed to the other; what a sight it was. We

then headed back to camp.

Day 17 Friday 16th April

We decide to leave early for Kolkata. As we sat for breakfast, a bird came hopping into view in front of one of

the huts. It was an Indian Blue Robin. I was quite amazed to see this bird here. It was probably migrating from

southern India to the north east following the coastline. I guess it was a new record for Sunderbans. We

thereafter headed off for Kolkata and reached it after 4 hours, only to get the bad news of the Icelandic volcanic

ash which had stopped all flights in UK and Europe. We had to get all flights rescheduled....

Day 18 Saturday 17th April

We all went for a short city tour. Early morning we visited the flower markets on the banks of the Hoogly River.

We stopped at the bathing ghats where various activities were taking place including some mud wrestling! We

returned to the hotel for breakfast and went out again to visit the Jaon Temple and the Victoria Memorial. In the

afternoon we got the bad news of the rescheduled flights etc. Everybody eventually flew out and back home on

the 22nd April.


Tour Report


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Typical village life – by Peter Laszlo Bihu Dance Performance – by Peter Laszlo

Swamp Deer (Basirangha) – by Peter Laszlo Asiatic Wild Buffalo – by Peter Laszlo

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Tour Report India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River (plus Sunderbans extension)


Species List

Birds (h = heard only)

Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16

1 Black francolin Francolinus francolinus

2 Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis

3 Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus h

4 Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica

5 Greylag Goose Anser anser

6 Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus

7 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

8 Gadwall Anas strepera

9 Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

10 Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha

11 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata

12 Northern Pintail Anas acuta

13 Common Teal Anas crecca

14 Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca

15 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

16 Barred Button Quail Turnix suscicator

17 Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus

18 Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei

19 Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus

20 Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus

21 Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus

22 Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense

23 Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus

24 Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata

25 Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica

26 Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala

27 Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis

28 Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus

29 Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris

India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River (plus Sunderbans extension) Tour Report



30 Common Hoopoe Upupa epops

31 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis

32 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

33 Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon capensis

34 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis

35 Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata

36 Collared Kingfisher Todirhampus chloris

37 Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris

38 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

39 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis

40 Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti

41 Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius h

42 Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus h h

43 Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris

44 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea h

45 Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis L

46 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis

47 Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis

48 Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria

49 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri

50 Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseata

51 Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri

52 Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis

53 Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis

54 Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides

55 Spotted Owlet Athene brama

56 Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis

57 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis

58 Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica

59 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

60 Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica

61 Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta




62 Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera

63 Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea

64 Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis

65 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus

66 Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

67 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

68 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata

69 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

70 Common Redshank Tringa totanus

71 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

72 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

73 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

74 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus

75 Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus

76 Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris

77 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

78 Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva

79 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

80 Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus

81 River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii

82 Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus

83 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus

84 Small Pratincole Glareola lactea

85 Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus

86 Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus

87 River Tern Sterna aurantia

88 Osprey Pandion haliaetus

89 Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes

90 Oriental Honey-Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus

91 Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus

92 Black Kite Milvus migrans

93 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus




94 Pallas's Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus

95 White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster

96 Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus

97 White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis

98 Slenderbilled Vulture Gyps tenuirostris

99 Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis

100 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela

101 Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

102 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus

103 Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos L

104 Shikra Accipiter badius

105 Besra Sparrowhawk Accipiter virgatus

106 Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga

107 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus

108 Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus

109 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

110 Oriental Hobby Falco severus

111 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

112 Little Grebe Podiceps ruficollis

113 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

114 Darter Anhinga melanogaster

115 Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger

116 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

117 Little Egret Egretta garzetta

118 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

119 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

120 Great Egret Casmerodius albus

121 Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia

122 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

123 Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii

124 Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus

125 Little Heron Butroides striatus




126 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

127 Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis

128 Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans

129 Black Stork Ciconia nigra

130 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus

131 Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus

132 Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus

133 Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius

134 Mangrove Pitta Pitta megarhyncha

135 Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach tricolor

136 Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus

137 Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda

138 Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae

139 House Crow Corvus splendens

140 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos

141 Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus

142 Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus

143 Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei

144 Rosy Minivet Pericrocotus roseus

145 Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus

146 Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus

147 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus

148 Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus

149 Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus

150 Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea

151 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia h

152 Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis

153 Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula parva

154 Pale-chinned Flycatcher Cyornis poliogenys

155 Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis

156 Indian Blue Robin Luscinia brunnea

157 White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus h




158 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

159 Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata

160 White-tailed Stonechat Saxicola leucura

161 Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus

162 Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra

163 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis

164 Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus

165 Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus

166 White-vented Myna Acridotheres grandis

167 Northern Hill Myna Gracula religiosa

168 Great Tit Parus major

169 Sand Martin Riparia riparia

170 Plain Martin Riparia paludicola

171 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

172 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus

173 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer

174 Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus

175 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

176 Rufous-vented Prinia Prinia burnesii

177 Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris h

178 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis

179 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata

180 Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus

181 Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum L

182 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius L

183 Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus

184 Tickell's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis

185 Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris L

186 Rufous-rumped Grassbird Graminicola bengalensis

187 Striped Tit-Babbler Macronous gularis h

188 Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata

189 Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei




190 Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus

191 Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense

192 Rufous-winged Bushlark Mirafra assamica

193 Sand Lark Calandrella raytal L

194 Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula

195 Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Anthreptes singalensis

196 Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica

197 Purple-rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica

198 Loten's Sunbird Nectarinia lotenia

199 Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja

200 House Sparrow Passer domesticus

201 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

202 White Wagtail Motacilla alba

203 White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis

204 Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola

205 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

206 Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi

207 Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus

208 Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni

209 Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus

210 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus

211 Finn's Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus

212 Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca

213 Little Bunting Emberzia pusilla

Mammals

1 Hoolock Gibbon Bunopithecus hoolock

2 Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta

3 Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca leonina

4 Golden Langur Trachypithecus geei

5 Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus

6 Sambar Cervus unicolor




7 Swamp deer Cervus duvaucelii

8 Indian Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak

9 Hog Deer Axis porcinus

10 Spotted Deer Axis axis

11 Asiatic Wild Buffalo Bubalus arnee

12 Wild Pig Sus scrofa

13 Asian Elephant Elephus maximus

14 Greater One-horned Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis

15 Tiger Panthera tigris

16 Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perpicillata

17 Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii

18 Malayan Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolor

19 Five-striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus pennanti

20 Himalayan striped Squirrel Tamiops macclellandi

21 Hoary- bellied Himalayan Squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus

22 Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus

23 Gangetic River Dolphin Platanista gangetica

Other taxa

1 Assam Roofed Turtle Kachuga sylhetensis

2 Bengal Eyed Turtle Morenia ocellata

3 Water Monitor Varanus salvator

Butterflies

Common Birdwing Troides helena Straight Pierrot Caleta roxus Leopard Lacewing Cethosia cyane Colour Sergent Athyma nefte Dingy Sailor Staff Sergent Athyma selenophora Archduke Lexias paradalis Great Eggfly Hypolimnas bolina

india - a wildlife cruise on the brahmaputra river (plus

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