NORTHERN INDIA - Birding Trip reports by Rob Goldbach

73. GREY FRANCOLIN (Francolinus pondicerianus)
Approx. 20 ex. at Sultanpur B.S. seen (and many more heard) on 14 November (several small
family groups), and at least 25 ex. again at Sultanpur (short stop) and Bindawas B.S. on 23
November.
74. BLACK FRANCOLIN (Francolinus francolinus)
On 18 November at least 20 ex. flushed by our elephant, in the Dhikala area, and 6 ex. seen from
the bus on 20 November, around Dhikala, permitting very close views of walking birds, males and
females.
75. RED JUNGLEFOWL (Gallus gallus)
Only seen at or around Dhikala, Corbett N.P., with 1 female flushed by the bus on 19 November,
and a male seen from the bird tower, on 20 November 20 ex. seen (and heard) from the bird
tower, and on 21 November 1 female walking around the bird tower, and a male heard crowing.
76. INDIAN PEAFOWL (Pavo cristatus)
On 14 November 3 ex. in Sultanpur B.S., on 19 to 21 November daily 3 to 6 ex. in Corbett N.P.,
around Dhikala (a.o. from the bird tower). Killing a peafowl means at least 5 years in jail!
77. ANDALUSIAN HEMIPODE (Turnix sylvatica)
On 14 November 1 bird flushed twice on short distance in Sultanpur B.S., and on 19 November 2
ex. flushed by our elephant near Dhikala, Corbett N.P.
78. MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
Seen only at Sultanpur jheel (14 November, 5 ex.), and at Bindawas B.S. (23 November, 20 ex.).
79. WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN (Amaurornis phoenicurus)
On 10 November 2 ex. in the New Delhi zoological garden, on 14 November 4 ex. in Sultanpur
B.S., and on 23 November 1 ex. at Bindawas B.S.
80. COOT (Fulica atra)
Only seen in Bindawas B.S. on 23 November, where it was common (at least 500 ex.).
81. PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio porphyrio)
On 23 November approx. 40 ex. in Bindawas B.S.
82. NORTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus)
On 14 November 2 ex. in Sultanpur, and on 19 November 1 ex. near Dhikala, Corbett N.P.
83. RIVER LAPWING (Vanellus duvaucelii)
Seen only in Corbett N.P. near Dhikala on 19, 20 and 21 November (daily 2 to 6 ex.), and on 21
November 2 ex. along the Kosi river near Quality Inn Corbett Jungle Resort.
84. RED-WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus indicus)
Rather common with at least 12 ex. on 10 November in the Delhi zoological garden, approx. 25
ex. during the trip to Sultanpur B.S., 10 ex. on 15 November during the drive to Naini Tal, and 25
to 40 ex. on both 22 and 23 November near Ramnagar and on route to Moradabad.
85. LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius)
Seen at Sultanpur on 14 November (2 ex.), another 2 ex. on route to Naini Tal on 15 November
(somewhere in the Ganges plains), and 1 ex. on 18 November between Baspur and Ramnagar.
86. STONE CURLEW (Burhinus oedicnemus)
On 10 November 20 ex. in the Delhi zoo, in an open semi-arid area, where normally some animal
is be expected.