NORTHERN INDIA - Birding Trip reports by Rob Goldbach

135. SCALY-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Picus squamatus)
On 17 November 1 ex well seen at the Moslem cemetery near Naini Tal.
136. BLACK-NAPED GREEN WOODPECKER (Picus canus)
On 18 November 1 ex between Naini Tal and Baspur, and on 20 November 1 ex near the bird
tower, Dhikala, Corbett N.P. This is a very distinctive race of the Grey-headed Woodpecker. A
putative future split.
137. BROWN-FRONTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopus auriceps)
On 17 November 1 ex along the pathway up to Snow View Point.
138. HIMALAYAN WOODPECKER (Dendrocopus himalayensis)
On both 16 and 17 November 1 bird seen on different locations in the Naini Tal area.
139. FULVOUS-BREASTED PIED WOODPECKER (Picoides macei)
Seen in both the Naini Tal area (both on 16 and 17 November 1 ex) and in Corbett N.P. (on 20
and 21 November 1 resp. 2 birds).
140. GREATER YELLOWNAPE (Picus flavinucha)
On 21 November 1 ex in a mixed bird flock in Corbett N.P. near Gairal.
141. RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Hypopicus hyperythrus)
On 17 November 1 ex in the Naini Tal area.
142. GREY-CROWNED PYGMY WOODPECKER (Picoides canicapillus)
On 18 November 1 ex during the descent from Naini Tal to Baspur.
143. BLACK-HOODED ORIOLE (Oriolus xanthornis)
On 20 November 3 ex seen from the bird tower at Dhikala in Corbett N.P.
144. PLAIN SAND MARTIN (Riparia paludicola)
A common bird. Seen at Sultanpur (14 November, abundant, at least 250 ex), in Corbett N.P.
(200-500 ex on all days), and in Bindawas B.S. (23 November, 500 ex).
145. NEPAL HOUSE MARTIN (Delichon nipalensis)
4 birds seen at Snow View Point, Naini Tal, on 16 November.
146. DUSKY CRAG MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne concolor)
On 10 November approx. 30 ex around the ruins of Purana Qila, New Delhi, on 16 November
approx. 100 ex in the Naini Tal area, single birds on 18 November (Corbett N.P.) and 20
November (Kosi river near Ramnagar), and a single bird on 22 November at the Ganges between
Moradabad and New Delhi.
147. BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
A common bird, seen on most days and places, except for the hill region of Naini Tal.
148. RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Hirundo daurica)
Even more regularly seen than Barn Swallow, with 100+ birds at Sultanpur, and 250+ birds daily
in Corbett N.P.
149. SCARLET MINIVET (Pericrocotus flammeus)
Birds of the Himalayan subspecies (P. flammeus speciosus) seen on 16 November at Naini Tal (1
ex), on 18 November on route between Naini Tal and Baspur (8 ex), and on 20 and 21 Nov (1
resp. 2 ex) at Dhikala, Corbett N.P.