NORTHERN INDIA - Birding Trip reports by Rob Goldbach

adult over Cheena peak.
45. WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps bengalensis)
The most common vulture. Seen at New Delhi (e.g. at least 50 ex. on 10 November in the Purana
Qila area), at Sultanpur B.S. (14 November: 40 ex.), on route from New Delhi to Naini Tal (15
November, at least 50 ex.), only 1 ex. in Corbett N.P. (19 November at Dhikala), and at least 250
ex. on route between Moradabad and New Delhi on 22 November, mostly at two (very easy to
find) roadside places where carrion is left to be recycled by dogs and vultures. On 23 November 1
ex. over Bindawas B.S.
46. LONG-BILLED VULTURE (Gyps indicus)
Not often seen with certainty. On 18 November 1 ex. in Corbett N.P., on 19 and 20 November 1,
resp. 6 ex. from the bird tower in Dhikala (Corbett N.P.), and on 22 November a few dozens at
the carrion places on route between Moradabad and New Delhi.
47. GRIFFON VULTURE (Gyps fulvus)
Seen in the Naini Tal area only, with 30 ex. on 16 November and 30 ex. on 17 November, seen
from various places incl. Snow View point, the moslem cemetery, and Cheena Peak.
48. HIMALAYA GRIFFON (Gyps himalayensis)
Seen in the Naini Tal area, with 3 ex. on 16 November (from Snow View point, in one view with
the Nanda Devi and the other Himalayan giants), and 4 ex. on 17 November (from Cheena peak).
49. CINEREOUS VULTURE (Aegypius monachus)
Seen in the Dhikala area, Corbett N.P. on 16 November (3 ex. near the lake) and 17 November
(4 ex. from the bird tower).
50. KING VULTURE (Sarcogyps calvus)
Seen in Corbett N.P. only, with 4 ex. on 19 November and 4 ex. on 20 November (at the lake
shore, from the bird tower, and along the Ram Ganga river).
51. SPOTTED EAGLE (Aquila clanga)
Seen at Sultanpur jheel on 14 November (1 adult ex.), and in Bindawas B.S. on 22 November (at
least 5 ex., both adults and immatures).
52. STEPPE EAGLE (Aquila nipalensis)
Seen in the Naini Tal area (1 or 2 ex. daily), in Corbett N.P. at Dhikala (1 or 2 each day), and 1
ex. at Bindawas B.S. (22 Nov.).
53. IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila heliaca)
1 adult ex. flying and roosting at Bindawas B.S. on 23 November.
54. PALLAS'S SEA-EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucoryphus)
Seen in Corbett N.P., with 1 ex. flying over Dhikala on 18 November, one pair at the lake shore 2
km W of Dhikala and another 5 immature birds seen flying together from the bird tower, and 2 ex.
on 20 November along the Ram Ganga river, 10 km E of Dhikala.
55. OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Seen only in Corbett N.P., all near Dhikala, with 1 ex on 18 November, and 2 and 3 ex. on 19 and
20 November, resp..
56. LESSER ("HIMALAYAN") FISHING EAGLE (Ichthyophaga nana)
Regularly seen in Corbett N.P. with 1 ex. seen on 18 November from the bird tower at Dhikala,
soaring with vultures, 3 ex. on 19 November, and (another 3) on 20 November.