Tal Chapar

An overnight train journey from Delhi and a car ride brought us to the resort at Tal Chapar. Not the most popular wildlife destination, but one of the best birding spots that I have seen in recent times. The number of lifers I managed to see on this trip was amazing. After a hurried lunch the first surprise came that afternoon itself as Sharad pointed out a flock of common shelducks at one of the waterholes. While common kestrels and harriers were found all over the place, an occasional laggar falcon and tawny eagle flying above were also quite a watch. Wheatears, bushchats, pipits and larks were plenty along with the blackbucks and a few chinkaras.

The next day was spent in the company of Ramki and Pooniya ji who were out looking for the white tailed eagle that had been seen for quite a few days in the previous weeks. Although, the white tailed was nowhere to be seen, buff bellied pipit, water pipits, buzzards, imperial, steppe and bonelli's eagles, waders and the others were still on display. Foxes and a desert cat were added to the mammals spotted. We looked for a lesser kestrel unsuccessfully but the harriers, laggar falcons and common kestrels did not disappoint.

The next day was more of the same with the addition of a Stolicza's bushchat and the day after that was spent near Bikaner. The last day however had a few more lifers. A couple of spotted creepers outside the park, the white tailed eagle finally and few Damoiselle cranes. Other spots that day included a hare, a monitor lizard and some more foxes.A special mention must be made for the sunsets which added to the fantastic landscape there.