A dumping ground for livestock carcasses hardly seems to be a nice place to spend a day, but it is one of the better places to get photographs of griffons, vultures and a crazy number of steppe eagles. After leaving from Tal Chapar in the morning, we traveled by car to the dump. It was not too difficult to find thanks to some spot on instructions and the birds circling in the sky to mark the spot. A little before Bikaner on the bypass, it is right behind the camel farm.
We accidentally got into the camel farm initially and found a couple of trees full of spotted owlets however we were chased out soon as getting in requires permission. A few turns later though we got through to the area. A couple of trees house yellow eyed pigeons as well but the main attractions were the vultures. The stench may be unbearable and the dogs on ground can be nasty.
Griffons, Egyptian vultures and Steppe eagles are there in the multitudes, either lazing on the trees and the ground or hovering above occasionally jostling for a bite. A few cinerous vultures were also seen and there were the odd buzzards and imperial eagles in the area as well. I was told king vultures can also be spotted but we didn't find any of those. Might have seen a long billed vulture as well but not too sure.
During the day as the weather and light got harsher, we took a break to
check out the fort in the city. It is beautiful but they do not allow
Indians into the main area without a guide, probably to prevent
vandalism. Getting in was cheap at 30 bucks and the tour lasted for less
than 45 minutes. We were of course far more interested in getting back
to the vultures. Unfortunately, a broke clutch wire cut the trip short
much earlier than we expected but it was quite a treat.
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