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| Grey-capped Pygmy-Woodpecker - it's in there somewhere |
Another day in the national park, where our first birds were Common Iora, Great Tit (a paler version than ours), Blue Whistling Thrush, Common Myna, Red-vented Bulbul, Grey-capped Pygmy-woodpecker, Coppersmith Barbet and Yellow-footed Green-pigeon all seen in the car park.
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| Indian Roller |
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| Paddy fields |
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| A House Boat |
Our intended venue was closed today due to some poachers being in that part of the Park - the army and police were out in force to deal with the culprits but we had to give the area a wide berth. We therefore returned to our previous trails, which took us past the roadside pool where our bus had waited for the 'gibbon spotters' a couple of days go. Here Barn Swallow were feeding and swooping, a large group of Citrine Wagtail perched in a bush, many Pond-heron were stalking fish, Open-billed Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Pied Starling, Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacana completed our initial scan. As we watched - enjoying coffee flavoured toffees purchased at the kiosk in the nearby lay-by - Northern and Grey-headed Lapwing were also seen. Red-bested Parakeet flew around giving us the slip for quite a while until we finally caught up with them. As we moved on several Common Snipe were seen, with a large number of adjutants, where the feeding must have been particularly good. White-throated Kingfisher flew back and forth several times allowing great views. Our guide found a Plain Prinia perched on a nearby bush, which stayed long enough for everyone to get good views through the telescope.
Striated Grassbird was next in the scope, with more well lit views as it was high on a tree but almost at our eye level. Chestnut-vented Starling and Rosy Pipit completed this part of the day.
Once we had entered the park itself we stopped at one of the pools seen two days ago, this time we knew most of the birds there. Scaly-breasted Munia, Siberian Stonechat and Woolly-necked Stork were seen along with the usual suspects.
Moving further into the park we had another hot spot with Tickell's Leaf-warbler, Pied Flycatcher and beyond these Wigeon, Pintail, Greylag and Bar-headed geese.
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| Running Repairs |
Lineated Barbet, Black-hooded Oriole and Red Jungle-fowl were the final birds seen here.
We were due back on board so that we could leave Silgat for the final time and our journey downstream for our final destination.
As we sailed off into the sunset there were an amazing number of swallows - feeding both low over the water and also in great numbers higher up. Having done a rough count we estimated around 30,000 passed as we were watching.
Along the road there were more safety mottos including:
Drink whiskey, drive risky
Keep your nerve on the curve
If you are married, divorce speed
Be Mr Late not Late Mr
Don't undertake or you will meet your undertaker
Be gentle on my curves
Please drive slowly, someone is waiting
And
Peep peep, don't sleep
Food for thought there.
