We left Tal Chhaapar at 5.30am and drove for 2.5 hours to Bikaner where we visited the
salubrious location of a carcass dumping ground. Once on site we found the area
to be covered with Egyptian Vultures
(estimated 1000+) and Steppe Eagles
(estimated 400+) and it was a staggering sight.
Egyptian Vulture
View at Bikaner today
Eurasian Griffons
There were birds everywhere,
including 20+ Eurasian Griffons,
some Red-naped Ibis, Rosy Starlings and the prize bird – Yellow-eyed Pigeon, although frankly I
prefer its other name of Eversmann’s Pigeon, which makes it sound far more
interesting. It winters here, far, far away from their breeding grounds in
central Asia. And it was a huge relief to connect with this species as it was a
lifer for everyone in the group.
Yellow-eyed Pigeon
The sheer spectacle of all of these raptors
today was hugely impressive and I don’t think I’ve ever seen more raptors in
one spot as we’ve had here this morning.
Demoiselle Cranes
So once
we were sated and with another long drive on the cards we set off again. After
a wickedly horrid packed lunch and another few hours on the road we called in
to Keechan, famous as the wintering grounds of thousands of Demoiselle Cranes. Well, we weren’t to
be disappointed as on the drive in we had an amazing sighing of a thousand
cranes flying overhead, wheeling around, and with several big flocks all
joining together right above us. Amazing! We drove to a nearby lake and there
we had 2,500 birds flying around and landing right in front of us…
Demoiselle Cranes
We ended
the day in Jaisalmer in a great hotel, with superb food and cold beers!
No comments:
Post a Comment