Category Archives: india

Birding Kabini/Nagarhole (2)

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When: January 2024       Weather: Warm 20 to 25C

Nikon P900, Leica Q3, M9P, Sony AII, G70-400mm

Our last day we had one last safari to try and see the big cats again but alas, we were unlucky….but as we are also keen birdwatchers, we still had a great morning out in Nagarhole Tiger Reserve…

white fronted drongo…posing regally
common hawk cuckoo
a pair of red wattled lapwings were courting
and having some ‘afternoon delight!’
a lovely white bellied woodpecker entertained us
as did some bonnet macaques
A large male sambar deer watched us intently
a huge sambar deer watched us intently
a charming streak throated woodpecker with its green back…
streak throated woodpecker
the area around the Kabini backwaters was tranquil
and although we’d gotten good shots of the beautiful Indian Roller the day before, we couldn’t resist this charmer….
indian mongoose!
the african tulips attracted some chestnut bellied starlings
and the absolutely stunning plum headed parakeet!
the female plum headed parakeet should be called a grey headed parakeet!
and amongst all the parakeets and starlings I spotted this greenbird….I’d just photographed 3 different species of leafbirds in Sabah, Bornea a few months ago, so I was delighted that KC helped me identify this fleeting glimpse as a golden fronted leafbird..a lifer!
Three in one shot! A river tern at the back, a little ringed plover at the front and a paddyfield pipit in between…
another lifer..a white browed wagtail
Noisy Hill mynah
and just before we left, this magnificent crested serpent eagle posed
he gave us an action shot as he preened himself
and just ouside our resort, htis ashy prinia sang
and an open billed stork bade us farewell

So two nights and three days, 4 safaris yielded a beautiful sighting of a tiger and good views of various deer, elephants and gaur….but the birding was excellent and it made for an excellent trip overall!

Birding Kabini/Nagarhole

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When: January 2024       Weather Cool 20-25C

Leica Q3, M9P, Nikon P900, Sony A7II

The second day we did two safaris: at 6am and 3pm to try and spot more tigers and leopards….alas we failed. We had engaged a company called Jungle Arc from Mysore to send a specialised guide to guide us for the 4 scheduled safaris but unfortunately they did not show up for 3 of the safaris and did not even bother to tell us they were not showing up despite receiving payment. Be warned..do not use them.

we didn’t get to see the much hoped for tigers nor leopards, but the other animals and birds made up for it…..the morning safari is cold so be well wrapped up….

grey wagtails by the water
grey langurs galore
another grey wagtail? but looks different from earlier one
velvet fronted nuthatch
jungle fowl
yellow footed green pigeon
jungle babblers were common
black headed ibis
The spectacular Indian Roller
blue tailed bee eater
greater cormorants
red naped ibis…a lifer
little ring plover
a large gaur came to drink in the pond
brahminy kite watched over us
white eyed buzzard….another lifer
paddyfield pipit

And back in the lodge grounds, we spent another fruitful hour or two before dinner…

the white cheeked barbet was very loud and noisy throught the grounds…
a coppersmith barbet was also active
oriental magpie robin
female paradise flycatcher…right behind our room
white fronted drongo
the day ended with a barbeque….
we managed to find the screesching barn owl in the trees…..

So no tigers nor leopards this second day but we still had an interesting day of birding….

Kabini/Nagarhole Tiger Safari/Birding

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When: January 2024     Weather: 20 to 30C

Leica Q3, Nikon P900, Sony a7II 70-400G

After our meeting in Bangalore, we did the 4.5 hour drive down a very nice highway for a 2 night 4 safari break in Kabini Jungle River Lodges to do our tiger safaris and the famous Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, about 200km from bangalore. Arriving at lunchtime, we headed straight out for a pm safari from 3 to 6pm….

our cottage at Kabini Jungle water Lodge
our cottage at Kabini Jungle water Lodge
our jeep with driver Muddu drove us to the Kabini entrance to Nagarhole Tiger reserve
a magnificent male GAUR welcomed us at the first waterhole
beautiful spotted deer were abundant
spotted deer
beautiful grey langurs were everywhere
we stopped by this wooded area in zone A to wait to see if a tiger would show
after half an hour, we saw some movement behind the thicket
and from afar, the unmistakeable tiger appeared afar
she started walking toward us..
what a magnificent beast!
she sauntered casually nearer..admire the tail detail
and settled comfortably, her orange upper pelt contrasting with the pure white underside…
her stunning pelt from the back
posing
the back view of her ears…black with white tufts

After this wonderful encounter with the striped feline, we drove on to see the rest of the reserve…

we then found this waterhole where a family of tuskers were bathing
frolicking babies
This area is the elephant capital of India with the highest numbers of pachyderms per sq km in india
we had a close encounter with this tusker who took exception to us and charged us, stopping just a few meters away thankfully
imperial green pigeon
we had time to do some birding…here the common hawk cuckoo
wild boar
indian pond heron
common flameback woodpecker
a group of scampering spotted deer
a female gaur on our way out
a spotted deer having a nightcap
and back to the resort, the sunset welcomed us

A brilliant first safari with an excellent tiger sighting…..thanks to our driver guide Muddu!

Highly recommended