Welcomed 2015 with my first winter visit to the Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur. The sightings in the park were a little obstructed by a think fog that hung around almost all morning. In fact, I had my best two sightings outside the park.
Sunday, 4th January, 2015
Bharatpur - 2015
Sarus Crane (Grus antigone)
We had heard the calls of the Sarus crane during our safari in the park but hadn't been able to spot any. On the way back to Delhi we caught sight of a pair foraging in open farmland. Here's one of them
Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
On the way to the park, we chanced upon a venue (I just learned that that's the name for a vulture collective) of Egyptian Vultures in a dumpyard on the border of UP and Haryana. Was happy with this shot of an adult in flight. I initially thought I had spotted another species of vulture, but my field guide quickly corrected me. This one is a juvenile of the Egyptian Vulture.
Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon (Treron phoenicoptera)
White-tailed Lapwing (Vanellus leucurus)
