Garhwal birdlist - May and November 2014 trips

Here is an annotated checklist of birds that we observed over two trips to Govind National Park in Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India.

Trip dates: 12th to 20th May 2014 (Summer) & 15th to 23rd November 2014 (Winter).

While the birding in summer was good, winter was probably more exciting as we encountered some significant species - Upland Buzzard, Chaffinch and Long-billed Thrush, to name a few.

I shall later post a trip report and some photos of the highlights from our trip in November 2014.

Many thanks to Happy(C V Singh) and Somendra for photos and lists of some of the trickier species from which this checklist has been compiled.

Here is a link to an earlier post that shows the lay of the land where these species were observed.
http://jaipurbirding.blogspot.in/2014_05_01_archive.html

No.	Common Name	When observed(S=Summer/May; W=Winter/November)	Notes
1	Chaffinch	W	1 male each at two different locations near Sankri. In fallow cultivation with scattered bushes, trees.
2	Spot-winged Grosbeak	S	7-8 individuals feeding on conifers past Dhaula beside river Rupin in rain. Probably driven down valley by weather in S.
3	Black and Yellow Grosbeak	W	Mixed flock of B&Y and Collared Grosbeaks on conifers around Sankri
4	Collared Grosbeak	W	Mixed flock of vocal B&Y and Collared Grosbeaks on conifers around Sankri
5	Small Niltava	S	1 individual at Istragad in dense bushes near rivulet.
6	Rufous-bellied Niltava	S	1 individual in plantation near Jakhol; 1 below Taluka FRH near Tons.
7	Black-backed Forktail	S	1 individual at same location as small niltava on Istragad; 1 near Jakhol at roadside ditch.
8	Spotted Forktail	W	Several individuals in bush-choked rivulets near Sankri and Taluka. Also in larger rivulets flowing into Tons.
9	Small Forktail	S&W	One pair in S on Supin; and several individuals in small streams around Sankri and Taluka
10	Brown Dipper	S&W	Common on larger streams, Supin, Rupin and Tons. Many juveniles with parents in S. Few adults in W.
11	Wallcreeper	W	1 individual on rocky cliff in Supin valley above Jakhol; also pair in lower Jamuna valley en route.
12	Bar-tailed Treecreeper	W	1 individual in open forest near Sankri.
13	White-tailed Nuthatch	W	1 individual in mixed forest North of Sankri, later also bathing at Nursery waterhole.
14	Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch	S	1 individual in forest Taluka-Sankri road.
15	Black-chinned Babbler	S&W	Occasional small groups and individuals with other species in mixed forest.
16	Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler	W	Scattered individuals at different locations near Sankri in dense undergrowth. Skulker.Distinctive call.
17	White-browed Shrike Babbler	W	Group of 4-6 birds mixed in with forest species(thrushes,blackbirds) in broadleaf and deodar forest north of Sankri near Nursery.
18	Himalayan Bluetail	W	Occasional individuals (both M & F) in forest openings near Sankri.
19	Golden Bush Robin	W	1 male south of Sankri in dense vegetation near orchard; 1 female at Nursery waterhole.
20	Alpine Accentor	W	Small group of 4-6 birds on rocky cliff between Sankri-Taluka. Also few birds near Supin below Jakhol.
21	Rufous-breasted Accentor	W	1 individual on bushes with rosefinches and buntings in fallow fields south of Sankri.
22	Black-throated Accentor	W	1 individual on scattered bushes and trees in fallow cultivation near Sankri.
23	Black Bulbul	S&W	Few sightings of small groups 2-4 birds in S at Naitwar FRH; similar in W near Sankri.
24	Himalayan Bulbul	S&W	Common in S and W all over.
25	Kaleej Pheasant	S&W	Several individuals and pairs observed and a few flushed from heavy cover in forest and near villages.
26	White-capped Water Redstart	S&W	Common near all major streams and rivers.
27	Plumbeous Redstart	S&W	Common near all rivers.
28	Blue-fronted Redstart	W	Few individuals around Sankri. Best observed at Nursery waterhole on Sankri-Taluka road.
29	Blue-capped Redstart	W	Very few individuals near Sankri. Best observed at Nursery waterhole.
30	Yellow-bellied Fantail	W	1 individual with tits, warblers, babblers en route near Purola at lower elevation.
31	Black-lored Tit	S	Few individuals near Naitwar FRH.
32	Great Tit	S	Few individuals near Naitwar FRH.
33	Spot-winged Tit	S&W	Commonest tit in W near Sankri
34	Green-backed Tit	S&W	Common at most locations in S and W.
35	Black-throated Tit	S&W	Flock of 8+ birds in W near Sankri; also flock at Naitwar FRH in S.
36	Dark-sided Flycatcher	S	Few individuals near Naitwar FRH.
37	Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher	S	1 individual near Naitwar FRH.
38	Ultramarine Flycatcher	S	1 individual in open forest Naitwar - Taluka road.
39	Verditer Flycatcher	S	1 individual near Naitwar FRH.
40	Long-tailed Minivet	S	Pair at Taluka FRH; Pair on Naitwar - Dhaula road.
41	Grey Bushchat	S&W	Breeding pair near Naitwar FRH. Pairs occasionally seen elsewhere.
42	Pied Bushchat	S	1 individual near Naitwar FRH.
43	Siberian Stonechat	S&W	Occasional individuals in fallow cultivation perching on stalks.
44	Grey Treepie	S&W	Few pairs in open forest particularly near Naitwar.
45	Great Barbet	S&W	Common and vocal in S; very few in W.
46	Red-billed Blue Magpie	S&W	Common all over. Nesting pair at Taluka in S. Small parties 3-6 birds in S & W.
47	Blue-capped Rockthrush	S	1 male between Naitwar and Dhaula.
48	Chestnut-bellied Rockthrush	S	Nesting pair in forest Taluka-Sankri track.
49	Maroon Oriole	W	1 individual on conifer near Naitwar FRH; 1 bird on lower Yamuna valley
50	Slaty-headed Parakeet	S	Few scattered individuals near Naitwar and other lower elevations.
51	Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon	S	5 individuals on leafy tree at Naitwar FRH
52	Spotted Dove	S&W	Scattered individuals near Naitwar FRH. Others near villages.
53	Rufous-turtle Dove	S&W	Few individuals on trees near Naitwar FRH. Few other individuals near cultivation.
54	Streaked Laughingthrush	S&W	Common all over both in summer and winter.
55	Striated Laughingthrush	S&W	Few small groups mainly on trees in open forest.
56	Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush	S&W	Flocks of 6+ individuals in orchard/bushes/open forest near Taluka and Sankri.
57	Variegated Laughingthrush	W	3-5 individuals in bushes and open forest near Sankri
58	White-throated Laughingthrush	W	Flock of 6+ in forest trees between Taluka and Sankri.
59	Himalayan Swiftlet	S&W	Occasionally seen over deep river valleys in large numbers.
60	Fork-tailed Swift	S	Flock observed opposite limestone cliff on Naitwar-Jakhol road.
61	Red-rumped Swallow	S	Few birds around villages.
62	Asian Barred Owlet	W	1 individual observed twice on trees during the day near Sankri.
63	Brown Hawk Owl	S	Heard calling at Taluka FRH at night. Not seen.
64	Mountain Scops Owl	S	Heard calling at Naitwar FRH. Not seen.
65	Himalayan Griffon	S&W	Several individuals observed in flight over high mountain ridges almost every sunny day.
66	Eurasian Hobby	S	1 individual in overhead flight over forested hillside.
67	Common Kestrel	S&W	1 individual in open forest around Sankri. Probably same bird seen multiple times.
68	Mountain Hawk Eagle	W	1 adult perched eye-level on bare tree on steep hillsideTaluka-Sankri road. Observed from close from vehicle in afternoon.
69	Upland Buzzard	W	1 individual seen over multiple days at same location on lookout perches south of Sankri.
70	Himalayan Buzzard	W	1 individual perched on tree with prey upstream from Taluka.
71	Lammergeir	W	Few individuals in flight over higher reaches of  Supin and Rupin river valleys.
72	Eurasian Sparrowhawk	W	1 individual perched on tree near Sankri. Possibly same bird in flight on other occasions.
73	Golden Eagle	W	Possibly 5 different indiduals (2 juvenile and 3 adult) in flight over hill upstream from Taluka.
74	Crested Serpent Eagle	S	1 in flight and at perch on Naitwar-Jakhol road.
75	Speckled Piculet	W	1 individual on fruiting trees and bushes near Taluka. In loose mixed flock of sivas, fulvettas, etc.
76	Greater Yellownape	S	1 individual at Naitwar FRH
77	Lesser Yellownape	S	1 individual at Naitwar FRH hawking insects like flycatcher in sunshine after rain.
78	Himalayan Woodpecker	S&W	Several individuals at most locations during both trips.
79	Brown-fronted Woodpecker	S&W	Many individuals at several locations; more common in winter.
80	Scaly-bellied Woodpecker	S&W	Pair in summer and individuals in winter near Sankri in forest.
81	Rufous-bellied Woodpecker	S	1 female in thick forest near Sankri. On same tree as himalayan woodpecker.
82	Grey-headed Woodpecker	W	Few individuals in open forest near Sankri.
83	Aberrant Bush Warbler	W	Dusky-olive warbler in thick bushes near Sankri.
84	Grey-hooded Warbler	S&W
85	Western Crowned Warbler	S	1 individual Taluka-Sankri forest.
86	Greenish Warbler	S	1 individual near Naitwar FRH.
87	Tickell's Leaf Warbler	S	1 individual in bushes on dry hillside upstream from Taluka.
88	Lemon-rumped Warbler	W	1 individual in forest Taluka-Sankri.
89	Ashy-throated Warbler	W	1 individual near Sankri.
90	Whistler's Warbler	W	1 individual at lower altitude in winter. Same area as yellow-bellied fantail.
91	Common Chiffchaff	W	1 individual near Sankri.
92	Grey-crested Warbler	W
93	Eurasian Blackbird	S&W	Solitary bird in summer at Naitwar FRH; 1 individual in forest near Sankri Nursery area in winter.
94	Grey-winged Blackbird	S	Pair in undergrowth of dense forest on Sankri-Taluka road.
95	White-collared Blackbird	W	Pair observed in forest trees mixed with thrushes and shrike-babblers near Sankri Nursery.
96	Indian Blue Robin	S	1 individual at Naitwar FRH; 1 in dense forest undergrowth on Sankri-Taluka road.
97	Long-tailed Shrike	S&W	Few individuals in scrubby areas perching on bushes near villages.
98	Whiskered Yuhina	S&W	Few birds in forested glade on Obragad in summer. 1 individual near Sankri in winter.
99	Stripe-throated Yuhina	W	Solitary individual on small trees in open area south of Sankri.
100	Plain-backed Thrush	S	1 individual near Naitwar FRH.
101	Long-billed Thrush	W	Possibly 4 different individuals at different locations in wet roadside bushy ravines near Sankri.
102	Chestnut Thrush	W	Pair in mixed flock of blackbirds and shrike-babblers in dense broadleaf forest Sankri-Taluka road.
103	Spotted Nutcracker	S&W	Small bands commonly seen feeding on conifers in forest near Sankri and Taluka.
104	Red-headed Bullfinch	S	Flock of 6+ individuals in forest Sankri-Taluka road. Probably same flock seen on different days.
105	Brown Bullfinch	S&W	Flock of 8+ individuals in open forest and orchards near Taluka and Sankri.
106	Plain Mountain Finch	W	Flocks of 100+ individuals in fallow fields around Taluka and Sankri.
107	Yellow-breasted Greenfinch	W	1 individual observed in Sankri.
108	Indian Cuckoo	S	1 individual in dense broadleaf forest Taluka-Sankri road.
109	Lesser Cuckoo	S	1 individual calling incessantly from hillside near Taluka FRH. Not seen.
110	Common Hawk-Cuckoo	S	1 individual calling in forest on Sankri-Taluka road same area as Indian cuckoo. Not seen.
111	Eurasian Jay	S&W	1 individual in forest in summer. Pair observed in winter in same area.
112	Rufous Sibia	W	Several bands of 5-8 birds on fruiting trees.
113	Winter Wren	W	1 individual on track from Taluka to Osla. Later froze on short leafy tree and stalky bush.
114	Bar-throated Siva	W	Flock of 7-8 birds just off track from Taluka to Osla. On bushes and fruiting trees.
115	White-tailed Rubythroat	S	1 individual observed near Taluka on trekking path to Har-ki-dun in open scrubby hillside.
116	Striated Prinia	S&W	1 individual each in dense grass and bushes beside river. Near Taluka(W) and Dhaula(S). Skulker.
117	White-browed Fulvetta	S&W	2 bands of 4-6 birds near Taluka and Sankri in open forest and bushy scrub.
118	Pink-browed Rosefinch	S&W	Only 1 invidual in S near Taluka; several in W at most locations around Sankri.
119	Beautiful Rosefinch	W	Few individuals around Sankri in open areas in fallow fields, on bushes.
120	Dark-breasted Rosefinch	W	Pair observed south of Sankri in mixed flock crossing track.
121	Rock Bunting	W	Common in W. Few males and several females and juveniles observed.
122	Hoopoe	S	1 individual near Taluka.
123	White Wagtail	S	1 individual in marshy area at Taluka near Tons.
124	Grey Wagtail	S&W	Parents feeding 3 young at Taluka on Tons in summer. Few scattered individuals near streams.
125	Large-billed Crow	S&W	Common all over especially near villages.
126	Russet Sparrow	S&W	Very common.
127	House Sparrow	S&W	Few individuals in villages even in winter.
128	Common Myna	S&W	Few individuals in villages.
129	Blue Whistling Thrush	S&W	Common all over in open forest near water.
130	Oriental White Eye	S&W	Small group on flowering tree at lower elevation in winter. Few birds in summer.
131	Black Francolin	S&W	1 female photographed near Sankri in W; calling often in S in cultivation.
132	White-capped Bunting	W	1 individual photographed in winter.
133	Common Wood Pigeon	W	Flock of 8+ individuals in flight over forested ridge above Sankri-Taluka road. ID from Somendra's photos.
134	Partridge?	W	1 individual in thick cover in forest Sankri-Taluka roadside. Glimpsed twice - either Hill or Rufous-throated Partridge.
135	Chough?	W	Flock of birds very high over grassy ridge. Too far to ID whether red or yellow-billed choughs.