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India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River
Naturetrek Tour Report 28 March - 14 April 2014
Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England
T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426
E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk
Report compiled by Sujan Chatterjee
Images courtesy of Wendy Schmitt
Indian Elephant Blue-throated Barbet
Tiger Hoolock Gibbon
Tour Report India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River
© Naturetrek August 14 1
Tour Leader: Sujan Chatterjee
Participants: Bryan Cupples
Janet Cupples
Barbara Sharp
Pamela Mynott
Siegfried Schmitt
Wendy Schmitt
Peter Robinson
Pauline Robinson
John Hoar
Joan Hoar
Malcolm Reader
Sally Reader
Thomas Mackie
Wendy Mackie
Day 0 Thursday 27th March
Travel from the UK
Day 1 Friday 28th March
The new Kolkata Airport welcomed all fourteen of the guests to India. Next stop was the Hyatt hotel. After
some rest we left at 2pm to visit the Indian Botanic Gardens. We travelled through the busy roads of Kolkata
and got a glimpse of the busy city, a distant view of the Victoria Memorial, the race course and the Fort Williams.
We reached the gardens and started off with Red-breasted Parakeets, Asian Koel, Five-striped Palm Squirrel;
Black-rumped Flameback; Coppersmith Barbet; Spotted Owlet; Jungle Babblers; Yellow-footed Green Pigeons;
White-throated Kingfishers; Jungle Babblers; Bronze-winged Jacanas. It was warm and jetlag was catching up so
we returned to our vehicle at 430pm and drove back to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Day 2 Saturday 29th March
We caught our flight and arrived at Dibrugarh airport at 1pm. We drove along the highway enjoying the beautiful
lush scenery of Assam, its ponds, villages, houses and rice fields. We stopped for a few birds en route such as a
pair of Slender-billed Vultures, Barbets, Kingfishers, Purple Swamphens etc. After four hour’s drive we reached
the banks of the Brahmaputra, while large Indian Flying Foxes flew over us. The whole crew helped us to board
the country boat and sort out our luggage. We got on board to be welcomed by Prateek. After a briefing about
the ship we went for dinner.
Day 3 Sunday 30th March
We woke early for the visit to the Gibbon Sanctuary. Curlews flew over the water while we had our morning cup
of tea on the deck.
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
2 © Naturetrek August 14
We arrived after an hour’s drive. Our first sighting was a Malayan Giant Squirrel close to the forest office. Most
couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw this giant; not something one is used to seeing on a bird feeder. On
most trips the Western Hoolock Gibbons co-operate but on this day they wanted to make us work hard. They
were deep inside the forest and we had to follow the calls for some time; through thick bush and undergrowth
until we found them. Later we found another family and everybody got good views. We had great views of a
troop of Capped Langurs too. They fed in the canopy right above the main track and gave some good photo
opportunities.
After breakfast, a sumptuous field breakfast of porridge, bacon and eggs to order, we went back walking on the
main trail. Several pretty butterflies kept us all occupied for a while, until we spotted a few more Malayan Giant
Squirrels. Another family of Hoolocks were tracked off road. After a few Sultan Tits, Scarlet Minivets and
Spangled Drongos; we decided to return and the vehicle picked us up at the end of the walk.
On the way back we stopped at some marshes. The first one gave us great views of Pheasant Tailed Jacanas,
White-vented Mynas and a difficult view of Pacific Golden Plover. The second and larger marsh close to the
Ghat, gave us some great birds like Spot-billed Ducks, Lesser Adjutants, Glossy Ibis, Black-headed Ibis, Purple
Moorhen, and Watercock. After lunch we took the opportunity of long daylight hours to go for a walk in the
village. We were rewarded by Asian Barred Owlet, Black Bulbuls, Chestnut-capped Babblers and Striated
Babblers. As we went we heard calls of the Swamp Francolin. This is a very enigmatic bird and has always
proven difficult to see on some trips. So we very silently waited and the bird came right out in the open for a
drink. What great sight! ‘Gasps’ and ‘Gosh’s’ were heard from various parties. While we were at it, Mohan found
a fabulous Brown Hawk Owl, roosting in a villager’s back garden. Meanwhile the wind picked up and our
Captain decided against sailing that afternoon. So we spent some more time looking for some more birds.
Day 4 Monday 31st March
Early this morning, we set sail and the morning sun made the Brahmaputra look amazing. While we sipped our
morning cuppa, a drama unfolded. A flock of Cattle Egrets were flying behind our boat and suddenly out of the
blue a Peregrine Falcon appeared and swooped down on the flock. It zigzagged itself behind an individual and
chased it. The egret, to save itself, landed on the boat and sat under the canopy very close to us with all its
feathers on its head raised. The Peregrine gave up and disappeared. One life saved...while one stayed hungry.
We reached the sand bank (or sand walls!) and as we moored we set our binoculars on the hundreds of Blue-
tailed Bee-eaters that have descended here to breed. These summer migrants come from all over to breed on the
river banks before monsoon breaks. They swarmed the skies competing with Green Bee-eaters. We soon got on
to the country boat and sailed to the makeshift jetty and got into our jeeps waiting on the sandy bank. Our first
stop was at Sakoli Bheel where we checked out the drying lake. Beautiful Pheasant-tailed Jacanas walked through
the marsh. Striated Grassbirds; Grey-backed Shrikes; Ruddy Shelducks; Osprey; Lesser Adjutants; Tufted Ducks;
were all there for us to see.
We then moved on to the first Monastery. The elder Monks were still in prayer when we arrived at the Auniati
Monastery. We then walked around and visited the Monastery’s Museum. As we strolled around the campus we
saw Stork-billed Kingfisher; Asian Barred Owlet; Oriental White-eye, Red Whiskered Bulbuls, Lineated Barbets,
Rufous Treepies etc.
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
© Naturetrek August 14 3
We then boarded our vehicles and headed for the Uttar Kamalabari Chatra (Monastery). Prateek our Captain
took us to the room of one of the monks. He is a master flute player. A couple of short pieces left us speechless
and teary-eyed. We arrived at the monastery and were ushered in to the ‘namghar’ or prayer hall. The 9 young
monks were waiting dressed up for the performance. They sang and danced for us with cymbals and heavy
drums. The fifteen minute performance, which is a prelude to a night play, kept us mesmerised.
Before we returned to Charaidew we made a quick stop at a local Mustard oil press. It was quite an experience to
see these big old machines pressing oil out of the mustard seeds. In the afternoon we sailed towards a Mishing
village called Jatiabari.
Day 5 Tuesday 1st April
Today we decided to take a pre-breakfast walk. Some of us took off over the grassy sand dunes and found some
good birds. Sally had already spotted an Owl which had landed in the scrubs. So as we tried to locate it, this big
bird took off from another spot and sailed over the dunes and disappeared. It was a Short-eared Owl! We then
walked on and found a few Rufous-winged (Bengal) Bushlarks singing and displaying at the same time. One
landed on a stick and gave us good views. We also spotted a couple of Bluethroats. They kept coming in and out
of the grass tufts giving us excellent views. As we turned back to return to our ship, we spotted a few sparrow-
sized bird descend on the sand. They were buntings. More appeared and landed on the sand and in the scrubs.
There were three species in all - Chestnut-eared, Yellow-breasted and Black-faced Buntings. What a way to start
the morning!
After breakfast we got off again to visit the Jatiabari village. This pretty and quaint village is under threat from
severe erosion by the river. The prediction is that it won’t survive this year’s monsoon. We walked through this
unique village belonging to the Mishing Tribe. The Mising people live in traditional stilt-houses with walls of
plaited bamboo and front-door-ladders hewn from tree-trunks, surrounded by fragrant gardens full of coriander,
tomatoes, chillies and onions. They are also extremely welcoming to unexpected strangers who turn up on cruise
boats and we were overcome by the delight they showed while peering through a telescope at a distant Drongo
or seeing photos of themselves. A visit to their school was among the many highlights of a wonderful morning
spent in the company of the people of Jatiabari.
Some of the other delights here included a Durian Redstart in a bamboo thicket, a beautiful Crimson Sunbird
giving superb views, Spangled Drongos feeding on nectar from the blossoming trees… Black baby pigs and
white newborn goat kids also attracted admiration here. We very reluctantly returned to our ship and then set sail
for Dhansiri Mukh. This river mouth marks the north-east corner of Kaziranga National Park. The channel we
plan to take the day after was shallow so it needed some checking out. So all hands (weight) on deck we had to
load up and set sail to check out the channel. While we sailed and the crew tried to memorise the right track, we
saw Water Buffaloes cooling themselves in the Brahmaputra, we also spotted a few Grey-headed Fish Eagles and
Oriental Pied Hornbills. We eventually made it to the destination and on the way back we spotted a wild
‘Makhna’ elephant grazing on the bank.
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
4 © Naturetrek August 14
Day 6 Wednesday 2nd April
We were off after breakfast onto the country boat. After sailing upstream for 60 minutes we reached the sand
banks where our jeeps were waiting. After driving for fifteen minutes we reached the Park Ranger office. While
paper work was being sorted we had our breakfast while enjoying the scope view of the Spotted Owlet. We saw
our first distant Rhino in a few minutes time. We drove towards the Sohola Bheel (Lake) and meanwhile saw
Greater Adjutants, Black-necked Storks, and several raptors like the Grey-headed and Crested Serpent Eagles;
Pallas’s Fish Eagle; Griffons etc. Several distant Elephants, Buffaloes, Swamp and Hog Deer were also seen.
We drove on and at one location we saw a family of Smooth-coated Otters clambering on to a sandy island.
They gave us great views as they twisted and turned, yawned, stretched and eventually scampered off to catch
fish. We also saw a few more Rhinos near the ponds in various poses. We finished off the morning drive at a
convenient spot on the sand bank to board the country boat. We then boarded Charaidew and started to sail. We
settled down for lunch after a great morning ride. While sailing we spotted a few more rhinos on land and several
more birds. By sun down we made it to Silghat our destination for the day.
Day 7 Thursday 3rd April
Today we made a visit to the western sector of the park also known as the Baguri Range. The drive took us to
the Donga watchtower, which overlooks the Donga Lake. Scores of Rhinos, buffaloes, Hog Deer and Swamp
Deer dotted the meadow. Few scattered Ducks and Geese grazed along the edge of the water while huge Knife
Fishes breached the surface of the lake. After a while we did a drive around the track and added more birds and
more closer views of the big game and thereafter called it a day.
In the afternoon we strolled up the path along the river and gathered around an old temple. The stage was set
here and a surprise was in store for us. A bus load of kids arrived in their beautiful Bihu festival dress and also
with their traditional musical instruments. They put up a superb song and dance program for us in front of the
Temple. Their energetic performance absolutely enthralled us. The last performance happened while the sun set
over the mighty Brahmaputra and cool breeze blew over the banks and the Gangetic Dolphins breached the
surface of the dark waters.
Day 8 Friday 4th April
Today we wanted to do something different. We drove to a nearby tea plantation before breakfast and birded
along the forest edge. The sky was overcast and it was slow going initially. We spotted a few Owlets and warblers
to start with. Then as we walked on we clocked a few very good birds. We started off with a beautiful Siberian
Rubythroat. This skulker likes being in tea gardens as they provide good cover. This one showed itself very well
and stayed long enough for all to get great views. Then a Great Pied Hornbill flew over us and landed on a
distant tree but still gave us some good clear views. We then climbed a small hill and spotted a pair of Wreathed
Hornbills. They were obscure at first then they gave us some brief views before flying off in the distance.
After breakfast and our next program, we had some time to spare, so on request we made a quick visit to a
nearby Jute processing factory. It was quite a learning experience to see how Jute is processed from a plant and
then turned into sacks.
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
© Naturetrek August 14 5
We then headed towards Kaziranga. We stopped first at a beautiful lodge for lunch. But before lunch we decided
to give an elephant a wash. The beautiful 40 year old matriarch named Hun Mala (Golden Garland) was patiently
waiting in the shade and thwarting fly attacks with a branch. She quietly and gracefully plonked herself in the
nearby pond for a bath. And many of us jumped in the muddy water to give her a good scrub behind her ears.
After a sumptuous lunch, as we were just about in the mood to doze off, we had to gather ourselves for an
afternoon drive in the Kohora Range. The drive started off with the usual Rhinos, Buffaloes and Swamp deer.
We headed towards the Daflang watchtower for a sunset on the lake. As we approached the tower, we stopped
to look at pair of Rhinos, mother and grown up calf. While we were there we saw a Tiger pop out from the tall,
wall-like elephant grass in the background! It came out a few metres in front of the Rhinos. The Hog deer started
to bark in alarm and the Rhinos swung to look at the Tiger. The Tiger was unperturbed by all this - it just sat
down and kept eyeing the rhinos. After a while it started to walk towards the rhinos and walked past behind
them looking back at the rhinos, sizing them up and snarling. It then walked along the edge of the grass and
disappeared. We expected the Tiger to appear somewhere in front and cross the path. Instead it came up from
behind and quickly disappeared again. We waited for a few more minutes and decided to go up the watchtower
and wait. After nearly half an hour the Tiger decided to show up on the edge of the road and finally crossed the
track in the perfect golden light and silently disappeared in the grass. Nobody spoke for a long time...
Day 9 Saturday 5th April
Our last day in Kaziranga...so we decided to start off with a grand elephant ride. There were not many other
guests around so it was just us riding the big guys. These grand animals took us really close to dozens of Rhinos,
including a few with small calves. Some males had big gashes on their shoulders from previous fights. During the
one hour ride we added a few more birds to our list and some really close up shots of some of Swamp and Hog
Deer. After the ride, Imran landed up with a bunch of bananas as a treat. This caused a stir amongst the usually
disciplined elephants. Meanwhile Mohan spotted a couple of Owlets and drew us away from the elephants...a
clever ploy indeed. We then headed for a nearby lodge for breakfast and for our final safari in this magnificent
park.
We set sail for Tezpur after we returned from the ride. We moored close to the old Military Town near a sand
bank. A Hindu festival was on along the banks of the river where flower and fire was offered to the river
goddess. Some of us decided to make a visit and got some good colourful photos.
Day 10 Sunday 6th April
Today we had a different activity in mind. We drove for an hour and a half to the edge of the Jia Bhoreli River.
Our rubber dinghies were waiting for us with their paddlers and raring to go. After donning the life jackets we all
got onto the dinghies and started floating downstream. Our target bird today was Ibisbill. Before we saw our
Ibisbills we saw Pied Kingfishers; River Lapwings; Small Pratincoles; River Terns and Black Storks. We missed
the Ibisbills at the regular spot. But soon, on the next shingle bed, we found three of these enigmatic birds. We
then spotted a few Great Thick-knees. These waders are always well camouflaged and are difficult to spot. We
had great views as we stopped our dinghies so that everybody could get a good look at them. After about two
hours of floating and negotiating some small rapids, we reached the river bank where we got off.
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
6 © Naturetrek August 14
We went back to the eco camp for the use of the facilities and went to visit the conservation centre for the
Pygmy Hogs. We then drove back to Charaidew and sailed downstream. Before sundown we moored on our
own sandy beach. And in the evening, our crew organised a fabulous Brahmaputra barbeque for all.
Day 11 Monday 7th April
Today was our last day of sailing. As we had some time in hand we made a quick dash to a nearby village. The
families living there are under constant threat of erosion of land. Constant efforts are on to save the land from
the mighty Brahmaputra. We walked around and were introduced to the village elders by Babu. We visited
people’s homes and talked to the kids and even added a few birds to our list.
We floated past the vast expanses of sandy beaches of the mighty Brahmaputra. We reached the Peacock Island
by lunch time and decided to moor on the north bank of the river for the evening. We made a visit to the
Temple with two purposes; to see the temple of course, and also to see a few rare Golden Langurs, which reside
on the island. After climbing several steps, we reached the shops and there they were, sitting on a tamarind tree
chomping on cakes and bread (not the best diet). Some of us visited the temple while some sat around watching
the Langurs. With energy levels still high some decided to go for a shopping spree led by Imran, the man who
knew Guwahati much more than I did. The evening ended with the farewell dinner.
Day 12 Tuesday 8th April
This morning we sailed for the last time and moored along the Pandu Jetty. We had a late start today. We visited
the most famous temple of Assam, the Kamaksya Temple. We drove to the base and walked up to the door of
the temple, and then we walked barefoot on the stone floors amongst a large crowd of devotees. An hour or so
was spent at the temple looking at the ancient architecture.
We came back to Charaidew and bid adieu to the superb team of the boat which was our home for the last 10
days. We drove to the famous Gorchuk rubbish tip to look for the Greater Adjutant Storks. We drove through
heaps of garbage and stopped on the edge of a lake. There were several Greater Adjutants, along with them there
were thousands of Black Kites, and Cattle Egrets in breeding plumage. Next we tried our luck at the Deepor
Bheel Wetland. We saw vast flocks of Lesser Whistling Teal, camouflaged amongst the lily pads, and even a few
Cotton Pygmy Goose and a few Ashy Woodswallows. Next step was to arrive at the airport and to fly to
Kolkata. This was the end of the main tour…
There are many to thank for making it all happen. Thanks must go first to our outstanding naturalist guides:
Imran, Babu and Mohan. Thanks go too to Prateek for his many insights into life in norhteast India and his staff
and crew deserve huge praise and work hard behind the scenes to keep us safe and afloat. Our jeep drivers,
minibus drivers, rafters, mahouts and, not least, lovely elephants and the majestic tiger all also contributed greatly
to the success of a great tour. We thank them all and we most sincerely thank you for coming on this trip!
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
© Naturetrek August 14 7
Sunderbans extension
Day 13 - 17 Wednesday 9th – Sunday 17th April
After saying goodbye to the main team; John, Joan, Malcolm, Sally, Tom, Wendy and myself headed to the
Sunderbans. The village highway has been newly tarred so we had a smooth ride through the myriad of village
activities. We reached Godkhali in three hours. We were greeted by Nitai, our captain. We boarded the newly
refurbished boat ‘Baba Nabin’. With a hot cup of ‘cha’ in hand we set sail for the Bali Island. During the stay in
Sunderbans we covered a whole spectrum. Not just wildlife and birds but a lot of culture too. Sajnekhali, the
head quarters gave us some insight to Sunderbans through its beautiful Museum. We spotted a few Water
Monitors there too. The next few days were spent sailing through the creeks and channels of Sunderbans
spotting waders, 6 species of Kingfishers including the rare Ruddy and Brown-winged Kingfisher. We spotted
an Irrawaddy Dolphin on one such cruise. On land we spotted several Woodpeckers, Warblers, Ioras, Sunbirds,
Treepeis and Green Pigeons. On one morning we even coaxed a view of the most rare and elusive Mangrove
Pitta from our boat. One evening we spotted a Large-tailed Nightjar, which was calling from a nearby tree close
to our lodge. In the villages the festive season was on, coinciding with Bengali New Year. A village fair was on
and we made an evening visit. This fair is 60 years old and attracted people from afar. The special attractions
were the all night social theatre and the noodle shops. In the humid evening we even managed to do some retail
therapy. On the last day we did a village walk combined with some bird watching. Thereafter we said goodbye to
the largest mangrove in the world and headed for Kolkata.
Day 18 Monday 14th April
Our final day in Kolkata... this was spent looking at the city. We made a visit to the Flower Market; Jain Temple;
Park Street Cemetery; and St John’s Church. We even did some retail therapy from a local garment shop and
after spending the afternoon at leisure we said goodbye to Kolkata
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Tour Report India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River
© Naturetrek August 14 1
Species List
Birds ( = recorded but not counted; H = heard only)
Bo
tan
ics
en
rou
te
Gib
bo
n/N
ee
ma
ti
Ma
juli
Bo
ka
du
ar
ag
rato
li
Ba
go
ri
Ko
ho
ra
Ko
ho
ra
Nam
eri
jath
iab
ari
gu
wah
ati
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
March/April
Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1 Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis H
2 Blue-breasted Quail Coturnix chinensis
3 Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus H
4 Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica
5 Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus
6 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
7 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
8 Cotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus
9 Gadwall Anas strepera
10 Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
11 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
12 Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha
13 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
14 Northern Pintail Anas acuta
15 Common Teal Anas crecca
16 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
17 Common Merganser Mergus merganser
18 Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus
19 Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei
20 Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus
21 Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense H
22 Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus
23 Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
2 © Naturetrek August 14
Bo
tan
ics
en
rou
te
Gib
bo
n/N
ee
ma
ti
Ma
juli
Bo
ka
du
ar
ag
rato
li
Ba
go
ri
Ko
ho
ra
Ko
ho
ra
Nam
eri
jath
iab
ari
gu
wah
ati
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
March/April
Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
24 Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica H
25 Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala
26 Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis
27 Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus
28 Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris
29 Common Hoopoe Upupa epops
30 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis
31 Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis
32 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
33 Brown-winged Kingfisher Halcyon amauropterus
34 Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon capensis
35 Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda
36 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
37 Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata
38 Collared Kingfisher Todirhampus chloris
39 Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni H
40 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis
41 Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus
42 Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti
43 Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius
44 Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus
45 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea H
46 Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis
47 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis H H
48 Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria
49 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
50 Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseata H
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
© Naturetrek August 14 3
Bo
tan
ics
en
rou
te
Gib
bo
n/N
ee
ma
ti
Ma
juli
Bo
ka
du
ar
ag
rato
li
Ba
go
ri
Ko
ho
ra
Ko
ho
ra
Nam
eri
jath
iab
ari
gu
wah
ati
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
March/April
Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
51 Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri
52 Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis
53 House Swift Apus affinis
54 Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
55 Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides
56 Spotted Owlet Athene brama
57 Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata
58 Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus H
59 Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
60 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
61 Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica
62 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
63 Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta
64 Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera
65 Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea
66 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus
67 Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio
68 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
69 Watercock Gallicrex cinerea
70 Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis
71 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
72 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
73 Common Redshank Tringa totanus
74 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
75 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
76 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
77 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
4 © Naturetrek August 14
Bo
tan
ics
en
rou
te
Gib
bo
n/N
ee
ma
ti
Ma
juli
Bo
ka
du
ar
ag
rato
li
Ba
go
ri
Ko
ho
ra
Ko
ho
ra
Nam
eri
jath
iab
ari
gu
wah
ati
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
su
nde
rban
s
March/April
Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
78 Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii
79 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus
80 Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus
81 Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris
82 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
83 Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva
84 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
85 Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus
86 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
87 River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii
88 Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus
89 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus
90 Small Pratincole Glareola lactea
91 Pallas's Gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus
92 Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus
93 River Tern Sterna aurantia
94 Osprey Pandion haliaetus
95 Oriental Honey-Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus
96 Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
97 Black Kite Milvus migrans
98 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus
99 Pallas's Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus
100 White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster
101 Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
102 Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris
103 Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis
104 Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
© Naturetrek August 14 5
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Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
105 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela
106 Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos
107 Shikra Accipiter badius
108 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
109 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
110 Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga
111 Indian Spotted Eagle Pomarina hastata
112 Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus
113 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
114 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
115 Little Grebe Podiceps ruficollis
116 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
117 Darter Anhinga melanogaster
118 Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger
119 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
120 Little Egret Egretta garzetta
121 White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis
122 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
123 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
124 Great Egret Casmerodius albus
125 Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia
126 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
127 Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii
128 Little Heron Butroides striatus
129 Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis
130 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus
131 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
6 © Naturetrek August 14
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Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
132 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
133 Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
134 Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis
135 Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans
136 Black Stork Ciconia nigra
137 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
138 Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
139 Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus
140 Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius
141 Mangrove Pitta Pitta megarhyncha H
142 Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons
143 Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
144 Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach tricolor
145 Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus
146 Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda
147 House Crow Corvus splendens
148 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos
149 Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus
150 Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis
151 Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus
152 Golden Oriole Oriolus kondoo
153 Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei
154 Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos
155 Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera
156 Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
157 Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus
158 White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
© Naturetrek August 14 7
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Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
159 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus
160 Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus
161 Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus
162 Greater Racket Tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus
163 Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea
164 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia H
165 Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla
166 Pale-chinned Flycatcher Cyornis poliogenys
167 Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope
168 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
169 Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis
170 White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus
171 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
172 Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus
173 White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus
174 Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fulginosus
175 Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata
176 White-tailed Stonechat Saxicola leucura
177 Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus
178 Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra
179 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
180 Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus
181 White-vented Myna Acridotheres grandis
182 Northern Hill Myna Gracula religiosa
183 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis
184 Great Tit Parus major
185 Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
8 © Naturetrek August 14
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Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
186 Plain Martin Riparia paludicola
187 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
188 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
189 Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica
190 Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus
191 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus
192 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer
193 White-throated Bulbul Alophoixus flaveolus
194 Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus
195 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
196 Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris H
197 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata
198 Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus H
199 Blunt-winged Warbler Acrocephalus concinens
200 Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum
201 Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus
202 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius
203 Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis
204 Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus H
205 Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides
206 Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris
207 Abbott's Babbler Malacocincla abbotti
208 Striped Tit-Babbler Macronous gularis
209 Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata
210 Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei
211 Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus
212 Greater-necklaced Garrulax pectoralis
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
© Naturetrek August 14 9
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Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Laughingthrush
213 Rufous-winged Bushlark Mirafra assamica
214 Sand Lark Calandrella raytal
215 Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum
216 Loten's Sunbird Nectarinia lotenia
217 Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica
218 Purple-rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica
219 Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja
220 House Sparrow Passer domesticus
221 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
222 White Wagtail Motacilla alba
223 Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola
224 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
225 Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus
226 Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus
227 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus
228 White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata
229 Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberzia aureola
230 Black-faced Bunting Emberzia spodocephala
231 Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata
Mammal Species
1 Hoolock Gibbon Bunopithecus hoolock
2 Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta
6 Golden Langur Trachypithecus geei
7 Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
10 © Naturetrek August 14
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Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
9 Sambar Cervus unicolor
10 Swamp deer Cervus duvaucelii
11 Indian Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak
12 Hog Deer Axis porcinus
13 Spotted Deer Axis axis
14 Asiatic Wild Buffalo Bubalus arnee
15 Wild Pig Sus scrofa
17 Asian Elephant Elephus maximus
18 Greater One-horned Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis
22 Tiger Panthera tigris
25 Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perpicillata
27 Small Indian Mongoose Herpestes javanicus
29 Malayan Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolor
30 Five-striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus pennanti
31 Himalayan striped Squirrel Tamiops macclellandi
33 Hoary- bellied Himalayan Squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus
37 Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus
38 Gangetic River Dolphin Platanista gangetica
39 Irrawaddy Dolphin Orcacella brevirostris
Reptiles & Amphibians
Copperheaded Trinket Snake Coelognathus helena
Northern House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus
Assam Roof Turtle Pangshura sylhetensis
water monitor Varanus salvator
taipei frog Rhacophorus taipeianus
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
© Naturetrek August 14 11
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Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Bengal Monitor Varanus bengalensis
Indian Tent Turtle Pangshura tentoria
Marbled Toad Bufo stomaticus
Chequered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator
Butterflies
Commander Moduza procris
Red Lacewing Cethosia biblis
Common Crow Euploea core
Gaudy Baron Euthalia lubentina
Dark Archduke Lexias dirtea
Yellow Helen Papilio nephelus
Great Mormon Papilio memnon
Small Grass Yellow Eurema brigitta
Red spot Jezebel Delias descombi
Large Oak blue Arhopala amantes
Plain Tiger Danaus Chrysippus
Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea
Red Lacewing Cethosia biblis
Leopard Lacewing Cethosia cyane
Yellow Jack Sailor Lasippa viraja
Common Sailor Neptis hylas
Yellow Sailor Neptis ananta
Grey Pansy Junonia atlites
Lemon Pansy Junonia lemonias
Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace
India - A Wildlife Cruise on the Brahmaputra River Tour Report
12 © Naturetrek August 14
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Common name Scientific name 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus
Striped Tiger Danaus genutia
Bengal Dingiest Sailor Neptis harita
Psyche Leptosia nina
Chocolate Grass Yellow Eurema sari
Grey Count Tanaecia lepidea
Northern Birdwing Troides helena
Common Raven Papilio castor
Red-based Jezebel Delias pasithoe
Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae
Common Mormon Papilio polytes
Smooth-coated Otter Asian Barred Owlet