INDIA 2010: Outside Ranthambhore NP

Nov 27-28  –  Once again we split up into two Gypsy’s for our afternoon outing to Soorwal. This time we were not able to take the long approach into the back of Lake Soorwal as the dirt tracks were inundated with water. Nevertheless there was plenty of scenery, guava orchards, mustard fields and well wishers along the rural route.

While waiting at a railroad crossing, for what seemed like a lifetime, we took a moment and walked a short distance to get a better view of a Bay-backed Shrike along with the common Long-tailed Shrike (above). We found a Wryneck on the edge of a hedgerow along with Baya Weavers and Yellow-eyed Babblers but all of them scattered when a Sparrowhawk came through chasing a Stonechat.

On the edge of a small rain filled dirt quarry we watched Greater Short-toed Larks and Ashy-crowned Sparrow Larks feeding amongst the bare soil as Ruffs and Black-winged Stilts worked the shallow depths of water.

Along a stretch of canal whose water was being used to irrigate the newly planted fields, Gull-billed Terns could be seen picking off insects while on the wing; a Desert Wheatear flew across a field only to vanish out of sight; Red-collared Doves (above) foraged amongst the short grasses and a Southern Grey Shrike posed for all to photograph.

Walking along the narrow one lane muddy dam breast (above) River Terns were a common sight as they flew along side us. Amongst a large group of Baya Weavers in tall stand of reeds we could pick up a few Black-breasted Weavers and Spanish Sparrows as well as a dozen Common Rosefinch.

Kay, sleuthing around for small creatures, found a Pygmy Shrew (above) that was quite keen on the crackers that she used to lure it out of the underbrush! We finished with a bunch of thick-knees, firstly three Great Thick-knees in a ploughed field then half a dozen and Eurasian’s roosting under acacias.

On the way back there was the usual chaotic roadside commotion as we drove through Sawai Madhophur after dark. Nearing the Tiger Den Pankaj’s Gypsy had a Jungle Cat cross the road into the open scrub. Being in the second vehicle we missed the initial sighting but turned in to look for it. We were able to locate and track it with a spotlight and also got to see a Rufous-tailed Hare.

A midday walk around the arid scrubby area outside the Tiger Den did not produce anything out of the ordinary. There was a family party of half a dozen Rufous-fronted Prinia’s along with the expected Tawny Pipits and Ashy-crowned Sparrow Larks. A heavily molting Changeable Hawk-Eagle circled over the compound before flying out of sight. In a small cultivated section a male Crested Bunting showed well, and at a shallow pond we had side by side comparisons of Spotted Redshank, Redshank and Ruff (above) as well as a handful of pigs wallowing in the mud.

Butterflies continued to be the highlight at the Tiger Den with many species including the stunning Indian Fritillary (above).

Our reliable Painted Sandgrouse pool once again produced a male and two females at dusk, but not before we had to shoo a squatter away with spotlight and laser beams!!