INDIA 2010: Corbett National Park – Part 1

Dec 19 – With eager anticipation we embarked upon our journey to Corbett National Park, India’s oldest reserve, established in 1936. A beacon of conservation, Corbett’s wide range of habitats covers over 1300 square kilometers, hosting a delightful array of wildlife species, including about 160 Tigers – none of which we saw!

At the main gate (above) we transfered into two Gypsies and used a third for the bags, as vans and buses are not allowed in the park. While the distance to Dhikala was not long, about 30 kms from the main gate, we took our time and did not check into the compound until late afternoon.

Driving through a mix of evergreen, Teak and Sal forest (above), we often crossed wide stone beds that flow from the high hills to the Ramangar River. These are impressive enough outside the rainy season, but render the park impassable during the summer months. Pausing at one of these crossings we watched White-rumped Needletails flying overhead and a Bronzed Drongo on a bare perch.

We stopped frequently for many other bird sightings. A Large Cuckoo Shrike in the open, followed three woodpecker species in one spot, Greater Flameback, Grey-headed Woodpecker and Grey-capped Pygmy- Woodpecker. Linneated Barbets were tough to pick out in a distant tree, blending in perfectly, until there was movement. Amongst them was a Blue-throated Barbet and the adjoining trees had vocal Black-headed Orioles and a Maroon Oriole. On the Ramnagar River a lone male Black-necked Stork staked out a prime spot.

There was plenty of evidence of tigers. Fresh scat and pugmarks on the road and a tree full of claw markings giving us a great indication of just how powerful this largest of all felines is. There is no doubt that the Wild Boar, Muntjac (above), Sambar and Chital we would encounter are well aware of Sher Khan.

Kay was excited to find a small red opened petaled plant, wild tumerac, growing out of the moist well vegetated roadside. While the lead gypsy stopped to look at a nicely created termite mound Mary Kay spotted a very cooperative Asian Barred Owlet (above), a wonderful sighting.

By mid afternoon we were watching a Brown Fish Owl, much to Bob’s delight as he missed out on the one at Ranthambhore. This was followed a short distance away by a pair of Tawny Fish Owls (above) – this being my favourite old world owl; I just love those ear tufts!

As we watched Scaly-breasted Munia feeding on grass stalks, a couple of Red Junglefowl crossed the track in front of us. Actually there turned out to be about two dozen of them, most flying across and into the thickets. Just as quickly as that happened there was all kinds of commotion as a Changeable Hawk Eagle dropped down from a low tree branch and tried to pick one off…..unsuccessfully. By late afternoon we reached the Dhikala compound (above), our accomodations for the last two nights of our trip.