Chitwan National Park

 The following introduction is from the UNESCO website:

Royal Chitwan National Park lies in the lowlands or Inner Terai of southern central Nepal on the international border with India. The park covers 932 km² of subtropical lowland, wedged between two east-west river valleys at the base of the Siwalik range of the outer Himalayas.

The park contains the last Nepalese population (estimated at 400) of the endangered great one-horned Asian rhinoceros which is the second largest concentration of this species to occur after Kaziranga National Park in India. Royal Chitwan is also one of the last strongholds of the Royal Bengal tiger. Other threatened mammals occurring in the park include leopard, wild dog, sloth bear and gaur. Other mammals include sambar, chital, hog deer, barking deer, wild pig, monkeys, otter, porcupine, yellow-throated marten, civet, fishing cat, jungle cat, jackal, striped hyena and Indian fox. Aquatic species include the gangetic dolphin, the mugger crocodile and the endangered gharial.

Chitwan National Park – We spent three nights and two full days birding at Chitwan.

“Save our Tiger” – Chitwan National Park is an important reserve for Tigers but they are difficult to see. It was good to see that the Nepalese government are making good efforts to protect the species with armed guards on all access roads.

Chitwan – The gardens produced many different birds.  The lawns produced a Scaly Thrush early one morning.

White-breasted Waterhen – This species was common on the marsh at Chitwan and elsewhere.

Lesser Adjutant – Seen several times at Chitwan.  Probably two separate pairs.

Marsh Mugger – A few of these were seen at Chitwan.  A large and apparently very dangerous species!

Elephant Safari – A most enjoyable event was the Elephant Safari.  Not particularly comfortable or good for birding (hard to use binoculars), but a great experience and an excellent way to see One-horned Rhinos.

Click on this link to see a video of the Elephant safari

Asian One-horned Rhinoceros – We saw about six Rhinos including a mother with a calf and a pair together.  They were feeding in fairly thick and tall vegetation in a wooded area, or in tall reeds, so not easy to get a clear photograph.

Red-wattled Lapwing – The only bird I manged to photographed during the rather bumpy Elephant Safari!

Indian Scops Owl  – Two birds were found roosting together by one of the local guides at Chitwan.  They were roosting in an area of thick Bamboo and difficult to see.

Crested Serpent Eagle – Several of these impressive birds were seen during our time in Nepal.  This individual was perched for some time on the edge of the marsh presumably on the lookout for prey.

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker – A small woodpecker that was typically seen high up in the trees.  Several were seen at Chitwan.

Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker

Several were seen high in the trees at Chitwan and elsewhere.

 

Jeep Safari at Chitwan – A days drive through the park in two Jeeps produced many birds plus a few reptiles (see below).  For a lucky few, the return journey produced a brief view of a Tiger, but it unfortunately soon disappeared into the forest.  A short time later a deep very impressive roar was heard and we wondered if a kill had been made.

White-browed Wagtail – One of two birds photographed mid-stream from the vehicle.  Not seen elsewhere.

River in Chitwan Park – showing seven of the endangered Gharials sunning themselves on the gravel/sand banks.  A distant Sand Lark was seen here, plus Little Ringed Plover,  Little Egret and Ruddy Shelduck.  A flock of Small Pratincoles flew over.

Gharial – One of those pictured above.  Their long then snout is adapted for catching a diet of fish.

Grey Langur – We had several sightings of small groups of this species on Monkey.

Grey-winged Blackbird – A pair were found on the track on the return leg of the Jeep Safari.  The only ones seen during the trip.

You can view a PDF of the Bird Species list for the trip at this link.