March 8, 2023, Morning
Not being fully satisfied with the Blue-naped Pitta sighting yesterday, our guide took us birding near Hati Mandir again for a second attempt. After this, we would be doing two safaris, one in the Western Range and then another safari in Burapahar. This would be our last day birding in Kaziranga.
Route
We started in the same area as yesterday, i.e. climbing a little up the hill where the pitta calls had been heard the most. Having not found it there, we walked back to the road and crossed the bridge and turned left. This is a narrow trail through wooded country. It was great walking there in the early morning. Several birds were vocalizing, but also quite far away. A spotting scope would have come in very handy on this trail, because although the trees are tall, the habitat is relatively open. I found some terrific birds here just by scanning with binoculars, which the guide had missed. The walk is relatively easy, with mostly flat ground, and winds its way through some nice scenery.
Bird and Other Wildlife Sightings
No lifers today, but still an interesting set of sightings. A Wolly-necked Story flew by just as we were starting to climb up the trail. Far in the tree tops across a small gorge were parakeets which I had assumed were the commonly seen Red-breasted Parakeets which actually turned out to be Alexandrine Parakeets after reviewing the images. Before returning from the climb our guide spotted a Changeable Hawk-eagle far away, perched at the top of a tree. After heading back from the short climb, down at the bridge was a female Plumbeous Redstart. Across the bridge are two paths, we took the path to the left. There was a raptor perched some distance away, which no one was able to identify. It wasn’t an adult bird, which made things more difficult. After returning from the trip I sought help from Adesh who kindly identified it as an Oriental Honey-buzzard. Later on, an accipiter flew in and perched deep in the woods, and flew off as soon as I took a record shot of it (see below). Once we reached a clearing with a modest vista, things got more interesting. Scanning the faraway trees I found a pair of Hair-crested Drongos, Crimson Sunbird and also a Greater Yellownape. Back at the bridge there was a Gray Wagtail, and also a shorebird which I didn’t manage a photo of. It had dark wings and black bars on a white tail. The rapid wing beats made it hard to see more details from afar, however Green Sandpiper could be a possibility. Somewhere along this trail I have made an interesting audio recording, and the identity of the singer is still a mystery.
Here is the complete eBird checklist.
Audio Recordings
I made two interesting recordings here. One was of a Puff-throated Babbler, but not the melodious song from yesterday, rather a more unremarkable two note call being uttered constantly.
Photos and Media
