BIRD of the DAY: Blue-throated Barbet
Today was another birding plus travelling day: Siliguri to Guwahati airport to Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Ranjeet and another driver met us at the hotel. After breakfast we got in the vans to do some birding near Siliguri. From the car we saw a Greater Coucal, a Red-naped Ibis, lots of Cattle Egrets and some Assam macaques.
We drove to the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary but it was not open because of recent elephant attacks there. We found a nearby residential area that proved excellent for birding. Barbara talked with some chatty schoolgirls. We all enjoyed our leisurely walk in a pleasant community - with many colorful birds!
We drove back through busy Siliguri - more exciting action on the road.
https://youtu.be/Wt8Kw9zKAqU
The traffic did not seem quite as bad as in Darjeeling, but maybe we were just gettting used to it.
Thankfully, on our way to the Bagdogra airport, we were on an excellent paved road - but there were a few obstructions. We stopped by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway track. No trains this time though. Rick pointed out the W/L "whistle long" sign. It would have been fun to ride on this historic train.
The track paralleled our road as we approached Bagdogra.
We arrived safely for our flight to Guwahati. Now it was time to say good bye to Ranjeet - we would miss him.
The Guwahati airport has welcoming animals.
We now had two vans with roof racks, two new drivers, Kerishong and Deepak, and a local guide, Nekib. Off we drove to Jupuri Ghar Eco Camp in Assam where we arrived after dark. We settled into our cosy cabin and then joined our group to enjoy a late dinner together at the dining hall .
Birds in the Photos Today
Blue-throated Barbet
Greater Coucal
Red-naped Ibis
White-throated Kingfisher
Common Kestrel
Oriental Magpie Robin
Cattle Egret
Ashy Woodswallow
Black Drongo
Chestnut-headed Bee-Eater
Crested Serpent Eagle
Indian Roller
Intermediate Egret
Black Redstart
Little Cormorant
River Lapwing
Red-wattled Lapwing
Stork-billed Kingfisher
Green Bee-eater
Large-billed Crow
Spotted Dove