Birding North-East India

Wednesday, March 9

BIRD of the DAY: - Whiskered Yuhina



Today was a travel day. Shyam briefed us and we were off right after breakfast. We flew from Delhi to Bagdora in West Bengal.



There we met our new drivers, Roy and Ranjeet, for an exciting trip to Darjeeling. This was even more hair-raising than driving in Delhi yesterday. Added to the experience was travel through small crowded villages, dodging many pedestrians en route to school or shopping as well as cows and goats in our path. Luckily our driver, Roy, was very experienced at manoeuvring through the chaotic village traffic.



Next came narrow windy roads through hilly countryside and more small villages. We soon learned there was a honking protocol for warning entry to a blind curve, for passing and a short honk for "thank you". This makes for a lot of honking!



We made a short stop at an impressive red flowering tree and found two small colorful birds - Blue-throated Barbet and Grey Treepie.



Next, at small hillside restaurant, we got a chance to sample Indian tea and spot a few more birds perched in nearby trees.



As the sun was setting, we came in sight of Darjeeling, a busy hillside city, famous for its tea and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Tomorrow we would visit a tea plantation. Tonight we were lucky to see the famous narrow gauge railway train pass by us on the road (very close!). Some families gathered around small campfires between their front doors and the tracks to keep warm. In winter the track is lined with campfires.



We drove up and up to our hotel, the Cedar Inn, overlooking the city. We were greeted with cherry brandy and welcoming scarves. Soon we were having dinner and tucking in. Good night Darjeeling.

Birds in the Photos Today

Whiskered Yuhina
Blue-throated Barbet
Grey Treepie
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Green-backed Tit
Oriental White-eye
Red-vented Bulbul
Grey-hooded Warbler