2003
SOUTH INDIA TOUR
2-25 January
India, one of the world's most exotic birding hotspots, is far too large to cover on a single tour, so we've added a South India Tour to complement our coverage of northern India. The Indian subcontinent is home to over 1300 species, of which approximately 160 are endemic. Many of these endemic species are found only in southern India. We'll find a good number of them on this 3 week birding adventure.
Winter is the prime time to visit southern India as the intense heat of the other three seasons is moderated, it is the dryer season, and there are more birds to be seen because of the presence of Palearctic migrants. Our tour ranges from the beautiful forests of Goa, to the submontane rain forests and montane forests of the Western Ghats of S.W. India, the thorn scrub of Tamil Nadu, and to the tropical rain forests of the Andaman Islands.
Our concentration will be on finding the endemic birds of South India and we'll find most of them, e.g.: Andaman Serpent-Eagle, Grey Junglefowl, Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Malabar Parakeet, Brown Coucal, Malabar Grey Hornbill, White-cheeked and Crimson-throated Barbets, Andaman Woodpecker, Nilgiri Pipit, Yellow-throated Bulbul, Grey-breasted and Rufous-breasted Laughingthrushes, Black-and-rufous, Nilgiri, and White-bellied Flycatchers, Crimson-backed Sunbird, White-headed Starling, Andaman Drongo, and White-bellied Treepie. With luck, we may also see: Painted Bush-Quail, Red Spurfowl, Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon, Andaman Scops-Owl, Andaman Boobook, Grey-headed Bulbul, White-bellied Shortwing, Rufous Babbler, and Wynaad Laughingthrush. We'll see many non-endemics, perhaps including Black Baza, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Painted Spurfowl, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Violet Cuckoo, Blue-faced Malkoha, Oriental Scops-Owl, Jungle Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Jerdon's and Indian Nightjars, Asian Paradise-Flycatcher, etc.
The tour involves some long, tiring drives. Much of the habitat in southern
India has been destroyed by the press of its many millions of people, eliminating
most birding near cities with airports. Accommodation is modest to good.
The food will range from basic sustenance to tasty. Anyone in good health
could manage the tour. It does not involve strenuous walking. Bird walks
are normally slow and easy. Join us for a grand birding adventure.
THE LEADER
BEN KING, president of KingBird Tours, has led 34 tours to the Indian Region and is one of the most experienced bird-tour leaders on the subcontinent, having spent nearly 3 years birding there. He has published A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia and Checklist of the Birds of Eurasia, and has seen 2,049 species of birds in Asia, including 1,304 of the 1,333 species known to occur in the Indian subcontinent. His knowledge of the birds, their habits and where they are found assures you of the best possible birding experience in the Indian Region.
THE BIRDING SITES
GOA (4-7 January) is a lovely tropical paradise situated on the Arabian Sea. Its miles of beautiful beaches give way inland to paddyfields and farther on to some fine forested areas. Our birding in Goa will center mostly in the forests in search of Crested Serpent-Eagle, Crested Goshawk, Besra, Black Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Red Spurfowl, Grey Junglefowl, Pompadour Pigeon, Plum-headed Parakeet, Indian Scops-Owl, Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, Brown Fish-Owl, Brown Wood-Owl, Ceylon Frogmouth, Crested Treeswift, Malabar Trogon, Black-capped Kingfisher, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Brown-headed Barbet, Speckled Piculet, Brown-capped, Yellow-crowned, Rufous, and Heart-spotted Woodpeckers, Black-rumped Flameback, Indian Pitta, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Large Woodshrike, Grey-headed and Yellow-browed Bulbuls, Fairy Bluebird, Blue-capped Rockthrush, Malabar Whistlingthrush, Puff-throated and Dark-fronted Babblers, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Brown-breasted, Red-throated, Verditer, and Tickell's Blue Flycatchers, Asian Paradise-Flycatcher, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Crimson-backed and Long-tailed Sunbirds, and Black-throated Munia. Accommodation 2 nights in a tented camp, and 1 night in a pleasant basic hotel.
PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK (7-11 January) is one of India's finest parks and birding localities. It's situated at about 3,000 ft. and has some fine patches of primary evergreen forest. Some of the many fascinating birds we're likely to see are: Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Malabar Parakeet, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Oriental Scops-Owl, Jungle Owlet, Brown Boobook, Great Eared Nightjar, Indian Swiftlet, Brown-backed and White-rumped Needletails, Malabar Grey and Great Hornbills, White-cheeked and Crimson-throated Barbets, Brown-capped and White-bellied Woodpeckers, Forest Wagtail, Asian Fairybluebird, Orange-headed Thrush, Thick-billed Warbler, Western Crowned Warbler, Brown-breasted, Rusty-tailed and White-bellied Flycatchers, Black-lored Tit, Purple-rumped Sunbird, Golden Oriole, and White-bellied Treepie. With luck, we might find a Black Baza, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Red Spurfowl, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Rufous Babbler, or Wynaad Laughingthrush. There is a good chance of seeing an Indian Elephant here as well as Wild Boar. Accommodation basic but comfortable.
The MUNNAR (11-13 January) area is perched high in the Western Ghats in Kerala. There are nice patches of forest (sholas) left amidst the grass, grazing land and cultivation, where we'll look for the local endemics and other birds: Besra, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon, Nilgiri Pipit, Yellow-browed Bulbul, White-bellied Shortwing, Indian Scimitar-Babbler, Grey-breasted Laughingthrush, Large-billed Leaf-Warbler, Black-and-rufous and Nilgiri Flycatchers, and Crimson-backed Sunbird. We might even see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Accommodation comfortable.
A forested area near COIMBATORE (14 January) will give us an opportunity to catch up with any species we missed elsewhere.
OOTACAMUND (14-16 January) is a picturesque hill station, one of the cool summer resorts of the Raj. Our target birds here will be the Malabar Lark and Rufous-breasted Laughingthrush, both South India endemics. This is also a good place for Nilgiri Pipit and Black-and-rufous Flycatcher. Accommodation comfortable.
MAMANDUR RESERVE FOREST (17/18 January) is a patch of thorn scrub and low forest on the edge of the Eastern Ghats. Here we'll be looking for: White-eyed Buzzard, Jerdon's and Indian Nightjars, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Spot-breasted Fantail, and other birds of the thorn scrub. Accommodation at Tirupati new, basic and pleasant.
GINGEE (19 January) is a spectacularly picturesque area of rocky hills with scattered thorn scrub and 3 medieval forts perched on them. It's an excellent site for the rare endemic Yellow-throated Bulbul. Other species are: Short-toed Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Painted Spurfowl, Barred Buttonquail, Blue-faced Malkoha, Indian Bushlark, Yellow-eyed and Yellow-billed Babblers, Jungle Prinia, and Long-billed Sunbird. With some luck, we might find a Rock Bush-Quail or Northern Eagle-Owl. Accommodation in Madras first class.
VEDANTHANGAL (19 January) is an excellent wetland area teeming with waterbirds: Indian and Little Cormorants, Oriental Darter, Grey Heron, Great, Intermediate and Little Egrets, Indian Pond-Heron, Asian Openbill, Glossy and Black-headed Ibises, Spot-billed Duck, Garganey, Black-shouldered Kite, etc.
The ANDAMAN ISLANDS (20-24 January) have been mostly closed to foreigners, but recently limited access to the southern part of South Andaman Island has been permitted. There is still some good forest and your leader, Ben King, is one of the few ornithologists who have visited there. There are some fine endemics among the interesting birds there: Pacific Reef-Egret, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Andaman Serpent-Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Black-naped Tern, Andaman Wood-Pigeon, Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Red-breasted and Pink-cheeked Parakeets, Violet Cuckoo, Brown Coucal, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Andaman Woodpecker, White-headed Starling, Andaman Drongo and Andaman Treepie. We'll try for the Andaman Scops-Owl and Andaman Boobook. Accommodation comfortable and pleasant, overlooking a bay.
GUINDY NATIONAL PARK (24 January) is a fine wooded area right
in the edge of Madras. Likely birds are: Shikra, Blue-faced Malkoha, Black-rumped
Flameback, White-browed Bulbul, Yellow-billed Babbler, and Purple-rumped
Sunbird. Black Baza and Chestnut-winged Cuckoo are occasional.
THE ITINERARY
| 2 January, Thursday | Depart John F. Kennedy Airport in New York at 1740, via Northwest Airlines or KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. |
| 3 January, Friday | En route, stopping in Amsterdam. Arrive Mumbai (Bombay) at 2350. Overnight Orchid Hotel. |
| 4 - 23 January | On tour. |
| 24 January, Friday | AM fly Port Blair/Madras. Rest Trident Hotel. Late afternoon birding Guindy Park. Fly Chennai (Madras)/Mumbai (Bombay) via 9W462 (1940/2125). |
| 25 January, Saturday | Fly Mumbai/JFK (New York) via NW or KLM (0135/1630), en route stopping in Amsterdam and arriving in New York the same afternoon. |
COSTS & CONDITIONS
| Land | *Air | Total | Single Supplement | |
| From New York | $5,680 | $ 2,308 | $7,988 | $575 |
| From Bombay | $5,680 | $ 795 | $6,475 | $575 |
*AIR FARE: Based on current NW/KLM apex fare of $1,513 for New York (JFK)/Mumbai (Bombay)/New York (JFK) round trip. The fare quoted may not be available when you book. If you book before 5 or 6 months before tour time, you may get a better rate. If you book close to tour time, you may pay more. You may get a better rate if you fly the same airline all the way from your home town to India. Lufthansa and Air India (and likely some other airlines) have regular flights to Mumbai (Bombay). Depending on the airline you use, you may not have to depart the USA from New York. The NW/KLM flight quoted stops en route in Amsterdam. NW/KLM flies to Amsterdam from several other cities in the USA.
LAND PRICE / NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: The land price is based on a minimum of 6 people. If there are fewer than 6, a small-party supplement will be charged. The maximum number of participants will be 10.
2003
FOREST OWLET PRETOUR
28 December-4 January
In November 1997, Dr. Pamela Rasmussen, David Abbott and I rediscovered the Forest Owlet, Athene blewitti, in South India.It had been 113 years since there had been a confirmed record of this species and it was believed extinct by many ornithologists. Dr. Rasmussen had done a study of the species and found that 6 specimens had been collected during the 1880s. Those study skins were the only records of the species. She also uncovered and exposed a fraud perpetrated by Col. Richard Meintertzhagen (he stole a specimen collected by James Davidson and relabelled it with his own label and a bogus collecting locality). After finishing her museum studies, Dr. Rasmussen asked me if I'd like to join her in a search for this species. I agreed as I believed it unlikely that the bird was extinct.
We allocated 2_ weeks for the search. The owl had been collected at 4 sites, 2 on either side of the northern part of the southern Indian peninsula. We spent nine days in Orissa and Madhya Pradesh near the two eastern sites. We searched forests that were as near as possible to the original collecting sites. Since the sites could not be located precisely and because much of the original forest has been destroyed, we looked for forest near where we thought the original locality to be. In each area, we spent time by day and night.
Having seen nothing unusual in the first two site areas, we drove 2_ days to one of the western sites in northern Maharashtra. On our third day there, we found a Forest Owlet perched conspicuously atop a tree at 0830 in the morning, in the sunlight. We spent 2 more days in the area and got 2 more daylight sightings, including a second bird. I stayed out a whole night but heard nothing that could be ascribed to the owlet. In 1998, a team of Indian ornithologists spent several months studying the species, eventually finding the nest of the pair we discovered and a different pair in another area.
Our visit to the rediscovery site will be at the most pleasant time of the year weatherwise. It will be warm and dry. We'll have three days in the area to try to find the owl. We hope to have one of the Indian research team with us to assist our search.
Other birds in the area are: Cattle Egret, Indian Pond-Heron, Black-shouldered and Black Kites, Short-toed Eagle, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Western Marsh-Harrier, Shikra, White-eyed Buzzard, Tawny Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Crested Hawk-Eagle, Red-wattled Lapwing, Eurasian and Red Collared Doves, Spotted and Laughing Doves, Yellow-footed Pigeon, Alexandrine, Rose-ringed and Plum-headed Parakeets, Common Hawk-Cuckoo, Asian Koel, Greater Coucal, Barn Owl, Indian Scops-Owl, Jungle Owlet, Brown Boobook, Spotted Owlet, Mottled Wood-Owl, Alpine Swift, Crested Treeswift, White-throated Kingfisher, Green Bee-eater, Indian Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Indian Grey Hornbill, Brown-headed and Coppersmith Barbets, Brown-capped Woodpecker, Black-rumped Flameback, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Rufous-tailed Lark, Eurasian and Dusky Crag-Martins, Barn and Red-rumped Swallows, Grey Wagtail, Brown Tree-Pipit, Small Minivet, Red-vented Bulbul, Common Iora, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Brown, Bay-backed and Long-tailed Shrikes, Black Redstart, Pied Bushchat, Indian Robin, Large Grey and Jungle Babblers, Grey-breasted, Jungle and Plain Prinias, Common Tailorbird, Hume's Warbler, Red-throated Flycatcher, Tickell's Blue and Grey-headed Flycatchers, Black-naped Monarch, Asian Paradise-Flycatcher, White-browed Fantail, Great and Black-lored Tits, Thick-billed Flowerpecker, Purple Sunbird, Oriental White-eye, Crested Bunting, Black-headed and Red-headed Buntings, Common Rosefinch, Red Avadavat, Scaly-breasted Munia, House Sparrow, Chestnut-shouldered Petronia, Baya Weaver, Brahminy Starling, Asian Pied Starling, Common Myna, Black Drongo, White-bellied Drongo, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Rufous Treepie, and House and Large-billed Crows.
The trip is not physically demanding. Most birding will be by road. Anyone in good health and reasonable physical shape will take the trip in stride. The accommodation near the owl site is basic, grubby, dismal and fairly noisy, and the food is basic and uninspiring. Accommodation and food in Bombay is good.
THE ITINERARY
| 28 December, Saturday | Depart JFK Airport in New York at 1915, via Northwest/KLM at 1740. |
| 29 Dember, Sunday | Arrive Bombay (Mumbai) at 2215. Overnight Orchid Hotel. |
| 30 December - 2 January | Search for Forest Owlet in northern Maharashtra. |
| 3 January, Friday | Drive Bombay. Overnight Orchid Hotel. Join KingBird South India Tour. |
| 4 January, Saturday | (For those taking only pre-tour): Fly Mumbai/New York (JFK) via KLM 8474 (0050/1215), via Amsterdam, arriving the same afternoon. |
COSTS & CONDITIONS
| Land | *Air | Total | Single Supplement | |
| From New York | $1,381 | $ 1,513 | $2,894 | $94 |
| From Bombay | $1,381 | --- | $1,381 | $94 |
The land price is based on 4 participants. If there are fewer than 4, a small-party supplement will be charged.
LAND PRICE INCLUDES: Land price includes all ground transportation, double occupancy hotel rooms, all meals, soft drinks and bottled water with meals, guides, tips, fees, and foreign airport taxes when accompanied by the leader. NOT INCLUDED are airport taxes when not accompanied by the leader, passports, visas, service charges for obtaining visas, excess baggage charges, laundry, personal tips, alcoholic beverages, fruit juices (except at breakfast), room service charges, items not on menu of included meals, personal items, souvenirs, sightseeing not included in the itinerary, insurance of any kind, and telephone calls. For those joining only part of a tour, meals taken before and after leaving the group are normally not included.
Those folks taking this tour and connecting with our Sri Lanka Tour will have accommodation at the Berjaya Mount Royal Beach Hotel in Colombo provided by KingBird Tours for the time between tours.
LAND AND AIR RATES: All prices are based on tariff and exchange rates in effect on 1 January 2002. It is hoped that the land arrangements price will remain the same. Price changes, due either to alterations in tariffs or exchange rates, will be reflected in the prices charged for the tour.
KingBird Tour's planning, promotional and operating costs are included in all tour rates.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Based on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room. Single rooms will be available at the supplement charge quoted. In some of the more remote areas, however, single rooms are unavailable. We'll supply roommates where possible, but cannot guarantee to find roommates for all desiring them. If no roommate is available, the single supplement will be charged for any person utilizing single accommodation. First class or best available hotels with private bath and air-conditioning are provided where available. However, some accommodation will be basic.
MEALS: All meals will be provided, i.e., breakfast, table d'hote lunch, and dinner. Box lunches will be utilized on some days.
TOUR ESCORT: The leader of your tour, Ben King, will be with you during the entire tour shortly after you reach Bombay until you depart from Madras. There will also be a representative of the local tour company with the group at all times to assist wherever he may.
TAXES AND GRATUITIES: All necessary gratuities to hotel staff, waiters, local guides, drivers, etc. are included in the tour price. Your tour leader is paid a salary and does not expect tips. Thus it is NOT necessary to tip anyone on the entire tour. However, if you wish to tip anyone for special services, or because you like them, it is quite all right. All local government taxes are included in the tour price.
LOCAL FEES: All park entry fees and still camera fees are included in the tour price. Motion picture and video fees are NOT included. (Most parks have camera fees.)
BAGGAGE: International flight baggage allowance from New York to India is two pieces with a maximum total dimension (length, width, height of both pieces added up) of 106 inches. Each bag may weigh up to 35 kilograms (77 pounds). However, all internal flights in India allow a maximum of 20 kg. (44 lbs.). They are likely to weigh your luggage carefully at least once or twice and perhaps each time. You will be responsible for any excess baggage charges. You are allowed one carry-on bag on all flights. Technically the 44-pound limit includes your carry-on bag and occasionally a zealous agent will demand that the rules be followed. Air carriers liability for baggage loss is limited and therefore baggage insurance is recommended and available at nominal rates.
SMOKING RULES:
(1) NO smoking in vehicles.
(2) NO smoking at meal tables.
(3) NO smoking in bedrooms if your roommate does not smoke.
(4) The smoker is expected to see that his smoke does not move toward other tour members, at all times.
(5) Anyone smoking will be last in line on single-file paths or trails.
KingBird Tours
P.O. Box 196
Planetarium Station
New York, NY 10024
Telephone: 1 (212) 866-7923
FAX: 1 (212) 866-4225
Email:kingbirdtours@earthlink.net