2005

SOUTH INDIA TOUR

6-30 January (25 days)

India, one of the world's most exotic birding hotspots, is far too large to cover on a single tour, so we offer several different tours to allow comprehensive coverage of each of its faunal areas. On our South India Tour, we'll see around 300 of the Indian Subcontinent's 1,300+ bird species, including a good number of its 160± endemic species, many of which are found only in southern India.

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 lowland 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 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, Andaman Scops-Owl, Andaman Boobook, Malabar Grey Hornbill, White cheeked and Crimson-throated Barbets, Andaman Woodpecker, Jerdon's Bushlark, Nilgiri Pipit, Grey-headed and Yellow-throated Bulbuls, White-bellied Shortwing, Rufous Babbler, Wynaad, 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 and Nilgiri and Andaman Wood-Pigeons. We'll see many other species, perhaps including Black Baza, Changeable, Crested and Mountain Hawk-Eagles, Painted Spurfowl, Chestnut-winged and Pied Cuckoos, Grey-bellied 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 44 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 2,063 species of birds in Asia, including all but 18 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 (8-11 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 Western Reef-Egret, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Crested Goshawk, Shikra, Besra, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Pompadour Pigeon, Vernal Hanging-Parrot, Plum-headed Parakeet, Oriental and Indian Scops-Owls, Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, Brown Fish-Owl, Brown Boobook, Ceylon Frogmouth, Grey and Jerdon's Nightjars, Indian Swiftlet, White-rumped Needletail, Alpine Swift, Crested Treeswift, Malabar Trogon, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Brown-headed, White-cheeked and Crimson-throated Barbets, Speckled Piculet, Brown-capped, Yellow-crowned, Rufous, and Heart-spotted Woodpeckers, Black-rumped Flameback, Indian Pitta, Malabar Lark, Forest Wagtail, Large Woodshrike, Grey-headed and Yellow-browed Bulbuls, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Blue-capped Rockthrush, Malabar Whistlingthrush, Orange-headed Thrush, Puff-throated and Dark-fronted Babblers, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Greenish, Bright-green and Western Crowned Warblers, Brown-breasted, Red-throated, White-bellied, and Tickell's Blue Flycatchers, Asian Paradise-Flycatcher, Thick-billed and Pale-billed Flowerpeckers, Crimson backed Sunbird, Black-throated Munia, Chestnut-shouldered Petronia and Eurasian Golden Oriole. Accommodation 2 nights in a pleasant tented camp, and 1 night in a nice basic hotel.

PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK (11-15 January) is one of India's finest parks and birding localities. It's situated at about 900 meters (3,000 ft.) and has some fine patches of primary evergreen forest. Some of the many fascinating birds we're likely to see are: Wooly-necked Stork, Grey-Junglefowl, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Malabar Parakeet, Common Hawk-Cuckoo, Jungle Owlet, Great Eared Nightjar, Brown-backed Needletail, Malabar Grey and Great Hornbills, White bellied Woodpecker, Common and Greater Flamebacks, Indian Blue Robin, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Rufous Babbler, Blyth's Reed-Warbler, Thick-billed Warbler, Rusty-tailed Flycatcher, Black-lored Tit, Jungle Myna and White-bellied Treepie. With luck, we might find a Black Baza, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Red Spurfowl, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, or Wynaad Laughingthrush. There is a good chance of seeing an Indian Elephant here, as well as Gaur and Wild Boar. Accommodation basic but comfortable.

The MUNNAR (15-17 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: Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon, Pacific Swallow, Nilgiri Pipit, Black Bulbul, White-bellied Shortwing, Grey-breasted Laughingthrush, Large-billed Leaf-Warbler, Black-and-rufous and Nilgiri Flycatchers, and Common Rosefinch. We may see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Accommodation comfortable.

The SIRUVANI FOREST RESERVE or the MANGARAI FOREST RESERVE near Coimbatore (18 January) will give us an opportunity to see Oriental Honey-Kite, Short-toed Eagle, Indian Peafowl, Blue-faced Malkoha, White-browed Wagtail, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, White-browed Bulbul, Nilgiri Blackbird, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Yellow-billed Babbler, Jungle Prinia, Purple-rumped and Long-billed Sunbirds and White-bellied Drongo.

OOTACAMUND (18-20 January) is a picturesque hill station, one of the cool summer resorts of the Raj. Our target bird here will be the Rufous-breasted Laughingthrush. This is also a good place for Brown Wood-Owl, Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon, and the distinctive races of White-bellied Shortwing and Eurasian Blackbird. Accommodation comfortable.

HORSLEY HILLS (21/22 January) is a good site for the rare and local endemic Yellow throated Bulbul. We may also find Painted Spurfowl and Spot-breasted Fantail there.

MAMANDUR RESERVE FOREST (22/23 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, Crested Hawk-Eagle, Grey Francolin, Jerdon's and Indian Nightjars, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Booted Warbler, Hume's Whitethroat, Spot-breasted Fantail, and other birds of the thorn scrub. Accommodation at Tirupati basic and pleasant.

Brief visits to NELLAPATU SANCTUARY and PULLICAT LAKE (23 January) will give us views of: Indian Cormorant, Spot-billed Pelican, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo, Western Marsh-Harrier, Eurasian Curlew, Little and Temminck's Stints, Ruff, Great and Brown-headed Gulls, and Whiskered Tern.

GUINDY NATIONAL PARK (24 January) is a fine wooded area right in the edge of Chennai (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. At another site near Chennai, we have a chance for Yellow-legged Buttonquail, Pied Cuckoo, Grey-bellied Cuckoo and Indian Eagle-Owl.

VEDANTHANGAL (24 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 (25-29 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, Eastern Marsh-Harrier, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Slaty-breasted Rail, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Watercock, Black-naped Tern, Andaman Wood-Pigeon, Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Alexandrine, Red-breasted and Pink-cheeked Parakeets, Violet Cuckoo, Brown Coucal, Andaman Scops-Owl, Andaman Boobook, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Andaman Woodpecker, Large and Bar-bellied Cuckooshrikes, White-headed Starling, Andaman Drongo and Andaman Treepie. Accommodation comfortable and pleasant, overlooking a bay.

THE ITINERARY

6 January, Thursday	Depart John F. Kennedy Airport in New York at 1830, via Northwest Airlines or KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
7 January, Friday	En route, stopping in Amsterdam. Arrive Mumbai (Bombay) at 2320. Overnight Orchid Hotel.
8 - 28 January	On tour.
29 January, Saturday	AM fly Port Blair/Chennai (Madras). Fly Chennai (Madras)/Mumbai (Bombay). Day room Orchid Hotel for rest. (Those connecting with our Sri Lanka Tour will fly Chennai/Colombo at midday.)
30 January, Sunday	Fly Mumbai/JFK (New York) via NW or KLM (0120/1503), en route stopping in Amsterdam and arriving in New York the same afternoon.

	Land	*Air	Total	Single Supplement
From New York	$6,496	$ 2,485	$8,981	$662
From Bombay	$6,496	$ 910	$7,406	$662

*AIR FARE: Based on current NW/KLM apex fare of $1,575 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

2005

FOREST OWLET PRETOUR

2-8 January (7 days)

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 bird 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 owl. She also uncovered and exposed a fraud perpetrated by Col. Richard Meinertzhagen (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 near the first two sites, 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 two full days in the area and hope to have one of the Indian research team with us to assist our search. On our 2003 tour we saw 2 adults and 2 fledglings near 2 nests.

Other birds in the area are: Little Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Great Egret, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Indian Pond-Heron, Red-naped Ibis, Ruddy Shelduck, Black-shouldered and Black Kites, Long-billed Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Western Marsh-Harrier, Shikra, White-eyed Buzzard, Tawny Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Crested Hawk-Eagle, Common Kestrel, Painted Francolin, Common Moorhen, Common Coot, Red-wattled Lapwing, Green and Common Sandpipers, Black-winged Stilt, Whiskered Tern, Rock Pigeon, 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 and Common Kingfishers, Green Bee-eater, Indian Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Indian Grey Hornbill, Brown-headed, White-cheeked, and Coppersmith Barbets, Brown capped and Yellow-crowned Woodpeckers, Black-rumped Flameback, White-naped Woodpecker, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Rufous-tailed Lark, Eurasian and Dusky Crag-Martins, Barn and Red-rumped Swallows, Yellow, Yellow-hooded, Grey and White Wagtails, Tawny Pipit, Brown and Olive Tree-Pipits, Small Minivet, Common Wood shrike, Red-vented Bulbul, Common Iora, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Brown, Bay-backed and Long-tailed Shrikes, Bluethroat, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Pied Bushchat, Indian Robin, Yellow-eyed, Common, Large Grey and Jungle Babblers, Booted Warbler, Grey-breasted, Jungle, Ashy, and Plain Prinias, Common Tailorbird, Eurasian Chiffchaff, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Hume's Leaf Warbler, Hume's Whitethroat, Red-breasted, Red-throated and Little Pied Flycatchers, 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 and Crimson Sunbirds, Oriental White-eye, Crested Bunting, Grey-hooded, Black-headed and Red-headed Buntings, Common Rosefinch, Red Avadavat, White-throated and Scaly-breasted Munias, House Sparrow, Chestnut shouldered Petronia, Baya Weaver, Brahminy, Rosy, and Asian Pied Starlings, Common and Bank Mynas, Black-hooded Oriole, Black, Ashy, and White-bellied Drongos, 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 and the food uninspiring. In Mumbai, the accommodation is excellent and the food good.

THE ITINERARY

2 January, Sunday	Depart JFK Airport in New York at 1830, via Northwest/KLM.
3 January, Monday	Arrive Mumbai (Bombay) at 2320. Overnight Orchid Hotel.
4 January, Tuesday	Drive to northern Maharashtra.
5/6 January, Wed/Thu	Search for Forest Owlet in northern Maharashtra.
7 January, Friday	Drive Mumbai. Overnight Orchid Hotel. Join KingBird South India Tour.
8 January, Saturday	(For those taking only pre-tour): Fly Mumbai/New York (JFK) via KLM 8474 (0050/1215), via Amsterdam, arriving the same afternoon.

TOUR PRICES AND CONDITIONS

	Land	*Air	Total	Single Supplement
From New York	$1,624	$ 1,575	$3,199	$111
From Bombay	$1,624	---	$1,624	$111

The land price is based on 4 participants. If there are fewer than 4, a small-party supplement will be charged.

Those taking the South India Tour as well as the Forest Owlet Pretour will be charged $150 less for the Forest Owlet Pretour.

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 November 2003. 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 Mumbai until you depart from Mumbai. 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 32 kilograms (70 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