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Ladakh & Snow Leopards
Into the Land of the Snow Leopard PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jos   

Ladakh 

 

The Grey Ghost of the Himalaya, the Snow Leopard is a feline of almost mystical status. Rare, elusive, restricted to the some of the world's highest and most remote locations, this truly is the Holy Grail of the big cats. Hiking into the high altitudes of Ladakh, this report outlines our attempts in October 2012 to find the cat, a journey into stunning landscapes and memorable wildlife encounters.

 

 

Last Updated ( Sunday, 25 November 2012 )
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Part One. Bharatpur & Surrounds. PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jos   

 Painted Stork

 

 

 

 

Before the main adventures in the high Himalaya, a four day excursion focussing on the amazing wetlands of Bharatpur, a mosaic of waters, islands and scrubby surrounds that just drip with a multitude of breeding storks, herons and other waterbirds. After a few dry years, the colonies were back to their old glories, Painted Storks in their hundreds the absolute highlight.

 

Also managed a short stop on the Yumina River at Agra, birding under the shadow of the Taj Mahel. A surpringly good selection of birds in this most magnificent of settings, including River Lapwings and assorted waders.

 

 

Last Updated ( Friday, 23 November 2012 )
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Part Two. Ladakh, the Quest for Snow Leopard. PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jos   

Ladakh 

 

Trudging the high altitude expanses of the Himalaya for near two weeks, a trip of endurance seeking out the mystical Snow Leopard. A world of amazing beauty, a land harbouring mouth-watering specialities such as Ibisbill, Guldenstadt's Redstarts, exotic snowfinches and oddles more, not to forget a few classy mammals. A very nice trip it was, an adventure too.

 

 

Last Updated ( Monday, 26 November 2012 )
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Part Three. Ranthambhore and Tigers. PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jos   

Nilgai 

 

 

A short excursion into Rajasthan to visit Ranthambhore National Park and its immediate surrounds, an excellent few days with an eventful Tiger encounter, plenty of birds and an end with a bump on a train! Top birds included Bonelli's Eagles hunting Cattle Egrets, an Crested Serpent Eagle, several Great Thick-knees and a Large Cuckoo-Shrike feeding a fledged youngster.

 

Last Updated ( Sunday, 25 November 2012 )
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Species List, India and Ladakh PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jos   

Winter is the season for Snow Leopards in the Himalaya, the feline virtually impossible to find at other times. Winter is not however the best season for producing large lists of other species, most birds having long migrated to lower altitudes and mammals such as marmots hibernating. That said, the hardy residents that remain include quite a number of spectacular specialities, such as Ibisbill, Guldenstadt's Redstart and assorted rosefinches, accentors and snowfinches.

In total, only 55 species of bird and six of mammal were noted in Ledakh, but adding my excursions to Bharatpur and Ranthambhore, these totals rose to 197 species of birds and 20 species of mammal.

The annotated lists below include all birds and mammals seen in the period of the trip, 13 October - 4 November 2012.

Last Updated ( Monday, 10 December 2012 )
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