I woke late for a change and was caught up with computer-based work. I did, however, spot a Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda), which seemed to be all a-clamour, my first on the grounds of Infinity. In the afternoon I sat down to work with the naturalists and worked out details on how to provide guests with a better wildlife viewing experience.
Tea at the Staff Canteen where I was privileged to meet Mr Chander Singh Negi, or ‘Jolly Uncle,’ as he is popularly called. With about 50 years service to Corbett Tiger Reserve and now with The Corbett Foundation, it was a privilege to meet this stalwart defender of wildlife, who is in the habit of scolding tigers when they warn him from getting too close to their kills. Jolly Uncle received the Lifetime Service Award from Sanctuary Asia in 2005, which mentions that he was here when Hailey National Park was renamed!
Perhaps there is somebody looking out for me, for after tea, when I went down to the river I was richly rewarded by my first sighting of the incredibly beautiful White-capped Water Redstart (Chaimarrornis leucocephalus). This remarkably beautiful bird with its rufous body, handsome black jacket and cravat, and white cap was a treat. At the time I first spotted this bird I was on the mobile phone, speaking to a friend who was driving through Bangalore-traffic, and I thanked my stars for guiding me here. Every 3-4 seconds, it made a low whistle, whee – whee-whee. As I looked around the usual tableau continued, with the River Lapwings (Vanellus duvaucelii) in determined pursuit of a single Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) who just seemed to want a bit of a rest. No quarter was given by the doughty lapwings and the intruder was soon seen off.
Three Pied Kingfishers (Ceryle rudis) were present today and I watched as one proceeded to hover and then dropped to the water. But at the last second it aborted its dive and flew away low over the water. I was finally intrigued by a dumpy bird, with a robin-like jizz, that sat and preened on a rock surrounded by the swirling waters. It dipped its tail constantly and was greyish-green and had a very prominent white-rump that was even more prominent in flight. On returning to my quarters I searched Kazmierczak to no avail, but was able to identify the bird in Grimmet and Inskipp which has a different view, and which clearly showed the white-rump, a female Plumbeous Water Redstart (Rhyacornis fuliginosus).
Which brings me back to my exhortation that you need both books as well as the 10-volume Ali-Ripley.
Tea at the Staff Canteen where I was privileged to meet Mr Chander Singh Negi, or ‘Jolly Uncle,’ as he is popularly called. With about 50 years service to Corbett Tiger Reserve and now with The Corbett Foundation, it was a privilege to meet this stalwart defender of wildlife, who is in the habit of scolding tigers when they warn him from getting too close to their kills. Jolly Uncle received the Lifetime Service Award from Sanctuary Asia in 2005, which mentions that he was here when Hailey National Park was renamed!
Perhaps there is somebody looking out for me, for after tea, when I went down to the river I was richly rewarded by my first sighting of the incredibly beautiful White-capped Water Redstart (Chaimarrornis leucocephalus). This remarkably beautiful bird with its rufous body, handsome black jacket and cravat, and white cap was a treat. At the time I first spotted this bird I was on the mobile phone, speaking to a friend who was driving through Bangalore-traffic, and I thanked my stars for guiding me here. Every 3-4 seconds, it made a low whistle, whee – whee-whee. As I looked around the usual tableau continued, with the River Lapwings (Vanellus duvaucelii) in determined pursuit of a single Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) who just seemed to want a bit of a rest. No quarter was given by the doughty lapwings and the intruder was soon seen off.
Three Pied Kingfishers (Ceryle rudis) were present today and I watched as one proceeded to hover and then dropped to the water. But at the last second it aborted its dive and flew away low over the water. I was finally intrigued by a dumpy bird, with a robin-like jizz, that sat and preened on a rock surrounded by the swirling waters. It dipped its tail constantly and was greyish-green and had a very prominent white-rump that was even more prominent in flight. On returning to my quarters I searched Kazmierczak to no avail, but was able to identify the bird in Grimmet and Inskipp which has a different view, and which clearly showed the white-rump, a female Plumbeous Water Redstart (Rhyacornis fuliginosus).
Which brings me back to my exhortation that you need both books as well as the 10-volume Ali-Ripley.
More tomorrow as we bird in Gargia in the morning.
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