Great Indian Bustard and other Rajasthan Birding Highlights

After the international arrival in Delhi, travelers transfer to an airport hotel before the next day’s drive to Bharatpur. The published plan references an Air India service from London Heathrow departing at 09:45 and arriving at 22:50; this example must be reconfirmed for the selected date.

An early breakfast is followed by the direct drive to Bharatpur. The afternoon introduces Keoladeo National Park’s waterfowl and other wetland birds, potentially from one of the reserve’s cycle-rickshaws.

A short morning in Keoladeo covers a World Heritage wetland that moved from a history of large-scale hunting to formal protection. Monsoon-filled jheels attract raptors, owls and waders, alongside cranes, storks, herons and wildfowl; more than 100 species may be possible despite the limited visit. The long road journey then enters drier country, with a late stop near Salasar for Indian Spotted Creeper in Prosopis scrub if the group arrives before dark.

Most of the day explores Tal Chhapar’s protected grassland, once used as a hunting ground by the Maharaja of Bikaner. Blackbuck and Chinkara occur alongside Indian Eagle-Owl, harriers, White-eyed Buzzard, Laggar Falcon and wintering Yellow-eyed Pigeons. Creepers, shrikes, larks and pipits add to the dry-country birding before the drive to Bikaner for the night.

The day begins at Jorbeer carcass dump near Bikaner, where the unpleasant setting supports very large gatherings of Himalayan, Eurasian Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Steppe Eagles and Black-eared Kites. Tawny or Eastern Imperial Eagles may occur, with rarer winter visitors possible. Khichan provides a very different scene: villagers put out up to 500 kilograms of grain per day for several thousand wintering Demoiselle Cranes. The route then passes Jaisalmer and reaches a desert camp outside the national park for three nights.

Days 6–7 explore Desert National Park west of Jaisalmer near the Pakistan border. Great Indian Bustard is the key objective in its last major stronghold, but a sighting is not guaranteed. Captive breeding has begun, while long-term survival still depends on sufficient habitat amid development pressure. Trumpeter Finch and Plain Leaf-Warbler form part of the wider search, with Red-tailed Wheatear and Stoliczka’s Bushchat also possible. Greater Hoopoe-Lark, Desert Lark and Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark use the open country, alongside Cream-coloured Courser, Black-bellied or Spotted Sandgrouse and various raptors.

Final birding in Desert National Park precedes the eastward drive to Jodhpur and an afternoon flight to Delhi.

The tour ends with onward departure from Delhi. The published plan mentions Air India services to the United Kingdom at 02:30 and 14:45, but current schedules must be reconfirmed. A later flight may allow optional morning birding at Sultanpur National Park.