Tadoba again – May 2015

We had one more trip scheduled to Tadoba as part of Wild-India.in; and this time in May 2015. With the mercury rising up to 45 degrees, it was pretty hot as we arrived in Nagpur. Similar to our previous tour (Tadoba, Tigers and more…), we had a total of 4 safaris planned. Our stay, travel and safari booking was taken care by Manish Varma as in the previous tour.

It was 2:30 pm already and we were ready for our 1st safari; a group of seven member split in two gypsies. Start to our safari couldn’t have been better as we spotted the Crested Hawk Eagle up-close. What followed closely was the legendary “Gabbar” male tiger relaxing in the Tadoba lake and “Maya” – the famous female tigress having a dip in one of the lakes at Panderpauni.

[alpine-phototile-for-picasa-and-google-plus src=”user_album” uid=”101410552226652293660″ ualb=”6157678939493521889″ imgl=”fancybox” style=”cascade” col=”4″ size=”150″ num=”100″ shadow=”1″ border=”1″ highlight=”1″ curve=”1″ align=”left” max=”100″ nocredit=”1″]

When you get such sightings within 30 minutes of your 1st safari; you start wondering… what next!. Asian Paradise flycatchers, Black-naped Monarch flycatchers, Orange-headed Thrush are some of the species we enjoyed for quite sometime. As we were moving towards Katezari, we crossed our other gypsy; when we came to know that unfortunately they lost quite sometime due to a punctured tire. We informed them about our sightings and just as they thought of moving towards Tadoba lake, there were strong alarm calls. Yet another male tiger – “Namdev” emerged from the bushes in Katezari zone. Who knows, probably the time lost due to the punctured tired acted as a blessing in disguise.. 🙂 .

[alpine-phototile-for-picasa-and-google-plus src=”user_album” uid=”101410552226652293660″ ualb=”6157680237465104321″ imgl=”fancybox” style=”cascade” col=”4″ size=”150″ num=”100″ shadow=”1″ border=”1″ highlight=”1″ curve=”1″ align=”left” max=”100″ nocredit=”1″]

It was Day 2 and we were up early; resulting in being amongst the 1st five gypsies to enter the park. This time we decided to check the Telia zone where we got to see the Indian Nightjar, Purple Heron, Indian Pitta, Lesser Whistling Ducks, Striated Heron, Jungle Owlet, Indian Roller.. oh yes, a dancing Indian Peafowl as well who was busy impressing couple of Peahens. It was a 1st time sighting for me and even though it was a little to far, it was quite a sight to watch.

[alpine-phototile-for-picasa-and-google-plus src=”user_album” uid=”101410552226652293660″ ualb=”6157680964633678033″ imgl=”fancybox” style=”cascade” col=”3″ size=”200″ num=”100″ shadow=”1″ border=”1″ highlight=”1″ curve=”1″ align=”left” max=”100″ nocredit=”1″]

Going forward we moved towards Panderpauni and Tadoba lake area. Just as we approached Panderpauni area, we missed the Brown Fish Owl by few seconds and could only see it flying away. However on the other side of the road we saw a good number of Indian Thick-knees. We also managed to see Oriental Honey Buzzards up-close; quenching their thirsts at Tadoba lake. We did not see tiger in this safari, but the other gypsy did sight Maya – tigress again as well as the Indian Scops Owl and Indian Tree-shrew.

[alpine-phototile-for-picasa-and-google-plus src=”user_album” uid=”101410552226652293660″ ualb=”6157683377778605761″ imgl=”fancybox” style=”cascade” col=”4″ size=”150″ num=”100″ shadow=”1″ border=”1″ highlight=”1″ curve=”1″ align=”left” max=”100″ nocredit=”1″]

We were back to resort for the break and after a good sumptuous lunch it was Safari time again; and this time we decided to try out the buffer zone. As soon as the safari started, We got a close view of two huge Gaurs. We also saw quite some birds during this trip; that included Black-hooded Oriole, Indian Rollers, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Indian Grey Hornbill, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Common Kingfisher and Black-naped Monarch flycatchers. Our other group managed couple of fantastic sightings that included Green Imperial Pigeon, Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Amur Falcon and Painted Francolin.

[alpine-phototile-for-picasa-and-google-plus src=”user_album” uid=”101410552226652293660″ ualb=”6157683782687136705″ imgl=”fancybox” style=”cascade” col=”4″ size=”150″ num=”100″ shadow=”1″ border=”1″ highlight=”1″ curve=”1″ align=”left” max=”100″ nocredit=”1″]

Day 3 and it was our final Safari. This time we decided to explore Kolsa and personally for me; it brought back the previous Tadoba tour memories. To add further, the guide and driver informed us that there has been a Gaur kill. We managed to see the kill as well, however all we got was a glimpse of a young tiger walking deep into the jungle. Couple of key sightings included the Amur Falcon (In-flight) and Green Imperial Pigeon. We also visited the Telia zone while returning; where we got to see the Savanna Nightjar and Indian Nightjar.

[alpine-phototile-for-picasa-and-google-plus src=”user_album” uid=”101410552226652293660″ ualb=”6157684584001009553″ imgl=”fancybox” style=”cascade” col=”3″ size=”200″ num=”100″ shadow=”1″ border=”1″ highlight=”1″ curve=”1″ align=”left” max=”100″ nocredit=”1″]

Yet again it was another superb trip. Another lively group; with Prashant, Deepa, Carol, Dhananjay Joshi sir, Najma Joshi ma’am and Bhavesh ofcourse :-). Best part that has happened to me being part of Wild-India is the wonderful people I meet every-time. Its always good connect with like-minded folks.

Thanks for reading. Let us know in-case of any queries, suggestions, critics and we will be happy to respond.

Do subscribe for regular updates by liking our Facebook page: – https://www.facebook.com/whistlingtrails

– Rudraksha & Shraddha

Mammal species sighted in our trip:

– Bengal Tiger, Gaur, Indian Grey Mongoose, Nilgai, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Wild Boar

Key bird species sighted in our trip:

– Amur Falcon, Green Imperial Pigeon, Crested Hawk Eagle, Indian Thick-knee, Indian Pitta, Jungle Owlet, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Black-naped Monarch Flycatcher, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Savanna Nightjar, Indian Nightjar, Indian Peafowl