In February and March, Glen Valentine led two custom trips to magical India, and sites visited included Kanha, Corbett and Kaziranga National Parks, the Great Rann of Kutch and the Himalayan foothills. We encountered an impressive number of highly desirable birds and mammals alike, and some of the highlights included Painted and Swamp Francolin, Koklass Pheasant, Slender-billed Vulture, Pied Harrier, miniscule Collared and Pied Falconet, the rare and nomadic Sociable Lapwing, Indian Skimmer, Greater Painted Snipe, Brown and Tawny Fish Owl, impressive Indian Eagle-Owl, Great Slaty and White-naped Woodpecker, the much sought-after Hypocolius, elusive White-naped Tit, White-browed Bush Chat, bizarre Wallcreeper, Orange-headed and Long-billed Thrush, and Siberian and White-tailed Rubythroat.

We also had many wonderful experiences with some of India’s best mammals, including Asian Palm Civet, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat and the seldom encountered Fishing Cat, Swamp Deer, the monstrous Gaur, Gangetic Dolphin and magnificent Bengal Tiger, of which we had three excellent sightings in Kanha and another amazing encounter in Corbett!