bittern

Just seeing if anyone has been there before; perhaps if you did, you can post up your records.
I am at the airport, records all in the luggage...
I'll post it up later, with a photo or two(or three).
Anyway, Keoladeo Ghana National Park(confusingly also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary because of the nearby town), in the state of Rajasthan, is a 29-square-kilometre park with, judging from the size, quite a lot of bird variety.
Sometimes said to be the best birdwatching spot in the world (let alone India). Worth the visit.
The famous Siberian crane is no longer wintering in that area.
Best time: winter

bittern

Sorry, I forgot to respond.
Some photos to start with...

bittern

1 more photo
Bhraminy Starling

sneil

Hi, bittern
Just wondering what the water levels were like: have heard differing stories as to the diversion of water to replenish stocks? I visit the reserve in early March.I did hear (from an on-line newspaper)that open-bills hadn't nested this year but don't know whether that was an accurate account.
Many thanks

bittern

Everybody acknowledges that it's 'better' (at least, according to the locals, much more so than last year, when no birds came!). The government finally availed the irrigation problems. There are now healthy bird populations.
Not as good as the golden ages (for the locals) but still definitely worth a visit.
Unfortunately, openbills won't nest there this year(most of them won't anyway)but there are always a few.
The sanctuary is not only good in waterbirds; infact many passerines call it home, so ask the guide(if you have one)to take the narrow forested tracks. You won't spot them yourself. Also the best place to catch nilgai and spotted deer.

sneil

Thanks bittern
Regards