Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon

Call it Gurgaon's best-kept secret. The 600-acre Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Gurgaon is a treasure for bird watching. In my hour-long walk there I must have spotted at least 20-30 unique species of birds. Unfortunately the steady drizzle prevented any photography. Still managed a couple of shots.
259. White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucotis)

260. Plain Prinia (Prinia inornata)

Ladakh - 2013

I found myself in Ladakh again, the place where I began this project four years ago.
254. Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinu)
These delightfully colored finches are found all over the valleys here. This one  was shot in a wheat field in a village called Rumbak.

255. Hill Pigeon or Eastern Rock Dove (Columba rupestris)
Looks a lot like the common Rock Pigeon but can be distinguished based on the white band on the tail which become visible when the bird is in flight.


256. Red-fronted Serin or Fire-fronted Serin (Serinus pusillus)

257. Robin Accentor (Prunella rubeculoides)

258. White-winged Redstart or Güldenstädt's Redstart (Phoenicurus erythrogastrus)

Basai Wetlands, Haryana

The wetlands around Basai in Gurgaon are a surprisingly good spot for birding. (My original destination was Sultanpur which was closed for Monsoons.) While driving in one of the non-asphalted roads in Basai we encountered this pair of Grey Francolins running gracefully in front of us.

253. Grey Francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus)

Replaced by a photo I took in Velavadar, Gujarat.