Saturday, December 13, 2008

Birds in Central India

Central India or Madhya Pradesh is home to large number of bird species in India. Although there no birding spots like Keoladeo Ghana or Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary nevertheless MP is well forested with other habitat types as well.

In the state of Madhya Pradesh birding is exciting tour and offers sighting of its magnificent avi-fauna.Many winter migrants make their way to Central India augmenting the number of bird species in the state. I have carried out a detailed survey of birds in Jabalpur and have recorded more than 270 species. Likewise Bird survey has been carried out in Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Park with 250+ bird species being checklisted. A bird survey at Pench National Park will yield more interesting findings.

Among the birds of greater interest that I have checklisted are Ferrugineous pochard, Green munia, Blue breasted quail, Osprey, Jungle myna Sulphur bellied warbler and Tickells leaf warbler.

Grey Leg Geese, Eurasian Wigeon, Common pochard, Red crested pochard, Northern Pintail, Blue winged teal or Gargeny, Northern Shoveller, Common teal, Tufted duck and Common teal winter in Lakes and ponds of Jabalpur in Large numbers.

My bird study in Jabalpur has been stretched to more than 10 years and I have seen sad demise of White backed vulture in my home time.

My checklist was completed more than two years back in year two thusand six and some more interesting species have been checklisted in recent years.