Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Birding at Nauradehi India
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Sagar and Damoh districts in Madhya Pradesh in India. It is a dry deciduous forest type with interesting avi-fauna. On my recent survey I could sight many birds. We visited Nauradehi on April tenth, year 2010..
Common Woodshrike
Peacock
Painted stork
Lesser adjutant stork
Lesser whistling teal
Golden oriole
White browed wagtail
Little egret
Cattle egret
Spotted dove
Ring Dove
Crested serpent eagle
Booted eagle
Shikra
Plum headed parakeet
Common myna
Grey Heron
Sarus crane
Tree pie
Asian paradise flycatcher
Tickell's flower pecker
Chestnut shouldered petronia
Rose ringed parakeet
Crested Bunting
Greater Coucal
Small Minivet
White browed fantail flycatcher
White eye
Ashy Prinia
Plain Prinia
Red Vented Bulbul
King Vulture
Changeable Hawk Eagle
Honey Buzzard
Shikra
Black Winged Kite
Black Redstart
Common Tailorbird
Long Billed Vulture
White Backed Vulture
Egyptian Vulture
Orange Headed Ground Thrush
Green Sanpiper
Moustached Warbler
Common Sandpiper
Oriental Darter
Brahminy Myna
Pied Starling
Common Myna
Paddyfield Pipit
Rufous Tailed Lark
Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark
Large Cuckoo Shrike
Grey Nightjar
Indian Nightjar
Temminck's Stint
Blyth's Reed Warbler
On further visits the checklist of birds will grow. The birding at Nauradehi shows great potential. A rare bird the spotted grey creeper is said to be found here. We were not fortunate enough to locate the bird.
Nauradehi is a different ecosystem then Kanha and Bandhavgarh, being dryer and with different composition of floral elements. Bird tours here will be full of excitement and discovery.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Bird photographs of Kanha
Interesting bird find Jabalpur
On our recent birding trip to Barha reserve forest and Mandla Road we came across and some interesting finds.
Though found in this region we were luck to see the Red headed bunting pairs on tree tops and one male black headed bunting alongside them. This has added to our list of Buntings found in Jabalpur region and increased the numbers of bird check listed by me so far. Another interesting sight was large number of chestnut tailed mynas at Gaur river.
Central India is an interesting birding destination for water birds as towns like Jabalpur have lot of water bodies small and big. The forest belts offer sightings of lot many bird that are resident and winter visitors. Pipits, Larks and warblers are some of the regular visitors.
Parks as Kanha Bandhavgarh and Pench have been visited for tiger safaris in India. Thanks to work done by many naturalists a good check list has been complied of birds found in this region.Of late they are becoming popular for birding trips as well Hence popularity of Birding tours in MP is on increase. One can sight as many as two hundred and fifty birds on frequent bird tours to tiger reserves.
More work at Pench and Panna tiger reserves will surely yield some interesting finds. I visit Pench much less hence do not have the opportunity for birding frequently.
Monday, February 22, 2010
White capped bunting
Our second great discovery in Central Indian city of Jabalpur was recent sighting of white capped bunting along with a group of common rosefinch. The first was sighting of white browed Bulbul. This was at Barha which is a forest near Jabalpur full of bird life.
This bird is a ground feeder and visits Central India in winters. The only other bunting I have seen in and around Jabalpur is the crested bunting.
This bird is a ground feeder and visits Central India in winters. The only other bunting I have seen in and around Jabalpur is the crested bunting.
Once populated with big cats tigers and leopards the forest do not hold any mammalian life thanks to poaching. The forest is excellent bird habitat with winter migrants like Hume's warbler, Sulpher bellied warbler and Greenish warbler seen with regularity. Other migrants are black redstart, red throated flycatcher and wagtails.
On our regular bird watching trips we see lot of forest birds that are found in Kanha and Bandhavgarh. I have check listed more than 80 species of forest birds.
Barha Reserve forest is the best birding spot to those on birding trips at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Birding at Corbett National Park
Corbett is more popular for tigers than for any other species. But Corbett is the best place to see many animals and birds. One can see Indian elephants, goral, hog deer, leopard and the sloth bear in the National Park. Birding is popular inside the park as well as in the buffer zone.
Corbett is a rich bird habitat and around five hundred species of bird thrive in the park. The figure includes winter migrants. The best season for bird watching in Corbett tiger reserve is winter from October onwards whence the migrants start arriving. The bird species found are typical to the terai region of Himalayan foothills.
On a bird watching tour one can see a large number of birds. It is easy to spot maroon oriole, spangled drongo, Giant horn bill, Siberian ruby throat, warblers, green billed malkoha, red breasted parakeets, Asian paradise flycatchers, Small and Rosy minivet. Corbett is the best place to see Pallas fishing eagles which inhabit the confines of Ramganga River. Another interesting species to be seen is the Ibis bill at Koshi River outside the park. Pied falconet, Crested Serpent eagle and Hawk eagle are also seen easily. Brown Hawk Owl and Tawny Eagle Owl can be often seen. Hodgson’s Bushchat along with lesser coucal can be seen near the dam in the grasslands.
Most of winter migrants to North are found in Corbett. The resident bird is in great numbers some of them are:
Black chinned babbler, White crested laughing thrush, Black chinned Yuhina, Yellow footed green pigeon, Chestnut headed bee eater, Black Hooded Oriole, White Bellied Drongo, Dusky fish owl, Kaleej Pheasant, Grey Crowned Pigmy Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Lesser fishing Eagle, White Rumped vulture, Chestnut headed tesia, White rumped shama, Pin Tailed Green Pigeons, Black Francolin, Oriental pied hornbill, Himalayan Bulbul, Red whiskered bulbul, Black Headed Stork, Black bulbul, Ashy Bulbul, Lineated Barbet, Crimson Throated Barbet, Grey Bush Chat, Himalayan Flame back, Chestnut Bellied Nuthatch, Crested Kingfisher, Ruddy Shelducks, Stork Billed Kingfisher, Thick Billed Flowerpecker, Crimson Sun Bird, Rufous Woodpecker, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker and Great Tit.
At Corbett a stay on bird watching trip results interesting sightings. In order to spot many birds the tour should be of long duration. It is important that the birder is accompanied by and experienced guide from the park or one on hire.
Corbett is a rich bird habitat and around five hundred species of bird thrive in the park. The figure includes winter migrants. The best season for bird watching in Corbett tiger reserve is winter from October onwards whence the migrants start arriving. The bird species found are typical to the terai region of Himalayan foothills.
On a bird watching tour one can see a large number of birds. It is easy to spot maroon oriole, spangled drongo, Giant horn bill, Siberian ruby throat, warblers, green billed malkoha, red breasted parakeets, Asian paradise flycatchers, Small and Rosy minivet. Corbett is the best place to see Pallas fishing eagles which inhabit the confines of Ramganga River. Another interesting species to be seen is the Ibis bill at Koshi River outside the park. Pied falconet, Crested Serpent eagle and Hawk eagle are also seen easily. Brown Hawk Owl and Tawny Eagle Owl can be often seen. Hodgson’s Bushchat along with lesser coucal can be seen near the dam in the grasslands.
Most of winter migrants to North are found in Corbett. The resident bird is in great numbers some of them are:
Black chinned babbler, White crested laughing thrush, Black chinned Yuhina, Yellow footed green pigeon, Chestnut headed bee eater, Black Hooded Oriole, White Bellied Drongo, Dusky fish owl, Kaleej Pheasant, Grey Crowned Pigmy Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Lesser fishing Eagle, White Rumped vulture, Chestnut headed tesia, White rumped shama, Pin Tailed Green Pigeons, Black Francolin, Oriental pied hornbill, Himalayan Bulbul, Red whiskered bulbul, Black Headed Stork, Black bulbul, Ashy Bulbul, Lineated Barbet, Crimson Throated Barbet, Grey Bush Chat, Himalayan Flame back, Chestnut Bellied Nuthatch, Crested Kingfisher, Ruddy Shelducks, Stork Billed Kingfisher, Thick Billed Flowerpecker, Crimson Sun Bird, Rufous Woodpecker, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker and Great Tit.
At Corbett a stay on bird watching trip results interesting sightings. In order to spot many birds the tour should be of long duration. It is important that the birder is accompanied by and experienced guide from the park or one on hire.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Briding Spots in India
Some of the important topographies and zo geographical regions in India are defined as Himalayan region - Trans Himalayan, West Himalaya, East Himalaya. Ethiopian Region - Gujarat, Thar Desert, Rann, Indian Peninsular Region - Deccan Plateau, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats Indo Malayan Region - North East India. Lakhsdeep & Andaman Nicobar Islands.
Here is a list of birding sites in India. I would be continuously improvising the list. Some information has been taken from site: http://www.kolkatabirds.com . The site is an informative birding site in India.
North East India
Jaldapara Wildlife Reserve
Kaziranga Tiger Reserve
Manas Tiger Reserve
Mishmi Hills
Dibru-Saikhowa
Namdapha National Park
Changlang
Nameri
Eaglenest Sanctuary
Lava
Singalila
Darjeeling
Karmi
Duars
Sundarbans
Coast
Purbasthali
Henrys Is.
Chilika Lake
Bhitarkanika Mangroves - Orissa
Nandi Hills - Bangalore
Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary
Deeper Beel - Assam
North-West India
Ranthambore National Park - Rajasthan
Okhla Bird Sanctuary
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary - Haryana
Valley of Flowers National Park - Uttaranchal
Bhindawas
Dehradun
Rajaji National Park
Nainital -Sat Tal - Pangot - Uttaranchal
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary - Rajasthan
(Bund Baretha - Bharatpur)
Harike
Chambal River Sanctuary
Nanda Devi National Park - Uttaranchal
Corbett Tiger Reserve - Uttaranchal
Tso Miriri - Jammu & Kashmir
Wular Lake - Jammu & Kashmir
South India
Mukurty National Park - Kerala
Nagarhole National Park - Karnataka
Kudremukh National Park
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Munnar
Ernakulum
Point Calimere
Wynaad
Salim Ali WLS
Nandi Hills
Bandipur Tiger Resevre
Top Slip
Central India - Madhya Pradesh
Madhav National Park - Shivpuri - MP
Bandhavgarh National Park
Kanha National Park
Pench National Park
Satpura Tiger Reserve
Pachmarhi Hill Resort
Panna National Park
Melghat Tiger Reserve - Maharastra
Indravati Tiger Reserve - Chhattisgarh
Western India
Gujarat
Gir National Park
Khijidiya Bird Sanctuary
Nal Sarovar
Thol Sanctuary,
Velavadar
Little Rann of Kucth
Large Rann of Kutch
Here is a list of birding sites in India. I would be continuously improvising the list. Some information has been taken from site: http://www.kolkatabirds.com . The site is an informative birding site in India.
North East India
Jaldapara Wildlife Reserve
Kaziranga Tiger Reserve
Manas Tiger Reserve
Mishmi Hills
Dibru-Saikhowa
Namdapha National Park
Changlang
Nameri
Eaglenest Sanctuary
Lava
Singalila
Darjeeling
Karmi
Duars
Sundarbans
Coast
Purbasthali
Henrys Is.
Chilika Lake
Bhitarkanika Mangroves - Orissa
Nandi Hills - Bangalore
Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary
Deeper Beel - Assam
North-West India
Ranthambore National Park - Rajasthan
Okhla Bird Sanctuary
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary - Haryana
Valley of Flowers National Park - Uttaranchal
Bhindawas
Dehradun
Rajaji National Park
Nainital -Sat Tal - Pangot - Uttaranchal
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary - Rajasthan
(Bund Baretha - Bharatpur)
Harike
Chambal River Sanctuary
Nanda Devi National Park - Uttaranchal
Corbett Tiger Reserve - Uttaranchal
Tso Miriri - Jammu & Kashmir
Wular Lake - Jammu & Kashmir
South India
Mukurty National Park - Kerala
Nagarhole National Park - Karnataka
Kudremukh National Park
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Munnar
Ernakulum
Point Calimere
Wynaad
Salim Ali WLS
Nandi Hills
Bandipur Tiger Resevre
Top Slip
Central India - Madhya Pradesh
Madhav National Park - Shivpuri - MP
Bandhavgarh National Park
Kanha National Park
Pench National Park
Satpura Tiger Reserve
Pachmarhi Hill Resort
Panna National Park
Melghat Tiger Reserve - Maharastra
Indravati Tiger Reserve - Chhattisgarh
Western India
Gujarat
Gir National Park
Khijidiya Bird Sanctuary
Nal Sarovar
Thol Sanctuary,
Velavadar
Little Rann of Kucth
Large Rann of Kutch
Some of the site are Ramsar sites. I will be adding more sites and description in time to come. Most of the tiger reserves in India are excellent bird habitats. But only few are included in bird tours in India. But the tiger reserves are top birding spots as well for the forest birds in India.The reserves are more popular as wildlife watching and tiger safari destinations in India.
Indian Birding - Rare & interesting birds
On a bird tour in India many birds are a delight to watch rare and difficult to locate. These birds excite the birders the most. Such rare and attractive birds are targeted by bird watchers on the tours in India.
India is a heaven for the birds as well as the bird watchers. The topography of the country supports impressive number of bird species. Endemic and rare birds are found all over the country. The bird tours are therefore conducted region wise or to specific destinations. At present the bird tours of North India are the most popular followed by tours in the South and East India. Gujarat in Western India is also an upcoming destination. In South, Munnar and Western Ghats in Kerala offer the best birding. Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Kaziranga and Manas in East India offer good bird watching.
Some of the targeted bird species are:
India is a heaven for the birds as well as the bird watchers. The topography of the country supports impressive number of bird species. Endemic and rare birds are found all over the country. The bird tours are therefore conducted region wise or to specific destinations. At present the bird tours of North India are the most popular followed by tours in the South and East India. Gujarat in Western India is also an upcoming destination. In South, Munnar and Western Ghats in Kerala offer the best birding. Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Kaziranga and Manas in East India offer good bird watching.
Some of the targeted bird species are:
Pink-headed Duck - Extinct ?
Himalayan Quail - Extinct ?
Siberian Crane - Bharatpur - Not seen since last few years.
Ibis bill - Often seen at Koshi River in Corbett National Park.
Forest Owlet - Maharastra and Central India.
Hill Myna - Chhattisgarh, South India and North India
Indian Bustard - Rare Scattered
Cheer Pheasant - Pangot - North India
Lesser Florican - Madhya Pradesh - Gujarat
Bengal Florican - UP, Assam
Greater Flamingo - Gujarat
Lesser Flamingo - Gujarat
Manipur Bush Quail - Manas National Park, Assam, .
Rusty-throated (Mishmi) Wren-Babbler - Mishmi Hills of NE Assam.
Jerdon's Courser - Sri Lankamalleshwara Sanctuary - Cuddapah District, Andhra Pradesh.
Bugun Liocichla - North East India
White Rumped Shama - Many Places North & Central India
White-bellied Heron
Black Necked Stork - Bharatpur - North India
Oriental Stork
Greater Adjutant - Assam
White-winged wood Duck - North East India
Nordmann's Greenshank
Rufous-breasted Laughingthrush
Cinereous Vulture
White-rumped Vulture
Long-billed Vulture
Fulvous Whistling Duck -
Blood Pheasant
Western Tragopan
Satyr Tragopan
Blyth's Tragopan
Temminck's Tragopan
Koklass Pheasant
Himalayan Monal
Sclater's Monal
Kalij Pheasant
Kalij Pheasant
Most of the rare and interesting birds can be seen on a bird watching tours in India. One should make a proper study of Indian birds before deciding to make a birding tour. For some birds it would require travel to far away place in India.
One should book birding tour at good package tours operators in India. The tour operators that specialize in conducting tours for bird watching offer the best. for good birding experience in India professional birding guides should accompany the tour. A birder should be well read on Indian birds. There are many bird books available in India.
Some of the best places for birding are yet unknown and cut away from the regular circuit. In coming few years lot of package tours would be available for birding in lesser known destination. However prolific birding spots like Bharatpur, Corbett and Chilika Lake are few.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
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