Known popularly as a tiger safari destination Bandhavgarh is a birder's heaven. With more than two hundred and fifty species of avian the reserve is a paradise. All the birding tours that I have conducted here have been a big success.
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| Francolin |
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| Black Rumped Flameback |
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| Grey Headed Fish Eagle |
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| Lesser Adjutant Stork |
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| Indian Vulture |
The diverse terrain is home to many forest birding species, while one has to scour a larger confine to target wetland and shore birds. The added advantage of birding in Bandhavgarh is the presence of the tiger. Wherever you are birding a chance appearance of tiger or that matter a leopard is possible. That is why birding tours here are so exciting and rewarding.
Wildlife photographers who seek the tiger invariably end up photographing many of these enchanting avian species. The exotic surrounds of the forests and swampy grasslands hook up the birder no end. The ancient ruins and architectural splendours are a treat to the eye. To seek avian friends in such esoteric surroundings is an opportunity of a life time.
Bandhavgarh geography comprises of low lying hills and cliffs with steep edges, marshy grasslands, Sal and mixed forest and bamboo with intervening mountain rivers, lakes and small water bodies. These are excellent nesting grounds for resident species. The Bandhavgarh Hillock rising 800 MSl proves ideal for nesting Malabar Pied and Grey Hornbills besides the Indian Vulture. Since there are many steep cliffs Indian Vultures nest here in large numbers.
Paradise flycatchers prefer the shore of the rivulets with dense thickets as breeding grounds. Other flycatchers seen here are the Black Naped, Taiga, Tickell's blue and the winter migrant verditer flycatcher.
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| Pigmy Cotton Goose |
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| Silverbill |
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| Peacock |
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| Red Avadavat |
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| Yellow Eyed Babbler |
Other targeted species are the painted francolin, Indian Pitta, orange headed thrush, racket tailed drongo, golden and black headed oriole, crested serpent and hawk eagle, honey buzzard, grey headed fish eagle, white rumped and king vulture, barred buttonquail, lesser adjutant and open billed storks, spangled drongo, Tickell's Thrush, Iora, minivets, warblers, parakeets, brown fish owl, brown wood owl, mottled wood owl, Alexendrine parakeet, peregrine falcon, black rumped flameback, white naped and yellow crowned woodpeckers, brown headed pigmy and streak throated woodpeckers, rufus woodpecker, blue bearded bee eater, to name a few...
The best season is during the winters from October onwards however the strain is reduced whence the canopy thins out in summers but by that time migrants have departed. Summer
birding in Bandhavgarh is excellent with hordes of resident birds to checklist. The best period for summer activity is March and April while May and June are very hot. But the heat not withstanding the period is excellent for bird photography.
All Images By John Matthai
