Showing posts with label Gujarat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gujarat. Show all posts

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Sarus Crane - Breeding

Sarus Crane By Jayesh Shah - Ahmedabad
The species though not persecuted much in many parts of India is exhibiting declining numbers due to habitat loss. The Sarus Crane symbol of eternal fidelity breeds in between marshy grasslands and local inundations on bunds that are natural creation by assimilation of sand and other material. The breeding period is during the monsoon.

This photograph is taken by Mr. Jayesh Shah from Ahmadabad who is an avid bird photographer and birder. He has compiled lot of material on birds especially those from Gujarat.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Bird watching in Gujarat

Gujarat though little known is heaven for bird watchers. The places that top the list for birding in Gujarat India are many but less known. I have visited few sanctuaries in the state and found impressive habitation of birds including migratory birds.

I have been to Nalsarovar and Thol on bird watching tours and check listed impressive list of Indian birds. The flamingos are present in Nalsarovar but less seen due rush of tourists that disturbs them. The tourists are mostly noisy picnickers. To see the Flamingos one need to boat for a distance of ten to twelve km with a knowledgeable boatmen in the wetland.   Both lesser and greater Flamingos can be seen.

One can see pelicans, grey lag goose, bar headed goose, spotbilled duck, common pochard, pintail, lesser whistling ducks, redheaded pochards, gargeny teals, gadwall, common teals and shovellers. One can see white tailed lapwing, shikra, greater spotted eagle, marsh harrier, orioles, honey buzzard, larks, pipits and pratincoles.      

Other interesting spots for birding in Gujarat are the Little and large Rann of Kutch for bustards, Flamingo and other desert species. The Gir National Park, Velavadar Sanctuary, Dasada, Jamnagar coast and many yet to be discovered.

During winters interesting birds can be sighted in and around Ahmedabad and other towns. Bird watching Gujarat though not in infancy still requires and organized chaecklist of wetlands, desert and forest birds.