Birding at Pangot in Uttrakhand

 Located at 1400 MSL 14 km from Nainital Resort Pangot is a paradise for bird watchers. During the harsh winters when it snows in the Himalayas, birds descend to Pangot for residence in a warmer climate. Though the destination is not as cold as we presume up there in the Himalayas it is much colder.

Pangot is not a hill resort and only a few birders frequent the place. At 2100 MSL Vinyak Hill is the highest point where you can see the Chir Pheasant, Koklass Pheasant, and the Ultramarine flycatcher. The climb from Pangot township is steep and is manageable only by trained drivers.

Birders make frequent stops to watch the avian species and the Himalayan Mountain Range on a clear day.  There are frequent stops on the way like the Woodpeckers Point where woodpeckers and many interesting species are seen.

• Greater Yellow-naped Woodpecker                       
• Streak-throated Woodpecker                   
• Grey-headed Woodpecker                        
• Scaly-bellied Woodpecker                          
• Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker                          
• Stripe-breasted Woodpecker                    
• Brown-fronted Woodpecker                     
• Himalayan Woodpecker               
• Rufous-bellied Woodpecker      

 Avian species are seen all along the climb from the township. The township is small with few hutments and a store. There are a few resorts in the township that cater to the birders. Nothing Else!   The forest comprises Oak, Deodar, Pine, Cedar, and Juniper Bushes. The species inhabit this vegetation and are not hard to find by ornithologists. 

Birds of Pangot:

• Chir Pheasant
• Koklass Pheasant
• Himalayan Vultures
• Bearded Vulture
• Peregrine Falcon
• Eurasian Vulture
• Bearded Vulture
• Spot Winged Tit
• Brown-fronted woodpecker
• Himalayan Woodpecker
• Rufus bellied woodpecker, Black Eagle 
• Upland Pipit
• Mountain Bulbul,
• Hill partridge
• Lesser racket-tailed drongo
• Pink-browed rosefinch
• Mistle thrush,
• Dark-breasted rosefinch
• Yellow-browed tit
• Blue-winged thrush
• Brown Fronted Woodpecker
• Alpine Accentor
• Himalayan Quail
• Asian Barred Owlet
• Hill Partridge
• Kalij Pheasant
• Asian Palm Swift
• Little Swift
• Large Hawk-Cuckoo
• Himalayan Cuckoo
• Mountain Scops Owl
• Speckled Piculet
• Coal Tit
• Chestnut Crowned Laughing Thrush
• Maroon Oriole
• Fire Breasted Flycatcher
• Green Tailed Sunbird

The list of avain species found at Pangot is endless. If you wish to see Himalayan Birds Pangot is the right place to do so. Birders arrive here to spot birds of Pangot throughout the season. This lone isolated town does not attract general tourists but only ornithologists.

White Rumped Shama

Among the best singers in India this birds belongs to the magpie family Muscicapidae further classification is Copsychus malabaricus. I have come across this songster in the foothills of Himalayas and in Central India. Oriental magpie robin is included in this family and genus Copsychus saularis both the birds are good songsters but the latter is more active during the breeding period which is from March to July. The nominate race is found in the Western Ghats. The bird is found outside India as well.

Characteristic feature of this bird is its song and the the chatter in the bush. It  is partial to bamboo but can be seen in mixed forests as well at a height on the branches.  The bird is conspicuous by the white rump and the rufus belly. 

Both the sexes come together for breeding and stay that way till nesting is complete.Although female is more active whence the nest is being built while the male stands in guard. Post breeding both the sexes may carve separate territories. The bird is insectivorous and passerine and is shy by nature except whence busy courting.

Indian Birds Common And Overlooked

Naturalists and guides that is most of them ignore common, plain, and simple life forms during the excursions in the tiger reserves and National Parks. These avian species are not targeted but nevertheless, they are a novelty for overseas visitors and for those from different regions of India.  While some are exceptionally adorned by virtue of a magical melange others lack in the dazzling mix of pigments. Nevertheless, pipits and warblers subscribe to the plain categories but are mind-boggling, confusing, and difficult to identify in one go.  

These images have been captured at Kanha National Parks during tiger safaris with guests most of who have come from overseas. 

Birders all over the World rejoice in watching and identifying resident and migratory avians and some aim to photograph them to achieve excellence. But if you are an avid birder and do not have resources for costly equipment which deliver engaging images and captivate. 

While on excursions in the forests engage your clients with these birds as well and diminish the tiger chase. 

Peahen

Plain Prinia

Spotted Dove

Cattle Egret

Grey Hornbill

Black Stork

Pied Bushchat Female

Stone Chat

Little Cormorant

White Throated Kingfisher

Grey Wagtail - Migrant 

Crested Hawk Eagle

Cotton Pygmy Goose

Crested Serpent Eagle

Pond Heron 

Alexandrine Parakeet

Lesser Adjutant Stork

Spotted Dove

Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher

Indian Scops Owl

Brown Shrike

Images Uday Patel

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I work as a naturalist/birder at Kanha National Park in Central India.
I also provide Social Media Marketing & SEO along with website content. 
My Contact: 9755089323
pateluday90@hotmail.com

Indian Bird Pictures - Kanha Tiger Reserve

White Eyed Buzzard

Juvenile White Rumped Vulture 

Great Tit

Malabar Pied Hornbill

Sirkeer Malkoha

Orange Headed Ground Thrush (White Cheeked)

Yellow Footed Green Pigeon

Wooly Necked Stork

Lesser Adjutant Stork

Jungle Owlet

Issabelle Shrike

Little Egret

Crested Hawk Eagle

King Vulture

Brahminy Myna

Black Stork

Blue Capped Rock Thrush

Common Iora

Spotted Owlet

White Throated Kingfisher

Shikra

Tawny Bellied Babbler

India is not only a land of tigers it is a land of avian as well and fantastic species at that. Though Kanha National Park is well known for its tigers it is no less a destination for birding in India. In fact it is a fantastic hot spot for bird watching in Madhya Pradesh. 

Though not popular for winter migrants and wetland birds it is a place for watching Central Indian forest species that abound here. With the help of an able birding guide a fairly large number of avian can be check listed.   

For enthusiasts a medium range lens is more than enough while binoculars work perfectly here. Spotting scope is of little help in the dense canopy. In a three night stay one can chalk out more than hundred species but the more the better. 

Kanha National Park offers equal opportunity to see avian and wild mammals like the tiger in India. Winter is the best time to watch our feathered bipeds but do not forget that summers are equally exciting to watch the spectacular residents thanks to thinning canopy and ensuing breeding season. Overseas visitors should be aware of heat in the summers and should consume lot of liquids.

Here below is an amateur effort to highlight some common birds of the park using an amateur camera and lens. These picture where taken in various seasons but primarily in winters.

Common Kestrel

Black Rumped Flameback

Pied Bush Chat Female

Common Stone Chat Female

Honey Buzzard

Crested Tree Swift

Indian Roller

Juvenile Serpent Eagle

Large Cuckoo Shrike

Pied Bushchat Male 

Crested Serpent Eagle

Grey Wagtail

Cotton Pygmy Goose

Pond Heron

Little Cormorant

Black Stork

Brain Fever Bird Female

Lesser Adjutant Stork

Spotted Dove

Brown Headed Barbet

Though some of the images are average the aim is to showcase birds at Kanha National Park and not my skills as a photographer.
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I work as naturalist/birder at Kanha National Park in Central India.
I also provide Social Media Marketing & SEO along with website contents. 
My Contact: 9755089323
pateluday90@hotmail.com