Birding in Hyderabad: Jul-Aug 2015

It was a Monday morning when I came to know that I might have to go to Hyderabad for work and stay there for a month or so. Being a north Indian - I always look forward to birding in the South and I started working at the earnest making a list of the birds that I desired to see. Ofcourse all the birds were not on the lifer list - but then there are some birds that one would not mind any day at all. That apart there was one bird that had eluded me in the past and that was the ‘Blue-faced Malkoha’. I was hell bent that this should be part of my 'would be' bird. After these thoughts and going over the two three books that I refer for birding I was sure that I was going to have one hell of a time.

Preparing to go to a new city and birding also has some disadvantages...

Firstly, you are not aware of the hotspots that span so many seasons - you just have to be at the right place at the right time to make sure that you have good sightings. This one point does get mitigated to a point by the fact that if you do put in some hard work about the sightings on various groups and social media you will get a fair idea - as to what to expect and when and where to expect. eBird is another place that gives wonderful data about hotspots etc. The problem is that as of now the users are not the kind that can generate detailed analysis to rely on alone for birding.

Secondly, mobility is a big issue. I mean its damn bloody difficult to reason out and explain with a cab that you have to drive to so and so place, keep the pace right and when I Shout - “Bird” he has to look out for traffic and park in a manner that I can observe the bird from the vehicle or get down if the bird is of the kind that will allow me to sneak up to it without flying away. Then there are points that a birder only knows - like never drive straight towards the bird, approach it at an angle and look out for the comfort level - I mean if the birds shows signs that you are moving into its ‘personal’ zone - stop, see and decide. It is not only that - the end line is that even my past experience with cabs

Heart-spotted Woodpecker. This picture was clicked in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, on out way to Kanheri Caves. If you look at the spots you will find them heart shaped. A lifer for me and a great find as I was told not many people have reported seeing them in this park.

is that they make horrible people to go out birding with. Basically the finesse of appreciating and finding birds is lost on them.

I started knowing these disadvantages and started working on to neutralising them. Study and preparation I did meticulously, even to the extend that I started flipping the ‘Birds of Indian Subcontinent’ book and the app on my iPhone, iPad looking for the ranges of birds covering areas around Hyderabad. The list was not really physical - it was more of a brain exercise. Then  I ploughed through sites like Facebook and Indian Nature Watch looking for regulars who posted pictures of birds of Hyderabad online. Next I started searching for groups and clubs for Birding. The data once again was immense. Hyderabad is one of the places where you will find tons of birders. I also asked my friends from Chandigarh bird club if they could point out someone in Hyderabad who could perhaps take me birding there. Well like there have to be million foot-falls in malls to sell a packet of chips - I too know that a vast majority of birders are accepted with jobs and it is extremely difficult to ‘take’ someone out for birding - especially with not previous connect. All I could promise really was a reciprocation if some one came to Chandigarh and wanted to do birding.

It so happened that I was routed through Mumbai and I got a day off there. This meant that I would be able to explore ‘Sanjay Gandhi National park’. I promptly rang up one of my classmates there and asked him to be there for birding. It was a week day but lucky for me he said he will manage. I also came to know that the park opens at 5:30 in the morning. Well I was there at the park gates at 5:20 with camera dangling on my harness read to shoot. The moment I enquired  where I can buy tickets I was told that in the morning only joggers with bonafide passes can enter, visitors have to wait till 7:30. I stood there waiting for my friend also to fetch up at 7:00 AM. he was there dot on time and then we both waited for the gates to open. The gates did open dot at 7:30 and we were one of the first ones to buy a ticket. The weather was overcast and a not so good photography day. All the same I saw a shadow of three birds fly past and settle on a tree a couple of yards away. peered through the binoculars and did not see to much in the thick green cover of the tree. All of a sudden before we moved on the bird decided to hop on to a tree with little less cover. My heart knew no joy, three ‘Heart-spotted woodpeckers’ I got on to clicking a few dozen frames. As expected there were no great keepers but did get good record shots (Pic No 1). We there after moved on till the Kanheri caves stopping on and off looking out for birds, the weather turned even worse with off and on drizzle. The green cover was also too thick. We could hear a lot of birds but hardly any sightings. Next I had a desire to enter one of the core areas, the target species being ‘Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher. We were politely turned back at one a the gates telling that we need permission from none other than the IFS. Off we went to the office and were told that the director arrives at 1030… and the wait again started. The wait was worth it for reason other than birding. I met Mr Vikas Gupta (IFS), Chief Conservator of Forests and Director of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The fine gentleman he was and perhaps for the first time I met a person holding such a responsible position and rank share his passion for the National Park. When I introduced myself as a retired army officer now birding and deeply into wildlife, it ensured a healthy discussion with Mr Vikas giving his insights how he intends to shape the national park over a period of time to ensure that people do not enter it with a preconceived idea of seeing a leopard - but for enjoying the Real forest as against the concrete one they are so used to seeing and feeling all their lives. I wish and pray that there a million persons like him looking after our forests, wildlife and natural resources. The permission was granted and the walk was nothing but marvellous. too many birds could not be sighted due to extremely thick foliage but like I said the experience itself was so rewarding.

On 10th I reached Hyderabad and sent out messages to whoever would care to listen…. Take me out please. The call was answered by Mr Sumeet Mukherjee to begin with. How I came in touch with his is another interesting story - some other time perhaps. He took me to Narsapur Reserve forest on 12 Jul. The experience was rewarding with 53 species logged in four odd hours with Jerdon’s Leafbird recorded as my lifer. Other than that the notable sightings were One Tickell’s Blue-flycatcher, 7 Yellow-eyed Babblers, 5 White-browed bulbuls, 2 Black-headed Cuckooshrikes, 1 Black-headed Ibis and two breeding pairs of Greater Painted-snipe. The list and the photographs are at the end of the blog.

Next break for birding was on 18 Jul at Bhadrachalam. The visit was cut short as the car that I took out for birding was suddenly recalled for some other errand. All the same the count was 20 species with no real Notable sightings other than seeing Lesser Whistling-ducks roosting on very tall date trees. I observed this for the first time. Once again the list is at the end of the writeup.

I had also posted a post on Hyderabad birds on Facebook requesting for a birder who could take me around. The call was answered by Dr Kamal Syed (Also a Nawab). I must introduce the gentleman also. He is not exactly a birder but a man with a heart for nature and all that is good around him. His company was pleasant and the time spent was great. He took me to Osman Lake near Gandipet on 30th Jul 15. This is one of the lakes built by Nizam to supply fresh water to Hyderabad. The state of the lake was bad, lack of monsoons in and around Hyderabad was evident. The lake had perhaps shrunk to one tenth of the erstwhile size, the catchment area around seems to have been up for grabs by farmlands and boards threatening of trespassing sprung around the lake. As far as the birding was concerned it was lesser number of species but more that can be listed as notable sightings. We sighted a total of 24 species. The lifer was Indian Courser. The notable were the numerous Indian Bushlarks, 22 Greater flamingos, 25 Eurasian Spoonbills (listed as rare in this area on eBird), 12 Yellow-wattled Lapwing, 7 Red collared Doves and 3 Pied-cuckoo. The list and the pictures are at the end to this writeup.

The last birding day, on 03 Aug at Hyderabad turned out to be an icing on the cake. My birding partner Capt Yella Rao was on leave in Hyderabad and he organised an otherwise impossible. Birding in ICRISAT Campus. The campus is around 1450 hectares with different vegetation and a few lakes. The campus is under UN so as to how he managed to get passes was nothing short of a miracle. We spent around three and a half hours, logged 45 species with a wonderful sighting of breeding colony of Great Cormorant (counted 39), 50 plus spot-billed ducks, Spot-billed Pelican, Oriental Darter, 8 Painted Francolins and all three varieties of Ibis found in india. 50 plus Baya weavers and Large-grey Babblers.

That wrapped up my Hyderabad visit with hopes of many more to come. I had been targeting some specific birds but unfortunately I could not find them. Those birds, though common and I was assured by whosoever I went birding with that they will definitely show me - did their trick and thus went with my wanted list yet to be ticked. The birds were Blue-faced Malkoha, King Quail and Painted Spurfowl. Well but then I did log some Lifers also so ideally I should be happy and looking forward to the next hunt at Hyderabad.

I would wrap up this blog entry (that has already been long overdue) by a quote I read today by Ashish Ram (The power of One)

One Song can Spark a Moment, One Whisper can Wake a Dream,
One Tree can Start a Forest, One Bird can Herald the Spring….

Do raise your voice for crime against Environment, Do do your bit for the Birds.

I got this great flock of bird at the Osman Sagar. Spot-billed Pelicans, Asian Openbill, Painted Storks, Spot-billed ducks and a lone Red-wattled Lapwing. Hmmm... have I missed anything ??

Red Collared Dove. It is a widespread resident of Indian plains, also called as Red Turtle Dove.

One more picture of a Red-collared Dove - but this time clicked in Osman Lake area.

At Narsapur forest I saw this huge flocks of Asian Openbills. What was more satisfying was seeing almost 60% Juveniles. They were fairly shy and flew off to the opposite bank of the lake as we approached the lake.

This one picture I wanted to include as a trick picture where you should spot the bird. I too saw it by chance only. Presenting the well camouflaged - Greater Painted-snipe.

They were snoozing at a pond and were in great numbers, counted 12 on a single place. Grey Herons

This picture was clicked in the Narsapur forest. Both Sumeet and self when we saw this bird had hopes that it will turn out to be some lifer for us. The bird was very frisky and hardly giving us a chance to study it in detail. It is only when we studied the pictures in the computers that we both realised that we had been looking at Pied Bushchat Juvenile.

One of the beautiful lifer of my visit to Osman Sagar Lake with Dr Kamal Syed. The Indian Courser. Also the birds gave us all the time to photograph them. A memorable lifer moment...

One of the two almost similar looking Sparrow Larks, the Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark is more wide spread in the continent. The Black-crowned Sparrow Lark is found in Western India only in Rajasthan and around only

The common Indian Bushlark, once again clicked in Osman Sagar Lake area.

The first time I saw Lesser Whistling-ducks sitting on such tall trees. These were not the only one however - there were virtually dozens of them on trees all around.

There was this craze pair of Golden Orioles jumping from one branch to another alternatively chasing each other. This picture was clicked on the day I had to abort birding while birding in Bhadrachalam (Telangana)

Always a ready poser this bird is. Common, beautiful, shy and bold all at the same time. As we turned back and started packing up we saw this group chirping around us. This particular bird gave some very good photo opportunity. Only the sun was glaring and shadows were just to strong to do justice to this beauty. Scaly-breasted Munia

Another lifer that I clicked in Narsapur forest. There was this pair of Jerdon's Leafbird that was fighting and warding off a Black-headed cuckooshrike. This picture was not really easy - with the birds perching and hopping every second. The sun too was strong - you can call this a lucky shot where the bird perched out of the thick bush and photoshop balanced the very heavy shadows.

This is the female of a beautiful bird - the small minivet. Seeing this female it would be difficult to guess the bright orange of the male but the male was just not ready to give a picture. Presenting here the Small Minivet

A partial picture that I used to count the no of Spot-billed ducks at Osman lake

When I got down to counting and recording the Eurasian Spoonbills, eBird reported these birds as 'rare'. I do not believe it as a lot of photographs of spoonbills come from Hyderabad area. All the same - presenting here the Eurasian Spoonbill flock. Ah - and yes there is a lone, tall and beautiful Greater Flamingo in the flock.

As I had written above the picture is of a male and a Juvenile Indian Courser. I did have a field day clicking these birds.

A opportunity snap of a Juvenile Yellow-wattled Lapwing.

I did click a lot of pictures of this beautiful bird (erstwhile State bird of Punjab) the Common Hooppoe. I am including this picture because this shows one of its very common acts. After it picks up an insect from the ground it tosses it in the air and gulps it down.

Ahhh our very own beauty - the Indian Peafowl - also our national bird. The beauty and grace of this bird in full plumage is what dreams are made of... I must add a note here - there is another variety of peafowl that India had - 'Green Peafowl' It has not been sighted for a long time and thought to be extinct.

This picture tells you why you should not drive offroad in open spaces and stick to the tracks as most of the times the birds that breed and groom chicks on the ground have chicks that can hardly be noticed and very easy to run or step over. More so their instinct is to lie low when threatened and you are likely to be completely oblivious of the fact that you have killed a budding bird. Do not off road during birding - especially during the season when breeding season is on.

Photographed all over the country practically but still does not stop to amaze. Richard Grimmett's book on Birds of Indian Subcontinent does not include Hyderabad in the range as published in the book but was there everywhere... Scaly-breasted Munia

The most beautiful of the three ibis we have in our country. The Black-headed Ibis in flight.

Purple Heron is a shy bird and not very easy to find. There have been times that I have been looking around for birds and this bird takes off a few feet from me. This particular picture was clicked in ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) a UN research body.

Indian Roller. The revered bird of the country. There are two rollers seen in India - this one pictured here - the Indian Roller and the migratory that visits India in winters - the European Roller

Baya weaver bird males are the hard working one - they build the nests. The girls (as pictured here) see the activity from a distance and then come in to inspect. There is a flurry of activity as the males 'sell' their homes to the home makers. If the nest is rejected - it is torn down and the male goes on to build it all over again.

Common Hawk Cuckoo or the brain fever bird. There are a total of 14 types of cuckoo found in the sub continent. This being by far the most common one.

The Great Indian Cormorant in breeding plumage. What a fine sight it was to see them at their nesting sight. It is the most majestic of all three Cormorants found in India.

Row #,Species,Count,Location,S/P,Date,LocID,SubID
1,Lesser Whistling-Duck,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
2,Cotton Pygmy-Goose (Cotton Teal),11,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
3,Indian Spot-billed Duck,14,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
4,Grey Francolin,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
5,Little Grebe,4,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
6,Asian Openbill,12,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
7,Painted Stork,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
8,Great Cormorant,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
9,Little Cormorant,4,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
10,Grey Heron,6,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
11,Purple Heron,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
12,Great Egret,5,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
13,Indian Pond-Heron,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
14,Black-headed Ibis,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
15,Shikra,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
16,Brahminy Kite,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
17,Black-winged Stilt,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
18,Red-wattled Lapwing,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
19,Greater Painted-Snipe,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
20,Pheasant-tailed Jacana,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
21,Bronze-winged Jacana,6,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
22,River Tern,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
23,Red Collared-Dove (Red Turtle-Dove),3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
24,Spotted Dove,4,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
25,Laughing Dove (Little Brown Dove),1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
26,White-throated Kingfisher,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
27,Pied Kingfisher,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
28,Green Bee-eater,6,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
29,Coppersmith Barbet,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
30,Common Iora,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
31,Small Minivet,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
32,Black-headed Cuckooshrike,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
33,Long-tailed Shrike,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
34,Black Drongo,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
35,Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark),1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
36,Barn Swallow,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
37,Red-vented Bulbul,8,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
38,White-browed Bulbul,5,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
39,Common Tailorbird,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
40,Ashy Prinia,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
41,Plain Prinia,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
42,Yellow-eyed Babbler,7,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
43,Tawny-bellied Babbler,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
44,Jungle Babbler,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
45,Indian Robin,4,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
46,Oriental Magpie-Robin,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
47,Tickell's Blue-Flycatcher,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
48,Pied Bushchat,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
49,Brahminy Starling,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
50,Jerdon's Leafbird (Jerdon's Chloropsis),2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
51,Purple-rumped Sunbird,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
52,Paddyfield Pipit,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
53,Baya Weaver,4,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
54,Indian Silverbill (White-throated Munia),4,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
55,Scaly-breasted Munia (Spotted Munia),3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
56,Red-naped Ibis (Indian Black Ibis),1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301  
57,Black-shouldered Kite (Black-winged Kite),1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301
58,White-breasted Waterhen,1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301
59,Pied Cuckoo (Jacobin Cuckoo),1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301  
60,Greater Coucal,1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301
61,Rose-ringed Parakeet,15,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301  
62,Indian Golden Oriole,4,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301
63,House Crow,1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301  
64,Common Myna,1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301  
65,House Sparrow,1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301
66,Indian Peafowl,4,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
67,Greater Flamingo,22,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
68,Spot-billed Pelican,5,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
69,Eurasian Spoonbill,25,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
70,Yellow-wattled Lapwing,12,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
71,Indian Courser,18,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643
72,Eurasian Hoopoe,3,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
73,Indian Bushlark (Red-winged Bushlark),9,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643
74,Yellow-billed Babbler,10,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
75,Painted Francolin,5,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
76,Oriental Darter,1,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
77,Eastern/Western Cattle Egret,25,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271
78,Grey-headed Swamphen (Purple Swamphen),1,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271
79,Eurasian Coot,22,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271
80,Common Sandpiper,3,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
81,Eurasian Collared-Dove,3,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
82,Common Hawk-Cuckoo,1,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
83,Blue-tailed Bee-eater,7,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
84,Indian Roller,4,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
85,Black-rumped Flameback (Lesser Goldenbacked Woodpecker),2,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271
86,Rufous Treepie,3,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271
87,Red-rumped Swallow,2,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271
88,Large Grey Babbler,3,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271

Get a life: Start with Bird Watching....

I have been birding for a fairly long time and I have come across these repeated questions. As I sit doing nothing today I thought why not try and reply for a larger audience. The questions to start with are simple but with no straightforward replies. So let me deal with them as I deem fit. 

What is bird watching ? Oh - that’s a simple one. Well for me atleast. It is the art or let’s call it a hobby of observing birds. I would like to mention here that One can go a little further and say that perhaps Birdwatching is observing birds for recreational or social activity. I would try and kill some trivia here only. The first recorded use of term ‘Birdwatcher’ was in 1891 and bird as a verb was introduced in 1918. Birdwatching can be done with naked eye but definitely enhanced by use of Binoculars, Spotter-scopes, Cameras and listening devices. Must remember that a large component of birdwatching is Auditory. Secondly, do not mistake birding with Ornithology, it is study of birds using formal scientific methods.

Why Bird watching ? There comes a tough question. Let me elaborate. Those who love it - will swear by it, and those who don’t will scoff it off. Though it is basically a personal choice I will still try to hammer some reasons. Hmmm… let me put it this way. Birdwatching is a hobby and it has a tendency to grow on you. There are benefits on the physical side. This may turn out to be the inspiration to get off the couch and walk around more. (If I was appearing for some exams then I would have definitely included things like it would lead to more movement in the sun and more vitamin D for the body but I will desist from that… ) The physical side also benefits from trekking, walking and being in the natural environment. It does a ton to your emotional health also. Bird songs are a know remedy for anxiety. You do get a peace of mind spending time with nature especially so in today’s hectic and crazy world. Though I was a bird lover for a long long time - but still so the peace and emotional stability that I derive out of birdwatching is something that everyone deserves to experience. Then there are definite advantages for children taking on to this as a hobby. In these times of over exposure to gadgets, it would do good to kids to keep some time for quite reflection. This calmness of nature gives time to the kids to introspect and commune with nature. The children do benefit from attention to detail and focus their senses observing nature. I cannot but point out that in my years of Birdwatching I find that I use multiple senses all at the same time. Sound, touch, smell and sight. It also coaxes the children to research and experiment. At the end of it - believe me if you have a song in your heart - you will sing it seeing the natures creations...

How do I get started ? Well I do love easy answers. Whether you are in a city or village. Birds are Omnipresent. All the beautiful pictures that you see and wonder - where the hell in the world are these birds - well most of them are all around you. It is just that you had chosen to ignore them all this time. These are some of the birds that I have clicked in an around cities (Pictures are at the end of the post). Did you by any chance notice them ? If the answer is no then its time to take off some time from whatever you thought was very important in your life and appreciate nature around you. In my opinion most of us Indians categorise the birds in one of the three of four categories. Crow, Sparrow, Pigeon. The vocabulary ends somewhere there. 

So to start - just look around you, your balcony, the small terrace or kitchen garden, the playground. I assure you that by the end of a day you would have spotted more kind of birds that you can count on the fingers of your hand. Next note the colour, features of colour pattern, walking, flying and the sounds that it is making. Hell - you have already become a birdwatcher. 

Next what you would require is a field guide, ebook or an app to identify the birds. All are in plenty and not too much of expenditure. I will name a few - Birds of Indian Subcontinent by Tim Inskipp available in print and as an app, Birds of Northern India again by Tim Inskipp, Birds of India (Collins Field Guide) available in print and as kindle ebook, .(I find my apple app so bloody useful). Then of course are the score of data available on the net as wiki, Facebook, and tons of other resources.

Do I require Binoculars or Camera ? Well as you start observing birds from close quarters you will find that the colours and the characteristics will start driving you nuts. What happens is that most of the birds by nature are extremely shy (especially the non-city dwellers) and extremely fidgety - hopping from one branch to another. Secondly there are some birds that will just not let humans approach them - rightly so perhaps. We have been hunting and prosecuting birds for a long long time. In these cases granting them their space and observing them through binoculars or capturing them through camera is extremely helpful. You will come to appreciate them as you observe them minutely. So the answer is YES you would eventually require a pair of binoculars or camera in this sequence. In my case I did the opposite - first buying the camera and then moving around with binoculars or both.

How do I choose my binoculars ? Well well well - there are binoculars available and you don’t have to move your butt to buy one. open Amazon or snap deal or flipkart and type in binoculars and there the list goes on and on. I will try to ease the pain of choosing binoculars here. Actually if I think of it I can have another blog entry dedicated to choosing the binoculars but I will try to compress the information and present it as short as possible.

Firstly decide upon how mush you want to spend, basically there is one variety of binoculars on the lower end upto say ₹ 10,000/- or so. Do not set them off just because they are cheap, you do get good glass in this range also. Next is upto about ₹ 30,000/-, they are the mid range one. I presently have one in this and they will see you through fairly serious birding too. Next on the higher spectrum they go anywhere upto ₹ 1,50,000/- don’t ask me I have never reached that level of spending money.

Secondly, after you have chosen the category you should decide whether you want one with a Porro prism or Roof prism. Well these are the only two varieties available. Roof prism is the later technology wise and they are identified with straight cylinders. These are more compact have less internal parts and more dust and water proof. Roof prism binoculars suffer slightly from aligned prisms so do not compromise on money as only topnotch end of mid range binoculars can compete with Porro Prism binoculars. Pro binoculars on the other hand are identified with eyepiece and objective lens offset from each other. The advantages are they are cheaper, have slightly better stereoscopic lens. The disadvantages are less compact, more moving parts and difficult to make them dust proof etc.

After this move on to magnification. All binoculars have figures written like 8X42 or 10X42 etc. (to seem like a pro when you talk about binoculars you speak like… ‘I have Nikon 8 42 glass’) The first figure is the magnification. So in other words if it is 8 then the image you will see is magnified 8 times, if it 10 then the image you see is magnified 10 times. Second part refers to indicates the diameter objective lens. Okay now how do I use these numbers to choose binoculars. Well firstly the magnification. Specifically for birding the more magnification may not be necessarily better. As the magnification increases the field of view reduces and you will find it difficult to readily point the binoculars to that particular bird and focus. Also higher magnification will require more and more steady hands and in extreme magnifications tripod etc. Second number - the bigger the better. 42 is good 50 is better. what it means that more light is being passed so the image you will see is brighter and low light capability is better seeing the colours etc in birds is better. Generally I have seen birders preferring binoculars 8X42 or 10X42. Brands, the best are Nikon, Bushnell, Olympus and such. I will leave the preference to you and your research. (The picture of both Prism and roof prism binoculars are at the end of the post)

What about a camera and Lens ? Again a question that has a long long answer with no right or wrong. generally speaking a DSLR with 250mm or 300mm lens is good for beginning. As you grow the DSLR will grow and so will the lens. To begin with basic combination will cost you 35,000/- or so then going on to 2 lac plus camera and 12 lac plus lens. the range is too bloody large so take time to grow rather than jumping at the top end of the range.

Are there Indians really doing serious birding ? Well the answer will surprise you. But let me start with some statistics. The world has about 10,000 varieties of birds. India has recorded 1,400 bird species or so. North America has 914 types of birds, Australia has 898 varieties. Can you see it - the beauty of Avi fauna in India is bountiful. It is almost 14 percent of the birds found in the entire bloody world. You really have to experience it to see it for yourself. The second reason is that next generation may not see the birds we see today. It has been documented for example that Australia will have 10% birds extinct by 2100. We have not done any such research here in India - we may be worse of than this. Man is jut not doing enough for the environment we are sustaining on. Finally Brits are the nation leading in birdwatching. we are not on the top but we are surely catching on. I have argued it so many times that a nation has to first feed itself and live in security and only then Arts and Passions develop. See for example the states in India that are poor or affected by internal strife of any kind are not on any map as far as birding goes. These are states like Chattisgarh, Bihar, Orrisa... On the other spectrum are states and cities that are stable and economically better. Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chandigarh are on top of the lists. but if you have a stable job, and staying comfortably then it is time to pick up a hobby and this is one of the very practical and engrossing at the same time. 

What do we achieve by Birding ? Ah - the same question that was posed by one very learned gentlemen to me. We achieve a whole lot. The problem at present with our country is lack of awareness, because of that there is a lack of consensus for protecting birds, animals and our environment. By including every one birder we have someone who cares for our environment and plight of those little beings that are at our mercy to look after. I will tell you a story. I was visiting vineyards of nasik, the now famous Sula vineyards. There I noticed that a packet was kept in bright colour. When enquired - after much coaxing I found the answer, that was poison kept to kill birds - after all they eat OUR grapes - no ? here is the answer - a population of 1.2 billion, million logged visiting Sula wines in Nasik and one birder to ask, question and complain about poisoning birds. Till the time our community and awareness grows - we are just ants or dogs going about our daily life achieving nothing more than living, eating and reproducing. I was assured by that gentleman that this answer satisfies him and he was sorry to raise it at all. I mean not to be arrogant but then - tell me if not you, me and us then WHO ? And in any case we need a million birder to have a handful who will question the wrong.

Are there any Etiquette of Birding ? Yes there are and very rigorously followed by hard core birders. Fortunately they are fairly simple to follow. No nest photographs, No eggs or juvenile photography of birds in nest. The reason is simple but not understood. I will list the etiquettes or put it differently - Birding Ethics.

1.  Support protection of Bird habitats. (The very reason I am trying to coax you to become a birder)

2.  Avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger. Please be patient and exercise restraint. Do not shoo them away to get a good picture or observation. 

3.  Avoid chasing or flushing birds especially during breeding or nesting season.

4.  Limit use of recordings to attract birds. Especially endangered or threatened species.

5.  Keep well back from nest and nesting colonies, roosts and display areas. Remember the nesting is dependant on feelings of safety by the birds. The birds tend to leave the nesting sight even with juveniles if they are stressed. Every bird has a approach radius - it will allow you to reach that but no further. It is easy to see this radius - the bird will stop what it is doing and become alert. It will stop feeding/grooming/preening. If there is a flock the sentries will give bird calls that are generally high pitched and spell out danger. Any closer and you will loose you opportunity to observe that bird.

6.  Try not to use artificial light, torches, flash for photography. Stay on road and tracks. There are so many birds that roost and nest on ground - we have unknowingly destroyed by trampling over them and not even realised that.

7.  Keep your pets home. Do not let stray dogs follow you for birding. They are one of the reasons that wildlife suffers. They destroy a lot of wild life. Shoo them away if they tend to follow.

You said Don’t stress the birds. How do I know I am stressing the birds ? Well There are birds that travel thousands of km migrating in search of food, avoiding bad weather and breeding. Often they are also birding dreams… so we tend to chase them not knowing that they require a lot of time feeding and resting to come back to their own selves. The first day a migratory bird arrives we want to be the first one to see and photograph. Sure - do that but then respect the bird who has flown for thousands of miles. To know that a bird is stressed is easy to see.

1.  Birds will try to attract your attention by flying in front of you.

2.  They will try to lure you away.

3.  Bird carrying food perched in one place for a long time. (It is avoiding giving away its nest location)

4.  Birds carrying nesting material but not going anywhere.

5.  Birds giving alarm calls.

I have started birding and going tomorrow with a few birders for the first time. Anything I should know ? Ethics remain the same but there are some things that one can keep in mind.

1.  Respect other peoples interests and rights. Share your knowledge with others.

2.  Minimise unnecessary talk and noise. Do not make sudden moves. Let all participants have equal right to observe and photograph the birds. If you are the front one taking pictures and birds seem stressed do not move any further. Give opportunity to others to reach atleast as close you have to let everyone observe birds.

3.  Follow the leader’s pace to observe birds. Locals have generally better knowledge to guide you during birding.

4.  Do not wear bright clothes. Keep colours to muted. (This has others who do not agree but as of now consensus remains to be clothed in dull colours)

5.  If birding in cars/vehicle. Do not get down till the veh is completely stopped. If you are driving always look in rear view, give indicator and park completely before letting anyone out.

6. You can and should make a list of local birds that you are likely to see there. It eases recognition and keeps you alert.

I have clicked a picture of a beautiful bird. I do not recognise it. What should I do ? Well there are so many experts waiting to help you out. For that you will have to post your picture in one of the online forums, Facebook in Indian Birds Group, there are tons of other localised groups like Chandigarh bird club, Hyderabad birds, Bangalore birds etc. Then there are sites like Indian Nature Watch. Post the photograph and await a response. Well there are a few points to note here also. You post the picture In comments leave

Request ID ?

Name of place picture was clicked

Date picture was clicked.

This helps narrow down the seasonal variations of feathering and colours and also local birds available in that particular area.

How do I keep a tag of all the birds I have seen ? Well a lot of people keep tagged photographs, keep records in pen or on excel sheets. By my experience eBird is the best place that a log can be kept. There are apps you can use in Android and iOS or website. Record keeping becomes important over a period of time so do take time and jot down what all birds you have seen, where and when. 

Okay I will conclude this writeup here. It has taken better part of three days and it is time that it goes online now. If you like it do leave a comment. If there would be something else you would like to know do leave a comment I will surely reply. 

HAPPY BIRDING !!

The Porro-prism binoculars on the left and Roof-prism Binoculars on the right.

Large-grey Babbler - Not as common as the Jungle babbler but not uncommon nonetheless... Brown and not so good to look at - but give it a good look - it will impress you...

Yellow-eyed babbler. A babbler that is small and rushes purposefully from one bush to another. They move in groups as expected from a babbler. Look at the eyes - the earmark of this babbler...

Laughing dove. the smallest of the Dove. you have to really look it up close to see the beauty of this bird. This is one bird that you will find around you more often than not. Just by the way you will have three birds of dove variety around you... the Laughing dove pictures above, the Eurasian collared dove and the spotted dove. The other varieties in India are likely to be not always near the village or towns.

Didn't ever notice this bird - our own very symbol of intelligence, the Spotted Owlet. Beauty in simplicity...

The Pond Heron. Common around the dirty mud-slushes and ponds around the villages and cities. It will sit not moving for hours on an end. Hey do not mistake them for the Cattle egret that is all white and more commonly available.

Our winter visitor - the Black-redstart. Well I will not be able to tell you why it is called a redstart - but it wags its tail off and on in fast vibrating action. The bird is fairly common around you - will find it on ground or trees - and almost never on wires.

Asian-pied Starling. Oh yes it is colorful too - see it once and appreciate the bird. You will like it. Common in and around the cities and villages.

Oh this - ?? The Indian Silverbill. Yes it is around you - just search for it. It is generally found in its own group of with other munia like Red-avadavat or scaly-breasted munia.

A game bird with little bit of protection from us has started inhabit areas in and around villages and town. A beautiful game bird. The black francolin and the Painted francolins would be your prize if you spot them...

Trip to Sattal and Pangot... 23 May 2015 to 25 May 2015

Planning:

The planning was on through the months of March, Apr and May and finally fructified in the month of May 2015. The idea was planted by Ravi Arora (Chandigarh Birds) and then both coaxed it to action. The plan was simple - galvanise atleast 3 to 4 birders so that we can have good company and do some quality birding. 

The date decided was 23rd to 25 May 2015. Not wanting to waste 23rd we decided to start on 22nd night itself so that the journey of 12 / 13 hours could be done at night and we were in position the 23rd morning. I decided against driving myself as fatigue would have been killing and killed the joy of birding the first day. 




Hence I called my ‘Taxi wala’ and decided on an Innova. The taxi asked for ₹ 11/- per km, 200 per night, all taxes and tolls extra. Next we booked our rooms with KMVN (KMVN is Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd and is hyperlinked for ease). I will kill the accommodation details here only. The rooms were comfortable and average. The bookings cost ₹ 2,200/- per room per night and included B’fast and Dinner.

The weather projected during our stay was 36/38 degree C during day and pleasant 24/26 Degrees at night. The packing included full sleeves shirts and T-Shirts and a half sleeve Jacket as a precaution. It worked out well as the 4,000 feet and Pangot is 6,300 feet. Ofcourse Beer and Scotch was too packed which surprisingly came back untouched. The day was a flurry of activity chasing birds and then came drop down dead sleep by the night.

The Place:

Sattal literally means ‘Sat Tal or seven lakes’. The lakes are freshwater and interconnected. These lakes are set among the Oak and Pine forests and I am told that they are one of the few unspoiled and unpolluted lakes of India. After seeing the place myself I do agree with it. The locals cater for the tourists and some activities are available at Sattal. Ofcourse the birding trip included getting and sifting on all the material about avian fauna of the place. Of the 1400 odd species listed of Birds in India, 500 were spotted there. The excitement was now at the very peak and just could not hold my horses now. Other than birds 20 species of mammals, over 525 species of butterflies were also listed in various blogs.

The journey:

The Birders

Route planning also took a lot of time as I had driven a few days back to Rishikesh and back but did not have any knowledge of the road from there to Nanital - Bhimtal - Sattal. I was suggested Chandigarh - Delhi - Sattal (For those planning: Chandigarh - Karnal - Panipat - Ghaziabad - Hapur - Moradabad - Rudrapur - Haldwani - Bhimtal - Sattal. This routs was approximately 570 Km and listed as 11 hr and 26 min Journey). The second route suggested was Chandigarh - Panchkula - Ponta Sahib - Dehradun - Haridwar - Najibabad - Kashipur - Nanital and Sattal. This route was listed as 466 Km on Google and gave travelling time as 10 hrs and 52 min. Though logically the Delhi route seemed longer - finally as it turned out it was not all that long after all.

While going we took the Delhi route. After starting at 1900 hrs and one halt for Dinner in Sukhdev Dhabba we reached at 0900 taking 14 hrs of drive. The road was good and four lane for most of the journey. We were stiff but the road was good in the sense that driver did not face any oncoming veh at night. The traffic (being a weekend) was crazy at the best.

While coming back we took the route via Dehradun and again with one stop for Lunch we started at around 1300 and reached home by 0230 hrs. That totals 13 hrs and 30 min approximately. The road was single for the most of the time but the condition and the traffic was light considering to what we faced while routing from Delhi.

So what route do I suggest that you take ? Well take any - non week-end days Dehradun is fine. But on weekend I feel four lane of Delhi would be better.

Birding: 

Upon reaching our rooms were opened promptly and we were off to the track near the lake birding. The beginning was spectacular to say the least. We stepped out of the rooms and there was a Yellow Nape, followed by Nuthatch and Black Lored Tit. We hurried on to a track along which there is a place known as 'The Studio' The studio is nothing but some perches placed next to a running stream and all the birds come there to bathe and drink water. As we reached there my heart almost sank. 

The Birders at the Studio

There were almost 30 odd birders already there. All the same we went there light footed and took seats. The magic started almost immediately. The birds started coming for water, bathing and fun as I would have done as a child - just play. we reached there at around 0930 and we know that we had just an hour or so when this activity would finish. At the end of it I was sitting there for 3 hours plus. Then finally got tired and went along the trail. The birding was as good as expected.

By the day finished I was happy, dog tired and dreaming of more what more would come. The lists of birds are given later day wise.

Next day we decided we will go to Pangot. We started early like at 0430 and by the time we crossed Nanital the birding started and once again the place did not disappoint. After reaching back in the afternoon we had a quick bite and were out on the trail and back at the studio. We had so far missed two of our target species namely the mountain bulbul and Straited Laughingthrush. At night I wanted to try my hand with startrails with my new camera (canon 7D mark ii) . The Star grazing app said the sky was 85% good for star gazing and the moon was in third quarter. We positioned ourself at the lake and we started shooting away. I did not take too many frames (wanted 25 sec frames, 60 in all) I managed only 22. The reason was feeling slightly unwell and a mixup with the settings of the camera. All in all it did not turn out to be too bad. The North star is the one that is stationary in the centre.

Star Trails: Sattal Lake Bridge

The third day we decided that we would position ourself at the studio before sunrise and stalk it out there. Both the birds did not disappoint us though they just came there for a few seconds and they were gone.

Now I move on to presenting the pictures from my trip... the very purpose of all this.

Lesser Yellownape

Long-tailed Broadbill (Lifer)

Tickell's Thrush

Verditer Flycatcher

Oriental Magpie-robin

White-throated Fantail

Red-billed Leiothrix (Peking Robin)

Blue-winged Minla (Old name: Blue-winged Siva) (Lifer)

Ultramarine Flycatcher

Leiothrix and Ultramarine Flycatcher

Blue Whistling Thrus

Black-headed Jay

Black-Pored Tit

Verditer Flycatcher

Greater Flameback (Old Name: Greater Goldenback)

Mountain hawk-eagle (Hodgson's Hawk-eagle) (Lifer)

Oriental-turtle Dove

Spot-winged Tit 

Whiskered Yuhina

Brown-fronted Woodpecker

Grey Bush Chat (Juv on left)

Russet Sparrow

Rufous-bellied Woodpecker (Lifer)

Green-backed Tit

Ashy Drongo

Oriental White-eye

Emerald Dove (Common Emerald Dove)

Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush

Black Bulbul

Blue-winged Minla (Old name: Blue-winged Siva) (Lifer)

Jungle Myna

Rufous Sibia (Black-capped Sibia)

Ashy Drongo

Green-backed Tit feeding Juv

Chestnut-tailed Starling

Black-lored Tit

Common Kingfisher

White-throated Laughingthrush

Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher

Mountain Bulbul

Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Orange-headed Laughingthrush

Striated Laughingthrush (Lifer)

Wedge-tailed Pigeon

ID ?? Please paste message if confident (Looks like Mountain Hawk Eagle)

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher

Orange-headed Thrush

Barking Deer

The Detailed sighting of the birds day wise is as given under. There are some unidentified birds that will be added to the list. The same list is uploaded to the eBirds.org.

Day One

23/05/15

NONE

Sattal Day one | Rima, Sarabjit, Ravi & Self

NONE None 37.54 -95.05

Great Barbet NONE 1 23/05/15 07:28 29.308187 79.551582 0

Long-tailed Broadbill NONE 1 23/05/15 10:52 29.352476 79.526505 0

Black Bulbul NONE 1 23/05/15 09:46 29.352686 79.526192 0

Mountain Bulbul NONE 1 23/05/15 15:21 29.348351 79.530098 0

Red-vented Bulbul NONE 1 23/05/15 07:28 29.308147 79.551613 0

White-cheeked Bulbul NONE 1 23/05/15 07:28 29.308170 79.551590 0

Gray Bushchat NONE 1 23/05/15 08:03 29.375702 79.531807 0

Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher NONE 1 23/05/15 09:07 29.349417 79.528931 0

Emerald Dove NONE 1 23/05/15 09:48 29.352840 79.525520 0

Spotted Dove NONE 1 23/05/15 08:58 29.348301 79.530388 0

Ashy Drongo NONE 1 23/05/15 09:56 29.352692 79.524818 0

White-throated Fantail NONE 1 23/05/15 11:00 29.352610 79.527130 0

Ultramarine Flycatcher NONE 1 23/05/15 17:47 29.352581 79.525917 0

Mountain Hawk-Eagle NONE 1 23/05/15 20:47 29.346474 79.559265 0

Black-headed Jay NONE 1 23/05/15 09:50 29.352829 79.525658 0

Common Kingfisher NONE 1 23/05/15 17:16 29.353071 79.525627 0

White-throated Kingfisher NONE 1 23/05/15 18:09 29.352869 79.525520 0

Red-wattled Lapwing NONE 1 23/05/15 16:47 29.353008 79.526260 0

Streaked Laughingthrush NONE 1 23/05/15 10:06 29.352104 79.523186 0

White-throated Laughingthrush NONE 1 23/05/15 09:41 29.352695 79.526505 0

Red-billed Leiothrix NONE 1 23/05/15 10:05 29.352129 79.523148 0

Oriental Magpie-Robin NONE 1 23/05/15 08:08 29.359243 79.527992 0

Long-tailed Minivet NONE 1 23/05/15 09:15 29.349512 79.529053 0

Blue-winged Minla NONE 1 23/05/15 18:08 29.353096 79.525146 0

Common Myna NONE 1 23/05/15 09:27 29.351206 79.527939 0

Jungle Myna NONE 1 23/05/15 08:57 29.348211 79.530411 0

Small Niltava NONE 1 23/05/15 20:47 29.348881 79.529007 0

Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch NONE 1 23/05/15 09:07 29.349466 79.528954 0

Asian Paradise-Flycatcher NONE 1 23/05/15 10:05 29.352140 79.523186 0

Plum-headed Parakeet NONE 1 23/05/15 07:29 29.308136 79.551567 0

Slaty-headed Parakeet NONE 1 23/05/15 08:44 29.348408 79.529564 0

Kalij Pheasant NONE 1 23/05/15 07:37 29.313839 79.547165 0

Wedge-tailed Pigeon NONE 1 23/05/15 09:44 29.352686 79.526237 0

Blue-capped Rock-Thrush NONE 1 23/05/15 07:27 29.308151 79.551544 0

Crested Serpent-Eagle NONE 1 23/05/15 18:42 29.352345 79.530899 0

Rufous Sibia NONE 1 23/05/15 09:44 29.352657 79.526207 0

Chestnut-tailed Starling NONE 1 23/05/15 17:07 29.352892 79.526085 0

Black-throated Thrush NONE 1 23/05/15 20:47 29.348949 79.529037 0

Tickell's Thrush NONE 1 23/05/15 11:04 29.352400 79.527298 0

Black-lored Tit NONE 1 23/05/15 09:10 29.349556 79.529083 0

Green-backed Tit NONE 1 23/05/15 16:32 29.353025 79.526039 0

Gray-hooded Warbler NONE 1 23/05/15 10:22 29.351168 79.521111 0

Blue Whistling-Thrush NONE 1 23/05/15 09:22 29.350279 79.528160 0

Day Two

24/05/15

NONE

Sattal, Pangot Day two | Rima, Sarabjit, Ravi & Self | 

NONE None 37.54 -95.05

Great Barbet NONE 1 24/05/15 05:11 29.377703 79.528229 0

Gray-winged Blackbird NONE 1 24/05/15 07:08 29.413511 79.448959 0

Black Bulbul NONE 1 24/05/15 14:14 29.352287 79.527298 0

Red-vented Bulbul NONE 1 24/05/15 05:07 29.375147 79.535721 0

Gray Bushchat NONE 1 24/05/15 09:25 29.423082 79.426781 0

Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher NONE 1 24/05/15 06:55 29.408363 79.444374 0

Large-billed Crow NONE 1 24/05/15 07:35 29.419945 79.440002 0

Black-winged Cuckooshrike NONE 1 24/05/15 16:35 29.352993 79.525841 0

White-throated Fantail NONE 1 24/05/15 14:47 29.352842 79.525970 0

Blue-throated Flycatcher NONE 1 24/05/15 18:30 29.352556 79.524994 0

Ultramarine Flycatcher NONE 1 24/05/15 06:55 29.408323 79.444366 0

Black-headed Jay NONE 1 24/05/15 07:33 29.421843 79.441475 0

Eurasian Jay NONE 1 24/05/15 07:48 29.422188 79.437401 0

Common Kingfisher NONE 1 24/05/15 16:33 29.353352 79.525986 0

White-throated Kingfisher NONE 1 24/05/15 18:41 29.352665 79.524712 0

Red-wattled Lapwing NONE 1 24/05/15 17:06 29.352329 79.526581 0

Red-headed Laughingthrush NONE 1 24/05/15 19:59 29.349035 79.529282 0

Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush NONE 1 24/05/15 16:01 29.352781 79.525955 0

Streaked Laughingthrush NONE 1 24/05/15 07:34 29.422958 79.438507 0

White-throated Laughingthrush NONE 1 24/05/15 07:39 29.419296 79.439445 0

Red-billed Leiothrix NONE 1 24/05/15 14:47 29.352945 79.525742 0

Blue Magpie NONE 1 24/05/15 07:34 29.422565 79.439537 0

Oriental Magpie-Robin NONE 1 24/05/15 14:11 29.351709 79.527901 0

Common Myna NONE 1 24/05/15 07:34 29.421761 79.439209 0

Jungle Myna NONE 1 24/05/15 05:06 29.375244 79.532608 0

Rufous-bellied Niltava NONE 1 24/05/15 07:53 29.424414 79.437004 0

Small Niltava NONE 1 24/05/15 18:11 29.352997 79.526138 0

White-tailed Nuthatch NONE 1 24/05/15 06:54 29.408213 79.444412 0

Asian Paradise-Flycatcher NONE 1 24/05/15 16:57 29.352993 79.525841 0

Slaty-headed Parakeet NONE 1 24/05/15 08:13 29.424116 79.427322 0

Wedge-tailed Pigeon NONE 1 24/05/15 08:52 29.423555 79.426895 0

Plumbeous Redstart NONE 1 24/05/15 07:34 29.422134 79.438850 0

House Sparrow NONE 1 24/05/15 07:33 29.421940 79.440804 0

Russet Sparrow NONE 1 24/05/15 08:50 29.423824 79.426895 0

Chestnut-tailed Starling NONE 1 24/05/15 16:27 29.353148 79.523201 0

Spot-winged Starling NONE 1 24/05/15 18:01 29.353018 79.526024 0

Barn Swallow NONE 1 24/05/15 08:13 29.424116 79.427322 0

Red-rumped Swallow NONE 1 24/05/15 08:13 29.424116 79.427322 0

Orange-headed Thrush NONE 1 24/05/15 17:51 29.352831 79.526215 0

Tickell's Thrush NONE 1 24/05/15 07:32 29.419655 79.443985 0

Black-lored Tit NONE 1 24/05/15 14:17 29.353025 79.527496 0

Coal Tit NONE 1 24/05/15 07:12 29.414660 79.447777 0

Green-backed Tit NONE 1 24/05/15 14:17 29.352711 79.527313 0

Bar-tailed Treecreeper NONE 1 24/05/15 10:46 29.421522 79.434074 0

Oriental Turtle-Dove NONE 1 24/05/15 07:33 29.421724 79.442741 0

Gray-hooded Warbler NONE 1 24/05/15 15:38 29.352966 79.525879 0

Blue Whistling-Thrush NONE 1 24/05/15 05:06 29.376249 79.534119 0

Brown-fronted Woodpecker NONE 1 24/05/15 06:53 29.408180 79.444496 0

Rufous-bellied Woodpecker NONE 1 24/05/15 10:43 29.421078 79.433517 0

Whiskered Yuhina NONE 1 24/05/15 06:52 29.408098 79.444298 0

Day Three

25/05/15

NONE

Sattal, Pangot Day three | Rima, Sarabjit, Ravi & Self | 

NONE None 37.54 -95.05

Black-chinned Babbler NONE 1 25/05/15 06:51 29.352953 79.526115 0

Blue-throated Barbet NONE 1 25/05/15 09:17 29.352463 79.524559 1

Long-tailed Broadbill NONE 1 25/05/15 06:03 29.352850 79.525902 0

Black Bulbul NONE 1 25/05/15 05:53 29.352646 79.526619 0

Mountain Bulbul NONE 1 25/05/15 05:59 29.352808 79.525932 0

Red-vented Bulbul NONE 1 25/05/15 09:04 29.352165 79.522987 0

Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher NONE 1 25/05/15 08:08 29.352840 79.526733 0

Eurasian Collared-Dove NONE 1 25/05/15 07:51 29.353222 79.526108 0

Black-winged Cuckooshrike NONE 1 25/05/15 10:15 29.352856 79.526642 0

Emerald Dove NONE 1 25/05/15 07:49 29.352913 79.526024 0

Spotted Dove NONE 1 25/05/15 06:00 29.352850 79.525902 0

White-throated Fantail NONE 1 25/05/15 06:01 29.352850 79.525902 0

Blue-throated Flycatcher NONE 1 25/05/15 06:20 29.352829 79.526093 0

Ultramarine Flycatcher NONE 1 25/05/15 06:51 29.352953 79.526115 0

Verditer Flycatcher NONE 1 25/05/15 06:01 29.352850 79.525902 0

Oriental Honey-buzzard NONE 1 25/05/15 11:59 29.357212 79.527405 0

Black-headed Jay NONE 1 25/05/15 06:21 29.352985 79.526062 0

Common Kingfisher NONE 1 25/05/15 05:52 29.352558 79.526886 0

White-throated Kingfisher NONE 1 25/05/15 12:49 29.361097 79.588379 0

Red-wattled Lapwing NONE 1 25/05/15 06:31 29.353025 79.526039 0

Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush NONE 1 25/05/15 06:00 29.352850 79.525902 0

Streaked Laughingthrush NONE 1 25/05/15 08:54 29.351406 79.521118 0

Striated Laughingthrush NONE 1 25/05/15 07:27 29.352890 79.526199 0

White-throated Laughingthrush NONE 1 25/05/15 06:00 29.352850 79.525902 0

Red-billed Leiothrix NONE 1 25/05/15 06:19 29.352650 79.525948 0

Blue Magpie NONE 1 25/05/15 12:19 29.367973 79.576218 0

Oriental Magpie-Robin NONE 1 25/05/15 06:05 29.353003 79.525909 0

Long-tailed Minivet NONE 1 25/05/15 08:51 29.352062 79.521667 0

Jungle Myna NONE 1 25/05/15 06:04 29.353079 79.525864 0

Small Niltava NONE 1 25/05/15 08:18 29.352871 79.525696 0

White-tailed Nuthatch NONE 1 25/05/15 06:02 29.352850 79.525902 0

Indian Golden Oriole NONE 1 25/05/15 08:18 29.352873 79.525734 0

Asian Paradise-Flycatcher NONE 1 25/05/15 06:19 29.352650 79.525948 0

Slaty-headed Parakeet NONE 1 25/05/15 07:48 29.352617 79.526001 0

Kalij Pheasant NONE 1 25/05/15 07:05 29.352934 79.526031 0

Wedge-tailed Pigeon NONE 1 25/05/15 06:21 29.353031 79.526093 0

Gray-breasted Prinia NONE 1 25/05/15 12:49 29.361097 79.588379 0

Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler NONE 1 25/05/15 08:18 29.352873 79.525734 0

Rufous Sibia NONE 1 25/05/15 06:39 29.353109 79.526093 0

Black-throated Sunbird NONE 1 25/05/15 08:43 29.351870 79.521645 0

Orange-headed Thrush NONE 1 25/05/15 05:52 29.352474 79.527061 0

Pied Thrush NONE 1 25/05/15 08:20 29.352879 79.525414 0

Tickell's Thrush NONE 1 25/05/15 06:52 29.352980 79.526100 0

Black-lored Tit NONE 1 25/05/15 06:01 29.352850 79.525902 0

Green-backed Tit NONE 1 25/05/15 08:21 29.352751 79.525314 0

Bar-tailed Treecreeper NONE 1 25/05/15 09:46 29.352879 79.526878 0

Gray-hooded Warbler NONE 1 25/05/15 05:59 29.352850 79.525902 0

Blue Whistling-Thrush NONE 1 25/05/15 06:01 29.352850 79.525902 0

Oriental White-eye NONE 1 25/05/15 06:05 29.353079 79.525864 0

Lesser Yellownape NONE 1 25/05/15 11:41 29.356735 79.529449 0

Before I pen off, there were beautiful and plentiful butterflies. some pictures that I took are pasted below.

So concluded one of the most satisfying birding trips of all times...