Kevladeo National Park, Bharatpur

Bharatpur Birds Sanctuary 

(Renamed as Kevladeo National Park)

How to reach: 

by Train - Paschim Express from Bandra Terminus; Golden Temple Mail from Mumbai Central; Dehradun Express from Bandra Terminus and Ferozpur Janta Express from Mumbai Central

It was a very cold day when we alighted at Bharatpur at 4.50 am (We travelled from Jodhpur) and the temperature was 3 degree Celsius. We waited at the waiting room till 6.00 am and went to Surya Vilas Hotel on Sikhri Road. 

Started on Day 1 at 9.00 am and entered the park. Hopped into a rickshaw (Rs.70/- hire charges per hour - and some of rickshawmen are really good bird watchers). Vehicles are allowed upto the first check point where car parking is available (separate charges applicable). After first check point, no vehicles are allowed except rickshaws, bicycles, battery operated golf cars. (all are available on paying hire charges). The birds and animals we saw are: 

Intermediate Egret

Kevladeo National Park

Towards Python Point

Common Kestrel

Grey Heron

Painted Storks

Jungle Babbler

Jungle Myna

Little Egret

Day 2 again started at 9.00 am. Just opposite to KNP there was a small part where we saw Pallid Scops Owl. Then entered the park through our vehicle to the first check point.  Around 1.30 am we had lunch at the Centre Point. Then we proceeded to Python point.

Snake Bird

Tiger Butterfly

Marshland

Marshland

Indian Roller

Black-headed Ibis

Eurasian Coot

Spotted Deer with calf

Tortoise

Pelican

Pond Heron

Spotted Owlets 

There were Sarus Cranes, Purple sunbird, etc. on way and located the Python which was sun-bathing. We reached around 5.45 pm at the parking lot where our bus was waiting. It was almost 11 km trek and saw most of the birds Asif has listed.

Python

Forest

Forest

Jackal

Eurasin Scops Owl

Reached the hotel and discussed the sightings. With instructions to  be ready by breakfast for our onward trip to Chambal we ate our dinner and went to bed. 

Bera, Rajasthan - Leopard Land

Jawai Bandh

Jawai Bandh (Jawai Dam) is a water body near Bera on Rajasthan.  Generally Leopards love to dwell in hilly regions that too with caves. Bera is one such place. It has numerous hills and a good dam nearby.  This attracts birds especially, Flamingos, Bar-headed Geese, Pelicans, Indian Skimmer, Crocodiles, etc.

Jawai Bandh

How to reach Jawai Bandh :
Trains from Bandra Terminus - Aravalli Express, Suryanagari Express & Ranakpur Express
Train from Dadar - Triweekly Ajmer Express & from Bengaluru via Kalyan - Biweekly Jodhpur Express


Leopard's Lair Resort offers you good accommodation and food with two safaris. It is about 15 km from Jawai Bandh.

Peacock at Resort

Leopard at its cave entrance

Blackwinged Stilt

Bar-headed Geese 

Flamingos

Red-vented Bulbul

We went by Aravalli Express and reached Jawai Bandh at around noon. From there a pick up was arranged on extra payment from Jawai Bandh railway station to Leopard's Lair Resort. After refreshing we started our evening safari around 4.30 pm. We had good sightings of Leopards at a nearby hill which was 15-20 minutes by drive. Returned around 8.00 pm.

Second day after having tea and biscuits started our safari to Jawai Bandh. We had watched lots of birds and crocodiles. Returned to resort and had breakfast.  After Lunch, left for evening safari. Leopards used to be killed by the villagers if it attacked the cattle and humans. Later the present owner of Leopard's Lair Resort, a descendant of King, who had developed a liking to leopards, encouraged the villagers to desist from killing the leopards in retaliation. He offered them monetary assistance in case of cattle loss.

On the last day, left for a different lake side and had good sightings.  Returned to Resort and after refreshing left for Jodhpur (180 km from Bera) around 3.15 pm by hired vehicle. Reached Jodhpur around 6.30 pm. We caught Jodhpur-Howrah Express for Bharatpur for BNHS tour starting from next day.