Grey Francolin, Common Quail,
Barred Button Quail, Northern Shoveler, Common Hoopoe,
Green Bee Eater, Sirkir Malkoha, Short-eared Owl, Sykes Nightjar, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Crane, Chestnut bellied Sandgrouse, Eurasian
Thick-Knee, Red Wattled Lapwing, Black shouldered Kite, Eurasian Marsh
Harrier, Pallid harrier, Montago's Harrier, Shikra,
Eurasian Sparrow-hawk, Long legged Buzzard, Greater
Spotted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Little Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Greater Flamingo,
Black Ibis, Dalmatian pelican, Painted Stark, White Stark, Black necked stark,
Red-backed Shrike, Roufous Tailed Shrike, Black Drongo, Variable Wheatear,
Desert Wheatear, Read-tailed Wheatear, Rosy Starling, White-eared Bulbul, Gray Hypocolius, Graceful Prinia, Paddy Field Warbler,
Crested Lark, Yellow Wagtail, Long billed pipit,
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| Spotted Owlet |
On the last day of our trip, after packing our bags we started our trip to Mandvi Seashore which is on the southern tip of Bhuj district. On our way we saw Spotted Owlet near a canal bridge. I was fortunate to have a photograph of this bird. We saw Ducks, Oriental Honey Buzzard. On the side of the road, a mongoose family was spotted. Before we could stop and take a look, the pups went into hiding leaving the mother guarding them. We had our breakfast (picnic style) on a field adjacent to the road. Resumed our journey to the coast. When we were about to pass the Town to the shore we crossed the creek where there were lot of birds including Reef Egret, Wryneck, Plover, etc. All the on-lookers were asking us from where you have come? with curiosity. We reached the sea shore after spending good time spotting birds. The sand at the seashore looked hard but our feet sank up to ankle level every step. Reached the spot where we could see Eurasian Oyster Catcher, Black-headed Gull, Gull-billed Tern. Adesh and Mandar explained us about the difference between similar looking bird species. Mangal and Mama brought the vehicles to another spot from where we boarded the vehicle for our journey back to Hotel for the lunch.
Birds we saw on 21.1.2012
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| Reef Egret |
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| Mongoose |
Lesser Whistling Duck, Mallard, Spot billed Duck, White-throated Kingfisher, Rose ringed parakeet, Spotted Owlet, Demoiselle Crane, Black tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Common Red Shank, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Green Shank, Wood Sandpiper, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Eurasian Oyster Catcher, Black winged Stilt, Grey Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand plover, Heuglin's Gull, Palla's Gull, Brown-headed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern, River Tern, Lesser crested Tern, Osprey, Little Grebe, Darter, Little Egret, Western Reef Egret, Great Egret, Black crowned Night Heron, Lesser Flamingo, House Crow, Redvented Bulbul, Zitting Cisticola, Common Tailor bird, Hume's Lesser Whitethroat, Baya weaver,
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| Oriental Honey Buzzard |
Last Hurrah
After having Lunch, we checked out from the Hotel, and as a surprise move, Adesh told us that we will be going to have one last go to see the White naped Tit which was elusive all the three days. We went to Pot-Mahadev and tried our luck. Mandar and Adesh went different places and started giving bird call in the hope that it will be visible. Suddenly Adesh called Mandar along with Riyaz, Ameya and all were to check a particular bush. We were surrounding from all the sides. White naped Tit flew from a tree hole at arm's length of Adesh. Every body started in hushed tones, it is there, it is here. Nobody was ready to leave the spot. The light was dipping very fast. After much discussion and coming to a conclusion that it will not come again until we move out, we grudgingly boarded the vehicles for our journey back to Bhuj to catch the Train. Adesh was devastated (if I put it right) as he was hopeful that he will show the bird to us in his last attempt. But he rightly said we must accept the privacy of the birds and try our luck next time. We reached Bhuj around 9.00 pm IST. Had Kutchi Dabeli, Milk Shakes, Ice Cream as our dinner and reached the station around 9.45 pm IST. Adesh thanked the group, Mangal & Mama for their ever willing help even in small things and boarded the train back to Mumbai.
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| Sunset at Pot-Mahadev, Bhuj |
Note:
1. Red-lettered names indicates photograph.
2. If any of the caption is wrong kindly intimate me as I am first timer.
3. First timers interested in birding please note that you should have lots of patience to see, photograph, check and write the details. Combining photography and taking notes will require lot of time management.
4. A good binocular (preferably 7 x 50) is must for bird watching
5. Send mail to chandar1999@yahoo.com for high resolution photographs featured in this blog.
Acknowledgements:
Mr. Adesh Shivkar, Mr. Mandar Khadilkar - for excellent guiding, arrangements and telescope.
Mr. Riyaz Amin, Dr. Muthu Narayanan - for maximum bird spotting.
Mr. Ameya Ketkar, Ms. Rujuta Phadke - for telescope.
Cdr (Retd) GVK Unnithan, Capt (Retd) Haridasan, Mr. Jayaram, Mr.Narendra Athnikar, Ms. Malini Kaushik, Ms. Michelle Wadhwani, Ms. Jayanti, Ms. Sonal Athnikar, Ms. Rama Bishnoi - for helping to note down the names of birds.
****
After having Lunch, we checked out from the Hotel, and as a surprise move, Adesh told us that we will be going to have one last go to see the White naped Tit which was elusive all the three days. We went to Pot-Mahadev and tried our luck. Mandar and Adesh went different places and started giving bird call in the hope that it will be visible. Suddenly Adesh called Mandar along with Riyaz, Ameya and all were to check a particular bush. We were surrounding from all the sides. White naped Tit flew from a tree hole at arm's length of Adesh. Every body started in hushed tones, it is there, it is here. Nobody was ready to leave the spot. The light was dipping very fast. After much discussion and coming to a conclusion that it will not come again until we move out, we grudgingly boarded the vehicles for our journey back to Bhuj to catch the Train. Adesh was devastated (if I put it right) as he was hopeful that he will show the bird to us in his last attempt. But he rightly said we must accept the privacy of the birds and try our luck next time. We reached Bhuj around 9.00 pm IST. Had Kutchi Dabeli, Milk Shakes, Ice Cream as our dinner and reached the station around 9.45 pm IST. Adesh thanked the group, Mangal & Mama for their ever willing help even in small things and boarded the train back to Mumbai.
