Friday, January 04, 2008
Jewels in the Sand
JEWELS IN THE SAND
roufous tailed wheatear(very rare migrant)
monitor lizard
these are some memories of my kutch trip.I saw 148 species in 4 days of excitement .
(all photos taken by my husband -dr kiran marthak)
For years kutch was famous for its arts and crafts and HODKA village stood out as a beautiful example of their craftsmanship. Today thanks to Mr Jugal Tiwari it stands out as a hotspot for RAPTORS -where eagles DARE
Not one or 2 but countless - eagles seen by me were -steppe eagle
tawny (in light/dark morphology)
imperial
short toed eagle
greater spotted eagle
Banni is divided into grassland and water body called CHARRI DHUND
As we entered BANNI the heat gave us mirages all over and we reached a Magic rock called Pankhi bet (i call it magic) -The rocks had sooo much life staying within - a family of jungle cats with kittens
eurasian eagle owls
blue rock thrush female
rofous tailed wheater
monitor lizard
roufous tailed wheatear(very rare migrant)
monitor lizard In the grassland -side by side to the raptors were hordes of common cranes and jackals. A pack of wolves were also spotted.White storks were near water. We were good enough not to disturb the black necked storks with 2 chicks in the nest.
At charri dhund -waders seen were marsh sandpipers,common sandpipers, green shanks, ruffs and little stints.There were wagtails and wheatears, on the banks.The waters were also shared by rosy and dalamation pelicans and lesser flamingoes. To give them company was a huge flock of northern shovellers ,common teals ,common coots.The sky above had marsh harriers .
The next day we went to Phott Mahadeo thorny forest and jadeshwar temple.The grey francolins were seen scurring around along side the paefowls.On on tall tree at a distance was a sirkeer malkoha- a lifer for me!!! A few chinkars and hares crossed our path. We came across a mixed hunting party of small minivets,common woodshrikes,grey breasted pirinias,plain pirinia,baybacked shrike and a glance of white cheeked tit.While walking I flushed out a jungle bush quail. It was worth taking the 3kms walk in this difficult terrain.
The next day we went to Phott Mahadeo thorny forest and jadeshwar temple.The grey francolins were seen scurring around along side the paefowls.On on tall tree at a distance was a sirkeer malkoha- a lifer for me!!! A few chinkars and hares crossed our path. We came across a mixed hunting party of small minivets,common woodshrikes,grey breasted pirinias,plain pirinia,baybacked shrike and a glance of white cheeked tit.While walking I flushed out a jungle bush quail. It was worth taking the 3kms walk in this difficult terrain.
The 3rd day was at NALLIYA -LALLA BUSTARD SANCTUARY.
Highlight of this sanctuary in the morning was neelgais and eurasian griffons-4 in number-and 50++ chestnutbellied sandgrouses drinking water.After a good breakfast of HOT JALEBIS AND GANTHIAS went in search of the great bustard- but instead found bimarculated larks and silverbills near a small pool of water.
My excitement rose when i saw a male shikra hunt a blue rock dove.Injured but alive the dove escaped -the poor shikra was without lunch.
Evening we went close to the arabian sea and flushed out the syke's nightjar from its roost on the ground. Common snipe gave us all a full view for about half an hour. But the return journey was the most memorable.The twilight sky was suddenly filled with harriers of all kinds and sexes -marsh-male/female,
montague -male/female,pallid- male/female
sky full of harriers.(sorry not a goodpix) We were told that they all gather together to roost for the night.
sky full of harriers.(sorry not a goodpix) We were told that they all gather together to roost for the night. Fullay village was chosen for the last day- In search of the grey hypocolius.After about an hour's search this shy winter visitor was found feeding on the meswark fruit. After a quick rest while we were in banni grasslands we saw the short eared owl for more than one hour - it was a cherry on the ice cream for ME.
All of 26 of us were soooo delighted that we spent the remaining time watching the evening sun go down by the charri dhund with the common cranes coming in 'v' formations to settle down for the night. A sight which will be never forgotten for life. On the return the saw scaled viper was spotted in the sands.
All of 26 of us were soooo delighted that we spent the remaining time watching the evening sun go down by the charri dhund with the common cranes coming in 'v' formations to settle down for the night. A sight which will be never forgotten for life. On the return the saw scaled viper was spotted in the sands. 
bidding adieu on the last day were indian robins and variable wheatear(o.capistrata)
how can i leave kutch so easily is what NATURE had in store for me and near the tropic of cancer there was one last lifer waiting for me - red necked phalarope.
hodka village where we ate typical kutchi lunch shown below.
these are some memories of my kutch trip.I saw 148 species in 4 days of excitement .(all photos taken by my husband -dr kiran marthak)
