Bharatpur - Birding in World's Best Birding Area - 5th to 8th Feb.13

The 1st trip of Nature India to Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur:- )

Date: 6th February, 2013 morning 7.00 am to 8th February, 2013 eve 7.00 pm (Travel days excluded). The bookings for the Meticulously planned Bharatpur bird-watching trip are on…..book your seats now (see the complete details at the end of this blog).....Birdwatch in one of the India's greatest birding hot-spots with Nature India.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur

 

A non-birder may often ask you “Are you are a bird-watcher? Then you must visit the Bharatpur bird Sanctuary, there are many birds including those that come from Siberia”.....even a lay person knowing this place is not surprising, since, Bharatpur was the only known / recognized Bird-watching site before 1990’s, the most famous and talked about. No wonder Sir Peter Scott, founder of WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and famous ornithologist from UK once said that “Bharatpur is World’s best bird area”. Indeed, this was one of the favourite places of late Dr.Salim Ali too, who carried out extensive studies on migratory birds here.

Nature India announces Bird-watching trip to "best birding area in the world", Bharatpur, from 5th to 8th February 2013.... Bookings are open....only limited seats, so book fassstttt...

UNESCO included this Ramsar site as a World Heritage Site, in 2002, and the description by UNESCO says,  “Habitat of rare and endangered species. The park is a wetland of international importance for migratory waterfowl. It is the wintering ground and habitat for large numbers of resident nesting birds.”
(Thanks to Ansar Khan & Chotu Khan for allowing us to use some of their excellent images of Bharatpur)

Initially this land was just a natural depression, where Maharaja Suraj Mal, then ruler Bharatpur constructed Ajan Bund (the bund was created at the confluence of Gambhir & Banganga river). It became famous hunting ground for Maharajas & the British viceroys. There are records of killing 4000+ birds in one shoot!! Later on some common sense prevailed and park was established as National Park on 10th March 1982. In 1982, grazing was banned in the park, leading to violent clashes between local farmers and the government.

The name Keoladeo is derived from the Lord Shiva temple present inside sanctuary, the area is locally called as Ghana (simply means dense or thicket) & hence the name, Keoladeo Ghana National Park. The park is 2 kilometers (km) south-east of Bharatpur town and 50 km west of Agra. The Park is spread over approx 29 sq. km. area. One third of the Keoladeo National Park habitat is wetland systems with varying types of microhabitats having trees, mounds, dykes and open water with or without submerged or emergent plants. The habitats include Grassland, Woodland & Arid land in varying density.

Birding in Bharatpur

Half of the bird-watching population that visit Bharatpur are foreigners, not just because of the strategic position (close to Agra), but also for the amazing diversity of more than 400 species that have been recorded in such a small area. Ornithologically, the park assumes significance in two respects: One because of its strategic location as a staging ground for migratory waterfowl arriving in the Indian subcontinent before dispersing to various regions and secondly, the wetland is a wintering area for massive congregations of waterfowl. Till 2002, the critically endangered Siberian Cranes also used to come here. Bharatpur is also known for some breeding residents like Sarus Crane. It is also home to a healthy population of mammal species.....However, since 2002 the water crises (because it is an artificial wetland that received water from "Ajan Bund" and for which the farmers around the region declined to give water) lead to the deterioration of the park. However, after the completion of the ambitious "Govardhan Canal" project, the Park is receiving water since last year, and the glorious days are back :-)

 

The Birding can be done along the various paths that criss-cross the park and in various habitats – Nursery, Sapan Mori, Keoladeo Temple, Koladhar (arid zone), Forest tract.... each of these spots can give you a different experience and we have meticulously planned the trip accordingly.

Birds to look out for: Herons, Storks, Cormorants, Waders, Migratory ducks (including Gadwall, Shoveller, Common Teal, Cotton Pygmy goose, Tufted Ducks, Comb Duck, Mallard, Ferruginous, Common Pochard, Indian Spotbilled Duck, Grey-lag & Bar-headed Goose), Darters, Ibises, Pelicans etc. Also, Warblers, Babblers, Bee-eaters, Buntings, Chats, Francolins, Hornbills, Quails and a very good variety of Raptors (Including Pallas’s, Spotted, Imperial, Tawny, Bonell’s, Booted, Steppe, Serpent Eagles). The Olws are easy to see and are in good nos. (including Dusky & Eurasian Eagle Owl, Collard & Oriental Scops Owls). The Park also has Marshall’s Iora, Thrushes, Rubythroat and various Nightjars (roosting).

Mammals & Other Fauna: Nilgai, Jackal, Spotted & Sambar Deer, Blackbuck, Fishing & Jungle Cat, Mongoose, Smooth Indian Otter, Civets, Wild Boar, Monitor Lizard, Indian Python, Reshus Macaques, Langurs etc.

 

Taj Mahal –Agra and Chambal National Park is not very far from Bharatpur (only about 53 kms), besides there are very good birds there, so if anyone wishes, he/she can extend their stay and cover Agra as well and Nature India will be happy to assist in travel arrangement ..... however, it is not covered in our itinerary.

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Tour Itinerary & Other Details:

Date: 06th Feb, 2013 morning 6.30 am to 08th Feb, 2013 eve 07.00 pm (travel days excluded)

Mode of Travel : Cycle Rickshaw and on foot (The only best travel option to move around the places quickly)

Overnight train travel can be booked from Mumbai to Bharatpur (by participants).....however since it is a busy sector, the train bookings should be done soon to get the desired train and class ......Nature India can ASSIST in bookings if required.

Rough Tour Itinerary - Ex. Bharatpur: (Participants to book their own travel from Bharatpur to Bharatpur)


Day 1 (Tuesday 5th Feb, 2013): Departure from Mumbai to Bharatpur by 12925 Paschim Exp. leaving Bandra Terminus at 11:35 Hrs.

Day 2 (Wednesday 6th Feb, 2013): Arrival in Bharatpur (6.15 am) – Drive to Hotel Kiran Villa - Breakfast - Explore the Park on Foot till the nursery for scrubland birds - Packed Lunch - Explore the park near Nursery and Forest area for forest birds - return for dinner and Overnight Stay at Hotel Kiran Villa, Bharatpur

Day 3 (Thursday 7th Feb, 2013): Early Breakfast - Morning Birdwatching in Keoladeo National Park to expore "Sapan Mori" area  for wetland birds (travel till Sapan Mori by Cycle Rickshaw) - Packed Lunch - Explore the area around the Keoladeo Temple - Return back by Cycle Rickshaw - Dinner  & Presentation on "Birds of Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur" - Discussion - Overnight stay at Hotel Kiran Villa, Bharatpur

Day 4 (Friday 8th Feb,2013):  Early breakfast - Proceed to "Koladhar" area to get mammals and dryland birds - Packed Lunch - Proceed to Birdwatch on way back - Return by 4 pm - Checkout and Depart by 6 pm to board 12926 Paschim Exp. @ 19:42 from Bharatpur.

Day 5 (Saturday 9th Feb, 2013):  Arrival in Mumbai at 14:45 Hrs
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Trip charges (Bharatpur to Bharatpur only)............. Rs.12400/-

Includes Deluxe non- A/C room stay in Hotel Kiran Villa, Bharatpur on twin sharing basis, Local travel by Cycle Rickshaw, Park entry charges, veg / non-veg food , Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water…….

This does not include travel charges from Mumbai to Bharatpur and Back or any charges other than the above.

Group Size: Max.12 persons only

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmation mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non-refundable Advance of Rs.5500/- after our email confirmation…..The remaining amount will be collected on the day of travel. Please note that the seats will be confirmed only after the advance payment.

Kindly register soon as the train bookings are not easily available in the North Sector.

Stay Arrangement: Hotel Kiran Villa, Bharatpur is a good and clean hotel..... very close to the park. The Stay arrangement is on a twin sharing basis and non-A/c deluxe accommodation. The food is mouth watering. The AC accommodation can be arranged at an extra cost if requested during the registration.

Resource Person: Mr.Adesh Shivkar, Mr.Mandar Khadilkar & local expert

Mode of Payment: You can either
1) Transfer the advance money directly to my HDFC A/c (Please call Mandar @ 9930318665).. please mention your name, date and other details….
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.5500/- as advance amount to the following address

Name: Mr.Mandar Khadilkar
Address: Flat No.2, Blossom Apartments, LM Road, Below Shantighan Hospital, Kandarpada,
Dahisar-West, Mumbai-400068

Please Note:
1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 5500/- is strictly non-refundable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on all Nature India Tours
3) Nest photography or any collection of specimens is prohibited
4) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with  Nature India's rules and policies
http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html


Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification …..

For any other queries we are available on 9869071091 or 9820455713 (Adesh) or 9930318665 / 9967518665 (Mandar)....

Thanks for your patience.

Looking forward for a very rewarding trip with you all !!


Warm Regards,
Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
Nature India
Appreciate, Respect and Conserve