Nature India

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Birding in Little Rann of Kutch & Thol - 18th to 22nd Nov'09

Date: 18th Nov'09 morning 06.00 am to 22nd Nov'09 eve 8.00 pm (travel days excluded). The bookings for Little Rann of Kutch (LRK) & Thol bird sanctuary bird-watching trip are on…..book your seats now (see the details at the end).....Birdwatch in one of the highly recommended birding hot-spots in India with Nature India.

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Thol Bird Sanctuary - A Birdwatching Surprise

Thol Sanctuary is located 40 kms northwest of Ahmedabad, in Mehsana District. Thol lake, created in 1912, covers 7 sq. kms of mostly open water. There are small marshes at the edges and some scrub forest on the sides of the high embankments.

Thol is in fact a man-constructed artificial tank utilized mainly for irrigation purposes that possesses 1450 hectares of command plot and 153 square kilometers of catchment plot.

Thol promises a memorable birding experience and offers an incredible array of bird species, both resident and migratory. It is home to large nos. of visiting Great White Pelicans, Common Cranes and variety of waterfowls. One can even see some rare species like Mallard, Gray-lag Goose, Ferrugenius Pochard, Red-crested Pochard etc. It become particularly known last year when the critically endangered Sociable Plover were seen here regularly.

A visit to this lesser known paradise is a must for all the enthusiastic birders and photographers alike. It is now slowly becoming a very popular birding destinations of India.

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LRK - Birding Unlimited in the Little Rann

Ask someone who has been here......and you wont have to think twice to decide where you want to head next. This Wild Ass Sanctuary is located in the Little Rann of Kutch of the Gujarat State in India. It covers an area of 4954 km². The Sanctuary is named after a sub species of wild ass (Equus hemionus khur), the last population of which it harbours. The Rann is one of the most remarkable and unique landscapes of its kind in the entire world. It is a vast expanse of desiccated, unbroken bare surface of dark silt, encrusted with salts which transforms into a spectacular coastal wetland after the rains. And in these wetlands occur one of the most breathtaking variety of avi-fauna that is rivalled by few other spots in India.

A geographically unique landform, the Little Rann of Kutch is a saline desert wilderness offering exciting cross-desert safaris, superb wildlife viewing opportunities and colourful villages along the edge of the desert. The Little Rann of Kutch or LRK, as it is often called, is a charismatic birding paradise and has been declared a Ramsar Site. The marshes in the Rann, and nearby lakes like Nawa Talao and Vanod Saran, attract huge flocks of water birds. Flamingos, pelicans, cranes, storks, ducks etc can be seen in large numbers. LRK is home to some very rare species like Macqueen's Bustard, Sociable Lapwing, Greater Hoopoe Lark, Merlin, Saker Falcon etc...

The Little Rann of Kutch is also a Wild-life photographers paradise as it offers innumerable opportunities to capture birds and wildlife at close quarters. Last year the Gujarat photographers literally had a feast photographing the falcons, buzzards, eagles, bustards, desert foxes, Wild Ass etc.

Kachchh (also spelled as Kutch) is a district of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an area of 45,612 km², it is the largest district in the state of Gujarat and the second largest district of India after Leh. Kachchh literally means something which intermittently becomes wet and dry; large part of this district known as Rann of Kachchh is shallow wet-land which submerges in water during the rainy season and becomes dry during other seasons. The same word "Kuchchh" is also used in Sanskrit for a tortoise and garments to be worn while having a bath.

Kachchh District is surrounded by the Gulf of Kachchh and the Arabian Sea in south and west, while northern and eastern parts are surrounded by the Great and Little Rann (seasonal wetlands) of Kachchh. When there were not many dams built on its rivers, the Rann of Kachchh remained wetlands for a large part of the year. Even today, the region remains wet for a significant part of year.

Nature India has organized an exclusive Birdwatching trip to this paradise from 18th-22nd November 2009 (travel days excluded). We shall cover Thol Bird Sanctuary, Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, Savna Wetland, Bajan Wetland, Nandawala Wetland, Handiwala Wetland ....virtually almost all the hotspots.

Some of the places that we will cover during our trip are as follows:

1. Thol Bird Sanctuary

One of the finest places to see and photograph large variety of waterfowls and other birds, both resident as well as migrant. Also on the way while going towards Thol we can see a place fnow wellknown for the critically endangered vultures, where 4-5 species of vultures can be seen at a close range. This sanctuary has now become one of the most sort after places for bird photographers of India.

Thol wetland is home to birds like Great White Pelican, Sarus Cranes, Common Cranes, Wigeons, Gargeneys, Shovellers, Teals, Gray-lag Goose, Ruddy Shell Duck, Red-crested Pochard...and enormous range and numbers of waders. If we are lucky, then we might also chance upon yet another rare and critically endangered Sociable Plover.

2. Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch

Little Rann of Kutch of which most of the part constitutes Asiatic Wild Ass Sanctuary. It is theonly place in the world, to see Asiatic Wild Ass in wild. Other mammals to look out for are Wolf, Blue Bull, Desert Fox, Desert Cat, Hedge Hog, Chinkara etc.

The sanctuary known for not only Wild Ass but also for numerous wetlands it has around and high nos. of Waterfowls. Also the dry unending desert is known for species like Hoopoe Lark, Greater Short-toed Larks, Desert Wheatear, Red-tailed Wheatear, Variable Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Hen Harrier, Montegue's Harrier, Merlin, Saker Falcon, Laggar Falcon, Imeprial Eagle, Macqueen's Bustard, Short-eared Owl, Sociable Lapwing etc...

Have a look at a couple of photoblogs on LRK & Thol Sanctuary
http://picasaweb.google.com/shaileshkar/TholeSanctuaryAndLittleRannOfKutch#

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lraleigh/youarehere./1173972660/tpod.html

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Tour Iterinary:

Date: 18^th Nov, 2009 morning 6.00 am to 22nd Nov, 2009 eve 8.00 pm (travel days excluded)

Mode of Travel : Minibus (Thol) / Mahindra jeeps (LRK)

Overnight train travel can be booked from Mumbai..... however since it is a busy sector, the train bookings should be done soon to get the desired train and class .... there are several trains available for Ahmedabad from Mumbai....Nature India can ASSIST in bookings if required.

Rough Tour Iterinary:

17th Nov'09 : Departure from Mumbai to Ahmedabad by 9143 Lokshakti Express. or any other train according to your convenience.

18th Nov'09 : Arrival in Ahmedabad (6.30am) - Hotel check-in - Breakfast - Birdwatching at Thol Bird Sanctuary - Lunch - Birdwatching in Thol - Return for dinner and Stay at Hotel in Ahmedabad

19th Nov'09 : Morning bird watching in Thol Bird Sanctuary - return to hotel for lunch - leave for Jogad village (LRK) - Stay at Eco Tour Camp, Jogad.

20th Nov'09 : Early morning Birdwatching in Savda Wetland - Lunch - bird watching at Bajana wetland. - Stay at Eco Tour Camp, Jogad.

21st Nov'09 : Early morning leave for Nandawala wetland by crossing the Rann - Lunch - Evening bird watching at island. - Stay at Eco Tour Camp, Jogad.

22ndNov'09 : Early morning Birdwatching at Handiwala Wetlands – Checkout & Departure for Ahmedabad

23rd Nov'09 : Early morning arrival in Mumbai

Trip charges :

Option 1 - Stay in Huts on Twin sharing basis (10 seats)
Charges: Rs.8800- only (Includes non- A/C stay in simple "Kooba" huts at Eco Tour Camp, Jogad, on twin sharing basis with attached toilet, Local travel by minibus/ jeeps, Park entry charges, vegetarian food , Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)…….

Option 2 - Stay in Tents on Twin sharing basis (4 seats)
Charges: Rs.8200/- only (Includes non- A/C stay in Tents at Eco Tour Camp, Jogad, on twin sharing basis with common toilet, Local travel by minibus/ jeeps, Park entry charges, vegetarian food , Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)…….

This does not include travel charges from Mumbai to Ahmedabad and Back, Photography fees or any charges other than the above.

Note: As the no. of Huts are limited, the Option 1 will be given on first come-first serve basis.

Group Size: Max.14 persons only

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmation mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non refundable Advance of Rs.4000/- …..The remaining amount will be collected on the day of travel.

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

Stay Arrangement:

Eco Tour Camp, Jogad is a good and clean place to stay. The Stay arrangement is on a twin sharing basis and non-A/c accommodation in "Kooba Huts" / Tents. The food is mouth watering and we have kept a special arrangement for non-oily Kutchee food.

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

Mode of Payment: You can either

1) Transfer the advance money directly to the HDFC A/c (Please send a mail for details).. please mention your name, date and other details….
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.4000/- as advance amount to the following address

Name: Mr. Mandar Khadilkar

Address: B/702, Neha Apartments, Ashish Complex, Dahisar (East), Mumbai-400022

Please Note:

1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 4000/- is strictly non-refunadable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours

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

For any other queries we are available on 9321463362 or 9820455713 (Adesh) or 9967518665 (Mandar) or sign up on http://natureindia.ning.com/ to know more of Nature India.

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

Friday, August 28, 2009

Birding in the Great Rann of Kutch, Bhuj - 7th to 13th Dec'09

Date: 7th December, 2009 morning 10.00 am to 13th December, 2009 eve 8.00 pm. The bookings for Great Rann of Kuth / Bhuj bird-watching trip are on…..book your seats now (see the details at the end).....Birdwatch in one of the India's greatest birding hot-spots with Nature India

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KUTCH - THE BIRDING PARADISE

One of the best hotspot to watch birds in India is undoubtedly Gujarat. Particularly, the Great Rann provides great opportunity to birdwatch to your hearts content. This rugged landscape has such a variety and sheer abundance of birdlife that it wont be an exaggeration to call this place the "Mecca" of Birdwatchers. Once visited, it becomes an addiction of sorts to pay a visit to this amazing place every year…..ask anyone who has been here :-)

Kutch is an erstwhile princely state of India. It is the largest district of the state of Gujarat and the second largest district in India covering an area of 45,612 sq kms. The land is virtually 'an island' resembling a tortoise "Katchua or Kachbo", surrounded by seawater. Kutch was also known as the kutchdweep or Kutchbet." The Great Rann of Kutch" which dominates a major portion of the district. The Great Rann of Kutch and the Little Rann of Kutch respectively-uninhabitable deserts which during the monsoon season (June to October) is often completely submerged by floods.

The Rann of Kutch is a seasonally marshy region located in the Thar Desert biogeographic province in Gujarat state of northwestern India and the Sind province of Pakistan. The name "Rann" comes from the Hindi word ran meaning "salt marsh".

Not just the variety but the sheer numbers of birds seen is amazing. This is due to the varied habitat types that include deserts and wetlands, vast grasslands, scrub lands, and mangrove swamps. .For many bird species Gujarat is a gateway to India coming in from Europe, Siberia and the Middle East. During the months of Dec-March this whole region becomes a birding Paradise of sorts with hundreds of Common and Demoisele cranes, Waders, Eagles, Harriers, Buzzards, Falcons, Warblers, Buntings, Ducks, and other passerine birds. Not to mention the Great Indian Bustard and Macqueen's Bustard. It has now become a norm for any birdwatcher to visit the Great Rann every year.

Nature India has organized an exclusive Birdwatching pilgrimage to this paradise from 8th-12th December 2009 (travel days excluded). We shall cover Naliya Grasslands, Lala Bustard Sanctuary, Banni Grasslands, Pingleshwar Coast, Chiyasar thorn forest, Chari Dhand, Fulay Chari & Other places around Nakhatrana district.....virtually almost all the hotspots.

Some of the places that we will cover during our trip are as follows:

1) Naliya Grasslands

A significant grassland habitat of Kutch wellknown for the Great Indian Bustard in Abdasa taluka. Though covering only about 20 sq km of area, this grassland is very important for birdwatchers as perhaps the only sanctuary in India where three species of bustard are found – the endangered Great Indian Bustard is resident here, the endangered Lesser Florican breeds here during the monsoon months, and the near-threatened Macqueen’s Bustard is a winter visitor.

There is a good drivable track through the sanctuary that offers a chance of seeing the endangered Great Indian Bustard and a variety of other birds like the Black and Grey Francolin, Spotted and Indian Sandgrouse, quails, larks, shrikes, coursers and plovers. This sanctuary is also interesting for birdwatchers as vulnerable species like the Stoliczka’s Bushchat and White-naped Tit could also be seen. The sanctuary offers mind-blogging numbers and variety of Raptors including Aquila Eagles, harriers, Buzzards & Falcons that feast on Spiny-tailed Lizards here.

2) Chari Dhand & Fulay Village

The flats of Banni conceal many depressions where rainwater gets collected during a good monsoon. These shallow water bodies are locally known as dhand, jheel or talav.

Chhari Dhand is the largest of these, with an area of almost 10 sq km. More than 50,000 waterfowls and 55 distinct animal species have been recorded here, while more than 30,000 birds have been reported during winter. Endangered species like Dalmatian Pelican (Pelicanus crispus), Oriental Darter (Anhingia rufa), Blacknecked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) and Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) migrate through these wetlands every year. Waterfowl are not the only migratory birds attracted to this region. In fact, 32 species of Raptors have been recorded here, together with a large number of Common Cranes. Due to this rich biodiversity, the Chhari Dhand and some of its adjoining wetlands are under serious consideration for inclusion in the Ramsar Convention.

The "Fulay" village on the way to Chari Dhand is a well-known spot to see the rare Grey Hypocolious that is only reported in India from here.

3) Banni Grasslands

Banni covers an area of 3847 sq km. This area is absolutely flat; the altitude only ranges between 3 metres to 5 metres above sea level. More than two thirds of the area of Banni is high in salinity.

During the fifties, Banni was predominantly grassland, with a very low density of trees and bushes. It was considered one of the largest and finest Asian grasslands. At that time there were more than 40 species of grasses, but nowadays there are just around 15 species, due to the planting of a non indigenous thorny shrub (prosopis juliflora) by the FD in the Sixties to control the soil salinity. This thorny shrub known locally as gando baawal, literally crazy thorn-bush, grew very fast, destroying several native species and eroding huge tracks of the grassland. Locals have learned to extract gum and to make charcoal from this plant as a source of livelihood.

This area is widely recognised as important for birds because of its location on the flyway for many migratory species and migration studies have been conducted here by well-known organisations like the Bnhs. The mix of grasslands, scrub and wetland also make this a heaven for raptors with the Tawny Eagle and Bonnelli’s Eagle breeding here and Greater Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle and Steppe Eagle wintering in the Banni area. Endangered species like the White-backed and Long-billed Vulture are seen in the Banni area. White-naped Tit is a vulnerable species of the Banni region.

4) Lala Bustard Sanctuary / Chiyarsar Thorn scrubland / Jakhau Port

This grassland 74-km north of Mandvi is a superbly maintained wilderness area. Abode of the endangered Indian bustard and the monsoon breeding area of the rare lesser florican, this grassland is also good for seeing Indian gazelle, Indian and desert foxes, jackal, the endangered Indian wolf and birds like the black francolin. The coastal marshes between the sanctuary and the fishing port of Jakhau (known for its excellent lobsters, crabs and pomfret) attract large flocks of migratory birds and waders including Plovers, Phalaropes, Godwits, Sandpipers, Gulls, flamingo, Pelicans, Shanks etc.

Target Bird Species : Common Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Macqueen's Bustard, Sociable Lapwing, White-naped Tit, Stolicksa's Bushchat, White-bellied Minivet, Marshall's Iora, Montagu's & Hen Harriers, Crab Plovers, Oyestercatchers, Red-necked Phalarope, Isabelline & Variable Wheatear, Hoopoe Lark, Rosy & Dalmatian Pelicans, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Short-eared Owl, Black Francolin, Steppe Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Twany Eagle, Laggar Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Long-legged Buzzard, Desert Warbler, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Flamingos, Collared Pratincole, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Great-crested Grebe, Quails, Rufous-fronted Prinia, Orphean warbler, Grey-necked, Red-headed and Black-headed Buntings, Chestnut-bellied and Spotted Sandgrouse, Indian Courser, Grey Hypocolius, European Roller, Eurasian White Stork, several species of waders ……. And about 200 + other species.

Target Mammal Species: Desert Fox, Desert Cat, Jungle Cat, Indian Gazzelle or Chinkara, Hedgehog, Indian Wolf, Hyena.

Click here to see a report of the trip we had made to Kutch a few years back…..
http://kutchparadisefound.blogspot.com/

You can also view Dr.P.V.Subramanium's amazing trip report with nature India Last year.
http://green-indians.blogspot.com/2009/02/this-rann-is-for-birds.html

You can also see a magnificient photoblog by Mr.Vijay Cavale here
http://vijaycavale.blogspot.com/2008/03/kutch-magic.html

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Tour Iterinary:

Date: 8^th Dec, 2009 morning 9.00 am to 12th Dec, 2009 eve 8.00 pm (travel days excluded)

Mode of Travel : Trax Cruiser Jeep (The only travel option to move around the places quickly)

Overnight train travel can be booked from Mumbai..... however since it is a busy sector, the train bookings should be done soon to get the desired train and class .... there are 2 trains available for Bhuj from Mumbai....Nature India can ASSIST in bookings if required.

Rough Tour Iterinary:

7th Dec'09 : Departure from Mumbai to Bhuj

8th Dec'09 : Arrival in Bhuj (9am) – breakfast - Drive to Hotel JP Palace, Nakhatrana-lunch, Eve. Bird-watching at Pot-Mahadev to see the rare White-naped Tit and Marshal’s Iora – return for dinner and Stay at JP hotel

9th Dec'09 : Birdwatching in Fullay Village, Chari Dhand, Moti Virani. Lunch at Hodka village. Eve. - Banni - Dinner & Folk Music - Overnight stay at Hotel JP Palace, Nakhatrana

10th Dec'09 : Birdwatching in Nalliya grassland, Lunch – KERC, A’noon – Jakhau Port area

11th Dec'09 : Birdwatching in Kunathia Grasslands Lunch – KERS. Eve, and Lala Bustard Sanctuary, Chiyasar-thorn forest - Dinner & Folk music - Stay at JP Palace, Nakhatrana

12th Dec'09 : Birdwatching in Banni Grasslands – Checkout & Departure for Bhuj

13th Dec'09 : Arrival in Mumbai

Trip charges : Rs.9400/- only (Includes non- A/C room stay in Hotel JP Palace, Nakhatrana, on twin sharing basis, Local travel by Trax cruiser jeeps, Park entry charges, vegetarian food , Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)…….

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

Group Size: Max.12 persons only

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

Stay Arrangement: Hotel JP Palace, Nakhatrana is a good and clean hotel. The Stay arrangement is on a twin sharing basis and non-A/c accomodation. The food is mouth watering and we have kept a special arrangement for non-oily Kutchee food.

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

Mode of Payment: You can either

1) Transfer the advance money directly to my HDFC A/c (Please send a mail for details).. please mention your name, date and other details….
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.4000/- as advance amount to the following address

Name: Mr.Adesh Shivkar

Address: D/8, The Adi Janata Society, Behind HP Petrolpump, Opp. Hotel Shangrila, Sion(East), Mumbai-400022