Birding in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh Bird Tour - 10 Days
Delhi-Bandhavgarh National Park-Kanha National Park-Delhi.
Madhya Pradesh has a varied topography but almost one third
is forested. The forest types include dry thorn forests; tropical moist deciduous
forests and tropical evergreen forests. The area of reserve [reserved for eventual
logging] forest is 58,733 km; protected forest constitutes an area of about 35,586
sq km and unclassified forest area is around 900 sq km. There is no doubt that the
natural splendor of Madhya Pradesh includes a wide spectrum of wildlife inhabiting
this land ranging from tigers and leopards to antelopes and gazelles, other mammals
and reptiles and an abundance of bird life.
Of the two bio-geographic zones, the semi arid zone has
two subdivisions - Malwa plateau and fragmented wetlands. Madhav National Park and
about 9 of the total of 25 wildlife sanctuaries in MP are located in
this zone. The second zone, the Deccan Peninsula includes both the Vindhya and the
Satpura hill ranges. Popular tiger reserves like Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Satpura,
Panna, the three National Parks and a score of wildlife sanctuaries are located
in this zone. Madhya Pradesh has an effective protected area network of about 10,860
sq km and boasts of one national park and 25 sanctuaries. These reserves continue
to harbor their original resident and migrant species.
The mission of national parks and sanctuaries is to establish
a network of protected areas representative of the country`s important and unique
features and to conserve and manage them in such a manner that they will be preserved
for all time in their natural state. The wild life conservation initiatives launched
by the state have received a major impetus by the inclusion of forest dwellers to
ensure the survival of forests and wildlife embodied in the launch of the Project
Tiger in the early seventies. The application of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972),
formation of the MP Tiger Foundation to secure help and support from
NGO`s and general public` at large, conservation of critically endangered species
besides the tiger [like Barasingha (swamp deer) and Gharial (mugger crocodile)]
are some of the major landmarks in the state of Madhya Pradesh`s success in wildlife
conservation.
Project Tiger
The forests were nurtured carefully by the royal families
to preserve the Tiger`s habitats for hunting. Old wildlife classics estimate a population
of around 40,000 tigers in the 1940`s. By the year 1970, the population of tigers
in India perilously declined to about 2000 individuals as the result of the loss
of hunting preserves and widespread habitat destruction. The tiger was close to
being annihilated. Project Tiger was launched in 1973 because of the threat to the
tiger. The objective was to ensure the maintenance of a viable population of the
tiger in India and to preserve for all times, such areas as part of our national
heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of future generations, which had
the added bonus of preserving many areas for other wildlife too. The Project Tiger
Directorate provides assistance for scientific management, protection, communication,
habitat improvement, water and soil conservation, research, infrastructure etc.
Kanha in Mandhya Pradesh was among the first nine reserves designated. Panna, Bandhavgarh, Pench and Pachmarhi are later inclusions. 1999 estimates are of a population of
709 tigers (235 in tiger reserves, 143 in protected areas and 331 tigers in general
forest areas) in Madhya Pradesh (19% of India`s and 17% of World`s tiger population).
The state, therefore, is rightly called the Tiger State .
Flora and Fauna
The state of Madhya Pradesh encompasses a breathtaking wilderness
along with extensive flora and fauna and rich bio diversity. There are countless
variety of plants and animals in a state of interdependence. There are more than
1000 species of flowering plants, ferns, orchids, aromatic and medicinal plants.
More than half of the forests of the state lie in the eastern region and are tropical.
Teak and Sal are the two chief species of trees found in the state and constitute
about 20% of the total forest area. Tendu leaf tree found in abundance in Madhya
Pradesh is also a good source of income for villagers. The grasslands along the
plateaux and the streams in the valleys are good during the monsoon season but fade
away during the hot months of summer.
The faunal wealth of the Madhya Pradesh is equally rich
and diverse. Inhabitants include species of cat, antelopes, gazelles and dog family,
many other species of mammals and reptiles as well as birds. Crocodiles and ghariyal
inhabit the rivers and lakes. The heavily forested regions and marshes and wetlands
create a natural habitat for birds and support a wide variety of bird life.
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| Day 1 |
Arrive Delhi & Check into your Hotel. You are then free till 1 P.M. next day,
to enable you to sample some of Delhi 's avian and historical sights, or to just
relax and recover after your flight. Be prepared for a guide tour with our nature guide.
Target Species: Raptors, Pariah ,
Doves, Ring necked Parakeets, Swifts, Bee eaters, Black Drongo,
shrikes, myna, bulbul and babblers.
Overnight: The Park Hotel
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| Day 2 |
We leave Delhi for Umariya by Super Fast in 2nd AC Train
Overnight: Sleeper Train
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| Day 3 |
Bandhavgarh National Park
You will reach Umaryia early in the morning [c. 6.00am] and then drive to Bandhavgarh
National Park (34km) - a 30-minute drive - & then check in to our Bandhavgarh Lodge for stay. Our
tour guide will give an orientation on Birds before you leave for your first excursion.
Once the hunting grounds of the erstwhile Maharajas of Rewa BTR came into limelight
with the chance discovery of the white tiger nearby. This dry Sal forest and the
steep mountainous tract is an amazing conglomeration of rocky hills interspersed
with valleys of several huge grassy meadows and rivers, dense patches of evergreen
forest, a number of small lakes, marshes and pools. The resident bird population
is high, thanks to the year round flowering and fruiting of trees. Migratory birds,
ranging from Warblers to Steppe Eagles visit the park in winter. The main rivers
are Charanganga, Umrar and Johilla the lifeline of this fragile ecosystem. The forests
are Mixed, Sal, and Bamboo dominates the slopes. Avi-Fauna abounds here and approximately
250 species of birds have been recorded so far.
We intend to have an evening Excursion along the main water bodies by jeep and on
foot wherever possible - Bhadrashilla Lake , Gadpuri Tank - a large reservoir close
to Gadpuri village in the park.
Target Species: White necked Storks, Nakta, Whistling Teals,
Cotton Teals, Red crested Pochard, Common Teals and Darter. Riparian vegetation
is in bird life, find Lesser Adjutant Storks,
Ibis, Painted Stork . On
banks of rivers and streams one expects to see Wagtail, Sandpiper, Grey Francolins, Jacanas, Thick-knees, Stork billed
Kingfishers, Sparrow-Larks, Blyth's Reed Warblers and more.
Overnight: Nature Heritage Jungle Lodge
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| Day 4 |
Bandhavgarh Fort
Today we will take a full day trip to Bandhavgarh Fort by Jeep and by foot wherever
allowed. This is a 2000 year old fort and is an amazing birding destination. Kabir
Chaura on the way to the fort almost invariably has Vultures, Blue Rock Thrushes
and Crag Martins. Trek up to the Bandhavgarh Fort to see Jungle Bush Quails, migrant Sulphur bellied Warblers
and Peregrine Falcon.
The forest around the fort is the breeding ground for the Malabar Pied and Common Grey Hornbills in summer. Target Species: King Vulture, rare White backed Vulture, rare Long billed Vulture, Rock
Thrushes, Crag Martin, Jungle Bush Quails, Sulphur bellied Warbler, Alexandrine
Parakeets, Barred Jungle & Spotted Owlet. The supporting cast includes
Sunbirds, Chestnut shouldered Petronias the forest Blue bearded Beeeater,
Tickell's Thrush and Common Rosefinch.
Overnight: Nature Heritage Jungle Lodge
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| Day 5 |
Birds Bandhavgarh National Park
This morning we will be exploring of the forest by Jeep for the amazing variety
of avifauna that thrive here. The Sal forest harbors some great birds. Where there
are patches of evergreen forest, such as along the perennial streams or at the base
of the fort, we should get superb views of the attractive Orange-headed Thrush,
as well as the impressive Malabar Pied Hornbill (here at the northern limits of
its range). The drier areas support Sand grouse, & buntings. The large, grassy
meadows hold Lapwings & Pipits. We should also encounter one or two of the less
common or more difficult to find birds of the area.
Target Species: Paradise & Verditer Flycatchers, Tickell's Blue &
Grey headed Canary Flycatcher, Great Tit, [very different from the European equivalent]
White naped Woodpeckers, Red and Painted Spurfowls, Sirkeer Malkoha, Greater Racket tailed
Drongo, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Golden fronted Leafbirds, Starlings,
Orange headed Thrushes, Painted Sandgrouse,
Crested Bunting, Plain-backed Thrushes, Ultramarine flyctacherss and Grey headed Flycatchers,Lapwings, Paddyfield & Blyth's Pipit, Painted Francolins, Mottled
Wood Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Little Minivet, White bellied Minivet,
Long tailed Minivet, Crested Serpent & Hawk Eagle, Striated (or Little)
Heron, Purple Heron, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Sarus Cranes, Emerald Doves, Rufous Woodpecker,
Puff throated Babbler, Brown cheeked Fulvetta and Pale billed Flowerpeckers.
In the evening we will be taking a trip around the park in a jeep. The dry Sal forest
and clumps of bamboo that dominate the park hold a wide variety of interesting species.
Target Species: Oriental (or Crested) Honey Buzzard, Shikra, White-eyed Buzzard,
Bonelli's Eagle, Common Kestrel, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Indian Scops Owl, Brown-headed
& Coppersmith Barbets, Brown-capped Pygmy & Yellow-crowned Woodpeckers,
White-naped Woodpecker, Black-rumped Flameback, Blue-winged Leafbird, Common Woodshrike,
Large Cuckooshrike, Grey-breasted Prinia, Greenish Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher,
Tawny-bellied Babbler, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Ashy & White-bellied Drongos,
Oriental White-eye, Thick-billed Flowerpecker & etc.
Overnight: Nature Heritage Jungle Lodge
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| Day 6 |
Bandhavgarh National Park to Kanha National Park
We leave Bandhavgarh National Park after breakfast for Kanha Hotel Accommodaton near the National Park , which
we should reach by midday , and check into the resort, freshen up then lunch in
our Multi-cuisine restaurant. After Lunch we will make our first visit into Kanha
NP. Kanha's reputation as a prime tiger habitat overshadows all other aspects of
this magnificent paradise. Keen bird watchers know how rich Kanha is as a bird habitat.
Varied vegetation of Sal and Mixed forests, Bamboo, grasslands, altitude variation
and numerous rivers and water bodies make this 1945 sq. km reserve a diverse habitat
immensely suitable to avifauna and offers immense scope to study the forest birds
apart from a rich variety of water birds that thrive on numerous lakes and rivers
of this magnificent ecosystem. The main river systems are Halon, Banzar, and Sulkum
tributaries of Narmada River . Nestled in Maikal hill of the Satpura Range this
Central Indian Highland has approximately 260 bird species. Most of the bird species
at Kanha Tiger Reserve are resident and local migratory, but substantial numbers
of migratory birds make Kanha their home in winters. There will also be an evening
excursion to water bodies by Jeep - Sravan Taal ( Lake ), followed by visit to Saundhar
Tank and Bisanpura.
Target Species: One can expect to Cotton Teal, Garganey, Blue-winged Teal, Lesser
Whistling Teal and Spotbill Duck. Among other common sightings are Stints, Egrets,
Cormorants and Jacanas with Purple Heron, White-necked storks, Lesser Adjutant Stork,
Black Ibis and Black-winged Stilts to be seen near water bodies or streams near
Kanha, Kisli and Mukki.
Overnight: The Krishna Jungle
Resort
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| Day 7 |
Kanha National Park
Forest Birds - We will take Morning and Evening excursions by Jeep in the reserve
to see the amazing eco-niches - a result of a very varied topography.
Target Species: In the grasslands one expects to see Collared and Pied Bushchats,
Larks, Black Francolin, Grey Francolin, Painted Sandgrouse and Red Munia (Avadavat).
In the densely forested zones the numbers multiply. Kanha's major attractions are
Indian Pitta, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Hawk
Eagle, Golden Oriole and Black-headed Oriole, Ashy and White-bellied Drongos, Indian
Cuckoo, Sirkeer Cuckoo. More patience is required to sight a White-tailed Shama
[an amazing songster], Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker and its cousins, Raptors
- some of which are migrants and Paradise Flycatcher and Hair-crested Drongo.
Overnight: The Krishna Jungle
Resort
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| Day 8,9 |
Birds Kanha National Park
Early morning we will take a Jeep safari to see migrant Warblers, exotic Leaf birds, common Babbler,
Long Tailed Shrike, Large Green Barbet and more. A trip to the steep Bamni
Dadar (Hill) holds few more surprises. Many species of Minivet can be seen on the
groove at Parsa Tola and elsewhere. Vultures can be seen on the remains of carnivore
kills. Hornbills nest in old-growth trees. Our evening will be spent on a trek on
foot around the periphery of the reserve. It helps to have a different perspective
from the ground to see forest birds, mostly birds that favor being nearer to human
habitation too. The canopy here is more mixed and large Ficus (Banyan, Peepal) trees
are more commonly seen. This is an excellent habitat for an amazingly large number
of birds of different species are common. Along the Nullahs (rivulets) and water
bodies Kingfishers can be seen with ease. The resident raptors can be sighted hunting
and nesting in magnificent, tall trees. Nocturnal birds including nightjars and
several owl species.
Target Species: Green Barbet, Green-footed Pigeon, Pygmy Woodpecker, Tickell's Blue
Flycatcher, Little Minivet, Scarlet Minivet & Long-tailed Minivet, White-backed,
Long-billed, King & Egyptian vultures, Malabar Pied Hornbills & Grey Hornbills.
Among the more difficult targets are Brown Fish Owl, Orange-headed Ground Thrush,
& Bronze-winged Dove. In the evening we hope to see Large Cuckoo-shrike, Grey-breasted
Prinia, Greenish Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatchers, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Chestnut-bellied
Nuthatch, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Oriental White-eye, Thick-billed Flowerpecker,
Purple Sunbird, Chestnut-shouldered Petronia, Chloropsis [leafbird], Drongos, Orioles
& Shrikes, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Hawk Eagle, Crested Honey Buzzard,
Shikra and Common Kestrel, Collared Scops Owl, Mottled Wood Owl, Indian Eagle Owl
and Brown Fish Owl as well as nightjars.
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| Day 10 |
Departure
You will reach Delhi early in the morning & transfer to airport or to your hotel
if you have booked extra nights to see the sights of the vibrant city if you do,
be sure to take a trip to the barrage to see a wide variety of birds.
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