The Chorla Trek

We could see Keri Dam partially lost amidst the fog in the valley below, as we snaked up the winding Chorla Ghat road. Half way up the Ghat Mandar, Utkarsh, Omkar, Kaustubh Rohan and Me poured out of the car. Standing at the edge of the road all of us took the in the refreshing air and the scene below. Omkar got busy clicking the tiny flying dragons. 15 minutes later we moved on climbing up higher.

KERI DAM LOST IN FOG Our second stop was past the Wilder Nest nature camp, from this point we had a good view of twin waterfalls. Exploring the surrounding area Rohan noticed some pug marks and concluded they belonged to a wild boar.

ASIAN FAIRY BLUE BIRD
At 9am we reached at the top and broke our fast at the only road side eatery. All of us feasted on Bhaji and Pav. After parking the car near the hotel we set out on the trail that would lead us to an old fort near a village called SADA.
The trail takes off from Goa – Belgaum highway, right at the entrance we were greeted by mixed bird calls, we had a fleeting glimpse of yellow browed bulbul . IT was hard to spot any bird as they were very well camouflaged by the thick canopy overhead.
We walked along taking the richness of the vegetation and the creepy crawlies wandering across our path. After about a couple of kilometers the terrain changed the tall trees gave way to open grass land and shrubbery. Small rivulets crossed our path. Omkar went berserk cliking the dragon flies and damsel flies. Rohan found some interesting toad which he carried on his palm, showing off.

The rising heavy clouds darkened the horizon as we reached the Volcanic Plateau ( called SADA in Konkani and Marathi). A lone pair of Malabar Crested Lark chased each other across flower dotted rocky terrain. We could see the thick curtain of rain on the adjacent hill top. None were carrying rain gear except me and Omkar. I had a rain jacket and Omkar an umbrella. We bundled three cameras and a binocular into my backpack and I wore the coat, at least the equipment would be safe now.

It started pouring and every one rushed in the nearby bush. It was quite a site to see Rohan, Omkar, Kaustubh, Utkarsh and Mandar huddled under single umbrella. The rain coat provided good cover for the equipment but the water trickled through the open zip wetting my front.

As there was no sign of rain receding we decide to walk back. By 1pm we reached the hotel, drenched to the core. After drying up a little bit we settled to feast on piping hot rice plate served at the hotel. While having the lunch I noticed a little dark lump between my first two toes . I dashed out and on closer scrutiny I noticed total of 6 tiny lumps on my legs and realized these were leeches gradually getting fatter on my blood. The sprinkling of salt did the trick, each leech crumpled and collapsed on the ground. Blood continued pouring from the wounds caused. Rohan and Omkar had a couple of leeches on there ankles. The rest of them were lucky.

Wounds cleaned and lunch bill paid we started our back journey. It rained all the way back home.

Feathered Bouquet from Sawantwadi

Sawantwadi is a small town 60Kms from Goa's Capital - Panaji. I spent three days (2nd, 3rd and 4th Sept 2008) during Ganesh Chaturthi at my sisters place in this town. Amboli a popular Hill Station is just 28kms away from Sawantwadi. Here are some snaps of birds that I captured in my sisters backyard and en-route Amboli.

PURPLE RUMPED SUNBIRD (male)

PURPLE RUMPED SUNBIRD (male)

PURPLE RUMPED SUNBIRD (female)

PURPLE RUMPED SUNBIRD (female)

Pea Hen (Indian Peafowl)

MALABAR CRESTED LARK

PIED KINGFISHER

Ignored,Cornered,Wasted!

A common site around our town. Ignored, Cornered, Wasted!!!!!!

Birding on the Move

On the Sunday afternoon 6th of July Jagdish and I did a round about trip Betoda-Kodar-Dabal-Betoda, covering 25 Kms on the motorbike. We did birding while cruising along.

On the way we would stop at the slightest hint of a flutter in the tree, wait by the road side for the bird to show up, this method proved highly rewarding and we saw Malabar Pied Hornbill, Gold Mantled Leaf Bird, Scarlet Minivet, Chestnut Headed Bee Eater, Pied Crested Cuckoo, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Spotted Dove, Common Iora, Orange Headed Thrush, Eurasian Black Bird, Small Green Bee Eater, Yellow Wattled Lapwing.

We could capture a few of them in the digital trap. Capturing the Pied Crested Cuckoo, Common Hawk Cuckoo and Eurasian Black Bird was difficult. The cuckoos are more often heard than seen since they seldom come out in the open. the Eurasian Blackbird is a very sensitive and shy Bird making it difficult to photograph.



Scarlet Minivet Male

Scarlet Minivet Male


Pied Crested Cuckoo


Common Hawk Cuckoo

Common Hawk Cuckoo

Eurasian Black Bird (Race nigr0pileus of peninsular India)

Eurasian Black Bird (Race nigr0pileus of peninsular India)

Up the hill

‘It is some kind of a Babbler, I think!’ shot Jagdish
‘Yes could be a Puff Throated babbler!’ replied Paresh.
Five of us Jagdish, Paresh, Hazrat, Donald and Me stood searching for the source of the song from the near by bush. There were 4 to 5 restless brownish birds in the bush, after much deliberation and without any conclusive identification of the bird our party moved on.

Paresh, Donald, Hazrat and Jagdish

We had walked up a trail, leading to a Plateau on top of the hill near Ponda (Goa). The green hill was greener now. The skies were relatively clear, though it had showered when we started to Hike. The red rocks on the wet path were covered with moss.

How the rains transform nature was evident from new tender shoots, the life force of sprouts and mushrooms split the earth, insects frantically hopped around in the search of mates, tender grass reeds painted the earth surface brilliant green.

Orange Pierrot

Beetles Mating

On the top cool breeze blew across the plateau. The plateau too was abuzz with new life, there were colonies of tiny mushrooms here a bright red crab there, tadpoles swam happily in the puddles and hundreds of airborne dragon flies circled around a bush and grasshopper mating pairs hopped on the ground.

Happy Tadpoles in the puddle

Grasshopper Mating

Crab

Paresh, Jagdish and Hazrat

The sun was setting and clouds gathered in the sky above. Nearby, the top of green canopy came alive as the flock of Pompadour green pigeons settled to take rest on their way home. A Malabar Grey Hornbill called from the valley below. We silently settled on the rocks soaking in the serenity, as it got darker reluctantly we started our downhill walk back to the highway where we had parked our bikes.

On the Trail Of Collared Kingfisher

I made a trip to KARNZALE-Marcaim 'Khazan' (marsh land created by tidal backwaters from estuaries) land On the afternoon of 16th June 2008. Accompanying me was all exited Jagdish. Jagdish had promised to show me a COLLARED KINGFISHER and LITTLE GREEN HERON; both uncommon, he had spotted 8 of these beautiful kingfishers at the same spot, day before.

As we started walking along the Bandh (manmade embankment to control the tidal waters) we spotted Large egrets, Lesser Whistling Teals and Cormorants. Brahminy Kites rode the thermals. Further along the bandh Jagdish pointed at a smallish bird on the rocks, it resembled the pond heron but on closer scrutiny it turned out to be LITTLE GREEN HERON . Jagdish was pleased to have fulfilled 50% of his promise.

The Bandh

Little Green Heron

Little Green Heron

The bandh is almost a kilometer in length and is lined with thick Mangrove plantation. As we walked to the other end of the bandh we spotted Honey Buzzard being chased by CROW, White Breasted Kingfisher, Small Blue Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher and Stork billed Kingfisher but no sign of COLLARED KINGFISHER.

We lingered at the spot where Jagdish had seen the kingfisher, however today some locals were repairing the bandh at the very spot. So we walked along.

The Repair Work

Towards the end point the bandh runs parallel to ZUARI estuary. On this stretch we heard the call of the Kingfisher we were so eagerly looking for. We waited in vain for a while and started our return walk. Half way through the walk Jagdish halted abruptly pointing in the mangrove thicket, right there in front was a pair of COLLARED KINGFISHER. The sky was cloudy and the pair perched in the thicket, not good enough light for photo, however I managed to click a decent snap.

With 100% promise fulfilled Jagdish was all smiles.

Collared Kingfisher

Brahminy Kite

Flies on Fish Carcass

Flies

Dragon Fly

Mongoose

Cycling and Birding

May 22 2008
The Betoda - Borim Bypass highway, cuts through a range of hillocks. The vegetation here is home to lots of bird specie. I often do off road cycling on the dirt trail off this highway. The trail is just over a kilometer. The forest department Aforestation program has brought two hills under thick vegetation. The area is fenced and protected.

An early morning ride to this place is especially rewarding. One can easily spot, White Rumped Shama, Jungle Bush Quails, Black Bulbul, Orange Headed Thrush, Rose Ringed Parakeets and more.

On this particular trip on May 22 2008, I could capture a few of them on my Canon 400D with Sigma 70-300mm lens.



CRESTED HAWK EAGLE



LESSER FLAME BACKED WOODPECKER MALE



LESSER FLAME BACKED WOODPECKER FEMALE




JUNGLE BUSH QUAIL



ORANGE HEADED THRUSH