Wheatear

(Visit to LRK - continued from previous post) As we proceeded further into the mudflats, the landscape became drier with lesser vegetation and fewer watering holes. In one of the waterholes, we spotted a lone Pelican. 

Pelican with Pied Avocet

 

And as the sun rose up, it became increasingly hot and uncomfortable.

Even in these dry surroundings, we sighted numerous birds: the Indian Bushlark, Desert Wheateater, Hume’s Wheateater, Eyebrowed Thrush, Green Bee-eater and several small birds which I was unable to identify.

Indian Bushlark

Desert Wheatear

 

Hume's Wheatear

 

Eyebrowed Thrush

 

Small Green Bee-eater

This year, the monsoon is predicted to be below normal in most parts of India. Fore-warned is fore-armed: I hope the government initiates measures to handle the shortage. Now is the time to prepare for cloud-seeding, so that we have the necessary ingredients and the aircraft ready to take to the skies when conditions are ideal.

Meanwhile, let us do our bit: save water, save ourselves.

Common Crane

(Visit to LRK – continued from previous post)

The wild ass is without any doubt, a major attraction of LRK. But, the drive itself is quite long and tiring. The services of a trained guide are recommended if you are driving your own vehicle or a rented one with a driver who has no previous experience of driving on the mud-flats. This is because there are no clearly defined paths and often, due to your eagerness to catch a close-up of the wild herd, you may end up off the route and keep driving around the sanctuary trying to get back to the place where you started.

At the Forest Department’s interpretation center, you can hire the services of the locals, who are able to guide you around the mud-flats and ensure that you spend your time effectively, spotting the wild ass and other attractions.  On our way through the mud-flats, we passed a few water bodies with waders and water fowl. We spotted spoonbills, pied avocets, spotbills, stilts and a few river terns.

Wild Boar

We came across a herd of wild boar, with several young ones which quickly scooted away into the nearby scrub forest.

Common Crane

Nearby a family of Common Cranes, also known as Eurasian Cranes, foraged for food and we were able to approach them quite closely. These cranes are migratory birds and are commonly found all over Europe. In winter, they fly over long distances to reach the warmer climate of Western and Central India. The birds are large, with grey plumage, long, slender white and black necks, and red crown. Juveniles have brown plumage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These birds are decreasing in numbers mainly due to degradation of habitats in their migratory routes over Central Asia. 
More details about the cranes are available from INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION.

Quick facts

Name: Common Crane

Alternate name: Eurasian Crane

Status: Migratory, winter visitor

Photograph location: Little Rann of Kutch (LRK)

Best time to visit: November to February

Nearest railway: Ahmedabad

PS: As human population continues to increase, its effects on environment degradation are being felt across the world. 

We need to to our best in conserving the environment.

Here is a native American saying with infinite wisdom: 

"When the blood in your veins returns to the sea, and the earth in your bones returns to the ground, perhaps you will then remember that this land does not belong to you, it is you who belong to this land."

Little Rann of Kutch

Rann, in Hindi, Gujarati or Marathi, means a desert. So, the little Rann of Kutch can be translated as Little Desert of Kutch. Located in the extreme NW of Gujarat, along with the Greater Rann of Kutch, it forms one of the largest salt water and mud plains in India. The weather here is extremely hot and humid. However, in winter months after the monsoons the vast plains with a number of water bodies, are full of life-giving fresh water.

There are several bird sanctuaries in the region surrounding the Rann of Kutch, teaming with migratory birds from the northern climes. All of this makes the plains an excellent place for bird-watchers. LRK is also designated as the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, the only refuge of the magnificent Wild Ass.

My visit to Kutch was came through only due the efforts and planning by childhood friends Dilip, Nikhil (his brother) and Manoj. Kutch can be reached from Mumbai via Ahmedabad. These cities are well connected by road, rail and air transport. On this trip, we covered LRK, Nal Sarvovar and Thol Bird Sanctuary, in two hectic days, travelling from the crack of dawn till late at night. Thanks to Dilip and Nikhil Shah.

From Ahmedabad, we started off at 0530 hours in a Tavera. SUVs/jeeps are the best means of transport in the plains of LRK , as a cars would be unable to handle the internal roads. Jeeps are also of great utility in traversing across the mud-flats, in search of the rare Indian Wild Ass.

The Wild Ass looks akin to a hybrid of a horse and an ass, but much better in appearance. It has a light reddish-brown upper body, with white under-parts and dark mane of hair over the head. It is extremely agile and moves around the plains in large groups, comprising of a dominant male, several females and juveniles. It has been clocked galloping at speeds in excess of 60kmph.  The grasslands and shrublands dotting the plains provide the ass with adequate food. Occasionally, large groups also raid the surrounding fields to forage on the crops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quick facts:
Name: Indian Wild Ass
Alternate names: Khur, Gadhedo (Gujarathi)
It is a protected species under the Indian Wildlife Act.
Found exclusively in the Kutch region

Reduce use of plastic bags;save our environment

Pygmy Woodpecker

A small black and white speckled, perfectly camouflaged woodpecker, resident of thickly wooded forests in South India. It is differentiated from the grey-capped pygmy woodpecker by its dark brown streak above the head. 

It is extremely difficult to spot as it sports a perfect camouflage helping it blend into the background woods. A distinct white streak alternating with a black streak runs across the sides of its head behind and below the eyes. It feeds on small insects and wild berries. Found singly or in pairs, flitting with great agility from branch to branch in search of food, stationary only for fleeting seconds. This makes it quite difficult to photograph. These photographs of the woodpecker were snapped in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, a thickly wooded haven for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.  

Name	Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
Alternate name(s)	Pygmy woodpecker
Size	House sparrow
Occurrence	Thickly wooded forest
Status	Uncommon
Distinct features	Black and white dappled body and tail parts, white abdomen with brown streaks
Sexes	Alike overall; male a narrow crimson band over its eyes

Save trees; help save our natural wealth