Awesome alibaug (Nov 6-7)
Dear friends
This is the introductory para of my report on my experience to Alibag this weekend. Its my second trip to alibag. Unlike the first one this trip was actually a camp for the kids called Winter Adventure Camp organized by the Youth Hostel unit-alibaug of which Dr.Vaibhav is a part. Shashank Dalvi was the group leader. We had an exciting time with very enthusiastic kids . Species overall recorded was 65 of which I have seen around 55. It was birds paradise specially the raptors. Thanks to Shashank we got to know plenty of raptors. Thanks to Dr.Vaibhav for also showing us different exciting bird spots and for the great camp.
The day started off pretty well with sightings of many butterflies at the Gateway of India where I and Shashank had been waiting for another nature enthusiast friend Jaya. We saw tiger butterflies, pansies, sailor, common crow, rose butterfly, grassyellow, etc. After boarding the launch we were comfortably seated at the top floor of the launch. Within few minutes we were outside standing near the railings with binocs and grimett in our hands. We saw number of gulls and some terns too. We saw a brown headed gull sitting on the rocks. While chatting about these birds we also kept our eyes scanning in the open sea for any sight of birds. We again saw number of butterflies and dragonflies fluttering in the massive. Some where the common crow, common rose, blue pansy, chocolate pansy, etc. We soon thus reached the docks. We soon hampered fast to get into the bus. ( I was awed by the beautiful picturesque scene of the beach and the gurgling waters.) The bus dropped us at manigaon from where we were received by the ppl to the camp site.
After the pretty bus journey , the car ride was also cool as the the roads were nothing but bumpy, ruddy and stony ribboned roads. It was a typical village roads leading through various lanes with small pretty houses with beautiful gardens around it. Finally we reached the camp site. We saw the tents and pandals set. The children had hust began their lunch. We soon joined them and after lunch we left for bird watching. Since it was pretty hot around we got to see many raptors. We began hiking through the rocky streams and grassy and green patches. We soon seated ourselves comfortably in a patch which was cool and well shaded and promised a lot of birds. On our way til that point we saw some birds. We stayed there for almost three hours had a record of around 45 + birds. We saw Common kestrel, Long billed vulture, green sandpiper, black kite, Shikra, Booted eagle, Blue rock thrush, jungle babbler, yellow wagtail, black Drongo, and many more.
We returned back and went again to another place near the campsite for bird watching. We spent around 40 mins and returned back. We camp to ste up for the slide show. Jaya and Shashank were setting up the slides for the show. After dinner we had the very interesting slide show. This was the first time I was hearing a slide show in marathi. It was amazing. Shashank was pretty good and the children were enthralled. Shashank also added a note about keeping away from snakes when encountered and also never kill them. He had rescued 2 cobras which he had to rescue. He showed one of the beauty and the children and rest of the crew were also awed by it. After the talk when all the kids retired to beds we along with with the Dr.Vaibhav and crew went to find a appropriate place for the release. The night walk was cool and exciting. Shashank released them and wecame back to campsite. On our way Dr.Vaibhav showed us a tree where earlier they had seen an owl. We were unlucky though. At campsite we saw the slides of the mountaineering staff of their trip to Himalayan ranges. Finally we all snuggled into the bedsheets and went off to sleep.
The next day morning was as exciting as the previous day noon. We all went to an another interesting spot for bird watching. We saw dusky crag martin, Green bee eater, jungle babbler, White throated kingfisher, Purple rumped sunbird, Cattle egret, Pond Heron, etc. As the children departed, we along with Dr.Vaibhav leading us climbed up a hill which gave beautiful view of the the campsite and the whole place around. We saw green and common sandpipers, while wagtails, Malabar lark, etc.
On our return we had a quick breakfast and went to see the children do the river crossing. Bird watching continued there too. The bird watching was going on in when we came back and were being a part of the children’s session. As and when we used to see a peculiar bird or raptor we indicated to Shashank and Dr.Vaibhav who then after a good observation gave us the names of the birds.
The rest of the day till noon was spent lazily , lying on the mat and eyes were glued to the sky. At any sight of a raptor we jumped up. One of the raptors which I got to see very close was the palemorph of booted eagle. What a marvel!!! Finally after bading bye to the kids and the crew, we left the campsite with heavy heart. We were dropped on the main road from where we were supposed to take a bus to the dock. Rather than waiting for the bus we started walking along the road. The path was beautiful with lots of green around both sides. As my eyes were always focused on the sky and rather less on the ground , my whole attention was on the birds and butterflies, A little on the flowers , though I did notice some flowering plants. We soon boarded the bus and reached the docks. The open sea was much better this time. The waves were bigger and with the tide coming in it was looking fantastic. We wished that we could have stayed at the shores for some more time.
We had a great time at the launch. We seated ourselves at the front side of the boat. With beautiful memories in our hearts and desire for more such outings we returned. The sunset that we got see was beautiful and so were the soaring gulls. Finally we reached the Gateway of India from where we proceeded back home. This is the end of an end of another report.
The lists are as follows,
1. White throated kingfisher
2. Green bee eater
3. Indian Koel
4. Crow pheasant
5. Spotted dove
6. Laughing dove
7. Green Sandpiper
8. Common Sandpiper
9. Red wattled lapwing
10. Black kite
11. Brahminy kite
12. White bellied sea eagle
13. Long billed vulture
14. Short toed snake eagle
15. Eurasian marsh harrier
16. Shikra
17. Long legged buzzard
18. Honey buzzard
19. Booted eagle
20. Common kestrel
21. ? ring tailed harrier
22. 2 unidentified aquila eagles
23. Cattle egret
24. Pond heron
25. Long tailed shrike
26. Eurasian golden oriole
27. Black Drongo
28. Ashy drongo
29. Blue rock thrush
30. Eurasian blackbird
31. Indian robin
32. Magpie Robin
33. Pied bushchat
34. Common myna
35. Dusky crag martin
36. Red vented bulbul
37. Red whiskered bulbul
38. White browed bulbul
39. Ashy Prinia
40. Plain Prinia
41. Grey breasted Prinia
42. Common tailor bird
43. Jungle Babbler
44. Puff throated babbler
45. Scimittar babbler
46. greenish warbler
47. Booted warbler
48. Red rumped swallow
49. Barn swallow
50. Common chiffchaff
51. White throated fantail flycatcher
52. Malabar lark
53. Crimson sunbird
54. Purple rumped sunbird
55. White wagtail
56. Yellow wagtail
57. Brown headed gull
58. ?? Large gulls
59. Dapchick
60. Little cormorant
61. Grey heron
62. House crow
63. Large billed crow
64. Pale billed Flowerpecker
65. Common grass yellow
66. 3 spotted grassyellow
67. Plain tiger
68. Common wanderer
69. Cerulean
70. Common gull
71. Common jazebelle
72. Choclate pansy
73. Danaid egg fly male
74. Common crow
75. Peacock pansy
76. Common rose
77. Crimson rose
78. Striped tiger
79. Glassy tiger
80. Blue tiger
81. Clouded grass yellow
82. Blue pansy
83. Grey pansy
84. lemon pansy
85. Sailor
86. Urena lobata
87. Lantana camara
88. Sphenostylis bractreatus
89. Ipomea hederifolia
90. Evolvulus alsinoides
91. Hygrophila auriculata
The naturelover signing off now .
Love nature
naturelovervidya
This is the introductory para of my report on my experience to Alibag this weekend. Its my second trip to alibag. Unlike the first one this trip was actually a camp for the kids called Winter Adventure Camp organized by the Youth Hostel unit-alibaug of which Dr.Vaibhav is a part. Shashank Dalvi was the group leader. We had an exciting time with very enthusiastic kids . Species overall recorded was 65 of which I have seen around 55. It was birds paradise specially the raptors. Thanks to Shashank we got to know plenty of raptors. Thanks to Dr.Vaibhav for also showing us different exciting bird spots and for the great camp.
The day started off pretty well with sightings of many butterflies at the Gateway of India where I and Shashank had been waiting for another nature enthusiast friend Jaya. We saw tiger butterflies, pansies, sailor, common crow, rose butterfly, grassyellow, etc. After boarding the launch we were comfortably seated at the top floor of the launch. Within few minutes we were outside standing near the railings with binocs and grimett in our hands. We saw number of gulls and some terns too. We saw a brown headed gull sitting on the rocks. While chatting about these birds we also kept our eyes scanning in the open sea for any sight of birds. We again saw number of butterflies and dragonflies fluttering in the massive. Some where the common crow, common rose, blue pansy, chocolate pansy, etc. We soon thus reached the docks. We soon hampered fast to get into the bus. ( I was awed by the beautiful picturesque scene of the beach and the gurgling waters.) The bus dropped us at manigaon from where we were received by the ppl to the camp site.
After the pretty bus journey , the car ride was also cool as the the roads were nothing but bumpy, ruddy and stony ribboned roads. It was a typical village roads leading through various lanes with small pretty houses with beautiful gardens around it. Finally we reached the camp site. We saw the tents and pandals set. The children had hust began their lunch. We soon joined them and after lunch we left for bird watching. Since it was pretty hot around we got to see many raptors. We began hiking through the rocky streams and grassy and green patches. We soon seated ourselves comfortably in a patch which was cool and well shaded and promised a lot of birds. On our way til that point we saw some birds. We stayed there for almost three hours had a record of around 45 + birds. We saw Common kestrel, Long billed vulture, green sandpiper, black kite, Shikra, Booted eagle, Blue rock thrush, jungle babbler, yellow wagtail, black Drongo, and many more.
We returned back and went again to another place near the campsite for bird watching. We spent around 40 mins and returned back. We camp to ste up for the slide show. Jaya and Shashank were setting up the slides for the show. After dinner we had the very interesting slide show. This was the first time I was hearing a slide show in marathi. It was amazing. Shashank was pretty good and the children were enthralled. Shashank also added a note about keeping away from snakes when encountered and also never kill them. He had rescued 2 cobras which he had to rescue. He showed one of the beauty and the children and rest of the crew were also awed by it. After the talk when all the kids retired to beds we along with with the Dr.Vaibhav and crew went to find a appropriate place for the release. The night walk was cool and exciting. Shashank released them and wecame back to campsite. On our way Dr.Vaibhav showed us a tree where earlier they had seen an owl. We were unlucky though. At campsite we saw the slides of the mountaineering staff of their trip to Himalayan ranges. Finally we all snuggled into the bedsheets and went off to sleep.
The next day morning was as exciting as the previous day noon. We all went to an another interesting spot for bird watching. We saw dusky crag martin, Green bee eater, jungle babbler, White throated kingfisher, Purple rumped sunbird, Cattle egret, Pond Heron, etc. As the children departed, we along with Dr.Vaibhav leading us climbed up a hill which gave beautiful view of the the campsite and the whole place around. We saw green and common sandpipers, while wagtails, Malabar lark, etc.
On our return we had a quick breakfast and went to see the children do the river crossing. Bird watching continued there too. The bird watching was going on in when we came back and were being a part of the children’s session. As and when we used to see a peculiar bird or raptor we indicated to Shashank and Dr.Vaibhav who then after a good observation gave us the names of the birds.
The rest of the day till noon was spent lazily , lying on the mat and eyes were glued to the sky. At any sight of a raptor we jumped up. One of the raptors which I got to see very close was the palemorph of booted eagle. What a marvel!!! Finally after bading bye to the kids and the crew, we left the campsite with heavy heart. We were dropped on the main road from where we were supposed to take a bus to the dock. Rather than waiting for the bus we started walking along the road. The path was beautiful with lots of green around both sides. As my eyes were always focused on the sky and rather less on the ground , my whole attention was on the birds and butterflies, A little on the flowers , though I did notice some flowering plants. We soon boarded the bus and reached the docks. The open sea was much better this time. The waves were bigger and with the tide coming in it was looking fantastic. We wished that we could have stayed at the shores for some more time.
We had a great time at the launch. We seated ourselves at the front side of the boat. With beautiful memories in our hearts and desire for more such outings we returned. The sunset that we got see was beautiful and so were the soaring gulls. Finally we reached the Gateway of India from where we proceeded back home. This is the end of an end of another report.
The lists are as follows,
1. White throated kingfisher
2. Green bee eater
3. Indian Koel
4. Crow pheasant
5. Spotted dove
6. Laughing dove
7. Green Sandpiper
8. Common Sandpiper
9. Red wattled lapwing
10. Black kite
11. Brahminy kite
12. White bellied sea eagle
13. Long billed vulture
14. Short toed snake eagle
15. Eurasian marsh harrier
16. Shikra
17. Long legged buzzard
18. Honey buzzard
19. Booted eagle
20. Common kestrel
21. ? ring tailed harrier
22. 2 unidentified aquila eagles
23. Cattle egret
24. Pond heron
25. Long tailed shrike
26. Eurasian golden oriole
27. Black Drongo
28. Ashy drongo
29. Blue rock thrush
30. Eurasian blackbird
31. Indian robin
32. Magpie Robin
33. Pied bushchat
34. Common myna
35. Dusky crag martin
36. Red vented bulbul
37. Red whiskered bulbul
38. White browed bulbul
39. Ashy Prinia
40. Plain Prinia
41. Grey breasted Prinia
42. Common tailor bird
43. Jungle Babbler
44. Puff throated babbler
45. Scimittar babbler
46. greenish warbler
47. Booted warbler
48. Red rumped swallow
49. Barn swallow
50. Common chiffchaff
51. White throated fantail flycatcher
52. Malabar lark
53. Crimson sunbird
54. Purple rumped sunbird
55. White wagtail
56. Yellow wagtail
57. Brown headed gull
58. ?? Large gulls
59. Dapchick
60. Little cormorant
61. Grey heron
62. House crow
63. Large billed crow
64. Pale billed Flowerpecker
65. Common grass yellow
66. 3 spotted grassyellow
67. Plain tiger
68. Common wanderer
69. Cerulean
70. Common gull
71. Common jazebelle
72. Choclate pansy
73. Danaid egg fly male
74. Common crow
75. Peacock pansy
76. Common rose
77. Crimson rose
78. Striped tiger
79. Glassy tiger
80. Blue tiger
81. Clouded grass yellow
82. Blue pansy
83. Grey pansy
84. lemon pansy
85. Sailor
86. Urena lobata
87. Lantana camara
88. Sphenostylis bractreatus
89. Ipomea hederifolia
90. Evolvulus alsinoides
91. Hygrophila auriculata
The naturelover signing off now .
Love nature
naturelovervidya
posted by VIDYA at 10:44 PM
0 comments
