Waterfoul Census_Chandaka 13'

13.01.13

Last year had been twice lucky to participate in the waterfowl census for Odisha. This year too, out of the office schedule, I got involved in two census places. Chandaka and Nandankanan. 

For friends who want more idea on what I am talking about please go through the following two links:

Chandaka Bird Census and Chilika Bird Census

This was also a nice and different experience, considering the new places one visits, birds you search and the company of like-minded senior birding people. Its all a goody feeling. The initial plan was with Udayan, but as he was in New Delhi I tried connecting to other folks. :) Next time lets not miss the fun!

Got ready at 4.30 am. Got picked by Manoo di along with sanjib bhai. (It was very kind of them to pick me up for the trip, even though my place was in such an opposite direction.) We reached the place by 6 and after some tea, group discussion and grouping we were ready to move on to our respective places for annual water bird counting.
I got into Shakti bhai and Sanjib bhai's group and the journey began. I do not have much bird photos but there are more of travel photos. 

Rest let the pictures talk :) 

The Entry Gate to Chandaka 

All gearing up for the census

Nanda, an elephant was nearby - of course tied up :P

We off to the destination

Guptapada

It was all foggy. The feeling was beautiful there.

The Forest official, Shakti Bhai and Sanjib Bhai looking out for the birds.

Caught the sunrise

Some beautiful reflections

Grey Francolin

The clear water and clean environment 

Long-Tailed Shrike

Lesser-Whistling Ducks

Manupur

Pretty water lily

Little Grebe

Inside Chandaka 

Liked this path made with vehicle tyres

Some beautiful ladies working there

A crocodile in sight

A little bird, I could not recognise

Ambilo watch tower area - Chandaka

Elephant foot marks near the water body

Soura Billa

Deras - Most common place for the city picnickers

Shakti bhai and Sanjib Bhai

Me

The places we visited,  Guptapada, Kajalabanda/ Manupur, Dhalaswar, Languri, Ambilo and Saura Billa. 

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The Birds listed were:

• Little Cormorant
• Lesser Whistling Duck
• Pintail Snipe
• Common Snipe
• Little Grebe
• Purple Moorhen
• White-Throated Kingfisher
• Small-Blue Kingfisher
• White-breasted Waterhen
• Bronze-Winged Jacana
• Pond Heron
• Yellow Wagtail
• White Wagtail
• Grey Wagtail
• Red-Wattled Lapwing
• Yellow-Wattled Lapwing
• Cattle Egret
• Little Egret
• Intermediate Egret 

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Unlike the previous Chandaka trip, this was a little dry in terms of the birds there. I hardly have any bird photo clicked because either they were only visible for recognition or too common to click. But the experience overall was good and surely looking forward to again visit the beautiful place.



Love <3>

Tanuja :)