Sunday, January 17, 2010

Third Sunday Outing -17th January 2010

It was still very dark when we left our home to Shivanahalli for the Third Sunday Trail..and by the time we reached the Bannerghatta Sheet Rock, the sky was beautiful to look at with the Sun just about to rise.

Swami Vishnumayanandji was kind enough to serve tea to all the participants. Initially the plan was to explore the plantation area of the Ashram but Swamiji suggested to take Timmaraya along and explore Ragi Betta.Couple of the participants arrived late and few were left behind. Few wanted to go back early and few after a small trail felt it was enough as going deep inside the forest meant returning to the ashram only by 1.00 pm. So in the end 14 of us decided to explore the Bettada Kere instead of Ragi Betta.

There were the regular birds we see during our trails here.This trail was good for light trekkers than for birding. And yes, if one is able to reach the place early in the morning then it is an excellent place to watch the raptors.And also a good place to get a glimpse of the wild elephants and bears.It was nice to have the regular birder Krishna from the JLRNTP group joining us for this trail and who could id many birds for us. Yet there is some confusion about the id of the raptors. With the request that all who have taken pictures, pl. upload  them , I am listing out the birds spotted yesterday. Also if I have missed something pl. add that to the list.

Brown headed Barbet (?) ( In flight)
Coppersmith Barber (Call)
Indian Roller
White Breasted Kingfisher
Common Kingfiisher
Green Bee eater
Asian Koel
Blue Faced Malkoha
Rose Ringed Parakeets
Asian Palm Swifts
Rock Pigeon
Laughing Dove
Red Wattled Lapwing
Cattle Egret
Long Tailed Shrike
Rufous Treepie
House Crows
Eurasian Golden Oriole
Small Minivets
Black Drongo
Common Iora
Oriental Magpie Robin
Indian Robin
Pied Bushchat
Common Mynas
Great Tit
Red Vented Bulbul
Plain Prinia
Common Tailorbird
Jungle Babblers
Purple Rumped Sunbird
Flowerpecker( ?)
House Sparrows
White Browed Wagtail
Paddyfield Pipit
Indian Silverbills
Red Avadavat
Black Kites
Steppe Eagle
Marsh Harrier
Short Toed Snake Eagle
Black Shouldered Kite

Will post the list of raptors ones they are id.d from the photographs  uploaded by everyone.

Here is the link to the pics taken by me.

http://picasaweb.google.com/itnatureclub/ThirdSundayTrail17thJan2010#

By the time we returned back to the Ashram, all of us were starving and would have grabbed at anything that was offered. Swamiji was kind enough to sponsor a very tasty lunch to all the hungry birders!

Here is the link to the pictures taken by Neville Lobo.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nevillel/4281430000/

This link is to the pictures taken by Mahesh Chand
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81mahesh/

Friday, January 15, 2010

Third Sunday Outing -17th January 2010

Hi !

Every third Sunday of the month, few nature lovers from Bangalore meet up at a spot close to Bannerghatta National Park and go for a nature trail of around three hours to enjoy and create awareness about the rich flora and fauna here.The Third Sunday nature trail for the month of January will be held on 17th January 2010. Meeting point is Ramakrishna Mission School ,Shivanahalli at 6.00 am.

Trail route is Mission School to Bannerghatta Forest Patch behind the campus.

Comfortable clothing,Good walking shoes, a Cap, water bottle & snacks ,Binocular ( if you have), a camera ( if you like to shoot) is what you need.Free and open to all ages who can walk this trail of around three hours .

How to reach Shivanahalli ? Take the Bannerghatta Road from the Bangalore City. Cross the Bannerghatta National Park - the road curves to the left at that place near the Bannerghatta Police Station. Proceed further towards Jigani Industrial township. Halfway, on the right handside you will see the Ramakrishna Mission, Shivanahalli hoarding. (You will also notice a Swamy Ayyappa temple hoarding). Take a right turn there and drive for about 10 kms. Do not take any side roads (rare and few) that you will come along . Travelling through the Bannerghatta National Park reserved forest, you will have to cross the Ragihalli village to come over to Shivanahalli. The Ramakrishna Mission is located at the entrance of the Shivanahalli village. 

You can confirm with any of us at the following no.s

Geetanjali Dhar ( 9902913882)
Mahesh Chand (9448384472)

See you all,

Geetanjali Dhar