A public holiday was declared in Bhopal to celebrate Lord Krishna's Janmashtami on 25th, August 2016. I started the day by going for a walk in the Vanvihar National Park taking my camera along.
1) Red Adavant: The photo is of Red Adavant male in its breeding plume. It was ferrying dry reed leaf across the road many times. I guess it was building its nest inside a clump of reeds on the other side of the road. I am seeing this bird for the first time in my life.
I was keen to find Indian Baya Weaver bird which builds nest and breeds during this time of the year. Someone had told me that Indian Baya Weaver can be seen inside the park. I had not noticed this bird inside the park so far although I am a regular visitor to the park.
I entered the park from the Sairpata entrance and saw a group of Blackbucks in the open. Then about 20 Langurs more or less sitting in a straight line on the middle of the road. I noticed two Southern Coucals of which one was juvenile on a branch of a tree. Thereafter I came across several water birds, Drongos, Doves, Ashy Prinia, Fly Catchers etc.
I took photographs of some animals, birds and butterflies that were in the open. Few of these photographs are posted on this blog. It took me about 4 hours cover the distance of about 5 km as I was seeing birds almost at every 20 Metres.
2) Lesser Whistling Duck: One can see a large number of Lesser Whistling Ducks in ponds or on its bank near the Sairsapata entrance. But this pair flew past me and landed on a Palm tree in front of me giving enough scope to take their photographs.
3) Mongoose: On the bank of a pond saw a pair of Mongoose. I am seeing Mongoose in the open inside the park for the firs time.
4 a) Small Minivet : The photograph on the right is that of Small Minivet male. For the first time, I could get a clear photograph of the same.
4 b) Small Minivet : The photograph on the left is that of Small Minivet female. For the first time, I could get a clear photograph of the same
5) Yellow Eyed Babbler: I saw this bird many times inside the park. But it flies away before I can adjust my camera or foliage obstructs a clear view of the bird. I hope to click a better photograph of this bird one of these days. I wonder why this bird is called yellow-eyed even though in photographs its eye looks red.
6) Indian Silverbill: I saw a group of Indian Silverbill foraging on the ground. This one is collecting green grass for some purpose.
7) Indian Peafowl Male: This one does not need any introduction.
8 a) Shikra: I saw a Grey Hornbill flying past and landing on a Eucalyptus tree branch in front of me. When I was adjusting my camera to photograph it, I saw this bird on another branch on the same tree. I guess it must be Shikra male as it has blue-grey above and red iris,
8 b) Shikra : On the other side of the park, this one flew down and sat on a branch of a tree in front of me. I guess this one is Shikra juvenile as it has brown above, brown streaks on belly and thigh
9) Indian Grey Hornbill: This one may be a male as its casque is large, mostly dark bill with yellowish culmen and lower mandible. This bird is very common in these parts of the country.
10 a) Indian Baya Weaver: At some distance from the tree having Indian Grey Hornbill saw a group of Indian Baya Weaver birds foraging on the ground. The photograph on the left as well as on the right is of Indian Baya Weaver bird male in its breeding plume. I hope to get a better photograph of this bird next time.
10 b) Indian Baya Weaver: The photograph on the left is that of Indian Baya Weaver bird female. But I could not see Baya nest in that locality.
11) Asian Paradise Flycatcher : While adjusting the camera to photograph Baya noticed the Asain Paradise Flycatcher at a distance on a tree branch opposite to me. Since it has a large crest and entirely glossy black head I think it might be a male. The long central rufous tail feathers are missing as it may not be breeding season.I hear its common name has been changed to Indian Paradise Flycatcher.
12) Little Green Bee Eater: In a nearby location noticed a Little Green Bee Eater holding a bee in its beak.
13) Purple Sun Bird: I also saw Purple Sun Bird with eclipse plumage. Generally, male Purple Sun Bird have purple plumage on its entire body during its breeding season.
14) White Browed Fantail : I saw this perched on a branch of a tree. Later on flew down to the ground.
15 a) Common Iora: I saw a Common Iora female on a branch of a tree nearby.
15 b) Common Iora: I saw a Common Iora male on a branch of a tree where the Juvenile Shikra landed. After the Shikra landed this Iora started raising an alarm by chirping continuously.
16) Black Winged Kite: I saw this Black Winged Kite at a distance perched on the top of a tree.
17) Black Drongo: It is a very common bird in these parts of the country.
18) Oriental Turtle Dove: Earlier I use to ignore Doves. But came to know that there are several varieties in Doves too.
19) Common Woodshrike: I was lucky to get a clear photograph of this bird this time.
20) Laughing Dove: This is a very common bird in these parts of the country.
21) White Breasted Kingfisher: This is a very common bird these parts of the country.
22) Jungle Babbler: This is a very common bird in these parts of the country. Generally, it is seen in a group containing 6 or 7 individuals. It is a noisy bird.
23) Indian Palm Squirrel: Very common in these parts of the country. This one was giving good pose.
24) Twany Bellied Babbler: This one was visiting bamboo clump. It was also foraging in thick undergrowth near the bamboo clump. Later on, it flew away with a dried bamboo leaf for the purpose of constructing a nest.
25) Cattle Egret: Cattle Egret in breeding plume looking at a butterfly.
26) House Sparrow: Once common but now becoming uncommon. This was my last photograph of birds for the day in the park.
I also took the photographs of several butterflies. I am posting it separately.
The Vanvihar is National Park located adjacent to bada talab (Upper Lake) of Bhopal. It is spread over an area of 4.43 sq. km. area and was declared as a National Park in the year 1983. The adjoining upper lake adds immense beauty to the landscape of Van Vihar.
Thousands of migratory birds land in the lake at the onset of winter. The vegetation is of southern dry deciduous scrub forest type.About two hundred species of birds have been listed in Van Vihar.
The upper lake of Bhopal has also been included in the IBA (Important Bird Areas) list of Birdlife International coordinated by BNHS.The wilderness of park offers an ideal habitat for a number of avian fauna.The park is also an abode of a variety of butterflies and insects
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