On Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 6:10 PM, Udiyaman Shukla <udishukla@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Everyone,I just got back from a week long family trip to the Himachal Pradesh, spending 3 days each in Shimla and Chandigarh and then a day at Chandigarh. I left Delhi last Sunday (5/06/11) and got back on the next Sunday. This was not much of a birding trip but since this was my first visit to this area, there was no shortage of lifers no matter where I went.I left for Chandigarh quite early in the morning so the air was cool and crisp. From the train itself plenty of birds could be seen. Cattle Egrets and Indian Pond Herons in full breeding finery, vigil Black drongos, graceful Wire Tailed swallows and Green Bee Eaters were few of the many birds that dotted the fields and telegraph wires. It was good to see many nesting Red Wattled lapwings and quite a few Black Ibis. Also seen was a lone Glossy Ibis in a shallow pond some distance away. As we got closer to our destination birds such as Shikras, Indian Grey Hornbills and Honey Buzzards began to show up. Then, finally in brilliant mid-day we arrived at Chandigarh. I was expecting some respite from the heat of Delhi but there was none.Now we began the steep climb towards Shimla. As the altitude increased, the birdliffe also began to change. The calls of Plum Headed Parakeets were slowly replaced by those of Slaty headed parakeets. Breeding pairs of Barn and Red Rumped Swallows could be seen in a low swooping flight. The once ubiquitous calls of the Magpie Robin and Purple Sunbird could no longer be heard as deodars became the dominant tree species. We reached Shimla in the afternoon and just upon arrival I got the first lifer of the trip-A lone Himalayan Griffon that flew across the sky without a single flap of its wings. We checked into a hotel and it was only in the late afternoon that we ventured out again. By now I had seen a few other Himalayan Species like the Blue Whistling Thrush amongst others.Next morning I woke up early. There were some trees and bushes outside our hotel and i intended to bird there. Birds such as Spot Winged, Green Backed and Black Lored Tits gave good views while a group of Streaked laughingthrush foraged secretively in the bushes and undergrowth. A Great Barbet and a pair of Ashy Drongos made a brief appearance but Himalayan Bulbuls posed well for some photos. Later in the day we visited the Naldhera and Kofri areas. Unfortunately, these areas have been overrun by too many tourists. The birds seen included only the usuals like Whistling Thrushes, Green Backed Tits, Grey Bushchats and Himalayan Griffons.Tuesday was a day of lethargy as we had to rest for the long drive to Manali the next morning. In my morning birding I saw just about the same birds seen yesterday. The only difference was great views of the Great Barbet and another lifer, a group of 10-12 Black Throated Tits that hunted restlessly in the bushes and the midstorey. It was also good to see an Alexandrine Parakeet, even at this altitude of 1800m.Day 4 saw us on the road, this time to the hill station of Manali. On the way we saw many of the usuals and plenty of other birds as well that I could not identify. As we descended into the lower hills for a while, there was a marked change in the birdlife. Stops by the road allowed sightings of birds like Crimson Sunbirds, Blue Magpies and Striated Prinias. Also seen were breeding pairs of Barn and Red Rumped Swallows, Pied Bushchats, Spotted Doves etc not to mention 5 Ashy Drongos. We stopped at Kullu for a break and in a small green patch I spotted Great Tits, White Eyes and once again Ashy Drongos.The hustle and bustle at the heart of Manali contrasted sharply with the surrounding scenic areas. By the time we reached the circuit house it was quite dark. The birds seen in the adjacent green areas included Grey Bushchats, Great Barbets and GB Tits.Thursday was arguably the most rewarding day of the trip. In the morning I saw Ultramarine Flycatchers and Black Throated Tits around the circuit house. At 7am we left for Rohtang Pass. On the way I spotted a few Plumbeous Water Redstarts. We had to stop about 5km before the pass due to the huge traffic jam. While playing on the surrounding glaciers we saw Lammergeiers and a Citrine Wagtail in flight. A nearby water body played host to a Brown Dipper. We trekked up a nearby hill and got an amazing view of the landscape. The Highlights were eye level views of 3 Lammergeiers and a few Grey Wagtails. On the way back I also spotted a White Capped Water Redstart and a Rock Bunting. Back at Manali we saw a Blyth's Leaf warbler while exploring the city. In the afternoon we visited Solang Valley where birds like Long Tailed Shrikes, Russet Sparrows, Hoopoe and a Black Bulbul were seen.The next day, I spent one hour in the morning inside Van Vihar which adjoined our circuit house. Birding in this city forest was a bit tough to say the least since the trees were about a hundred feet tall. Birds seen included Striated Prinias, an Asian Barred Owlet and Grey Hooded Warblers. Outside the circuit house there was a mixed hunting group of Ultramarine Flycatchers and Tits, which were harassing another Asian Barred Owlet. Today we left for a log hut in Old Manali. These huts were surrounded by trees, bushes and, the best of all, walking trails. Upon arrival, I quickly spotted White Throated Fantails, Rufous Naped Tits and Russet Sparrows. In my evening walk I saw a very dull looking Verditer Flycatchers amongst two birds that I couldn't identify. I will be putting the rather poor pics for Id.On Saturday I was quite disappointed as our days in the hills were over. We left for Chandigarh by road in the morning. The highlight on the way was a pair of Booted Eagles, leisurely soaring high above. As we descended to the plains Ashy Drongos got replaced by Black drongos and a Brown Rock Chat was also seen. By the time the bumpy 11hr ride was over, we just about had the energy to make it to our rooms in a guest house.Sunday, the last day of our trip saw us exploring Chandigarh. I went to Sukhna Lake in the morning and luckily, a strong breeze was blowing. Unluckily, it didn't last. Birds seen in Chandigarh included the usuals.As I sipped tea and looked out the window of the train on the way back to Delhi, I thought that this had been a rewarding visit. After all, a total tally of a 100 species including 26 lifers was impressive....well, at least for me it was.Thanks for reading this rather lengthy report,Udiyaman--
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