Showing posts with label Birdwatching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birdwatching. Show all posts

Sunday, January 27, 2013

10 beautiful birds of India


The avifauna of India includes a large variety of unique and rare species of birds including Great Indian Hornbill, Great Indian Bustard, Green Avadavat and Sunbird’s. Total of around 1301 species of bird found in India out 42 are endemic to Indian subcontinent and rest of others are Introduced and accidental species. Some of the most beautiful academic birds of India includes Malabar parakeet,Himalayan Quail,Nilgiri flycatcher,Indian peacock and Bugun Liocichla. Also there are few beautiful wild birds of India are Babblers,Green Bee Eaters,blue Indian Roller and giant Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, along with other common birds Red Whiskered Bulbul and Indian Ringneck Parakeet. There are 12 species of birds who are endemic to the only Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Nicobar pigeon, Nicobar Bulbul, Andaman Scops-owl, Nicobar Parakeet and Andaman Drongo.

Asian Paradise Flycatcher: 

The amazing Asian Paradise Flycatcher is a impressive medium-sized bird found across all over India.The male Paradise Flycatchers has a long and impressive tail with a with a greyish throat and underparts. Rufous and white forms of an Asiatic paradise flycatcher can be spotted in the thick forests and well-wooded habitats from Himachal Pradesh,Rajasthan to Andhra Pradesh.
Asian-Paradise-Flycatcher
Asian-Paradise-Flycatcher

Fire Tailed Myzornis: 

The little Fire-tailed Myzornis is a member of the genus Myzornis and a local resident in Himalayas ranges. Fire-tailed Myzornis got its name due to its fabulous tail, Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Fire-Tailed-Myzornis
Fire-Tailed-Myzornis

Himalayan Monal: 

The beautiful bird form pheasant family Himalayan Monal also known as the Impeyan Pheasant or Danph is the state bird of Uttarakhand. The colorful and stunning bird is academic to the higher altitudes of the Himalayas mountain ranges including states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
Himalayan-Monal
Himalayan-Monal

Indian Peafowl: 

The Indian peafowl or Blue peafowl is one of the most colored bird of the pheasant family and native to to South Asia. The male is known as a peacock is one of the large bird found in India with a length of 40 to 46 inches. Indian Peacock is the National bird of India and one of the sacred bird in Hindu mythology. The beautiful blue peafowl is the resident of the Indian Subcontinent and frequently found across all over India and neighboring countries.
Indian-Peafowl
Indian-Peafowl

Indian Pitta: 

Indian Pitta is a medium sized bird mostly pops out in every winters season for breeding in southern part of India and sub-Himalayas foothills. The small stubby-tailed bird found mostly in the thick undergrowth and on the floor of forests. It has long and strong leg with very short tail and crown with nine colors green upper parts, blue tail,red lower belly, black coronal stripes,orange vent,and white throat. Indian Pitta is one of the rare bird of Indian subcontinent and found in a very large range of habitats.
Indian-Pitta
Indian-Pitta

Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird: 

The small and beautiful Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird is found only in the north east region of Indian states. Its natural habitats range is distributed from Uttarakhand to Himalayas of north-east India and neighboring countries. Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird is one of the 12 species of Sunbird found in India.
Mrs.-Gould’s-Sunbird
Mrs.-Gould’s-Sunbird

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher: 

The Alcedinidae family bird is also known as the Black-backed Kingfisher is a small beautiful red and yellow kingfisher bird. Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is endemic to western ghat of southwest India found mainly into the densely shaded forests of Konkan region. Indian three-toed Kingfisher is one of the most popular out of 12 species of Kingfishers found in India.
Oriental-Dwarf-Kingfisher
Oriental-Dwarf-Kingfisher

Red Headed Trogon: 

The Red-headed Trogon is a species of Trogonidae family habitats in the tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It found in the forests of the eastern parts of India and neighboring countries.
Red-Headed-Trogon
Red-Headed-Trogon

Sarus Crane: 

The large Sarus Crane is the only resident crane of Indian Subcontinent, Mostly found in south to the Godavari River, west to coastal Gujarat,Punjab,east to West Bengal and Assam. Sarus Crane is the largest of Indian cranes with a maximum height of about 5.9 ft making them the world’s tallest flying bird. The population of Sarus Crane is declining in the country so falls in the category of endangered species of bird in India. Sarus Crane species was a close contender to the Indian Peafowl as the national bird of India.
Sarus-Crane
Sarus-Crane

Satyr Tragopan: 

The Crimson Horned Pheasant or Satyr Tragopan is Pheasants only found in foothills of great Himalayas of India and Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan. The bird of Pheasants family is facing subject to hunting and habitat loss of most of its ranges and only a very small population found in India. The beautiful Satyr Tragopan is one of the five species of tragopans of India,male has blue horns and a gular wattle to display during the mating season to attract females.
Satyr-Tragopan
Satyr-Tragopan

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Himachal Tourism: Things to do in Matiana


Location

It is located at about 2400 meters height above the sea level. And is about 45 kilometers from Shimla. The location falls under Tehsil Theog. 

History

Matiana is basically a small village. The local people are basically Rajputs and worship Goddess Durga (Ma Maheshwari or Bhagvati). They are devout followers of the Goddess. Many believe that people from the upper part of Himachal are the natives while the rest are migrants. 

Language

Pahari is the local language but hindi is spoken by virtually everyone. 

Cuisine

Much like everything else in the hills, even the cuisine of Matiana is simple and unadulterated. Fresh fruits are grown in many orchards around which also produce fresh jams, jellies etc. vegetables are grown locally and therefore are fresh when cooked. 

Attractions

In Matiana one must sit for a cup of tea, bite of an apple from the local orchards or click a photograph of the beautiful landscapes. Offering a view of high peaked mountains, with fresh breeze airing through the local village, Matiana offers to be one of the most mesmerizing and soul invigorating locations in the lap of nature. Trekking, horse riding, driving, picnics, golfing etc. are popular activities.


Apple orchards stretch over the length and breadth of this small town on NH 22, between Shimla and Narkhanda in Himachal Pradesh. Perpetually pleasant weather, a strong connection with the Goddess Durga and businesses rooted in apple farms, makes this a verdant and relaxed place to visit.

A small town feel and easy pace of life makes Matiana an ideal base for travellers who wish to relax and explore the region away from the tourist crowds. Matiana has a number of things to offer for those who like to walk around and soak in the atmosphere.

Here are our favourite things to do in Matiana.

1. Birdwatching 

This small town of Himachal gives a vast opportunity for birding enthusiasts to see plenty of different species. The varieties are distinctly different from that of other parts of India. Birds like Drongo, fly catcher, bar tailed tree creeper, black bulbul and Grosbeak can be spotted here.
Birdwatching-in-Matiana
Birdwatching-in-Matiana

2. Walking Trails 

The hills are a perfect place to explore and there are plenty of local trails to follow. Small village settlements, old-towering trees and local life are found along some of the most beautiful trails here. A good way to see the destination and get acquainted to the local culture, this is highly recommended.
Trekking-in-Matiana
Trekking-in-Matiana

3. Explore the Apple Farms

You can’t escape the importance of the apple farms in the region. Most people here have small or big farms and the conversations invariable leads to the season’s production and other issues. Visit an apple orchard and enjoy the freshness of apples right off the tree. While most of the harvest is sent to local or larger distributors, many people have diversified into small units of chutneys (Indian condiment) and juices. Perfect souvenirs to take home!
Juicy-Apples
Juicy-Apples

4. Hatu Peak

A little over 15 kms from Matiana, the Hatu peak towers over the Narkhanda town. It takes about an hour from the town to drive up to this serene spot with oak stands and bright green pastures in the middle. From here, you can get a good look at the Himalayas on a clear day. Try not to visit on a weekend – the number of visiting cars and bikes often end up in a jam.
Hatu peak towers over the Narkhanda town
Hatu peak towers over the Narkhanda town

5. Local Temples

Matiana has always been associated with its devotion to the Goddess Durga. Apart from her, the destination is also sprinkled with other smaller temples. You will find temples tucked away in nooks and crannies, below trees, by the road and some elaborate ones. The religious zeal in the people is commendable here.
Jai Mata Bhawani!
Jai Mata Bhawani!

When to go

As Matiana is high up in the hills it is pleasant all year round. Summers are usually not crowded by the hottest part of the year. Snow can be found in places like Hatu even in March.

How to reach

Getting in:  Bikers usually pass through Matiana using National Highway-22. Narkanda is one of the main stops for people travelling to Leh and Ladakh taking the route from Delhi-Chandigarh-Shimla-Narkanda, NH-22 is also a good way to drive down to Matiana. Trains aren't well connected. And direct trains are hard to find.

Getting around: Taxis can be rented through hotels and homestays. There's no better reliable mode of transport around. Hikes, treks and walks are fun for some people.

Distance to other cities

Shimla....................47 Km
Chandigarh............167 Km
Manali...................215 Km
Dharamsala............283 Km
Delhi......................411 Km
Corbett..................498 Km
Ranikhet................610 Km

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Jammu & Kashmir Tourism: Things to do in Srinagar

Srinagar, the capital of the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its lakes and houseboats. There are plenty of sights to take in and things to do and it is also a great place to shop for Kashmiri handicrafts. Our Srinagar tourism guide lists the highlights.

1. Bird watching at Hokersar

This wetland attracts thousands of migratory birds during winters from Siberia and Central Asia. This is an important natural refuge for rare breeds that use it for wintering and breeding. It is located 14 kilometres from Srinagar. Birds that are most prominent here are geese, Brahminy Duck, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Garganey, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Common Merganser, Northern Pintail, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Pochard, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Common Teal, and Eurasian Wigeon.
Ducks at Dal Lake, Srinagar
Ducks at Dal Lake, Srinagar

2. Houseboat and shikara ride

These are the most famous symbols of the city and tourists come from far and wide to spend a few hours cruising on the lake. Those who have time for a longer stay can rent houseboats. The Dal lake is the ideal place to enjoy this activity. In the off season a shikara ride costs about Rs. 150 but in the peak season the price can go up to Rs. 500.
House Boat on Dal Lake
House Boat on Dal Lake

3. Gardens

Mughal emperors created many gardens in the city. Prime amongst them are the Mughal Gardens, Chasm-e-Shahi, and the Nishat and Shalimar Bagh. The Tulip Gardens is a recent addition to the city and is dedicated to tulips of various colours.
Sunset over the terraces of the Nishat Bagh Mughal gardens
Sunset over the terraces of the Nishat Bagh Mughal gardens

4. Hazratbal Mosque

This pure white mosque is very serene and beautiful. It is one of the most important mosques in Srinagar and is highly revered. Much like other mosques, only the outer area is open for women to enter. The nearby market is a good place to enjoy local food.
Hazratbal Shrine from the West Gate
Hazratbal Shrine from the West Gate

5. Roza Bal

In Khanyar is the Dastgir Saheb mosque and shrine. It also known as Roza Bal and is said to be the tomb of Jesus Christ. The belief is that Jesus survived crucifixion, came to Kashmir and lived here till he was at least 100 years old. The belief isn’t backed by many scholars but it was the foundation of books such as ‘Jesus Lived in India’ by Holger Kersten.
Colourful festival decorations
Colourful festival decorations

6. Festivals

Srinagar’s major festivals are the three Eids, Navroz, Urs and Ramzan. Eid is celebrated thrice a year. One is meethi Eid, which is a family fare, the other is Muharram where people flog themselves in the street and the last is Bakra Eid where a goat is sacrificed in every Muslim home. Navroz is a 9-day festival which is celebrated in March or April with feasts, new clothes and prayers. Urs is typical to Kashmir. It is held at the shrines of Muslim saints on their death anniversaries. It is also celebrated by some Hindus and Sikhs. Ramzan is a month of hard fasting and during Ramzan Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn to dusk.

7. Shankaracharya Mandir

This Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is perched on a hilltop. It’s not usually crowded as Srinagar no longer has a significant Hindu population but is a popular site with visitors. Cameras and cellphones should be left behind as they aren’t allowed inside.

Practical information:


  •     The climatic conditions in Srinagar are mostly alpine. Srinagar is best visited during summers between the months of April and June.
  •     The domestic airport in Srinagar is located at a distance of 14 kms from the city and operates regular flights to major Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai.
  •     The nearest railway station from Srinagar is at Jammu Tawi, about 293 kms from the city. Jammu station has excellent rail connections with almost all major cities of India. Once you reach Jammu station, board a bus or hire a car / taxi to proceed on a 12-hr journey to Srinagar