This blog is about my trip to Nalsarovar- a bird sanctuary situated near Ahmedabad. As I mentioned in my earlier blog that by the time my second visit to India my brother in law (Dr Niraj) was also into birding, this time he had organised for us to visit Nalsarovar.
More than 200 bird species can be found here depending on the season and it is most popular due to all the migratory birds visiting here during Indian winter season.
My brother in law had also booked a guide for us, as through his research he found out that it was the best way to go. And when you book a guide they organise your whole day including booking a boat for you.
Upon reaching our meeting point our guide Latif bhai took us through a nearby village, passing among narrow streets to the lake side where few boats and boatmen were ready for the birders. After talking with our guide we found out that he was also a very keen birder and photographer (it shouldn’t have come as a surprise). He also carried his camera with him and took photos with us.
We sat in a narrow wooden boat in a single line as the boat was only wide enough to fit one person. The boatmen moved the boat forward with a long bamboo log, from that I realised the water was not very deep. And straightaway we started noticing the birds flying around as the sun was just coming up.
On one side behind the long grass we saw a colony of ducks among which I could manage to take photos of Garganeys when the whole group took off. After looking at the photos I realised there were Northern Shovellers and Common Teals there as well.
Among the long grass I managed to get photos of Little Egret flying away and some Glossy Ibis as the sun was hitting it perfectly. Both of these birds I had seen in Australia as well.
As the boat kept moving inwards the lake our guide kept informing us about the bird he has been seeing in his recent outings. According to him we were a bit late in the season as few of the birds had already left.
He was mentioning seeing the Peregrine Falcon in the area but just then at the top of a grass hill we saw Steppe Eagle majestically sitting there observing the area from higher grounds. Latif bhai then instructed the boatman to maneuver the boat among the tall grass so that we can get a bit closer and have the sun at our back for a good photo opportunity.
While the boat was stopped there, we saw Kentish Plover at the shore just scratching the surface with its feet to find food. And sometimes later a juvenile Kentish Plover also turned up.
After that we moved along to search for Dalmatian Pelican, the boatman also contributed in the search by shouting at the other boatman whether he had seen any today and he definitely did. So we moved toward his direction and found two of them. Though before we could get a better vantage point they swam away.
Now we started looking for Common Plover which is not a very regular sighting here according to Latif bhai. While searching for them through the shoreline we found few Yellow Wagtails feeding in the muddy shore area. We also saw a Red-necked Stint which was very obliging and posed for us nicely.
We then came across a pair of Ruddy Shelducks, a Red-wattled Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwits, Black-winged Stilts, a Wood Sandpiper, Ruffs and a Marsh Harrier. It was good to get some nice shots of Black-tailed Godwits as I had seen Bar-tailed Godwits in Melbourne before my trip to India but couldn’t manage a closer shot as they kept away from the shore.
Suddenly Latif bhai spotted a small plover and asked the boatman to go towards its direction. It turned out to be a Common Ringed Plover. It was also a very friendly bird as it kept on moving around giving us different poses. But sometimes it was trickier to get an eye level shot from the boat due to the bird being so small. But whenever birds moved up the shore it worked out well.
Further along the shoreline we came across one of my favorite finds of the day, a Collared Pratincole. As I hadn’t read about possibilities at Nalsarovar most of the birds I came across were surprises to me and this one topped the list. Their flight looked very beautiful as well but I could not manage a flight shot due to limited movements possibilities within the boat. This Pratincole also turned out to be a good model as later during the day we came across a few more of them and we managed to get shots of theirs in different surroundings.
Far out in the field Latif bhai then spotted a bird of prey, which turned out to be the Peregrine Falcon. But it was very far and due to heat haze it was impossible to get a decent shot. So we moved along and came across a Whiskered Tern sitting on a rock which let us get very close.
I was keeping an eye on things while we were moving around and got a surprising shot when a dragonfly landed on a long grass, but what I didn’t know was the grass had few larva shells on it as well so the photo looked even more significant.
The light got a bit harsh as we moved back towards the shore. But it was time to go look for Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse. And they only come out in the open during mid day so you have no other option to photograph them than in harsh light. But they are beautiful. We found a female just after a short drive back through the village to the nearby bushes, but she was on the move and the encounter lasted only a bit.
It turns out Spiny-tailed Lizards are found in the nearby area as well, which also prefers to come out during the middle of the day. We ended up seeing one after a long wait among the open ground where they usually come out to bask in the sunlight. But it went back into the burrow and when it came out again we were too far away. So we decided to drive back towards the main road. And we found one just lying outside its burrow along the road. It also disappeared in its burrow after a short time but this time we were a bit closer and we managed to get a few shots.
We then headed for lunch as it was past mid-day. On our way we came across a large group of Flamingos, but the place was inaccessible so we had to take photos from the window.
While relaxing after lunch we saw an Indian Roller up on the electric cable. That was the only sighting of the bird so I’m glad I took some photos.
After Lunch we moved to find the Indian Carouser but instead found Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse, this time both male and female. And along the road we also found Siberian Stonechat, but due to heat haze I couldn’t manage a super sharp shot.
After that we went to see the Crakes. There was an area along the road where three different Crake species lived among the reeds. When we reached there we found few guides and birders already waiting there and all the guides were baiting the birds with food to come out. And I am not into that practice so it wasn’t really my approach to bird photography hence I have not shared the photos of those Crakes.
We then proceeded to look for owls, and we found one but after detecting us it flew away and we tried to follow it. After a while it felt like we were interfering with it so even though I have some photos I am not proud of taking them. Though in the same area we saw a Red-necked Falcon up above the electricity tower and we just took an ID shot.
Latif bhai then took us to a place where a leucistic White-cheeked Bulbul hangs out. We saw the bird but it kept to the higher branches of the tree.
Toward the end of the day we headed towards the Fox’s den. This was a total surprise as I didn’t know the itinerary of the day. At the den we found a few other photographers waiting at a safe distance from the den and from their chat I came to know that they have been doing this for a long time. While we were waiting a few cops came to check on us which was a bit weird, but I guess they were surprised to see a bunch of people in the middle of a barren farmland just as the sun was about to set.
After waiting about 45 minutes a fox pup poked its head out of the den and it felt like you’re watching some nature documentary it just needed a narration from Sir David Attenborough. The pup came out and it wasn’t bothered by our presence probably due to us being at a safe distance. It moved around a little, even lied down for a bit giving us great photo opportunities. It then went back inside the den, came out again after a few minutes and then went back in shortly.
Nothing happened for a long time, and we were contemplating whether to call it a day or not. Other photographers and guide were talking about the female coming in later during the evening almost everyday and more pups would come out then to feed. Some days they have seen up to seven. So that kept our hope alive and after an hour one pup came out. By this time the sun had almost set so it was difficult getting sharp photos. But the moments were priceless. Shortly the mother came across from the farmland towards the den, she stopped for a short time to make sure it was safe and then started walking again.
As soon as she came closer a second pup came out as well and they both then met the mother and started feeding. It was a surreal experience, one that I will remember forever. By now it had become too dark and we had to drive back home too so we decided to call it a day.
After this day, it seems I will have to make this trip every time I go to India, as it was an amazing experience spending the whole day among birds with nature lovers. I would strongly suggest having a guide as well if you are planning to go there for the first time as it would help you to see the maximum numbers of birds in the area.
I have copied mine, Niraj’s and Latif bhai’s Instagram profile link below in case you are curious about their photos. And until next time Happy Birding.
https://www.instagram.com/lonewolfandalens