Gurgaon.
Gurgaon, the place where I stay, for some reason has surprisingly always been a magnet for many birds and some other animals too. Bhondsi, Jhajjar, Chandu, Sultanpur are the usual haunts here. Recently had a chance to cover the White-tailed Lapwing, the Indian Eagle Owl, Siberian Stonechat, Pale Sand Martin, Common Buzzard and the Long-Legged Buzzard, and 3 surprises in Little Gull, Blackbuck and Falcated Duck!
Also on full moon night had a chance to explore some creativity!
Gurgaon keeps surprising me! While I had searched for Jungle Bush Quail in various parts of the country, I found it so close to my home! Same day I found the Indian Pitta with an overdose of protein feed in its mouth for the chicks!
Gurgaon.
I have to start with Gurgaon, my home base! Not many would imagine the bustling city of Gurgaon to have such a wide diversity of bird species (endemic and migrant both) – even though dwindling a bit due to loss of habitat. The “hot spots” around Gurgaon are the Aravalli Biodiversity Park and Bhondsi, each one an oasis of greenery within the centre of city; Maangar village and Leopard Trail and adjoining areas offering its rugged landscape, and then the grasslands and wetlands / lakes etc of Sultanpur, Jhanjrola, Chandu, Mandothi and Jhajjar. These are the places I honed my skills as a photographer and whetted my appetite as a birder! They are all within 30-75 minutes drive from most locations in Gurgaon city. Amongst the various raptors, waterbirds, prinias, munias, larks and other birds found here are ones like Common Shelduck, Purple Swamphen, Spotted Owlet, Garganey, Delicate Prinia, Black-necked Stork, Indian Bushlark, Red Munia, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Yellow-breasted Prinia, White-bellied Drongo, Pallas’s Gull, Indian Pitta, Common Cuckoo, Coppersmith Barbet, Red-necked Falcon, Black Francolin, Dusky Eagle Owl, Black Bittern, Spotted Crake, Barn Owl, Sarus Crane, Purple Sunbird etc