There are few finer ways to experience nature than to be out walking in the wilds. And what gives gentle purpose to such walks is to look out for those flying avians doing what they have been doing long before humans came along. The author shares some of the delights of doing so in one of India’s least-explored birding havens… Nagaland.
I rested my head on the Grimmett’s bird guide and dozed off. Not a sound disturbed us other than the chirping of the mynas. What was amazing was that we were not in a forest, or anywhere remote, but on a park bench right outside Dimapur airport!
We were in Nagaland on a bird watching trip and a local bandh, which was to lift only at six p.m. had forced us to alter our plans. So instead of heading off immediately on the two and-a-half-hour drive to Khonoma, we killed four hours at this sleepy airport, where literally nothing happens after the two daily flights land and take off after brief halts, much like a city public bus. We managed to tick off 20 species including a Rubythroat, Dark-rumped Swift and three species of mynas, before the early sunset typical of the Northeast put an end to our airport birding.
Nagaland has the best and the worst - tremendously rich bird life with many rare endemics but a reputation for hunting and, over the years, almost exterminating anything that flies. So much so that birds are skittish and difficult to spot in most areas. A Great Barbet, which would hardly notice you and continue with its piew... piew… elsewhere in the Himalaya, flew off as soon as we alighted from our car. Khonoma (altitude 1,500 m.), about 20 km. from Kohima, is unique in that it is a community conservation reserve and has followed a hunting ban and eco-tourism policy for the last decade. It has, therefore, picked up a reputation as a birding destination, and would be our home for the next few days. We checked in at the brand new Dovipie Inn, the first hotel to be constructed in Khonoma, perhaps a reflection of the increased traffic of birdwatchers and tourists to this picturesque village, which carries its eco-friendly tag proudly.
THE BIRDING CUP OVERFLOWETH
Esta historia es de la edición April 2017 de Sanctuary Asia.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 2017 de Sanctuary Asia.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Why Children Are Needed To Help Save The World
On my very first day in India, I encountered many marvelous new customs not practiced in the United States, my home country. But the most curious by far involved trees. Here and there, alongside the roaring streets of Mumbai were rings of marigold wreathed around twisting banyan trunks like dried rays of afternoon sunlight…
Who's Who?
Fact: all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads! Let’s unpack this...
The Sea Raptor
The White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster is one of the most common raptors along the Indian coastline. Nevertheless, the sight of this soaring, broad-winged, white and black bird of prey is nothing less than majestic
Bringing Up Bob Hoots.
While we were visiting a friend’s farm in the village of Yelachetty, near Bandipur Tiger Reserve, we found Spotted Owlets nesting on the tiled roof… and one of the chicks on the kitchen floor!
Yala, Land Of The Leopard
Yala is not only Sri Lanka’s second-largest, but also the most-visited national park in the island nation.
The Wizards Of Oz!
Australia is not only a country, but also a continent. The land down under, cut-off from the rest of the world has an abundance of unique species of native animals, birds, reptiles, insects and plants.
Scales & Tails
I was really excited and looking forward to the workshop on reptiles and amphibians at Nature’s Nest in Mollem, Goa, between June 24 and 26, 2017. It was my opportunity to meet renowned herpetologist Varad Giri.
Big, Brilliant And Endangered
When one thinks of elephants, the first word that probably comes to mind is BIG! But elephants, while they may be the largest creatures on land, are not just big and powerful, they’re wise and sensitive as well. Recent scientific studies have established that they are among the most intelligent animals in the world.
Earth Manners
Everyday habits matter! Let’s be kind to the planet, animals and ourselves!
World Scan
CHINA’S IVORY TOWNAn explosive investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency has revealed how criminal gangs originating from an obscure town in southern China have come to dominate the smuggling of ivory tusks poached from African elephants.
