The Travel Connection

Until recently Sattal was just another town in Uttarakhand. The influx of tourists especially the birders, is turning the place into one more popular hill station on the Himalayas. No, it's not pristine and peaceful and middle of no where. But one can enjoy a kayak ride surrounded by lush green hills without many buildings or hawkers in sight. That is saying a lot considering the pollution of all sorts that surround almost all lakes in India. At 1370 m relatively lower compared to Pangot, Sattal is small in size but big in its avian attraction.  The ecology of  this district makes it an oasis for the 500 odd species of birds migratory or otherwise. The many birding outings I have been on generally involved driving, hiking or boating. Now imagine ring side seats for Cirque du Soleil of the avian world. Set amidst oak and pine trees on the surrounding rolling hills and the stage designed along a little stream with twigs, offshoot branches, is like none other. Withou...

Grey winged blackbird male and female Khalij pheasant male and female Scaly thrush Mistle thrush Koklass pheasant male and female Himalayan woodpecker Brown fronted woodpecker Black throated tit Cheer pheasant Black headed jay Rufous bellied woodpecker Rufous sibia White throated laughing thrush Slaty headed parakeet Himalayan bulbul Great barbet Blue whistling thrush Red billed blue magpie Grey treepie Pied bush chat male and female Streaked laughing thrush Chestnut headed bee eater Common rose finch Chestnut tailed starling Grey capped pygmy woodpecker Plum headed parakeet Blue capped rock thrush Purple sunbird male and female Oriental turtle dove Spotted dove Large billed crow Red ventted bulbul Red whiskered bulbul Russet sparrow Himalyan shrike babbler Grey bushchat female The all important "list" ! Most serious birders have a list. No, I don't have one  but after watching the movie " The big year" was tempted into m...

A distinct memory I have as a 9/10 year old is of a gateway proclaiming Corbett Tiger reserve and a feeling of despair as we were not going through the gateway to explore the wildlife. Fast forward to couple of years and Jim Corbett became my hero. His narrations transported me to world that I wanted to experience someday. The taste of excitement the adventure made Kumaon a fantasy world for the teenager. Looking back, I feel it was Jim Corbett who made me a wildlife enthusiast. And that day to walk on the same land as Corbett did, come after many many years in the month of April 2016. Corbett Tiger Reserve  ranges from 1300 m to 4000m and the splendid landscape is breath taking. The rivers particularly caught my interest. We started our exploration by walking along the almost dry tributary of Ramganga River.  Ramganga and her tributaries are life line of the Park. The boulders, gravel fine sand , a stony bed intermingled with pebbles is a sight like none other. Kosi river...