Maddu Thoppu From Coorg

About Maddu Thoppu - A Medicinal Leaf In Coorg

The wet, dark months of the monsoon bring about a mysterious transformation in an otherwise quite unremarkable plant known locally as “maddu thoppu”, medicine leaf (Justicia wynaadensis). 

In Coorg, leaves of this plant are said to hold maximal medicinal properties on the eighteenth day of the Kakkada month of the Kodava calendar (may be in July or August). 

This is the festival called Kakkada Padinett. On this day, madd toppu leaves are said to emit a strange sweet unique fragrance which is not evident a day prior or after that. They are plucked and made into cakes or sweet porridge.

Come to Coorg to be a part of this auspicious occasion and to taste the delicacy.

By Divya Shree, Asian Adventures - India

For details, contact us https://linktr.ee/asianadventures

Herping In Garvale

Herpetology In Coorg 

Garvale is located 35 km from Kushalnagar in Coorg. 

Rich in diversity amidst coffee plantations and forest. People with interest in vivid subjects visit this place to enhance their knowledge about the fauna and flora. Recently having around 7 enthusiastic people we went herping into a forest patch located among the coffee plantation. 

All were waiting for the sighting when a wolf snake crossed our way. Everyone curious and attentive to see more wildlife around and further we were able to spot around 9 individuals of 3 different species, 8 frogs of 4 species, a Porcupine and a Black-naped Monarch roosting. 

We also found many different insects, spiders, crabs, slugs, snails, moths and a variety of plants. 

Join us on the herping session in Coorg to explore the night lives. 

By Divya Shree, Asian Adventures - India

For details, contact us https://linktr.ee/asianadventures

Earth Walks At Haiderpur Wetland

Earth Walks At Haiderpur Wetland, Bijnore

A Trip Report By Mahesh Rajpoot

Asian Adventures - India

Dec 04, 2022
Participants: Mahesh Rajpoot, Salil Dutta, Roshan Tanwar, Rohit Sharma, Ashish Gujjar 

The Haiderpur wetland, part of the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, is simply an amazing birding destination, and perfect for our Earth Walks. 

We started our journey from Delhi quite early, at 4:30 AM, carrying a packed breakfast. It is usually a 3 hour journey but we arrived quite late because of the fog. The wetland was not visible because it covered by fog or mist. We started our birding quite late with Ashish, who is a local guide in the area. 

We first went to the grassland, where we saw Yellow-eyed Babbler, Rosy Pipit in flight, Ashy Prinia, Long-tailed Shrike, Red Avadavat and many flying Red-rumped Swallows. This area is outside the park, where farmers visit their cultivation fields daily. 

After spending time in the grassland, we entered the park. It was a nice walk on the birding trail, and we saw thousands of water birds, including Bar-headed and Greylag Geese, Red-crested, Common and Ferruginous Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, Great Crested and Little Grebe and many Cormorants. 

There were few Greater Spotted Eagles soaring in the sky along with a single Black Kite. After some time, a mixed hunting flock seen came quite close: a Black-hooded Oriole catching caterpillars and a Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker was busy on the trunk along other species like Red-whiskered Bulbul, Long-tailed Minivet, Purple Sunbird and Common Chiffchaff etc. 

After this, we had lunch and took a boat safari in the Ganges River. This boat safari was marvellous because we spotted a super rare Gangetic Dolphin which was coming up a few times from the water to take a breath. The sighting was super, and we clicked some record photos. Besides the dolphin, we also saw got some good photographs of Palllas’s Gull, Black-headed Gull, Brown-headed Gull, Great Thick-knee, many Black Kites, Pied Kingfisher, Little and Great Cormorants, River Lapwing, a pair of Ruddy Shelduck, many Wagtails etc. 

After the boat safari, we also saw Common Cranes in flight. As it was getting close to sunset, we spent some time taking a few sunset photos, before leaving for Delhi.

Join Earth Walks : https://asianadventures.info/p/af0725/

Haiderpur Wetlands and Bijnor Barrage -- General Area

9:13 AM

Traveling

2.05 km

32 minutes

All birds reported? Yes

Comments:

80 Eurasian Collared-Dove -- In foggy morning, they were on trees

1 Spotted Dove

2 Greater Coucal

2 Oriental Darter

2 Black-crowned Night-Heron

1 White-throated Kingfisher

1 Rufous Treepie

10 House Crow

8 Large-billed Crow (Indian Jungle)

1 Striated Grassbird

1 Hume's Warbler

2 Common Chiffchaff

2 Greenish Warbler

2 Scaly-breasted Munia

10 Red Avadavat

3 White-browed Wagtail

Haiderpur Farming Ponds

Dec 04, 2022

11:53 AM

Traveling

12.66 km

124 minutes

All birds reported? Yes

Comments:

41 Bar-headed Goose

49 Graylag Goose

56 Northern Shoveler

186 Gadwall

36 Eurasian Wigeon

6 Indian Spot-billed Duck

9 Northern Pintail

41 Red-crested Pochard

56 Common Pochard

38 Ferruginous Duck

45 Tufted Duck

4 Indian Peafowl

3 Little Grebe

2 Great Crested Grebe

19 Eurasian Collared-Dove

5 Spotted Dove

2 Greater Coucal

86 Eurasian Coot

3 White-breasted Waterhen

1 Common Crane

2 Black-winged Stilt

8 Red-wattled Lapwing

17 Black-headed Gull

4 Brown-headed Gull

7 Pallas's Gull

1 River Tern

9 Oriental Darter

8 Little Cormorant

16 Great Cormorant

1 Gray Heron

1 Purple Heron

3 Cattle Egret

1 Indian Pond-Heron

2 Black-crowned Night-Heron

2 Oriental Honey-buzzard

1 Crested Serpent-Eagle

3 Greater Spotted Eagle -- Big head, brown dark body with short tail. A big size raptor flying in the sky........ Seen well and photographed

2 Eurasian Hoopoe

2 White-throated Kingfisher

1 Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker -- A Small size woodpecker with dark eye stripe, white barring on back side. Seen well

1 Long-tailed Minivet

2 Black-hooded Oriole

1 Long-tailed Shrike

1 Rufous Treepie

3 House Crow

3 Large-billed Crow (Indian Jungle)

1 Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher

2 Common Tailorbird

6 Ashy Prinia

6 Gray-throated Martin

11 Red-rumped Swallow

2 Red-vented Bulbul

2 Red-whiskered Bulbul

1 Hume's Warbler

2 Common Chiffchaff

1 Lesser Whitethroat

2 Yellow-eyed Babbler

2 Indian White-eye

2 Jungle Babbler

2 Striated Babbler

4 Indian Pied Starling

4 Oriental Magpie-Robin

1 Red-breasted Flycatcher

2 Purple Sunbird

5 Scaly-breasted Munia

8 Red Avadavat

2 White-browed Wagtail

1 Rosy Pipit

Haiderpur Wetland--Ujaili Trail

Dec 04, 2022

2:28 PM

Traveling

14.65 km

120 minutes

All birds reported? Yes

Comments:

7 Bar-headed Goose

76 Graylag Goose

2 Ruddy Shelduck

5 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)

5 Great Thick-knee

5 River Lapwing

1 Little Stint

2 Green Sandpiper

10 Black-headed Gull

8 Brown-headed Gull

9 Pallas's Gull

2 Asian Openbill

4 Asian Woolly-necked Stork

2 Oriental Darter

6 Little Cormorant

12 Great Cormorant

1 Gray Heron

1 Purple Heron

3 Little Egret

2 Indian Pond-Heron

9 Black Kite

2 Pied Kingfisher

4 Large-billed Crow (Indian Jungle)

6 Gray-throated Martin

7 Red-rumped Swallow

1 Red-vented Bulbul

2 White-browed Wagtail

For details, contact us https://linktr.ee/asianadventures

The Gliding Lizard

Nature walks inside the coffee plantation in Coorg.

Our attention was towards the palm fruits and inflorescence, that's when we found something gliding. Suddenly looked around to spot it but because of its camouflage mastery it took us a few minutes to spot it. To our surprise it was a flying lizard. Besides hill forests, they are also found in nearby palm and areca nut plantations. Their home range consists of a few trees. Males are in the habit of maintaining small territories of two to three trees, which they patrol and chase away intruding males. Females move freely within the territory.

 

These lizards move during the day from tree to tree in search of insects like ants and termites. They glide by extending the patagium - the flaps of skin attached to the side of the body that are supported by six elongated ribs. They can cover a distance of nearly 10 metres when they glide from one tree to another. The tail acts as a rudder, giving direction to the flight. Gliding between the trees is also an escape mechanism.

By Divya Shree, Asian Adventures - India

For details, contact us https://linktr.ee/asianadventures

Nalknad Palace

Nalknad Palace - The Place For Natural History

Situated in the base of Tadiyandamol in Coorg, Nalknad Palace is also known as Nalnad Aramane. Built by Dodda Veerarajendra in 1792, serves as the base camp for trekkers who can make an overnight stay before climbing the Tadiyandamol peak in the morning.

It is worth recalling a brief history of the Nalknad Palace. The two-storied structure is situated on a precipitous ridge and not easily accessible. It provided a safe shelter for the rajas from invading armies. Presently maintained by the state archaeology department, the building houses a bee-keeping centre. A steep serpentine path from the Nalknad Palace, leads to the Tadiyandamol peak.

This palace not only had history but also a lot of diversity around it. A beautiful bird watching spot where we could easily spot around 11 species of birds looking outside from the windows of the palace. We were also able to spot many different types of spiders, insects and frogs like Microhyla sp. and Raorchestes anili. The star spotting of the session was the bird nest fungi. 

Come join us for this wonderful experience in Coorg.

By Divya Shree, Asian Adventures - India

For details, contact us https://linktr.ee/asianadventures

Sultanpur Bird Watching Trip Report

A winter morning at Sultanpur National Park

On November 29th, I had the pleasure of accompanying our guest for a morning of guided birdwatching at Sultanpur National Park, located close to Delhi.

Upon reaching Sultanpur, we first met Sanjay Kumar, the local guide at Sultanpur, at the park gate. The first bird we encountered was the sought-after Sind Sparrows, as they were feeding on grass reeds.  It was a close sighting near the road towards Chandu village. This species is the key species of the park, and one of the main goals of many birders visiting Sultanpur. 

Along the road, we also spotted White-throated Kingfisher, Black Drongo, Red-wattled Lapwing, Long-tailed Shrike and many other common birds.  

After a 15 minute drive we reached the outskirts, a wetland near a cultivated area. Here, we managed to see Eurasian Curlew, Pied Avocet, Common Redshank, Pallas's and Black-headed Gulls, plenty of Black-tailed Godwits, hundreds of Little and Temminck’s Stints and many mixed flocks of water birds such as Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Teal, and Bar-headed and Greylag Geese. Among the other big birds we saw were Greater Flamingo, resting on a small mound. 

While we were returning, we heard the call of a Blyth's Pipit, and it landed in a bush near the water. We managed to see it quite clearly and it was a beautiful sighting. Besides the pipit, we also saw European Starling, Common Chiffchaff, Indian Pied Myna (also called Asian Pied Starling) and a big flock of Black Kites. Some Black-eared Kites and one Osprey were also sitting far away on a dead tree. All in all, we spent about 2 hours birding in the wetland area. 

After this we drove towards the cultivated area and watched some large-sized raptors such as Eastern Imperial Eagle and Steppe Eagle, as well as plenty of Western Marsh Harriers and other resident birds. While we were driving back along the Najafgarh Nehar, we managed to see three kinds of munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Red Avadavat and Indian Silverbill, in the long grass reeds. They were feeding on the seeds of reeds. There is also small wetland down there, where we got three kinds if ibis: Glossy Ibis, Red-naped Ibis on cement poles and Black-headed Ibis along the water, We also saw Knob-billed Duck, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Eurasian Coot, Grey-headed Swamphen, and Purple Heron. There were also many Barn Swallows flying overhead.

All in all, in this 3 hour birding trip, we saw 83+ species of birds.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S123236232

By Mahesh Rajpoot

Asian Adventures - India
Nov 29, 2022

Reed Frog

 

Widely distributed in the low and mid altitudes of western ghats. Distinct eye pattern and the brown dorsum with golden yellow stripes extending from the eye to the groin are the key characteristics.  These bush frogs enter slits in Ochlandra reeds, created by boring insects, to roost in the non breeding time and spend the days. They call from these slits or from nearby bushes during heavy rains. The eggs are laid inside the reeds and are guarded by the male and female also in most cases.

By Divya Shree, Asian Adventures - India

For details, contact us https://linktr.ee/asianadventures 

Moth Watch In Coorg

 Moths can be considered as butterflies of the night but are not as well appreciated as their day cousins. Most do not fly during the day, and they are not considered interesting enough to be observed in the night. Their nocturnal nature is primarily why many people are not fond of moths. They are also difficult subjects to work with since observing them involves working late in the night outdoors. Therefore , moths seem mysterious because few people know about their habitat and ecology. They are considered to be drab and unattractive, but I hope this blog will change the perception for beginners. 

Setting up the screen for moth watch in a dark area with only one light to attract moths seemed interesting and awaiting the arrival of moth species. In the foothills of kote betta the moth watch took place with kids who were very much enthusiastic to find these night flies. The night got colder and the activity started. After leaving the place for about an hour we came back to observe the moths, surprised to see so many species from very tiny ones to the largest! Around 135 individuals were seen and they belonged to many different families.

This moth watch took place to build a responsible community which leads towards the conservation of these beautiful creatures. Now you might get them in plenty, but having many threats like light pollution, deforestation, predation, survival of the fittest, these insects are also decreasing in number.

By Divya Shree, Asian Adventures - India

For details, contact us https://linktr.ee/asianadventures

REDISCOVERING MYSELF WITH SHIVA WALKS

My wife was raised in a very religious family, and I am the complete opposite. This means that she often goes on pilgrimages with her parents, where I don’t accompany them. Thankfully, they have been understanding and have never forced me.

So, when a few months back, my wife suggested that we join the Shiva Walks at Jageshwar, I was a little surprised. She’s never asked me to accompany him before, and she knew I would not be interested in something like this at all. But she assured me that we’d get some sightseeing done as well, and frankly I hadn’t gotten out of the city in a long time so I agreed.

What I found was really surprising. The overall tone of the tour wasn’t very religious at all. In fact, I could say it was more spiritual, and more about connecting with your inner self, and the world, than a traditional religious pilgrimage or outing. 

Long and relaxing forest walks, short treks that may have tired our bodies, but worked wonders to clear the mind, and so on! We played in the streams, meditated in the beautiful and quiet deodar forests, and much more. The guided yoga sessions at Van Serai were extremely liberating, actually lightening the mind. 

I was even initially skeptical about Satvik food, but it was so delicious that I loved it all the same. The love and care that went into preparing the food could actually be tasted. And the fact that it was farm-fresh produce, prepared fresh and in a healthy manner made a world of difference.

I still may not be a very religious person, but I did come back from Jageshwar as a more spiritual person.

Winged Wonders of the Mountain Kingdom

 

Bhutan has been protected by both its isolation within the Himalayas and the topography of its mountainous land, resulting in over 70% of the land remaining forested with approximately 25% protected by 10 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The diverse range of environments varies from sub-tropical at 150 m to alpine over 4,500 m, supporting a natural habitat and wide range of ecosystems with rich and varied bird-life, flora and fauna. Our Bhutanese tour leader is a birding expert and an accredited naturalist who will ensure that your trip through this varied and beautiful landscape is full of birding excellence.

Birdwatchers will find themselves in breathtaking surroundings looking for legendary species in pristine and seemingly endless forests, such as Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon, Beautiful Nuthatch, Himalayan Cutia, Black-necked Crane, White-bellied Heron, and a whole host of other spectacular species, including the recently split Black-rumped Magpie.

The birding journey begins as you enter the country at Samdrup Jongkhar. Along this drive one can keep an eye out in the fields for the rare Lesser and Greater Adjutants, Little Cormorant, White-throated Kingfisher, or spend time birding once you reach, looking for Indian Pond and Striated Herons, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little and Eastern Cattle Egret, Pied Myna, Common Myna, Great Myna, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Common and Mountain Tailorbirds, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Black-hooded Oriole, Common Iora, Green Bee-eater and with a bit of luck the very rarely seen Blyth’s Kingfisher, Dark-rumped Swift and Black-backed Forktail.

From there, you can spend time exploring the tropical forest between Samdrup Jongkhar and Deothang. Here, one can look for species such as Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Little and Streaked Spiderhunters, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Blue-eared Barbet, Coppersmith and Lineated Barbets, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Green-billed Malkoha, Long-tailed Sibia, White-rumped Shama, Thick-billed Warbler, Pin-striped Tit- and Grey-throated Babblers, Black-naped Monarch, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Oriental Dollarbird, Oriental Pied, Wreathed & Great Hornbills, Violet Cuckoo, and more.

Birding along Morong and Narphung valleys on the way to Trashigang is also memorable. These superb forests are filled with birds such as Himalayan Shrike-babbler, Himalayan Cutia, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Long-tailed Sibia, Beautiful Nuthatch, Red-tailed and Blue-winged Minlas, Hill Partridge, Kalij Pheasant, Bay and Crimson-breasted Woodpeckers, Greater and Lesser Yellownapes, Golden-throated and Great Barbets, Mountain Tailorbird, Red- headed Trogon, Himalayan Swiftlet, Blyth's and House Swifts, Collared and Asian Barred Owlets, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Besra, Northern Goshawk, Steppe and Bonelli’s Eagles, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Long-tailed and Grey-backed Shrikes, and many more.

 

The warm broadleaf forests of Yongkola provide the perfect environment for many avian species including many of Bhutan’s sought-after birds. It is here in this birding hotspot that one can look for: Ward’s Trogon, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler and Rufous-throated Wren-babbler , Black-headed Shrike-babbler, Satyr Tragopan, Bar-winged Wren-babbler, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, White-breasted Parrotbill and perhaps Gould’s Shortwing.