The world has changed so much since my last post! With Corona having taken over almost every person's peace of mind, the only place I find peace is in taking refuge in dreaming and imagining all the travels I intend to do:)
 |
| View around Makkumath |
|
|
 |
| Black Francolin Makkumath |
While chatting with my cousin, Soma, who
is an avid bird watcher, I felt a strong desire to visit Uttarakhand. Soma
returned from her birding trip early February this year, and was sharing her
experience of birding in Uttarakhand. I have been to several bird watching
trips with her, but this one seems unique, not only because of the number of
birds she sighted, but also because of the information and guidance she
received from Mr. Yashpal Negi, an experienced and well-known local bird
guide.A three day session with him is likely to get you around 100 bird
species. Sharing some pictures taken by Soma.
 |
| Asian barred owlet |
|
 |
| Blue fronted Redstart |
|
 |
Mr Negi's Sparrow house for birders
|
Birding in Western Himalayas is very exciting as sighting of the birds is not as tough as it would be in the Eastern Himalayas. Soma travelled around 200 km east of Haridwar to a place by the name of Makkumath which is known for being the winter abode of the deity of Tunganath Temple of Shiva (at an altitude of 12,000 feet). Makkumath is located at 6000 feet. This is the place where Mr. Yashpal Negi has built a home stay, by the name of Sparrow House for birders.
 |
| Common Buzzard |
|
 |
| Grey headed woodpecker |
|
This was Soma's third trip to Mr Negi's camp
but the first one to his new home stay. Mr Negi's earlier bird camp was located
in Kakragad by the side of the Mandakini river. Unfortunately it got
compleletly washed away in the 2013 floods.He built his new home stay in
Makkumath 21 km uphill from Kakragad.
 |
| Mr Negi's camp in 2012 by river Mandakini |
|
 |
| Birders waiting for bus to Haridwar-2012 at Negi's camp |
|
 |
| What remains of the camp after the devastating flood of 2013 |
Will continue with more bird pictures from around Makkumath in my next few posts. I will complete my
Sri Lankan travel posts soon after that. Stay safe and healthy:)
You may like the following post:
No comments:
Post a Comment