When did you last hear birds instead of honking cars or continuously ringing phones to awaken you? Many travellers get luxurious pleasure in getting away form the concrete jungle and getting back to nature with its raw, feathered beauty. Being home to diverse flora and fauna, India is heaven to the birdwatchers be it an old-time expert or a novice one.
Now guess what? Other of the most magical birding sites are the ones you won t expect to be found so - hidden away a long way out of the crowds, deep in forests, wetlands and valleys where all you hear is the call of the wild. Therefore, take out those pair of binoculars, buy that air-tickets and get prepared to have a look at these secluded sanctuaries of birdwatching.
1. Karnataka- Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
Hidden in the Western Ghats, Dandeli is a paradise to birdwatchers. Its shady evergreen forests reverberate with cries of the Malabar pied hornbill, great hornbills, drongos and the rare velvet-fronted nuthatch. The sanctuary is crossed by the Kali River that contributes to its wild appearance.
Dandeli is not as congested as most of the famous tiger reserves and with every sighting, you get the sense of making it personal. Go on a coracle boat trip, go on trek in thick jungles, or merely relax along river and watch birds flapping in the jungle above.
What to do in order to get there? Get a cheap air ticket to Hubli or Goa and thereafter you just have a beautiful drive to it. By booking the proper flight, one will have an opportunity to design an exciting and short escape.
2. Arunachal Pradesh Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
And chances are good that you know about the mythical birding destinations of India, Eaglenest is one of them but remains unknown to the big tourist industry. Eaglenest is a remote place that lies in the Eastern Himalayas and became famous with the finding of the Bugun liocichla, a very rare bird existing only in Eaglenest.
Misty woodlands, moss-covered paths, and the potential to encounter more than 500 avian species; including Himalayan cutias and Wardas trogons, make Eaglenest a haven to the birders. The sanctuary is also the evidence of the successful community-based conservation, which means you can also help to sustain more local livelihoods during your visit.
Get a flight ticket to Tezpur or Guwahati and gear up for a twist and turn drive through the clouds. It is the type of place that lingers even after visiting it.
3. Bhigwan, Maharashtra
The crowded state of Maharashtra is not the first thing you would think of when it comes to birding. But little-known Bhigwan, commonly touted as the Bharatpur of the western state of Maharashtra, is a flamingo lover paradise.
During the period (December-March) thousands of greater and lesser flamingos visit the backwaters of the Ujani Dam, making it a pink paradise. You can also see bar-headed geese, ruddy shelducks, and painted storks as they wade in the shallows in addition to flamingos.
Pune is the nearest big city. Having booked the fast flight, you could arrange the bird watching weekend trip that will not be able to break the bank in case you seek a flight that is twice as cheap and experience that is twice as rich.
4. In Kerala: Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
The backwaters of Kerala might be the place where all the limelight falls but to birdwatchers, the treasures lie in Kerala forests. The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary which is also called as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is hidden behind the Periyar River and an essential site for the serious birders.
With endemics including the Malabar grey hornbill, Sri Lanka frogmouth and Malabar trogon among others, the tranquilized trails in Thattekad are likely to give someone a surprise sighting at every bend. Morning time like out of fairy tales, the jungle is full of buzzing insects and the flute sounds of birds singing in the forest.
Buy a flight ticket to Kochi, hire a car and voila, you will be walking through the one of the rich low land forest of India.
5. Chopta, Uttarakhand
Want to see Himalayan monals dancing amongst the mists of slopes? Visit a touristy track like Chopta, a remote village in Uttarakhand that people commonly refer to as the Mini Switzerland of India. Although trekkers going to Tungnath consider it a great place to visit, not many people consider the fact that it is also a great birding ground.
The woods around are full of colourful Himalayan birds- monals, laughingthrushes, finches and the scarlet minivet. The chances are that you will not see other people on the trails, save the chirping of birds.
The fastest point of access is a fly to Dehradun. The proper flight booking will help you land a cheap flight and spend several days inhaling fresh mountain air and listening to the wild.
What you can do to maximize your birdwatching escape?
Birding is not only a bird-watching hobby, but it is also the art of patience, being present, and raw happiness. This is how you can make your trip count:
Smart book, easy fly: Book a flight ticket with HappyEasyGo to get the best deals. Booking a flight early tends to result in a low-cost flight, leaving you with more money to pay local guides or an additional day in the wilderness.
Pack Right: In addition to your camera and binoculars, carry some light layers, a good pair of shoes and a bird guide book or app. At most secret birding locations the amenities are primitive, the wilder the better!
Use Local Guides: Local guides already know the calls, the trails and the secret nests that you would never discover on your own. Moreover, it assists in sustaining local communities that take care of these winged gems.
Be Respectful: Always remember to keep a distance, avoid playing calls to keep birds coming and never disorder nests or anything. Birdwatching is an act of observation and not an act of intrusion.
The Importance of Hidden Birding Spots Why Birding
These secret retreats are a reminder to our wild beauty that remains, even in a world that is in a frenzied attempt to urbanise. they are places where it takes a long time, where you learn to listen, where every flock of wings seems like a magic.
Thus, the next time when you are feeling like a holiday, avoid the masses and prefer hearing the call of the wild instead. Book that flight ticket, take those binoculars and be prepared to uncover the smuggler side of the wildness of India - where each travel is worth much more than gold and each observation is worth a story to tell.
Wish you luck on your next journey it is my hope that your next flight reservation will take you to a place that the birds are singing and the wild is still calling. Have a good trip with HappyEasyGo!
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