Maithon is a small settlement on the border of Bengal and Jharkhand. We happened to get a chance to visit there, to meet a known acquaintance. Not only did we enter and explored India's first Hydel Power Plant, we also got some wonderful opportunity to do some birding in-and-around the Maithon Dam Reservoir.
I didn't have big hopes to spot anything special, but was thrilled on my chance encounter with two of my lifers. First was the Taiga Flycatcher and second was the Great Crested Grebe.
We stayed at Hotel Panorama which was about 10 km away from the Dam, the expereince was very bad and I would advise everybody against it. Instead, if you can book any of the forest guest houses, then you would enjoy the tranquility to stay amidst nature's wilderness. But you would need a reference from one of the employees of Damodar Valley Corporation. Else, there are plenty more stay options withing 2-3 kilometers of the Dam. All are 2 star rated properties but I'm sure it would be better than where I was putting up.
Here are some of the clicks that we managed and the video as well.
One of my fellow birders went to Bijapur and did some casual birding in and around the Gol Gumbaj area. Incidently, I was excited to see the Red-breasted Flycactehr Male amongst his shots. This one has always been eluding me for a very long time, although the female was quite obliging everywhere. Since Bijapur isn't very far from Hyderabad, I immediately planned a trip to the location. Booked a stay at Hotel Mayura (Karnataka State Tourism) for one night and decided to drive down in my car.
Target was only one - THE RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER MALE. It took me 6 hours to reach Bijapur from Hyderabad, including rest, relaxation and fueling breaks. The road condition is decent enough, although be ready to cross atleast 200 speed breakers on the way, each way, For some reason, the road leading to Bijapur (even though a national highway) has speed bumps every few odd kilometers. Driving is definitely not enjoyable in such situations.
However birding definitely was very enjoyabale. My luck wasn't on my side even this time around, with the red-breasted flycatcher nowhere to be seen. Got the female again with no sighting of the male. But then again, birding activity in general was good and I had no regrets of making this trip.
Here is the video and all the other pics that I clicked.
Red-breasted Flycatcher Female
The most taken-for-granted bird in India is the national bird, I guess. Although in this shot even the female is also looking beautiful.
Indian Peacock Female
Gol Gumbaz is a parakeet destination no doubt, every possible location in the premises is dominated by them.
Rose-ringed Parakeet Female
Rufous-tailed Lark
Indian Grey Hornbill
Indian Robin Female
Common Hoopoe
Green Bee-eater
Lesser Whitethroat
Small Minivet Male
Small Minivet Female
Spotted Owlet
Early morning 7-00 AM and sunrise still struggling to be out. Somehow got two indivuals of these starlings perched on top of a tall tree.
Chestnut-tailed Starling
Coppersmith Barbet
Great Tit
Asian Koel Male
Asian Koel Female
Brahminy Starling
Purple Sunbird Female
Purple Sunbird Male
Red-rumped Swallow
I just love the 7D Mark II, those special settings to track birds-in-flight got me a chance to click these most difficult birds to ever capture through the viewfinder.
