Bird Watching in Nalsarovar

If you want to witness the hard work done by some local naturalists, Nalsarovar in one such location. I had a similar feeling about Bharat Kapdi in GRK when I met him the first time in 2018. These naturalists have done such immense hard work in their local area that some times I feel the area owes them a lot. Similarly Latif bhai and his hard work in Nalsarovar is so evidently visible.

I don’t know if it was luck or hard work or a combination of luck and hard work, that he could find birds like Namaqua Dove at a location so remote that no human will go there unless they have some real purpose in life. For us birders, it is one thing to go an see the Namaqua Dove, but if you think about the story behind finding that bird, it is absolutely mind-boggling.

We checked out early morning from LRK and drove to Nalsarovar so that we reach there right before the sunrise, giving us the chance to sight the Red-necked Falcon, Red-headed Bunting and of course the Namaqua Dove. The drive was okay, the road condition was good, distance was about 75 km and it took almost 1.5 hours to reach Nalsarovar from LRK. We stayed at Om Sanctuary Resort for one night and checked out next day before sunrise. After check-out, went for boating at Nalsarovar Lake, mainly targeting the Red-necked Phalarope, unfortunately, couldn't spot it this time around. After having lunch on one of the islands of Nalsarovar Lake, we came to the shore and drove back to our temporary home in GRK. The drive back was easy. 300 km took 4.5 hours. 

Some tips about the stay: Not many good options are available in Nalsarovar for stay. Om Sanctuary was okay but not upto our liking. They kept caged birds in their property which was heart-breaking to see. How can a birder stay at such a place ever? Not just that, their service is absolutely pathetic, barely anybody out there in the hotel to watch over your comfort or concerns. I later found out a better place to stay which I'm going to book when I come to Nalsarovar the next time. It is Greenland Resort The Filmcity.  

Anyway, birding was good atleast if not anything else, Enjoy the pics and video below.

Red-necked Falcon (lifer)

Red-headed Bunting male (lifer)

Red-headed Bunting female (lifer)

Black-headed Bunting male

Long-billed Pipit 

Namaqua Dove male (lifer)

Namaqua Dove female (lifer)

Isabelline Shrike

Rufous-fronted Prinia

Grey Heron

Greater White-fronted Goose (lifer)

Purple Heron

Black-breasted Weaver

Purple Swamphen

Common Snipe

Intermediate Egret

Collared Pratincole 

Little Stint

Eastern Yellow Wagtail (lifer)

Little Egret 

Small Pratincole

Osprey

Dalmatian Pelican

Common Starling (lifer)

Citrine Wagtail

Sand Martin (lifer)

Pheasant-tailed Jacana

Ruddy Shelduck

Black-headed Gull