birding...

White-browed Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha ©Nikhil Devasar

Haryana has 526 species of birds - latest checklist by Suresh C. Sharma, Bill Harvey and Tim Inskipp, available at http://www.delhibird.org Water birds can be seen at Sultanpur Jheel (with its flats towards railway track harbouring chats and courses); including nearby Basai Wetland and Bhindawas Lake Bird Sanctuary - all within one day birding trip from Delhi.

There is a largish desert patch of village Khedarh, (near Barwala, Hissar district) which is a sure place in winter for White-browed Bushchat - possibly 2 individuals. Desert, Variable and Isabelline Chats being additional menu items; with some luck, one can sight Sandgrouse species too. Ottu Waterhead in Sirsa district had yielded a Rufuous-vented Prinia on 3rd Oct 2002. After a good monsoon, Ottu harbour has over 15,000 migratory water birds.

Morni Hills in Panchkula district near Chandigarh are located at 1200-1300 meters altitude and one day birding can result in many Himalayan species including Bearded Vultures, 2 species of Accentors, Thrushes, Woodpeckers, Barbets. On 1st June 2003, the state government has launched its first ever Bird Safari near Berwala Wildlife Checkpost in the Morni Hills.

Another rich birding hot spot for the Himalayan birds in Haryana is Kalka where, with some luck, one can spot a Spotted Forktail.

Parts of Haryana along the canals still harbour Sarus Cranes and Black-necked Storks. 4 hours birding along the canals passing through the cultivation in winter usually produces 120+ species including several globally threatened species. I have spotted and alerted the world to the spreading Sind Sparrows along the canals of the state - the bird has become a regular in Sonipat district.

Checklists of birds (by Suresh C Sharma) of various parts of Haryana are available on http://www.delhibird.org including those of Morni Hills in Panchkula district, Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yamunanagar district, DDN8 in Sonipat district, Western Yamuna Canal (spreading in several districts); Bhor Saiyadan in Kurukshetra district, Naharh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rewari district, Bhindawas Lake Bird Sanctuary in Jhajjar district and so on.