birding...

Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus ©Laurence Poh http://www.laurencepoh.com/

The land of Celestial Beauty, Uttaranchal, offers picturesque breathtaking panoramic views of the western Himalayas: magnificent glaciers, majestic snow-clad mountains, gigantic and ecstatic peaks, valleys of flowers and dense forests. This abode of the Gods includes many shrines and places of pilgrimage.

This newly born state was carved out of Uttrar Pradesh (UP) state and became the 27th state of the Republic of India on the 9th of November 2000. It lies in the western Himalayan ranges at 77o 34` E - 81o 02` E and 28o 53` N - 31o 28` N, being bordered by Tibet in the north and Nepal in the east, while the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttrar Pradesh lie on its west and south, respectively. Besides, the state occupies a land area of 51,125 Sq. km of which over 90% is hilly and less than 8% is plain with an altitudinal variation from 250m up to 7,816m (Nanda Devi peak). Forests cover 63% of the land mass, constituting various vegetation types: alpine, sub-alpine, moist temperate, sub-tropical, tropical moist deciduous and tropical dry deciduous forests, along the altitudinal gradient from the highest to lowest altitudes respectively.

This rich multitude of forest habitats supports an enormous diversity of bird life. Over 600 species have been recorded from this small state, which include residents, summer migrants from peninsular India and as far as north Africa, passage & winter migrants form the Palaearctic region & vagrants from adjoining areas. Although forested areas all over the state offer plenty of scope for bird watching, favourite birders` destinations are a number of large protected areas such as Nanda Devi, Corbett National Park, Valley of Flowers and Rajaji National Parks; Kedarnath, Govind and Ascot Wildlife Sanctuaries; Dehra Dun valley and adjacent hills; and various other mountain trek routes: Harikidun, Yamnotri, Gangotri, Nagatibba, Dudatoli, etc. that are some of the best places to watch birds.

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Divarose Gardens Guesthouse

Divarose was formed in 2000 and opened in 2003 to visiting guests. Visitors are housed in traditional styled Bengali jhoparies (cottages) which open into a central courtyard. All mealtimes are at the main house where you are encouraged to join us... just sit and chat while we prepare your tasty Indian /western meal. The farm`s buffalo and cows give fresh milk for butter, yoghurt and lassi. We have our own water supply and have an abundance of fresh clean water to drink or bathe in. While you are welcome to join our family as much as you wish; we find our guests often spend time alone writing, painting or watching the myriad of birds.