Saankal,
near Bilkhiriya on Raisen road is an emerging ecotourism destination
and a mojor birding spot. About 18 kms from Bhopal, this place
has a beautiful lake surrounded by hills. Source of water is the
Ajnal River that makes a rich water body for birds and other creatures
to survive. A Red soiled kachha road leads to the spot from Raisen
road. That's a left turn from Bilkhiriya Police Naka. MP Ecotourism
depts. Sign boards on the main road clearly indicates the route
to Saankal.
|
|
Unidentified,
possibly juvenile
Photo : Mohd. Khalique |
Lush
green fields and adjoining water body is a perfect place for sarus
Cranes. A pair was seen feeding near the water but soon entered
the fields hiding itself from the surroundings.
Gadwall,
a migratory duck that comes from Northern Europe was seen spread
along large areas of lake. Also seen were Spot billed ducks and
common teals. A small island was inhibited by both phesant tailed
and bronzed winged jacanas along with common moorhen and white
breasted kingfisher. A python was also seen in the water.
Hill
that covers the area has a treking route that leads to Ajnal dam.
Also a small trail that covers the entire hill area. View from
the top of the hill (see photograph) is very beautiful and can
be developed as a sunset point.
Checklist
| SNo. |
Common
Name |
Scientific
Name |
| 1 |
ASHY
PRINIA |
Prinia
socialis |
| 2 |
BLACK
DRONGO |
Dicrurus
macrocercus vieillot |
| 3 |
BLACK
REDSTART |
Phoenicurus
ochruros |
| 4 |
BLACK
WINGED STILT |
Himantopus
himantopus |
| 5 |
BRONZE
WINGED JACANA |
Metopidious
indicus |
| 6 |
CATTLE
EGRET |
Bubulcus
ibis |
| 7 |
COMMON
BABBLER |
Turdoides
caudatus |
| 8 |
COMMON
MOORHEN |
Gallinula
chloropus |
| 9 |
COMMON
TEAL |
Anas
creeca linnaeus |
| 10 |
COPPERSMITH
BARBET |
Megalaima
haemacephala |
| 11 |
GADWALL |
Anas
strepera |
| 12 |
INDIAN
ROLLER |
Coracias
benghalensis |
| 13 |
LAUGHING
DOVE |
Streptopelia
Senegalensis |
| 14 |
LITTLE
CORMORANT |
Phalacrocorax
Niger |
| 15 |
LITTLE
EGRET |
Egretta
garzeta |
| 16 |
PARIAH
KITE |
Milvus
migrans |
| 17 |
PHESANT
TAILED JACANA |
Hydrophasianus
chirurgus |
| 18 |
PIED
BUSHCHAT |
Saxicola
caprata |
| 19 |
PIED
KINGFISHER |
Ceryle
rudis |
| 20 |
POND
HERON |
Ardeola
grayii |
| 21 |
PURPLE
HERON |
Aredea
purpurea linnaeus |
| 22 |
PURPLE
MOORHEN |
Porphyrio
porphyrio |
| 23 |
PURPLE
SUNBIRD |
Nectarinia
asiatica |
| 24 |
RED
BREASTED FLYCATCHER |
Ficedula
para |
| 25 |
RED
VENTED BULBUL |
Pycnonotus
cafer |
| 26 |
RED
WATTLED LAPWING |
Vanellus
indicus |
| 27 |
RIVER
TERN |
Sterna
aurantia |
| 28 |
SARUS
CRANE |
Grus
antigone |
| 29 |
SMALL
BLUE KINGFISHER |
Alcedo
atthis |
| 30 |
SPOT
BILLED DUCK |
Anas
poecilorhyncha |
| 31 |
TICKELLS
BLUE FLYCATCHER |
Cyorns
tickelliae |
| 32 |
WHITE
BREASTED WATERHEN |
Amourornis
phoenicurus |
Report
and Documentation By : Parag Bakshi
Photographs By : Mohd Khalique
send
your comments to info at bhopalbirds dot com
:: Parag Bakshi
- Feb 19, 2007 ::
