Morning Walk in Karnala on Jan 16 2011

Dear Friends,

On 16th Jan 2011, I went to Karnala. It was my most awaited trip since I started with Bird Watching. Being nearest Bird Sanctuary to Mumbai, I was planning for this since long, but somehow it was never materialized until last Sunday. Though I have been to Karnala 3-4 time before for Trekking and Climbing, And never noticed any bird in sanctuary then (Never Tried to see :P )

I left from Thane early morning and reached Karnala Gate by 7:00 AM. After getting ticket for entry I walked till Rest Houses. One the way can see many small birds like sunbirds, Red whiskered bulbul, Red vented Bulbuls, Drongo. I waited at rest house area for 10-15mins. As soon I reached there I saw one flock of Pompadour Green Pigeon came and rested on one tall tree, the Sun was not up and pigeons were waiting for it. While observing those I suddenly heard bird call from my right, saw Rufous Paradise-flycatcher, before I could get any shot it vanished in dense jungle, never seen again. (Thats the Largest Bird I saw that day apart from Parrots)

I could hear beautiful song of some bird and I guess that must be Shama, but never seen it. Saw Drongo sitting on the top of the tree and making noises, I guessed it irritated Erasian Golden Oriole, who swiftly jumped to that branch and drove away Drongo. Red Whisker Bulbuls were keeping me company everywhere I go so as Sunbirds flying in groups of 3-4 and making all possible noises they can.

I returned to Hariali Trail from Rest house, and started walking. Saw Purple Sunbird and Crimson Backed Sunbirds, Black Drongo, Bronze Drongo, Small Minivets, White-rumped Munia, Rufous tailed Shrike (confirmation required) , Reed Warbler, Brown Cheeked Fulvetta, Red Throated Flycatcher Female and Thick Billed Flowerpecker.

From Hariali trail i moved to Mor Taka Trail, this trail is longer and narrow. The jungle is more dense around this trail, On this trail I saw Plum Header Parakeets, Chestnut Shouldered Petronia, Golden Fronted Leaf bird, Rose Ring Parakeets. Also Saw in dense bushes Gray JungleFowl also one bird like and size that of hen but Brown-red colored might be Grey JungleFowl female, could not confirm as it was just fleeting view.

Though it shows on map that Mor Taka trail comes back to Rest house, but I notice that trail simply vanishes at one point and one is left with dense jungle ahead. I returned to Rest house and then returned back, did not attempted to go to fort way.

Final List of Birds seen after identifying unknow birds, Thanks to Dr. Vaibhav and P K Srivastava for identifying birds.

1. Red Whiskered Bulbul
2. Red Vented Bulbul
3. Pompadour Green Pigeon
4. Rufous Paradise-flycatcher
5. Black Drongo
6. Bronze Drongo
7. Erasian Golden Oriole
8. Purple Sunbird
9. Crimson Backed Sunbird
10. Small Minivet
11. White-rumped Munia
12. Rufous tailed Shrike
13. Reed Warbler
14. Plum Header Parakeet
15. Rose Ring Parakeet
16. Chestnut Shouldered Petronia
17. Golden Fronted Leaf bird
18. Gray JungleFowl
19. Brown Cheeked Fulvetta
20. Red Throated Flycatcher (female only)
21. Thick Billed Flowerpecker
22. White Throated Kingfisher

Following are some of the photos i clicked on the way.

Rufous tailed Shrike


White-rumped Munia


White-rumped Munia


Golden Fronted Leaf bird


Crimson Backed Sunbird


Crimson Backed Sunbird


Bronze Drongo


Chestnut Shouldered Petronia


Pompadour Green Pigeon


Small Minivet


Plum Headed Parakeet - Male


Plum Headed Parakeet - Female


Rose-ring Parakeets


Reed Warbler


Brown Cheeked Fulvetta


Red Throated Flycatcher Female


Thick Billed Flowerpecker


Thanks and Regards,
Sameer