Save Our Habitat: Greater Rann of Kutch - The Unique Biodiversity -Part

   Greater Rann of Kutch is amazing marshy and grassland habitat in Gujrat .The salt plain marsh land made by flooding of rainwater in rainy season and dry in other seasons. It spread across 7505.22 Sq Km. Because of wide variety flora of scrub and grass land it is important habitat of migratory birds & rare species in India like Grey Haypocolius,White Naped Tit, Marshal Iora, White Bellied Minivet, all raptors,Crane amongst them. It was on my wishlist right from year 2007 year which i had started birding & knowing about it But i could not able make it because every year either the unavailabilty of booking or sometime i can't find out time for same. Finally in December 2010 the day has come to explore this wonderful habitat.
21.12.2010 -Travel Day ( Start of Journey)
   We were 12 birders along with Adesh and Mander started our journey from Bandra  with Kutch Express. It was a pleasure and a memorable travel for all of us having common interest of nature & birding. We spent time by knowledge sharing about nature conservation and birding.
22.12.2010 -Day -1 (Arrival at Bhuj )
   Finally with half -hour delay the train reached Bhuj at 10.30am. Before that we enjoyed birding at both side of track after Gandhidham Stn.. After having lite breakfast near Bhuj Station we started our road journey towards Nakhatrana the last small town which only having good lodging facilities in Kutch Rann.

We reached Hotel JP around 1.00pm . It is very simple but very well clean and furnished hotel. Four more birders joined us out of them two from Ahmadabad and two from directly returning from Jamnager Trip. After having our delicious Kutchee Lunch, we were ready for our first trial around 3.15PM.At hotel four new birder joined us two from came from Ahmadabad and other two directly coming from their jamnagar trip. After having delicious Kutchee Lunch we were ready for our first trail around 3.15pm.

The first sighting of day was Indian Pond Terrapin, it was crossing middle of road going towards left side,looked like he missed his way so we rescued it to near by pond.

Indian Pond Terrapin

When we were stopped for turtle it was 4.10pm and lot of bird activity already started around. Common Babblers was seen very active feeding at thorny scrubs. Although it is very common in GRK but first lifer for me, so clicked it for Record shot.

Common Babbler

We stopped our vehicle near to a village locally calle Bada Vamuti from there we moved ahead foot trail inside thorny scrub land to sight some uncommon Scrubland birds only seen at GRK.

Driver plus good birder and the guide Mangal sighted some movement of tit in Cactus plants, before we spot it went inside bushes. As we go ahead there was lot of activity of Baya Weaver , House Sparrows, Grey -necked Bunting or near by bushes. Adesh moved ahead to scan around for the special species. And first very special species we sighted was Marshal's Iora, It was very shy bird hopping on branches to branches moving towards top of tree.Adesh was keep explaining how its characteristics and difference from regular (The Extensive white on Black Tail).