Bhuj Birding

Greater Rann of Kutch (GRK), is an important flyway for species like European Roller, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, European Nightjar, Spotted Flycatcher and Greater Whitethroat.We (Mayuresh , Pradynawant , Omkar , Abhijeet and me) decided to explore area, of Greater Rann of Kutch on 23 September 2018.

About GRK:-

Kutch is the largest district in India.  Due to its strategic location, Great Rann of Kutch (GRK) falls on the migratory route of many Palaearctic birds. The real magic begins with the hint of winter as many of the European species start their journey down south. GRK is an important flyway for species like European Roller, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, European Nightjar, Spotted Flycatcher and Greater Whitethroat during August to octomber months . The habitat is typical desert and scrubland  habitat. However there are large areas with grass, interspersed with desert trees, shrubs and thorn forest in the desert.

We stayed at Epicenter homestay, run by Bharat Kapdi, near Lodai village about 30Km Northwest from Bhuj, next to Kaswati dam & reservoir. Epicentre is so named, because Lodai was the epicentre of the Kutchh earthquake in 2001. 

Bharat is the owner of Epicentre Homestayprovides  comfortable stay which covers all basics and pure vegetarian kuchhi food. 

Day 1 

We reached to Bhuj around 1.30 PM and after lunch at Epicentre Homestay and settling down for a while started our first session at 3.30 pm .

European Nightjatar :- Our first targeted Palaearctic bird. A single bird perched some distance away, we got very good views with binoculars and got some very good pics. Bharat was very cautious not to disturb the bird and we weretoo. After observing and clicking the pictures , we decided to leave the bird alone . 

Marshall's Iora : - 2 Marshall's Iora spotted in this area , hobbling from one branch to another although difficult to click , however we had good views with binoculars. Probably only Iora seen in this region .

Red-tailed shrike : - Another key highlight of this tour . Perched very close distance. Seen well and could be identified conclusively as sub adult .

Painted Sandgrouse:- Had closed encounter with Painted Sandgrouse , however bird was so camouflaged , we realized after we came near to bird and bird flew away between our legs. Bird settled down at bit long distance . We observed the bird through binoculars and clicked and identified the male and female bird.

Bay-backed shrike:-Seen at thorn forest . Bold bird , Got some good views .

Montagu's harrier:- Sub adult bird . Flying in close distance .

After observing other birds and spending very good time observing and clicking them we decided to return 

back . While returning we saw European Nightjatar was sitting at same place .

Dinner was as usual delicious and buttermilk and  breeze around cooled us . First day was ended with key mighty sighting of European Nightjatar.

Day 2

We decided to search Rufous-tailed scrub robin which was sighted near to thorn area near to epicentre . We tried to search two specific birds Rufous tailed scrub robin and common whitethroat in this area , however just had glimpse of Rufous tailed scrub robin. Bird disappeared in deep thorn area .

Rufous fronted Prinia:- Seen 4-5 birds in this area . Observed with binoculars .

Variable Wheatear:- Two individuals, all of the sub-species picata.

Our search ended with common birds specific to this region . 

We continued our morning  session near Lothai village near Rozi maata mandir . Bharat informed us that he had seen Spotted Flycatcher from very closed range.  So our search started with that faith . However due to human activities there were very less bird activities . We searched area near waterhole but no luck. At the end Bharat spotted one flycatcher near the roadside . Bird was bit bold and gave us spectacular views . We observed the bird from very close range and clicked some awesome picture . Mission Spotted Flycatcher done..
Spotted Flycatcher

We decided to push up and explore another area in afternoon where chances to get Rufous tailed scrub robin in the evening  .

After good lunch followed by much needed nap we continued our next search for Rufous tailed scrub robin at another scrubland near the roadside . However our serarch ended with clicking some awesome close pictures of Purple sunbird . We returned back with no Rufous tailed scrub robin show. 
Purple Sunbird:-

Day 3

Till now we were not done with Red backed shrike and Rufous tailed scrub robin. However, Bharat was hopeful of getting all these targeted species. Our third day morning birding started at Bani Grassland Bani - Kutchhi word for grassland - that borders the eastern part of the Greater Rann of Kutchh. Last year Bharat had "spotted" the spotted sandgrouse in this part of the "banni".

Spotted Sandgrouse:- Saw around 11-12 birds from very close distance .observed the bird and got some beautiful clicks . One of the key targeted species . 

Red backed shrike :- saw one lone sub adult bird perched on the tree . 

Blue-cheeked bee-eater :- Seen around 15-20 Blue Cheeked Bee Eater on the ground giving us spectacular views. 

European Roller :- We had seen Eropean Roller strated from 1st day . Moreover , our first passage bird in this area was European Roller mainly perched on electric wires . At banni we seen European Roller at natural perch , feasting on ground Beatles .

Isabelline Wheatear :-  One individual sighted in this areas.

 Larks:-  Larks were  common in the area. We saw some flocks of  Greater Short-toed Larks ,Crested Lark.

Common Babbler:- Very common this this area .

Again, a wonderful Grassland ,  We are planning to visit Bharat and Epicenter homestay again during the 

December period, when the winter visitors are on full swing.

Till now we had covered most of the passage migrants except Rufus tailed scrub robin and common white-throat.  And we had one session left , so we continued our search at same area near the podai thorn forest and at the beginning point we saw the bird with the display . Finally we got the bird . 

We ended our session with many birds in this area and returned to Epicentre Homestay. We packed our bags and while on our return journey we saw 6 Indian Nightjatars roosting at the roadside .

The area around Epicentre Homestay has beautiful birds . Birds like Striolated bunting , common babbler , Sunbirds , Larks , Grey-necked bunting could be seen.

Grey-necked bunting:-

Striolated bunting-

Indian Silverbill:-

Special thanks to all my like minded friends for making this tour easy for us.

Great Gray Shrike (Steppe) The mega sighting identified one week after the tour . Thanks to Prasad Ganpule for giving id and details.
 The steppe grey shrike (Lanius pallidirostris) is a large songbird species in the shrike family (Laniidae) native to Central Asia.

Again, a very strong recommendation to the birders to visit this area during Sept to Oct for the passage migrants . Thanks  to Bharat Kapadi for arranging wonderful stay  .

Following are the Ebird links- Total birds -64 . Indian jackal and marbled toad

https://ebird.org/india/view/checklist/S48772506

https://ebird.org/india/view/checklist/S48772477

https://ebird.org/india/view/checklist/S48752176