Now that we have many of the target birds firmly under the belt in Ranikhet, it is time to explore some of the areas around and try and locate more species. Also to pick up the slack on family obligations because I have been tramping the hills for hours in the early mornings all by myself.
If you drive up to Chaubattia or towards Upat (Golf Course) or even towards Sauni, you would be able to appreciate the different types of forests here.
There are pure stands of Chir Pine. Sometimes mixed in with other mighty trees like the Deodhar (Indian Cedar). The pine needles carpet the floor choking off almost all vegetation. In general these forests are quite boring for me personally owing to the paucity of birds. They are also quite susceptible to forest fires. We have come across several scorched hillsides. The amount of resin in these trees makes them very flammable.
Pine forest ---
However, for the record let me state that we did see one of the best birds of the trip in just such a forest. An Ultramarine Flycatcher perched on a young pine sapling on a steep hillside. And the sound of the wind soughing through pine trees is always evocative.
Long-tailed Minivet on a conifer ---
As I read my notes another interesting observation is that on two occasions I heard a loud drumming on pine trees. And once a large green woodpecker flew down to a tree nearby. Very similar to the (common) Grey-headed Woodpecker, but this was fully streaked on the underparts. The Scaly-bellied Woodpecker.
Far more interesting are the mixed Oak forests. Banj Oak is a signature tree. A few Tree Rhododendrons still have red flowers late in the season. Silver Oak, Horse Chestnut (flowering) and many others cling closer to the densely foliaged steep ravines. These forests are full of birds. The foliage is dense in parts, though in this dry season there were not many grasses and wild flowers. It took some searching to locate the occasional wild strawberry, but the fruit itself was small and relatively tasteless.
If you drive up to Chaubattia or towards Upat (Golf Course) or even towards Sauni, you would be able to appreciate the different types of forests here.
There are pure stands of Chir Pine. Sometimes mixed in with other mighty trees like the Deodhar (Indian Cedar). The pine needles carpet the floor choking off almost all vegetation. In general these forests are quite boring for me personally owing to the paucity of birds. They are also quite susceptible to forest fires. We have come across several scorched hillsides. The amount of resin in these trees makes them very flammable.
Pine forest ---
However, for the record let me state that we did see one of the best birds of the trip in just such a forest. An Ultramarine Flycatcher perched on a young pine sapling on a steep hillside. And the sound of the wind soughing through pine trees is always evocative.
Long-tailed Minivet on a conifer ---
As I read my notes another interesting observation is that on two occasions I heard a loud drumming on pine trees. And once a large green woodpecker flew down to a tree nearby. Very similar to the (common) Grey-headed Woodpecker, but this was fully streaked on the underparts. The Scaly-bellied Woodpecker.
Far more interesting are the mixed Oak forests. Banj Oak is a signature tree. A few Tree Rhododendrons still have red flowers late in the season. Silver Oak, Horse Chestnut (flowering) and many others cling closer to the densely foliaged steep ravines. These forests are full of birds. The foliage is dense in parts, though in this dry season there were not many grasses and wild flowers. It took some searching to locate the occasional wild strawberry, but the fruit itself was small and relatively tasteless.
The mixes forests afforded good habitat to many families of birds like flycatchers, warblers, laughingthrushes, babblers.
White-throated Laughingthrush ---
Yet for a Naturalist the more challenging would be the trees and shrubs planted over a century ago in the sprawling estates surrounding the British Bungalows here. Some of these are Cypress, English Oak, Common Alder (the only reason I am mentioning this one here is that one particular specimen has an ID tag !) There are also some Eucalyptus with enormous girths and knobbly protuberances higher up the trunks. Many a flowering Magnolia adorn the better gardens.
We see several Black-headed Jays. These birds come readily to bird feeders in gardens. A pair of Wedge-tailed Green Pigeons is observed feeding on berries. On two occasions I come across a pair of Rufous Sibia. Most delightful birds with their attractive plumage. Other common birds are Grey Treepie, Grey Bushchat, Oriental Turtle Doves with their deeper cooing and Russet Sparrows.
Grey Bushchat ---
One evening our hosts take us to the Golf Course. We are all golfers but play is reserved for Army Officers only. On the way out to Upat we have passed the local rubbish dump. So I decide to walk back here to observe the vultures while the others have tea and socialise at the Club. There are several Red-headed Vultures and Egyptian Vultures here. It is interesting to observe the pecking order, the much smaller 'Pharaohs' always give way to the 'Kings'.
Red-headed Vulture ---
Both species here include adults and juveniles. I fail to spot any Himalayan Griffon, though we have seen a few of them soaring overhead on different occasions. In fact I am a little surprised that we fail to spot any Eagles in Ranikhet. The only other raptor of note was an Eurasian Hobby which flew over a valley one evening.
As I wait for the cars to return I walk over to a patch of forest behind the Toll Barrier. Luckily I am still upwind of the rubbish tip. Here a ravine with dense vegetation runs downhill. There are many birds here. A pair of Scarlet Minivets the pick of the usual suspects. A solitary bird I cannot ID. It is a Thrush obviously. I take several photos and later analysis tells us this was the female of the Blue-capped Rock Thrush.
Another morning we drive over to Chaubattia. As I mentioned in an earlier Post the approach is through dense mixed forest. Leopards are occasionally seen here at night. There are extensive fruit orchards here. We observe a pair of Grey-winged Blackbirds. One parent is on the nest and the other forages on the ground below.
Grey-winged Blackbird ---
We purchase fresh apricots at the little Government Shop at Chaubattia - some of this produce makes it back to Jaipur as the ladies discover a shop where the owner makes jam overnight from the fruit.
White-throated Laughingthrush ---
Yet for a Naturalist the more challenging would be the trees and shrubs planted over a century ago in the sprawling estates surrounding the British Bungalows here. Some of these are Cypress, English Oak, Common Alder (the only reason I am mentioning this one here is that one particular specimen has an ID tag !) There are also some Eucalyptus with enormous girths and knobbly protuberances higher up the trunks. Many a flowering Magnolia adorn the better gardens.We see several Black-headed Jays. These birds come readily to bird feeders in gardens. A pair of Wedge-tailed Green Pigeons is observed feeding on berries. On two occasions I come across a pair of Rufous Sibia. Most delightful birds with their attractive plumage. Other common birds are Grey Treepie, Grey Bushchat, Oriental Turtle Doves with their deeper cooing and Russet Sparrows.
Grey Bushchat ---
One evening our hosts take us to the Golf Course. We are all golfers but play is reserved for Army Officers only. On the way out to Upat we have passed the local rubbish dump. So I decide to walk back here to observe the vultures while the others have tea and socialise at the Club. There are several Red-headed Vultures and Egyptian Vultures here. It is interesting to observe the pecking order, the much smaller 'Pharaohs' always give way to the 'Kings'.
Red-headed Vulture ---
Both species here include adults and juveniles. I fail to spot any Himalayan Griffon, though we have seen a few of them soaring overhead on different occasions. In fact I am a little surprised that we fail to spot any Eagles in Ranikhet. The only other raptor of note was an Eurasian Hobby which flew over a valley one evening.
As I wait for the cars to return I walk over to a patch of forest behind the Toll Barrier. Luckily I am still upwind of the rubbish tip. Here a ravine with dense vegetation runs downhill. There are many birds here. A pair of Scarlet Minivets the pick of the usual suspects. A solitary bird I cannot ID. It is a Thrush obviously. I take several photos and later analysis tells us this was the female of the Blue-capped Rock Thrush.
Another morning we drive over to Chaubattia. As I mentioned in an earlier Post the approach is through dense mixed forest. Leopards are occasionally seen here at night. There are extensive fruit orchards here. We observe a pair of Grey-winged Blackbirds. One parent is on the nest and the other forages on the ground below.
Grey-winged Blackbird ---
We purchase fresh apricots at the little Government Shop at Chaubattia - some of this produce makes it back to Jaipur as the ladies discover a shop where the owner makes jam overnight from the fruit.
Another interesting spot is the Forest Rest House at Sauni, just short of the Binsar Mahadev Temple, a short drive from Ranikhet. We hear several Black Francolin in the terraced fields en route. I have a quick look at the rooms and the facilities at the FRH. It appears quite comfortable with pine furniture in the rooms and clean tiled bathrooms. The Caretaker is welcoming and proudly shows us the traditional kitchen with a wood-fired stove.
A wonderful stretch of mixed forest chokes a perennial stream running down the valley. A snaking forest track hugs the stream for several kms. We explore a section of this area in the time available.
Forest track at Sauni ---
I look forward to returning to these parts in the winter months and adding to our birdlist. Several relatively common species have moved on to higher elevations in the summer months.
In the next post on Ranikhet I will add some photographs of butterflies.
I look forward to returning to these parts in the winter months and adding to our birdlist. Several relatively common species have moved on to higher elevations in the summer months.In the next post on Ranikhet I will add some photographs of butterflies.
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