Kutchh Bird and Animal Survey Report 20th October 2004 – 29th October 2004 Participants: Randheer Singh T.K.Dutt Mohammed Dadu Debi Singh Murray Lewis Organised by The Corbett Foundation Supported by: Mr D.D.Khatau Mr Bhupendrasinhji Dr Bhavesh Thakkar Brief background of participants: Brijendra and Randheer Singh
both started working for the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in 1980, as Field Assistants. In 1993 they were appointed as Senior Field Assistants and in 2000 they were appointed as Technical Field Assistants. They left the BNHS in 2002. In 2003 they both joined the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON). In 2001 they also both became Naturalists/Licensed Guides in the KeoladeoNational Park, Bharatpur. Some of the projects that they were both involved with while with the BNHS were;
· Avifauna project (bird capture and ringing) · Hydrobiology project · Ecological projects · Siberian Crane project (Captive breeding, release and telemetry) · Conservation Education · Wintering ecology of raptors (catch and release and telemetry)
· Vulture survey (all India) They are currently involved with ecological monitoring in the Keoladeo National Park (KNP), with SACON. In their spare time they work as naturalists/guides in the KNP.
T.K.Dutt joined the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department as a guide in the CorbettNational Park in 1976. In 1982 he moved to Lucknow where he worked in the Crocodile Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre until 1987, when he left the forest department. In 1992 he joined the Tiger Tops Corbett Lodge (now Infinity Resorts) as a Guide/Naturalist. He is still with Infinity Resorts today. Mohammed Dadu joined
the BNHS in 1987 as a local assistant (Kutchh, Gujarat). He was with the BNHS for 10 years. From 1997 until 2003 he worked as a local guide in the Kutchh area, and in 2003 he joined the Gujarat Forest Department as a watchman. He still holds this position today. Debi Singh has worked as a rickshaw puller/guide/naturalist in the KNP for the last 13 years. Murray Lewis has a National Diploma in Nature Conservation from Technikon Pretoria, South Africa. He worked in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, as a conservationist and guide from December 2001 until May 2003. He joined The Corbett Foundation in July 2004 and he will be there until December 2004. Introduction The survey was not carried out as a scientific undertaking, but rather as a matter of interest. The idea was simply to see how many species of birds and animals could be recorded in the time available. This would hopefully give an idea of the diversity of bird and animal species occurring in the area, as well as
any rare birds or animal occurring in the area. The results of the survey would hopefully help in highlighting the fact that areas such as this, as well as the species of plants and animals occurring in them need to be protected. Objectives The main objectives of the survey are as follows: - To identify and record all the different bird species encountered during the survey.
- To record all the different
mammal species encountered during the survey, as well as the numbers of those mammals encountered.
Methodology During the survey, observations were recorded from a vehicle as well as on foot,
although most observations were made from the jeep due to time constraints and the distances that needed to be covered. The jeep was used to cover as much of each survey area as possible, however, when an area was inaccessible, or a bird could not be identified from the jeep, the observations were made on foot. Certain areas were covered on foot, and in these cases the group would usually split into two, so as to cover more ground. It is also important to note that all birds observed between the 20th and the 30th of October were recorded, not just the birds observed at each specific survey site. This is because it was felt that the objective of the survey was to record as many birds as possible in the Kutchh area, not just at the specific survey sites. The same applied to the mammals observed during the survey. Only birds that were positively identified by the team were recorded. Any birds that the team was not absolutely sure about were not recorded. Areas covered during the survey 20th October- The surroundingarea of theLala Bustard Sanctuary (Abdasa Taluka) was covered during the afternoon. 21st October- The Soneri hill area (Abdasa Taluka) was covered in the morning and afternoon. 22nd October-
Naliya done (Abdasa Taluka) was covered in the morning. Tera done (Abdasa Taluka) was covered in the afternoon. 23rd October- Jakhau (Abdasa Taluka) was covered in the morning.
Narayan Sarovar (Lakhapat taluka) was covered in the afternoon. 24th October- Lakhpat (Lakhapat taluka) was covered in the morning and midday. 25th October- Charri Fulay and Banni area (Nakhatrana taluka) was covered in the morning and afternoon. 26th October-
Khavda (Bhuj taluka) was covered in the morning and afternoon. A visit was also made to Kaladhunga. 27th October- Drive from Aral to Dholavira 28th October- Dholavira (Bhuj taluka) area covered in the morning and afternoon. 29th October- Drive from Dholavira to Aral. From the 20th to the 24th the team was based at Tera, Kutch Ecological Research Center.
From the 24th to the 27th the team was based at Adventure Lodges, Nana Aral Road, Devisar, Nakhatrana taluka. From the 27th to the 29th the team was camped at Dholavira Forest Guesthouse.
Bird List Common name Scientific name Local name Avocet, Pied Recuvirostra avosetta Ultichanch Babbler,
Common Turdoides caudatus Lela Bee-eater, Blue-Cheeked Merops persicus Tarklo
Bee-eater, Small Green Merops orientalis Hajamdo Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Nilkanthi
Bulbul, Red-Vented Pycnonotus cafer Bulbul Bulbul, White-Eared Pycnonotus leucotis Kanra bulbul
Bunting, Grey-Necked Emberiza buchanani Jamjoro Bushlark, Indian Mirafra erythroptera Aagio agan
Bustard, Indian Ardeotis nigriceps Ghorad Bustard, Houbara Otis tarda Tilor
Buzzard, Common Buteo buteo Buzzard, Long-Legged Buteo rufinus Gusmar
Buzzard, Oriental Honey Pernis ptilorhyncus Madhio Buzzard, White-Eyed Butastur teesa Tiso
Chiffchaff, Common Phylloscopus collybita Chikchik Coot, Common Fulica atra Dasadi
Cormorant, Indian Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Vichetkajio Cormorant, Little Phalacrocorax niger Nanokajio
Coucal, Greater Centropus sinensis Hoco Courser, Indian Cursorius coromandelicus Rangodhlo Crane, Common Grus grus Kunj
Crow, House Corvus splendens Kagdo Curlew, Eurasian Numenius arquata Khaleli Darter, Indian Anhinga melanogaster Jalbhil
Dove, Eurasian Collared Streptopelia decaocto Holo Dove, Laughing Streptopelia senegalensis Holdi
Dove, Red Collared Streptopelia tranquebarica Ratadioholo Drongo, Black Dicrurus macrocercusKado kosi
Duck, Lesser Whistling Dendrocygna bicolor Nani batak Duck, Spot-Billed Anas poecilorhyncha Tiliyari batak
Duck, Tufted Aythya fuligula Kabra karchia
Eagle, Bonelli’s Hieraaetus fasciatus Desisansagarag Eagle, Booted Hieraaetus pennatus Pardesisansagarag
Eagle, Greater-Spotted Aquila clanga Kaljango Eagle, Imperial Aquila heliaca Shahi garud
Eagle, Rufous-Bellied Hieraaetus kienerii 8Eagle, Short-Toed Circaetus gallicus Sapmargarud
Eagle, Steppe Aquila nipalensis Pardesizumas Eagle, Tawny Aquila rapax Dholbo
Egret, Cattle Bubulcus ibis Dhorbaglo
Egret, Intermediate Mesophoyx intermedia Vachetdholobaglo Egret, Large Casmerodius albus Anjanbagalo
Egret, Western Reef Egretta gularis Karobaglo Falcon, Amur Falco amurensis Falcon, Red-Necked Falco chicquera
Flamingo, Greater Phoenicopterus rubber Surkhab Flamingo, Lesser Phoenicopterus minor Nanosurkhab Flycatcher, Red-Throated Ficedula parva Chatki makhimar
Francolin, Black Francolinus francolinus Karotetar Francolin, Grey Francolinus pondicerianus Tetar
Gadwall Anas strepera Lohar
Garganey Anas querquedula Chetva
Godwit, Bar-Tailed Limosa lapponica Nanogadero Godwit, Black-Tailed Limosa limosa Motogadero Grebe, Little Tachybaptus ruficollis Dubki
Grebe, Great Crested Podiceps cristatus Chotilidubki Greenshank, Common Tringa nebularia Lilpagotimtimo
Gull, Black-Headed Larus ridibundus Kadamathado dhomdo
Gull, Brown-Headed Larus brunnicephalus Gull, Pallas’s Larus ichthyaetus
Gull, Yellow-Legged Larus cachinnans Pidpag dhomdo Harrier, Marsh Circus aeruginosus Panpatai
Harrier, Montagu’s Circus pygargus Patipatai Harrier, Pallid Circus macrourus Patai Heron, Grey Ardea cinerea Kabut Heron, Indian Pond Ardeola grayii Khokhadbaglo Heron, Purple Ardea purpurea Nadibaglo Hoopoe, Common Upupa epops Hudhud Ibis, Black Pseudibis papillosa Rankagdo Ibis, Glossy Plegadis falcinellus Pankankan Ibis, White Threskiornis melanocephalusDhorikankansar Kestrel, Common Falco tinnunculus Larjo
Kestrel, Lesser Falco naumanni Kingfisher, Collared Todiramphus chloris
Kingfisher, Common Alcedo atthis Nano kalkalio Kinfisher, Pied Ceryle rudis Kabro kalkalio Kingfisher, White-Breasted Halycon coromanda Kalkalio Kite, Black-Shouldered Elanus caeruleus Kapasi
Kite, Brahminy Haliastur Indus Sankar samadi Kite, Pariah Milvus migrans Samadi
Koel, Asian Eudynamys scolopacea Koel Lapwing, Red-Wattled Vanellus indicus Titodi Lapwing, White-Tailed Vanellus leucurus Saphadpuchtitodi
Lapwing, Yellow-Wattled Vanellus vanellus Batentitodi Lark, Crested Galerida cristata Chandul
Lark, Greater Short-Toed Calandrella brachydactyla Pulak Lark, Rufous-Tailed Ammomanes phoenicurus Khetario chandul
Lark, Sand Calandrella raytal Malkoha, Sirkeer Phaenicophaeus Sirkir
leschenaultii Martin, Dusky Crag Hirundo concolor Bhekhad ababil Merlin, Red Headed Falco columbaris Chatvo
Minivet, Long-Tailed Pericrocotus ethologus Minivet, Small Pericrocotus cinnamomeus Rajalal
Minivet, White-Bellied Pericrocotus erythropygius Kabro rajalal Moorhen, Common Gallinula chloropus Jalmurgi
Myna, Bank Acridotheres ginginianus Myna, Common Acridotheres tristis Kadar
Nightheron, Black-Crowned Nycticorax nycticorax Gidhri Nightjar, Eurasian Caprimulgus europaeus
Nightjar, Indian Caprimulgus asiaticus Sonaro Osprey Pandion haliaetus Machiyar
Owlet, Spotted Athene brama Chibri Parakeet, Rose-Ringed Psittacula krameri Popat Peafowl, Indian Pavo cristatus
Pelican, Dalmatian Pelecanus crispus Saio pen Pelican, Rosy Pelecanus onocrotalus Gulabi pen Petronia, Chestnut-Shouldered Petronia xanthocollis
Pigeon, Rock Columba livia Kabuter
Pintail, Northern Anas acuta Pipit, Long-Billed Anthus similis
Pipit, Paddyfield Anthus rufulus Pipit, Tawny Anthus campestris Pidi dhanchidi
Plover, Grey Pluvialis squatarola Motibatan Plover, Kentish Charadrius alexandrinus Dhongilititodi Plover, Little Ringed Charadrius dubius Kanthlawadi nani
dhingoli
Pochard, Common Aythya ferina Rakhodi karchia Prinia, Grey-Breasted Prinia hodgsonii Prinia, Jungle Prinia sylvatica Kantni futki
Prinia, Plain Prinia inornata Prinia, Rufous Fronted Prinia buchanani Lalbhal futki
Redshank, Common Tringa tetanus Timtimo Redshank, Spotted Tringa erythropus Karoratpago Redstart, Black Phoenicurus ochruros Thartharo
Robin, Indian Saxicoloides fulicata Dev chakli Rock-Chat, Brown Cercomela fusca Roller, European Coracias garrulus
Roller, Indian Coracias benghalensis Desichans Ruff Philomachus pugnax Tilio
Sanderling Calidris alba Dariaikichadio
Sandgrouse, Chestnut-Bellied Pterocles exustus Batumdi Sandpiper, Broad-Billed Limicola falcinellus Batukdo
Sandpiper, Common Actitis hypoleucos Nanitutvari Sandpiper, Curlew Calidris ferruginea Saphadpithkichadio
Sandpiper, Green Tringa ochropus Lilitutwari Sandpiper, Marsh Tringa stagnatilis Nanotimtimo Sandpiper, Terek Xenus cinereus Darriai tutvari
Silverbill, Indian Lonchura malabarica Munia Shelduck, Ruddy Tadorna ferruginea Chakravak
Shikra Accipiter bodius Shakro
Shoveller, Northern Anas clypeata Pagti chanch gayno Shrike, Bay-Backed Lanius vittatus Pachnac Shrike, Grey-Backed Lanius tephronotus Tibeti latoro Shrike, Lesser Grey Lanius minor
Shrike, Pale Brown Lanius isabellinus Shrike, Southern Grey Lanius meridionalis
Snipe, Common Gallinago gallinago Pankhapuchgarkhod Sparrow, House Passer domesticus Chakli Spoonbill, Eurasian Platalea leucorodia Chamchobaglo
Starling, Asian Pied Sturnus contra Starling, Brahminy Sturnus pagodarum Brahminy Myna
Starling, Rosy Sturnus roseus Vaiyo
Stilt, Black-Winged Himantopus himantopus Banslo Stint, Little Calidris minuta Kadpagkichdaio
Stint, Temminck’s Calidris temminckii Ujdapagkichdio Stonechat, Common Saxicola torquata Madhio pido Stork, Black Ciconia nigra Karodhonk
Stork, Black-Necked Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Sarang Stork, Painted Mycteria leucocephala Dhonk
Sunbird, Purple Nectarina asiatica Chui Swallow, Red-Rumped Hirundo daurica Masjid ababil
Swallow, Streak-Throated Hirundo fluvicola Swallow, Wire-Tailed Hirundo smithii Ababil
Swift, House Apus affinus Kankadio
Tailorbird, Common Orthotomus sutorius Darjido Teal, Common Anas crecca Murdhabi
Tern, Gull-Billed Gelochelidon nilotica Dhodi vabagli Tern, Little Sterna albifrons Nana vabagli
Tern, Whiskered Chlidonias acuticauda Kashimiri vabagli Tit, White-Naped Parus nuchalis
Vulture, Egyptian Nephron percnopterus Saphedgidh Vulture, Long-Billed Gyps indicus Bhukharogidh
Vulture, White-Backed Gyps bengalensis Chamargidh Wagtail, Citrine Motacilla citreola Kalikar
Wagtail, White Motacilla alba Khanjan Wagtail, Yellow Motacilla flava
Warbler, Great Reed Acrocephalus arundinaceus Moti pan tiktiki Warbler, Orphean Sylvia hortensis Moti futki
Wheatear, Desert Oenanthe deserti Ran pido Wheatear, Isabelline Oenanthe isabellina Pilo pido Wheatear, Variable Oenanthe picata
Whitethroat, Greater Sylvia communis Swetkanth Whitethroat, Lesser Sylvia curruca Wigeon, Eurasian Anas Penelope Piaasan
Woodpecker, Yellow-Crowned Dendrocopus mahrattensis Kabro lakkadkhod Woodshrike, Common Tephrodomis pondicerianus
Total: 186 species
Some interesting or rare observations: - Two Houbara Bustards seen outside Lala Bustard Sanctuary area.
- White-Naped Tit seen at Soneri Hills.
- Three Indian Bustards seen at Naliya Done area.
- Tawny Eagle on nest seen in Charri Fulay area.
- Booted Eagle seen in Charri Fulay area.
- Collared Kingfisher seen at Jakhau. No previous record of this species in Kutchh.
- Common Buzzard seen near Khavda.
- Breeding colony of Spoonbills at Dholavira.
- Black Stork seen in the Soneri Hills area.
- White-Bellied Minivet seen in the Soneri Hills area.
- Osprey seen at Jakhau.
- Black-Necked stork seen at Jakhau.
- Imperial Eagle seen in Charri Fulay area.
Mammal list Common name No. of animals sighted
Nilgai / Blue Bull 26
Chinkara / Indian Gazelle 64
Jackal 19
Black-Naped Hare 11
Large Grey Mongoose 5
Small Indian Mongoose 2
Indian Hedgehog 2
*Leopard pugmarks were seen in the Soneri area Discussion It is important to remember that there are three distinct seasons
in Kutch, those being Summer, Winter and Monsoon. Some birds are present in Kutch throughout all three seasons, while others are present for only one or two seasons. For this reason, in order to get a more complete list of the birds found here, one would need to carry out at least one survey of this type in each season. The objective of the survey was to compile a list of the birds observed only in a limited time in October. This has been successful. Due to the nature of the Kutch area, the rainfall also determines the exact destinations of many migratory birds that would normally come to Kutch during this time. Unfortunately due to the fact that rainfall has been sparse this season, many of the lakes and waterpoints have remained dry. Those that have some water, have generally had muddy water. This has meant that very few waterbirds, such as ducks, geese and waders have been
observed during the survey, compared to what might have been observed during seasons of better rainfall. Kutch is a vast area, and covering as much as possible of it over the survey period has meant that a lot of time has been spent traveling from site to site. Although observations were also made during these times of traveling, it was not as easy to make observations while moving from one site to
another. As some sites were a long distance from either Tera or Aral, it was also difficult to be at these sites during the best times for observing birds and animals, namely early morning and late afternoon. Nighttime is an important time for observing nocturnal birds and animals, many of which will very rarely be seen during the hours of daylight. Lack of night viewing equipment such as spot lights,
meant that very few night observations were made. Conclusion A large variety of birds (186 species) were seen during the survey, especially considering the limited time, lack of water and limited
ability to observe at night. The survey team included some excellent and very experienced birders meaning that the chance of incorrect identification of birds was very low. All in all, the number of birds recorded suggests that the survey was a success. The number of birds recorded also suggests that the Kutch area has the potential to become a good eco-tourism area, with the focus being bird watching. If the area can be protected from over-utilisation, and a basic infrastructure developed,
then Kutch could become a destination for bird watchers from around the world. Thanks to the following people who helped during the survey: KERC team at Tera. Adventure Lodges team at Aral. Kutch Forest Department. R.D.Jadeja, RFO, Naliya. Mr Patel, Forest Guard, Dholavira. And
Our special thanks are also due to Shree V.H. Chudasama, Deputy Forest Conservator.Shree R.D.Jadeja RFO, Naliya and all the forest officials for their help. . | 
