Indian Paradise Flycatcher Male

Birdwatching in Ganeshgudi and Dandeli

Birding, Birding, India, Karnataka Tourism, Road Trip By Feb 28, 2019 10 Comments

The forest of Dandeli has a rustic charm and an appeal that attracts me always. Above all the varied birdlife here is the best treasure of all for which I wish to visit here again and again. This is my second visit to the place. The same old stay at our very known place called The Old Magazine House yet with different sightings and different experience.

Indian Roller
Indian Roller

On my first visit to OMH (read the story of my first visit) I came to learn that this bird watching camp has different birds to offer in different season apart from the huge variety of resident species.

Racket-tailed Drongo
Racket-tailed Drongo

Since then I made my mind to be there in every season to catch a glimpse of the season’s speciality. The winters and sometime early springs are said to be the time for the Indian Paradise Flycatchers, here.

Malabar Pied Hornbill
Malabar Pied Hornbill

This time we were in search of these long-tailed beauties in Ganeshgudi and Dandeli. I have always seen the Indian Paradise Flycatchers in pictures with their ribbon-like long tail swaying with the wind.

My last visit was in search of the Malabar Hornbills and now they were everywhere like common crows
My last visit was in search of the Malabar Hornbills and now they were everywhere like common crows

I wanted to see them live with my own mortal eyes. But we were already late and the winter is long gone and the rising temperature seems that the spring is making way to the summer. But with hope in heart and fingers crossed we ventured towards Ganeshgudi.

Brown-checked Fulvetta
Brown-cheeked Fulvetta

I also had a wish to see the Malabar Trogon this time as my untrained eyes could not see the magnificent bird perched on a nearby tree, spotted by my husband in OMH. I still repent for this loss and wished to make up for it this time.

Black-naped Monarch
Black-naped Monarch

The first day in OMH seemed dull with little to no bird flying on the perch and the baths. We were little concerned as these bird baths were the hub of activities during the morning and the evening on our last visit and this time it was all empty with occasional resident visitors.

White-bellied Blue Flycatcher
White-bellied Blue Flycatcher
Scaly Breasted Munia Juvenile
Scaly Breasted Munia Juvenile

The naturalist and the other employees suggested that it was probably for the presence of a Goshawk who is often seen hovering above in this region. They were looking for the probability of its nest somewhere near. The fear of this predator was keeping the birds away from the open area of the perch.

The Goshawk in the region
The Goshawk in the region

With the light gradually declining the chances of more birds along with the much sought off Indian Paradise Flycatcher too declined. But all of a sudden the female arrived on the perch with its rufous plumage and a short tail. I was highly excited to see the bird and was eagerly waiting for the long-tailed male.

Indian Paradise flycatcher female
Indian Paradise flycatcher female

The male had a fixed time in the evening when it comes to the bird bath for a few seconds and then vanishes in the green behind. I was on high alert for the mentioned time but the time had passed by with no sight of the bird. Much later, again to our surprise it appeared all of a sudden and took some quick dip in the bird bath and was gone, it was quick to finish its activities and rush back to its green cover.

Indian Paradise Flycatcher male
Indian Paradise Flycatcher male
Trying to plunge into the bird bath
Trying to plunge into the bird bath

I was overjoyed to see the bird that we came here for. Later during our stay, we also saw the rufous male, that is the juvenile male which has the plumage similar to female but with a long tail.

The Rufous male of the Indian Paradise Flycatcher
The Rufous male of the Indian Paradise Flycatcher

We could not see the Malabar Trogon this time but watched a lot of new species of birds in Ganeshgudi and Dandeli timber depot. Till I visit OMH for the next time let the picture of the birds do all the talking.

Ganeshgudi and Dandeli at a glance, with travel information.

10 Comments

  1. magiceye says:

    Lovely captures!

    1. Glad you liked them πŸ™‚ Thank you.

  2. Lovely captures and the place sounds beautiful as well… Am back to birding after a long gap and loving it… 😊😊

    1. Thank you Aarti! πŸ™‚ The place is definitely beautiful and a paradise for birdwatchers. Welcome back to birding, enjoy. 😊

  3. joshi daniel says:

    Some great sightings πŸ™‚

    1. Yes it was, thank you πŸ™‚

  4. Farida Anajwalla says:

    Super ! Enjoyed your company dearπŸ€—

    1. Thank you so much Farida πŸ™‚

  5. Dandeli is heaven for birdwatchers, I remember last year i trip to dandeli with my 3 friends, i wonder why people Visit Expensive Goa. Stay in Dandeli are cheaper then Goa.

    1. Thanks for stopping by. Dandeli is definitely a birdwatchers paradise but I guess people who love to visit Goa has a different taste and this place may not meet their needs.

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