Birdwatching in Ganeshgudi and Dandeli

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

White-rumped Shama

White-rumped Shama taking a dip

White-rumped Shama splashes in the bird bath

White-rumped Munia

White-rumped Munia

Pretty tiny flowers in the bush

Green Bee-eater

Brown Shrike

Common Kestrel

Emerald Dove

Oriental White Eye with Brown Cheeked Fulvetta

Oriental White Eye in flight

Crimson-backed Sunbird male

Crimson-backed sunbird male

Crimson-backed Sunbird female

Asian Brown Flycatcher

Velvet-fronted nuthatch female

Heart-spotted woodpecker

Black-rumped flameback Woodpecker

Spangled Drongo

Spangled Drongo in flight

Yellow tit

Indian blue Robin male

Indian Blue Robin Female

Orange minivet male

Orange minivet-female

Orange minivet-female

Blue-capped Rock Thrush

Plum-headed Parakeet

Vernal hanging parrot female

Jerdon’s leaf bird female

Jerdon’s leaf bird male

Golden-fronted leafbird

Brown-headed Barbet

White-cheeked Barbet

Malabar Barbet

Black hooded Oriole male

Indian Golden Oriole Female

Orange-headed Thrush

Puff-throated Babbler

Ganeshgudi and Dandeli at a glance, with travel information.