Bharatpur - Keoladeo Ghana National Park in India?

[WayneHazle]

(I thought I posted this question before, but I can't find it anywhere here, so I will post again.)

http://www.kolkatabirds.com/bharatpur.htm

Has anyone out there been birding here? Three years ago I went to India. It was in April & it was off season for the birds. So I saw nothing. I have heard that during the wet months it is one of the most incredible places to go bird watching.

I would love to hear from someone who has gone at a better time.

[natureiyer]

Originally Posted by WayneHazle

(I thought I posted this question before, but I can't find it anywhere here, so I will post again.)

http://www.kolkatabirds.com/bharatpur.htm

Has anyone out there been birding here? .

Hi, WayneHazle,

I hv visited Several times to Bharatpur. One of the best Bird Sanctuaries in India. Bharatpur is the real kingdom of Avian fauna in India with not less than 377 bird species already spotted. If your luck permits it is not too tough to spot 50 to 100 species in a day. If you are coming in winter, ready for a sudden (though most unlikely) encounter with the elusive Siberian Crane wintering here. The fact remains that Bharatpur is one of the only two known wintering haunts of Siberian Crane.

I give below the details:

BHARATPUR

In 1733 AD, Raja Badan Singh 's adopted son, Suraj Mal had shown signs of promise, when he captured the fort of

Bharatpur from Khemkaran, the rival chief, whom he killed and thus laid the foundation of BharatpurCity.

Maharaja Suraj Mal displayed immense courage and carved a niche for himself in the midst of political disorder. Gathering around him fiercely martial Jat peasants, he went from one success to another. He accompanied Emperor Muhammed Shah against Ali Muhammed Ruhela and in 1748 AD, at the battle of Bagru he led the Jaipur vanguard against the Marathas. He also defeated the commander-in-chief of the Mughal emperor. Despite being a very religious man he was secular.

The history of Bharatpur dates back to the epic age, when the MatsyaKingdom flourished here in the 5th century BC The matsya were allies of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war. According to tradition the name of Bharatpur is traced to Bharat, the brother of lord Rama of Ayodhya whose other brother Laxman was given the high place of family deity of the ruling family of Bharatpur. His name also appears in the state seals and coat-of-arms.

Bharatpur, which is also called the Eastern gateway of Rajasthan, was found by Maharaja Suraj mal in 1733 AD. Raja Badan Singh’s adopted son, Suraj Mal had shown signs of promise, when he captured the fort of Bharatpur from Khemkaran, the rival chief, whom he killed and thus laid the foundation of BharatpurCity. Maharaja Suraj Mal displayed immense courage and carved a niche for himself in the midst of political disorder. Gathering around him fiercely martial Jat peasants, he went from one success to another. He accompanied Emperor Mohammed Shah against Ali Mohammed Ruhela and in 1748 AD, at the battle of Bagru he led the Jaipur vanguard against the Marathas. He also defeated the commander- in –Chief of the Mughal emperor.
He built numerous forts and palaces across the kingdom including the PleasurePalace complex at Deeg. Bharatpur, is today known the world – over for its KeoladeoGhanaNational Park.

Climate

Summers: Max 45 degree C Min. 37 Degree C
Winters : Max 31.7 degree C Min. 7.0 Degree C

Best Season

November to February

[Kelpgull]

Dear Friends,

If you can manage a trip to Keoladeo (Bharatpur) Park in India, which is not terribly far from Agra and Taj Mahal, I can recommend the late December, early January period. I was also there during one late March/April but we had our most interesting time at New Year's. I understand from the scientist who worked there, in 1990 and who has returned there from an assignment in the south of India, Dr. Vijayan, via the Natural History group, that the wetlands are suffering tremendous losses of habitat. The Siberian cranes are nowhere to be seen. We had one of those incredible experiences where our entire family, who all lived in New Delhi, had the benefit of a tour of the park with Dr. Vijayan and his wife, who are wonderful people. We stayed in the park's bungalow, which was probably on the lower end of accommodations but charming in terms of the surrounding area and the workmen who chatted with the children. Siberian cranes and Sarus were around back then. The biologist put up his telescope and many tens of families taking their Sunday stroll, and who may not have had any idea of the meaning of what they saw in terms of conservation, gazed at the pairs of cranes across the marsh. It was a beautiful site to see so many people educated by this soft spoken couple.

Snakebirds, or cormorants, spread their wings while perched on the trees. I would have to get out my Birds of India book to recall all there was to see. Barbets, storks, egrets, herons, bulbuls, vultures, and many more. You are correct that the timing is important. Please let me know if you would like me to scrounge through my book to get the names of all you can enjoy there.

I bought my newer book on Birds of India (and other continents too) on eBay because it is so difficult to find them elsewhere.

Many thanks,

Ellen
Kelpgull