Large flock of Broad-billed Sandpiper

Broad-billed Sandpiper

On 17th September 2009 near Jamnagar coastal area found about 65-70 Broad-billed Sandpiper by Dr. Maulik Varu  & Kapilsinh Zala & Mr. Ashvin Trivedi (My Papa). They informed me about the sighting.

Flock of Broad-billed & Sandplovers

                                                                                                       Broad-billed Sandpiper

I went there on 18th September to saw them. With huge surprise I found about 70 Broad-billed Sandpiper in Breeding colors! Was amazed to see them. Along with broad- billed Sadpipers there were about 15 Greater Sandplovers, 20 Lesser Sandplovers, 4 Ruddy Turnstones, 1 Ruff, 1 Common Red shank, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Little Stints, 8 Dunlins. Most of them were in moulting breeding colors. It was amazing sighting. They all were very bold. We could saw them only 10-15 feet away from us. All were busy in collecting food as it was high tide time. The broad-billed Sandpiper is quite rare in Gujarat region & to see them in such huge flock wasn't less than a surprise!

Dunlin in Breeding Colors!

Little Stint in Breeding Colors!

Lesser Sandplover in Breeding Colors!

Curlew Sandpiper in Breeding Colors!

Broad-billed Sandpiper in Breeding Colors!

Please watch the 3 white strips on head! It's the best identification mark of Broad-billed.

Greater Sandplover

July 12 2009, Kileshwar Trip Report

We had a great time at Kileshwar a very beautiful place. It’s hilly area. There is a temple of Mahadev at top of the hill. Walking down the trails after reaching the Kileshwar Temple gives you chance to spot nesting of Pond heron, nesting of Cattle Egret, Indian Pitta, White eye, Spotted munia, Little egret, Red vented bulbul, Indian robin, Tickle's blue fly catcher, Paradise fly catcher, Spotted dove, Magpie robin. We found about 150 nests of cattle egret, 3 nests of pond heron near temple area.

The peacocks were every where on the hill. We found about 40 Grey-breasted Prinia, 2 paradise flycatcher, 1 Grey Tit, 6 common Iora 1 male Iroa was sitting on nest, 6 Tickell’s blue Flycatcher, 2 White-browed Fantail, 1 Indian Pitta, about 50 Red-vented Bulbul, 1 spoted Munia, 5 Silver-bills, 2 Oriental Honey-bazzard, 2 small blue Kingfisher. There was constant slow rain during whole trip! Very pleasant atmosphere!! We also found 3 Jackal, 2 Mongoose.

Our team from left Mr. Jaypalsinh Jadeja, Dr. Maulik Varu, Mr. Kapilsinh Zala, ME!!, Mr. Swadeepsinh Jadeja. Thanks to my papa Mr. Ashvin Trivedi for this photo.

The other wild life found there are: Jackal, Wolf, Jungle cat, Mongoose, Rabbits, Porcupine, Hyena, & if you are lucky then the leopard!!



This wonderful hilly area is about 90 km from Jamnagar towards Porbunder.

Jamnagar Heaven of Birds

Wetlands are area that link water & land. They include both fresh water & sea water. Most of the fresh water wetlands are man made surrounding Jamnagar. They all are dependent on rain. The wetlands provide nutrients to plants & animal, including insects which are primary food for birds. Thus, wetlands provide very important habitat for many species of plants & animals including about half of all known bird species.

Jamnagar district have vast wetland diversity. There is coastal area as well as inland wetlands which attracts very large no. of birds.

Charakala salt-pans, Khijadia bird sanctuary, Narara Island, Pirotan Island, Barda hills, Dhinchda Lake, Ranjit Sagar dam, Kharaberaja dam, Lakhota Lake are the main areas where we can find birds in their extraordinary natural habits.

Jamnagar have large no. of migratory & non-migratory species. About 300 species has been recorded. Most of the migratory species can be found during winter.

Jamnagar also have some rare & endangered species like Lesser Flamingoes, Painted Storks, Eurasian Spoonbills, Black-headed Ibis, Darter, Dalmatian Pelicans, Openbill storks, Osprey, Indian Skimmer, Black-necked Stork, Crab plovers, Red-necked Phalarope etc.