Once again comes the long awaited and a fascinating trip to see one of the most “Charismatic” Species of bird that has charmed both birders and photographers alike …. The Lesser Florican
Bookings for Shokhaliya Grasslands, Ajmer trip for 2 Batches (Batch-1 from 2nd & 3rd Aug’19) (Batch-2 from 9th to 10th Aug’19) are open (travel days excluded)…for details see at the end….. Hurry up and register fast as this trip is eagerly awaited by many…
Important Note: Because it is a Critically endangered species, we shall take a limited no. of seats (8 seats only) for this trip…..
Click here to view previous trip report
http://onalongleash.blogspot.in/2013/09/ajmer-trip-report.html
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SHOKHALIYA GRASSLANDS – AJMER
You all must obviously be knowing our omnipresent National Bird – Peacock, also called “Mor” in vernacular. But ever heard of “Tanmor” or “Khar Mor” ?
Well….. its a bird that is high on wishlist of many Birders and photographers not just from India, but also around the World. Popularly called “Lesser Florican” (Sypheotides indicus), or Likh. This species is a typical Grassland bird about a size of little bigger than a village hen. The Lesser Florican is a shy bird and are rarely encountered outside their breeding season and region. During monsoon when it breeds in grasslands, the male Lesser Florican, exhibits a unique and spectacular courtship display, risking its life. It jumps up about 1.5-2 meters in air, flapping its wings, as if shot up by a spring below like a trapeze artist showing the magnificent design of wings, with a peculiar croaking or knocking call, At the apogee of the leap the neck is arched backwards and the legs folded as if in a sitting posture.He repeats the performance several times to lure a female which maybe be somewhere close-by observing his antics. This courtship display lasts for a period of few days. The breeding system is said to be a dispersed lek with each male holding a territory of about 1-2 hectares.
Unfortunately, like many Grassland birds, this species (Lesser Florican) along with the Great Indian Bustard is also facing threat due to habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching and pesticide pollution. They now remain in just few pockets of India and are considered Critically endangered species. The species is said to move in response to rainfall and their presence at locations can be erratic, with sudden large numbers in some seasons. Breeding areas are today restricted mainly to Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, some areas in southern Nepal and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
The endangered birds, like the Lesser Florican have got a dedicated land for breeding in the Shokhaliya Region of Ajmer District, Rajasthan. The villagers of Ajmer District have agreed to conserve 30 hectares of land for the breeding activity of these endangered birds.
In the Shokhaliya area of Ajmer, farmers were growing gram. Due to poor rains gram cultivation was not economical. Therefore the farmers were advised by the Agriculture Department to shift to Mung cultivation. which takes only 60 days. Mung crop needs much less spray of chemical pesticides and is less damaging to birds. Mung cultivation in this area has been observed since 2005. It was after this shift in agriculture that the forest officials in the region started reporting the increase in nos. of Lesser Florican. Over the years, the no. of Lesser Floricans have increased to substantial nos. thanks to both the efforts of Farmers and Forest officials. However, the Great Indian Bustards are sighted rarely and only in winters here (Update 2019: The GIBs are no more seen).
Apart from the above flagship species, Shokhaliya is a great place to see a number of other grassland and scrub land species like Eurasian Eagle Owl, Singing Bushlark, Savana Nightjar, Spotted Owlet, Larks, Pipits, Rock Bushquails, Grey Francolins, Sandgrouse, Lapwings, Raptors, Indian Coursers, Munias, Doves, Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker etc….. along with the early waders that are seen interspreased in the monsoon marshes. There is both diversity and abundance of Scrubland species.
Nature India also recorded a couple of new species to the region namely Bristled Grassbird and Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin for Shokhaliya.
Here are some reports from the area by some birders …..
http://birdsnbeyond.blogspot.in/2012/09/sonkhaliya-quails-owls-and-floricans.html
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Nature India tours has meticulously organized birding trips to this lesser known spot from 2nd to 3rd Aug’19 (1st Batch) and 9th to 10th Aug’19 (2nd Batch) (travel days excluded) with experts in the field.
TRAVEL & STAY ITINERARY. (Ex. Ajmer )
Though this trip will be focused on Lesser Florican and to learn more about them, we will also get to see the variety of other bird species that inhabit this landscape ..….
Batch -1 : Date: 2nd Aug 2019, morning 9.00 am to 3rd Aug 2019 eve 8.00 pm (Friday to Saturday)
Batch – 2: Date: 9th Aug 2019, morning 9.00 am to 10th Aug 2019 eve 8.00 pm (Friday to Saturday)
Resource person: Mr.Mandar Khadilkar & Mr. Adesh Shivkar
TRIP ITINERARY (Travel to & Fro Ajmer has to be done by participants)
For Both Batches
Day 1: Thursday 1st or 8th Aug, 2019 .
Board the 12989 +Ajmer Express from Dadar @ 14:35 Hrs
Day 2: Friday 2nd or 9th Aug, 2019.
Pick up at Ajmer Train Station at 8.05 am .… Drive to Hotel in Ajmer…. Check-in….. Quick breakfast…….Proceed towards Shokhaliya / Nasirabad about 40 kms from Ajmer…. Lunch in local hotel/dhaba ….. Continue birding ….. return to hotel by evening …… Days revision and discussion …… dinner… Stay @ Hotel in Ajmer
Day 3: Saturday 3rd or 10th Aug, 2019
Early morning (5.30 am) check-out from hotel (shift luggage in 2 rooms)- reach Shokhaliya by 7:00 am (with packed breakfast) -Birding around Shokhaliya and the surrounding habitat for the Lesser Florican and other Grassland birds – Lunch in local hotel/dhaba- Continue birding – return to hotel by 5.00 pm – Pack-up – evening snacks (local snacks) and leave for Ajmer station to catch 22996 AII BDTS SF Exp at 08:30 pm
Day 4: Sunday, 4th or 11th Aug, 2019
Reach Mumbai by 14:20 Hrs
More details on the Itinerary will be given to those who register…..
Please note: This is primarily a Bird-watching trip. We do not have any provision for sight-seeing in our trips.
Trip Charges per Batch:
Rs.12600 Ex. Ajmer
(This includes stay in Hotel Neelkamal @ Ajmer on twin sharing basis in AC rooms, Veg / non-veg food, breakfast, tea, local transport by Non-AC Trax criuser/toofan jeeps, entry fees, guide charges, Articles & Bird Checklist on the places to be visited & on board snacks ……)
This does not include travel charges from Mumbai and Back or any charges other than the above.
Travel options to reach Ajmer: Kindly note that there are several travel options to reach Ajmer, however, the best one is as suggested in the itinerary above. People can also travel from Jaipur, but its a very long way (160 kms) and an expensive option (Participants will have to arrange for their own travel from Jaipur).
Stay Arrangement:
Hotel Neelkamal in Ajmer on twin sharing basis in AC rooms. We would require to travel to & from Hotel to the Shokhaliya Grasslands (1.5 Hrs).
Registration:
You can register by sending a confirmatory mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non refundable advance of Rs.7000/- only after we confirm your registration by email …..the remaining amount will be collected later.
Mode of Payment:
You can either…
1) Transfer the advance money directly to HDFC A/c : (Will be mentioned in our registration email) …. please mention your name, date and other details….
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.7000/- to the following address
(will be mentioned in our registration email)
Please Note:
1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs.7000/- is strictly non-refundable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours
3) We expect Moderate rain throughout, hence you will need to carry rain wears during the trails…..
4) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with Nature India’s rules and policies
http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html
For any other queries, please contact:-
Adesh Shivkar – 9820455713 / 8779599356
Mandar Khadilkar – 9930318665 / 8369427283
Or Email: natureindiatours@gmail.com
Hope to see you for this wonderful trip !!
Thanks for your patience.
Warm Regards,
Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
Nature India 