Birding in the Emerald Island – Andaman (25th to 30th Jan. 2020)

You can’t miss this… Nature India announces, looong awaited birding trip to the Green Emerald Islands of India, Andaman.

Please click on below link to Read Nivedita’s fantastic trip account of Last year with us…

https://niveditakothare.blogspot.com/2018/12/birding-in-emerald-isles-of-india_28.html

Dates: 25th Jan 2020 to 30th Jan 2020 (Port Blair to Port Blair)… Book your seat now, as this trip is expected to get full quickly… A very meticulously planned trip including a chance to explore the amazing and photogenic landscapes and some remote birding locations …..

Andaman Island

The Andaman and Nicobar are a cluster of 324 large and small islands covering an area of 8,300 sq km which runs from north to south off the southeast of the Indian sub-continent in the Bay of Bengal. The islands are located 950km from the mouth of the Hugli river in West Bengal and 193 km from Cape Negrais in Myanmar. Great Andaman lying to the north is the largest contiguous block of islands and is administratively divided into the North, Middle and South Andaman. Little Andaman is squeezed in between Great Andaman and the Nicobar cluster of islands. Port Blair, located in South Andaman is the capital city of the group.

More than 90% of the islands in the area are uninhabited and are covered in pristine tropical rainforest. The centuries of isolation of the islands and the tendency for speciation of island populations has resulted in the development of several endemics species and many sub-specific variants. The close proximity to the Myanmar coast has also resulted in the presence of many species with Southeast Asian affinities with the fauna resembling Malayan and Myanmar species.

Andaman has been explored by many tourists for sight seeing, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling etc… but not much for Bird-watching… In fact Andaman geographically lies at such a location that it becomes an extremely important bird-watching destination. Apart from the endemic birds that you get here, many migratory birds visit these islands in winter. Also being an island you get to see several endemic bird species here.

Some of the areas we will be visiting during the trip are…

Chidiya Tapu: Literary means Island of birds. Though famous of its majestic Sunset, this place, about 30kms from Port Blair, is very popular among bird watchers. And not just during the day, but also for night birding, this place is amazing. We will be visiting this place 2/3 times.

Bird species to look for are, Andaman Drongo, Andaman Treepie, Andaman Scops Owl, Andaman Hawk Owl, Hume’s Hawk Owl, Andaman Nightjar, Andaman Woodpecker, Green Imperial Pigeon, Andaman Wood Pigeon, Black Baza, Andaman Green Pigeon, White-headed Starling, Andaman Shama, Brown-throated Needletail, Andaman Bulbul, Daurian Starling, Dollarbirds, Ruddy & Collared Kingfisher etc…

Shoal Bay / Mount Harriet : Shoal Bay is about 57kms from Port Blair and located in Ferrargunj tehsil of South Andaman district, but less than 20 kms if you use the ferry from Chatham Jetty (Bamboo Flat)….. The ferry service starts at 5 AM and that is the ferry you want to be on to make the most of the morning bird activity. While birds are everywhere, it is easier to see the birds around the cemetery area and along the access road to a village next to the bus stop

Mount Harriet National Park is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands union territory of India. The park, established in 1969, covers about 4.62 km2 area. Mount Harriet (383 metres), which is part of the park, is the third-highest peak in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.

The picture on the back side of ₹ 20 note is taken form Mount Harriet National Park The park is named in commemoration of Harriet Tytler, the second wife of Robert Christopher Tytler, a British army officer, an administrator, naturalist and photographer, who were appointed Superintendent of the Convict Settlement at Port Blair in the Andamans from April 1862 to February 1864. Harriet is remembered for her work in documenting the monuments of Delhi and for her notes at the time of the Revolt of 1857 in India.

Birds to look for here are, Violet Cuckoo, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Olive-backed Sunbird, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Andaman Coucal, Ashy & Scarlet Minivets, Andaman Flowerpecker, Andaman Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Woodcock, Ruddy Kingfisher, Glossy Swiftlet, Long-tailed Parakeet, Violet Cuckoo, Andaman Crake, Chinese Sparrowhawk, Mangrove Whistler, Pacific Reef Egret, Oriental Reed & Black-browed Reed Warbler, Andaman (Bar-bellied) Cuckooshrike, Black-naped Monarch, Asian fairy Bluebird, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Yellow Bittern, White-headed Starlings etc…

SippyGhat / Ograbrang:

Located south of the main Andaman Island, it is primarily a These are mostly tsunami created wetlands north-west of Port Blair. Here you can see several species of Waders and is one of the prime spots for Andaman Teals & Chinese Egrets. The wetlands is also home to may water birds including Yellow Bitterns, Purple Swamphens, Indian Moorhens and host of waders including Red-necked and Long-toed Stints, Pacific Golden Plovers, Black-naped & Whiskered Terns, Purple Herons, White-bellied Sea Eagle etc.

The surrounding Marsh and wet grasslands can harbour Red-throated Pipits, Common Redshanks, Chinese Pond Herons, Whimbrel, Pintail Snipe, Red-collard Dove, Thick-billed Warbler etc. The ideal time to watch birds is an early morning but after sunset shots are also worth taking in this area.

Apart from Birds…..Andaman Islands abound in several species of endemic butterflies that are easy to photograph during this season…. some of the beautiful species include Andaman Lacewing, Andaman Nymph, Andaman Common Snow Flat, Andaman Mormon, Andaman Cruiser, Andaman Jezebel, Andaman Clipper,Andaman Crow, Andaman Common Birdwing, Andaman Lesser Gull etc.

Being an island and less explored, the location often attracts vagrants / stragglers of which Nature India is fortunate to record few 1st for the island species (especially Little Andamans) including the magnificent Mandarin Duck & Chestnut-cheeked Starlings …… also Fork-tailed Swift, Eye-browed Thrush, Greater Short-toed Lark etc. The Island is also home to a variety of lesser fauna, including tree Snakes, Hermit Crabs, Skinks, Lizards, Orchids etc.

Nature India is proud to organize, the much awaited and Special birding trip to this Emerald Green Island from 25th January to 30th January 2020 (travel days excluded)….. Come and soak yourself in this mystifying land of Bliss……..

Have a look at some of the birding trip reports from Andaman…

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Travel Details: (To & Fro Port Blair, Andaman to be arranged by participants)

25-Jan-2020
Mumbai to Port Blair

GoAir flight no. G8 461, starting from Mumbai at 04.05 hours, reaching Port Blair at 07.15 hours (Direct Flight)

30-Jan-2020
Port Blair to Mumbai

GoAir flight no. G8 465, starting from Port Blair at 07.45 hours, reaching Mumbai at 11.30 hours. (Direct flight)
GoAir flight no. G8 304, starting from Port Blair at 10.55 hours, reaching Mumbai at 15.40 hours. (via Chennai)

There are several other flights available, please check with us, before booking the flight, after registration.

Planned Itinerary: (Port Blair to Port Blair)

Day 1 (25.1.2020 ): Arrival at Port Blair pick up from Airport for Hotel ..,. Lunch … Post lunch start for Birding at Chidiya Tapu, continue birding till late evening… Dinner… Stay at hotel in Port Blair

Day 2 (26.1.2020): Start early morning at 4.30 am for birding around Shoal Bay… back to hotel for Lunch… Post lunch afternoon & late evening birding around Sippyghat… Stay at Hotel in Port Blair

Day 3 (27.1.2020): Early morning start (4:30 am) for Chidiyatapu for birding… Lunch… Afternoon & night birding around Ograbrang… overnight stay at hotel in Port Blair

Day 4 (28.1.2020): Early morning start (4:30 am) for Chidiyatapu for birding… Lunch… Afternoon & night birding around Shoal Bay or Ross Island… overnight stay at hotel in Port Blair

Day 5 (29.1.2020): Early Morning (4:30 am) birding around Mount Harriet national Park… Lunch… Afternoon & night birding around Sippyghat… overnight stay at hotel in Port Blair

Day 6 (30.1.2020): Morning Tea/coffee & Early breakfast… check-out & departure for the Airport…

Trip Charges (Port Blair to Port Blair): Rs. 42700/- only

(Includes AC rooms on Twin Sharing Basis in Port Blair, Veg./Non-Veg meals, Breakfast, Permissions/Permits, travel in comfortable Innova/Tavera vehicles, entry fees, Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)…….

This does not include Travel charges from any destination to Port Blair & back, Camera Fees, Tips or any charges other than the above.

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmation mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com with contact details and by paying a non refundable Advance of Rs.20,000/- after our confirmation mail…..The remaining amount will be collected on the day of travel in cash only.

Kindly register soon to avoid the rush for travel bookings……….

Group Size: Max 10 Pax only.

Resource Persons: Mr. Vikram Shil (Local Expert), Mr.Adesh Shivkar, Mr.Mandar Khadilkar

Mode of Payment: You can either

1) Transfer the non-refundable advance money directly to our HDFC A/c (Please send a mail for details).. please mention your name, date and other details…. OR

2) Courier a cheque of Rs.20,000/- as advance amount to the following name/address

Name: (Provided in our registration mail)

Address: (Provided in our registration mail)

Please Note:

1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 20,000/- is strictly non-refundable

2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India tours

3) Nesting photography is prohibited.

4) Expect Leeches in Andaman‘s where we will be birding, so please carry Leech Guard if you have or you would like to procure a new one (search on net).

5) 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

Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification. For any other queries we are available on 9820455713 / 8779599356 (Adesh) or 8369427283 / 9930318665 / 9967518665 (Mandar)….

Hope to see you for this wonderful trip. Thanks for your patience.

Regards,

Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar

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