Jamnagar

After spending the afternoon at Narara, we headed for Jamnagar where we based ourselves for the next two days. That evening we headed straight to the Lakhota Lake in the centre of Jamnagar where we hoped to see the at times 10,000 strong flocks of rosy starlings that come in to roost in the trees surrounding the lake. Not only did we see that astounding scene, we realized there must be at least 500 to 700 gulls also which nest there… not to mention the other birds which we couldn't count. It was already dusk then. The numbers are INCREDIBLE to put it mildly. 

Huge flocks of rosy starling at dusk

A great cormorant trying to enjoy his spoils.... finally had to let go. The fish was far too big for him!!

A clever way to shield from the glare of the sun while fishing!!!! The painted stork 

The great white and the dalmatian pelicans

Tufted duck

Common pochard

Brown headed gull

Mosaic-like, the spectacle of the gulls in Lakhota lake

Little cormorant

The next morning saw us on Valsura road and further on to the road going to rozy port. All along the road on either side were salt pans full of birds…. Flamingoes, godwits, plovers, avocets, sandpipers… the list is unending! It is here that we also chanced upon the three thick knees of our trip.

Pied Avocet

Greater Flamingoes in the salt pans

Too young yet for the characteristic pink of the flamingo!

Darter

Rosy starlings... disregarding the grumbling male :-)

The salt pans are massive and at the very far end, we were told that crab plovers could be spotted. So off we went fairly uncertain about the route since we had only a vague idea of the location. Finally after almost rally-like driving through dirt roads and onto bunds which were barely wide enough for the car, we finally spotted a flock of white a long way off. We practically crept towards the birds since they are known to be very skittish. It was a glorious sight that met our eyes. Every last bit of effort was worth it since we saw the most amazing birds there…. I’ll let the pics do the talking!

Caspian terns, crab plovers, lesser crested terns, oystercatchers, Curlews, whimbrel, pelican, redshanks, gull-billed terns... a great looking colony this!

Lesser crested tern, crab plover and caspian tern

Great thick knee

Common snipe

Bar tailed Godwit

Palas' gull

Common teal (f)

Crab Plovers

Oystercatchers

Rosy ringed Parakeet

Ruff

Western reef egret

THE sunset!

Totally satisfying and fulfilling trip to this amazing paradise for birds and bird-lovers alike!!

Leh Pangong tso

So here we were.... all rested and raring to go to the famed Pangong Tso, two thirds of which is in China and the remaining one third in India. Just as we set out, we saw the beautiful rock bunting.

Rock Bunting

The drive to Pangong Tso through Changla is through very beautiful countryside. Pretty barren as the rest of the area, but teeming with wildlife. The valleys were a lush green before we ascended the mountains towards Changla.

Stunning greenery in valleys with barren mountainsides as the backdrop

I think the most common little brown birds we saw there were the brandt's mountain finches. They were there by the scores....

Brandt's mountain finch

Frozen lake

Just short of the pass we were treated to two most beautiful sights. Dozens of robin accentors which we desperately tried to photograph and the elusive Himalayan Snowcock which just strolled across the road without realising the excitement he had thrown us in!

Robin Accentor

Himalayan Snowcock

Marmot

Right after the frozen lake, we came across lots of little marmots... they are really the cutest creatures I have seen. We even spotted two young ones wrestling!

Horned Lark

The horned lark was also fairly common on the journey.. I think we must have had at least two or three sightings that day.

Citrine wagtail

Hill pigeon

The hill pigeons and the citrine wagtails were abundant... Lots of beautiful birds to see and an amazing experience all round. I hope everyone gets round to seeing this 'Land of Gompas and Passes'. You'll fall in love with it!

Eurasian Hobby

Yellow wagtail

White capped water redstart

Desert Wheatear

Plain Mountainfinch

Watercock chicks

Redstart

At Changla, with the Zanskar range in the background

Oriental turtle dove