Bird watching At Bandipur. Review on Bandipur National Park

Bandipur is a best place for bird lovers. I am a bird watcher and naturalist. I just love photographing birds and wild animals. Monthly ones I visit Bandipur. I usually stay at Jungle home a forest rest house in the fringes of the jungle. One room is always reserved for me at Jungle home .Since the river is very close to Jungle home It is very convenient for me to peruse my hobby in bird watching. Jungle home has a 6 acre fishing campus where a river runs within the property this is a good place to spot many rare birds and also animals. This place is surrounded by forest on 3 sides and there is rice cultivation on one side, Most of the days elephats come into the campus at 8 PM. The cottage is not located in this forested campus .But they just take you to this place for fishing and sometime trekking. The cottage is located near the main road making it easy to access.

The rooms are clean with ceramic flooring and well ventilated. But the rooms are not spasious.

Foor is arranged is informed in advance.

The rates they charge are reasonable that too on weekdays you can get a good discount on accomodation.

Few birds I have seen during my last visit to Bandipur.

1, Name - White breasted Waterhen

Scientific Name Amaurornis phoenicurus

This bird Easily identified by the white patch that starts from near the head all the way down to the lower parts of the breast. Can be spotted near the river near jungle home.

2, Name- The Small Blue Kingfisher (Common Kingfisher)

Scientific Name Alcedo atthis

Notes- This is found commonly in jungle area. I could see this bird from the cottage I stayed in Jungle home

3, Name - Crested Serpent Eagle

Scientific Name Spilornis Cheela

Notes - This is A beautiful eagle with a black-white crest found in forested areas. I could see this bird during van safari at Bandipur

4, Name - Greyheaded fish eagle

Scientific Name Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus

Notes - As the name goes, this eagle mainly subsists on a diet of fish. Grey head, brown back and flanks and the tail is seen with a black terminal band that can easily be observed in flight.

5, Name - White Wagtail

Scientific Name Motacilla alba

Notes - Widespread winter visitor. Has black-backed and grey-backed patterns across many races.

6, Name - Indian Pond Heron

Scientific Name Ardeola grayii

Identification A stocky heron with a short neck, thick bill and a buff-brown colour back. In flight this bird looks very white due to the colour of its wings.This is a rare bird I was lucky to see it near a pond on the way to bandipur

7, Name - Green Bee-eater

Scientific Name Merops orientalis

Notes - The most familiar and widespread bee-eater in the country and is often seen sitting on fences and electric wires. They have elongated tail feathers which are absent in the juvenile. As the name suggests they predominantly feed on insects, including bees, wasps, dragonflies and butterflies which are caught in the air while performing sorties.This a beautiful looking bird which is bright green in colour,

8, Name- Rose-ringed Parakeet

Scientific Name Psittacula krameri

Notes - The Rose-ringed parakeet is the most common and widespread parakeet throughout the country. The male has a black and rose collar which is absent in the female.