Help Save The Green Avadavat Mount Abu

Help Save The Green Avadavat Mount Abu

Green Avadavat - (Munia) vulnerable 

Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus

Green Avadavat Pair

Can the International Union for Conservation of Nature have classified the Green Avadavat (or Green Munia) as Vulnerable (VU)? Can we take measures to prevent it from becoming Endangered? These birds are endemic to Central India and can be found in patches across parts of central U.P., Southern Bihar, and West Bengal. as been a popular cage bird and have been in the bird trade since the late 19th century. It continues to be common in the wild in areas such as Mt. Abu in Rajasthan but has declined due mainly to trapping and environmental changes.

Green Avadavat Amandava formosa

Population trend: Decreasing

Bird species like Green Munia and Red Avadavat are trapped and sold in some major city markets in Central India. Today one can buy some of these species in the old city of Ahmedabad.

Mount Abu is one sanctuary where the Green Munia’s existence is stable and its population can grow. It would be ideal if the forest department. Local authorities and Abuites get together and plan an awareness programme to safeguard the well-being of this species. This Abode of Gods caters to about 600 of these fragile finches. Birders from all parts of the world come to Abu to photograph this rare species. Most of them snap this prized beauty and fulfil their dream of capturing this avian in their collection. 

They contain the Munias in Annexe IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, making hunting, trapping or trade illegal and a punishable offence. It also protected the Green Avadavat under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

 

Green Avadavat juvenile

 Despite this protection, the most serious threat to this species is illegal trafficking, which has decimated various populations across the country. They captured many of these birds and illegally trafficked them in the domestic and foreign markets. TRAFFIC India has been tracking the illegal trade in Green Munias and periodically publishes articles to raise awareness of the birds' condition and educate people about the significance raise awareness and educate people about the legal implications of buying Green Munias as pets, TRAFFIC India keeps track of illegal trade and periodically publishes articles and promoting the well-being of this unique bird. It should establish a special committee to monitor and track population trends in the various pockets of Abu. Members should assign a period soon after the nesting to count the birds for an annual census. Mount Abu, in the long run, might be the only haven where this rare species might have the chance to survive the ravages of our contemporary world.

World Sparrow Day 20 March 2017

"World Sparrow Day"

Remembering World Sparrow Day: A Tale of Transformation

When I returned home from my experiences in Holland in the early 1980s, I was greeted with a strange request from my mother: get rid of a nuisance dozen sparrows who had established themselves at home within our bedroom. I set out on a mission to capture these small-winged intruders, and I managed to catch around 10 of them. I put them in a huge cage that had previously housed lovebirds.

Even decades later, recollections of that day bring a warm grin to my face. But it was the reaction of our family's youngest member, Susann, that made that day really remarkable. She questioned my plans for the sparrows, to which I said, "We're going to have sparrow pie for dinner." I had no idea how powerful that simple phrase would be.

Susann's reaction was nothing short of spectacular. She stared at me in disbelief and fell into tears as if I had just done a horrific crime. She erupted into a rant, accusing me of plotting to destroy the Almighty's defenceless animals. Her nearly frantic reaction had me in stitches, but it didn't end there. When our two house dogs sensed the noise, they went nuts, and the rest of the family barged in, demanding to know what I had done. "You're gonna make a sparrow pie!" they cried.

The scenario that occurred was like something out of a Hollywood film, with emotions ranging from fury to laughing, and even a hint of terror. Susann, on the other hand, stole the show. Her face changed from anguish to happiness and ecstasy when I finally told the truth and released the sparrows in the garden.

We had no idea that this seemingly insignificant episode would herald the start of a shift in our lives and our perspective of the world around us. Today, as we commemorate "World Sparrow Day," I can't help but think about how much the population of house sparrows has dropped over the years.

Because of this decline, I made a vow that day to positively contribute to the preservation of these once-abundant birds. I started putting nesting boxes on the outside walls of our house, giving sparrows a place to nest, rear their young and prosper.

I invite you to join me in honouring "World Sparrow Day" and recognizing the role these small creatures play in our ecosystem. While our understanding and perspective on sparrows have evolved since that fateful day, one thing remains constant – our shared responsibility to protect and conserve these remarkable birds for generations to come.

Let's celebrate our small but powerful neighbours, knowing that even small actions can make a big difference for sparrows and their environment.

To learn more about World Sparrow Day click 

"World Sparrow Day"

May they multiply and populate the earth like the stars in the sky.

Sunrise at Thol Birding Sanctuary. 14 March 2017 GUJARAT.

Sunrise at Thol Birding Sanctuary.

"I looked at the placid Thol lake and spoke to it, "Speak to me of Nature" and the lake erupted with a hundred hues of colours. Damn, why hadn't I made a trip earlier instead, of seeing hundreds I would have got to see thousands.

Snaps taken along the embankment Thol

To see individual photographs click on the link below 

Birds of Thol

Pareij wetlands an amazing birding destination Gujarat

Pareij Wetlands is an amazing birding destination in Gujarat

Taken from the highway while driving towards Kheda, running behind our scheduled time.

Pareij Wetlands is a beautiful site in Gujarat for birding.

Edward's precisely planned birding journey to the Pareji wetlands in Gujarat's Kheda region was extraordinary. Beginning in Ahmedabad, we took a cab to Vaso village, where we met Vishal, a knowledgeable local guide who was conversant with the subtleties of this region.

.

I took this photograph while driving past a small village.

 The ancient bullock cart brought back nostalgic memories of bygone years when I first visited Bera in Rajasthan, an era when Taxis were a rare commodity. I vividly remember riding one of these late at night from the railway station to my mate's farm a few kilometres from the village. The bed of hay and the starry sky above will always live in fond memories of a time never to be seen again.
Rakesh, our cab driver was a cool character, well-experienced at the wheel a man who has seen more of our continent than the average traveller. When he saw me snapping the urns like pots, he filled us in on the history of it. He said that these vessels were once exclusively used for storing grain, and the quality of grain in them never spoiled. After filling them, they sealed the top and only used a small opening at the base whenever they needed grain. If they put these prehistoric artefacts up for sale how much would they fetch?
Even though we arrived late, our trip took off with a bang. After a short drive out of the village, we stopped near a canal and explored the marshes in this area. The birds we recorded here were the Purple Moorhen, Bluethroat, Pond Heron, Bronze Winged Jacana,(my first), Yellow Bittern (another my first), Blyth's Reed Warbler, Cormorants, Long-tailed Shrike and quite a few other common birds.

A collage of wild birds from the Pareij wetlands

We were fortunate to see the marsh crocodile, commonly called mugger. It is a common crock and widely spread over a large area and in numbers of hundreds coexisting with the local population. According to Vishal, crocks and humans have never had any conflicts in this specific area.

The roads in these areas are picturesque, with lush green paddy and tobacco fields.

While driving along the small water- channels and pools near the paddy fields, we saw and photographed the Sarus Cranes, egrets, Black Cormorants, Common Moorhen, Woolly-necked Stork, Pied Kingfisher, Steppe Eagle, Asian Koel and Western Marsh Harrier.

A collage of wild birds from the Pareij wetlands

As the day progressed, Vishal headed for an area called Naradar, here we witnessed a considerable number of Sarus and Demoiselle cranes on either side of the road. The high density of Sarus cranes in this area was a feast for our eyes. I was fortunate to photograph the Indian Spotted Eagle (my first) and some Western Marsh Harriers, Common Kestrels, and Steppe Eagles. The black drongo and Indian roller are also available in large numbers. Snapping the Red Avadavat, both male and female, made my day. For years, I longed to snap this bird and now I have finally found my pot of gold.

A collage of wild birds from the Pareij wetlands

A little after noon we headed for the famed Pareij Lake, the water body that supplies drinking water to all the villages around this area. On our way, we stopped at a chai stall at "Limbasi Chokdi". The tea had the right temperament and the sugar was just as we had instructed him to add. The bajjas of aalo, and methee on ravenous stomachs, tasted just great. CAUTION there are no restaurants or eateries in this area, so I advise one to carry one's snacks or sandwiches to tide one over for the day.
From here, we headed towards the lake. On the way just outside on the outskirts of the lake area is a water body that harbours a large variety of water birds. Here we photographed the ruddy duck, Glossy Ibis, Dalmatian Pelican, Purple Swamphen, Lesser Flamingo, Indian Skimmer, Grey Heron and the common snipe(my first).

We arrived at 3 p.m. at the 'Pariej Wetland Bird Watchers Paradise.' This location is absolutely one-of-a-kind, located in the distant rural regions of Gujarat. It has official quarters, an observation station with a view of the lake, and a tranquil garden that serves as a home for a variety of birds. The Oriole, Bird of Paradise, Spotted Owllet, and Grey-headed Canary are among them. We spent nearly an hour exploring the area, photographing ducks, geese, and raptors flying overhead. Hundreds of migrating birds flocked to the lake, creating a vivid and bustling scene.

On our way back we witnessed hundreds of larks and buntings flying in huge groups. We snapped black-headed buntings, Red-headed buntings, crested larks, common babblers, Red Avadavat and the Eurasian Wryneck.

Serious Birders

Serious Birders this is one area you should cover it's worth the experience, there were a few negative moments but I'll refrain from mentioning them as it's going to make no difference to the authorities who should be promoting this unique place.

Vipul who runs a travel service can be contacted on this number +919825013833. His rate for a full day early morning to evening is quite reasonable.

For an experienced Birder Guide, Vishal Mistry should be called upon.
 His number is +919428564455.

The icing on our Trip 

Bear on the prowl again Mount Abu

Bear on the prowl again Mount Abu

just got a phone call. This morning around 6. A.m a bear with two cubs attacked a local who ventured out to the call of nature.
He's been admitted to the Global hospital. It is thought the bear scalped the man. Will updates as soon as I get more information on?

Part of his scalp

The man who was attacked and admitted to Global is out of danger. He's a tribal garacia, who works as a labourer in Abu.
Received these snaps via my WhatsApp.

 At the Global hospital