V. S. Saxena

Abstract

Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi went round the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary on 8th Feb., 76 for over 3 hours in the boat and the minibus. Padma Vibhushan Dr. Salim Ali was also with her. The author was the only forest officer accompanying her. She saw 85 spp. of birds of which she herself recognised about 50 spp. Among wild animals were seen numuerous spotted deer, blue bulls, jackal besides wild cows. She evinced keen interest in flora also. On 'wildlife management topics, she expressed that sanctuaries should not have posh buildings, visitors should not come with transistors and in gaudy dresses live bait should not he provided to tiger at least in the sanctuaries, thoroughfares bringing buses and noises into the sanctuary should not be permitted, plantations should be raised if treeS were dying and for culling unrestricted growth of uagulates why predators like panthers could not be introduced. On the whole she had a delightful, peaceful and interesting experience in the sanctuary.

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G. K. Bora , V. S. Saxena

Abstract

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (29 sq km), a former duck-shooting reserve of Maharaja of Bharatpur, is situated only 50 km west of Agra and 2 km from old town of Bharatpur. It is one of the best water bird breeding sanctuaries in the world. 249 birds belonging to 55 fami1ies have been listed, which were seen in or around the sanctuary, of which 95 are migratory. Bird banding has been goiug on, and the recoveries have revealed that these birds go as far as Siberia (U.S.S.R.). Rare winter visitors are Siberian cranes and Great black-headed gull, etc, Besides the avifauna, numerous other animals-like various fishes, snakes and mammals are found. Black buck, blue bull, spotted deer, sambhar, wild boar roam freely in the sanctuary. Pythons and scaly ant-eaters are occasional1y seen, as also the hog deers. The painted storks, openbilled storks, spoon bills, white ibis, cormorants, egrets, darters, jacanas. dabchick and waterhens come for breeding with the advent of monsoons in the sanctuary. Huge congregation of Migratory birds augment this number in winter. The sanctuary is a paradise for bird-watchers from monsoon to the beginning of summer. The season to visit the sanctuary is from September to February, and the best months are December and January, although the wild mammals can be seen ,all the year round. An electrified Forest Rest House with modern facilities, including arrangements for boarding and lodging is situated in the heart of the sanctuary. Boats can be made available for close approach to birds.

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V. S. Saxena

Abstract

Bird Banding or Bird Ringing has assumed greater importance during the last two decades all over the World. Banding has dispelled many mistaken notions about birds. It has helped in the study of migration and migratory routes, life histories, longevity, breeding pattern, etc., of birds. In India, Dr. Salim Ali, of Bombay Natural History Society has taken up Bird Banding projects and, during the last about three years, over 70,000 birds have been ringed. In S.E. Asia, under schemes sponsored by MAPS (Migratory Animals Pathological Survey), 8,27,000 birds have been handed during the 5 years period 1964-68. The Bird Banding record in U S.A. is so numerous that they use electronic computers for processing the data. A lot remains to be done in our country.

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V. S. Saxena

Abstract

no abstract

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V. S. Saxena

Abstract

During inspections of field work under Resources Survey Scheme in Dry Teak forests of Pratapgarh Range, Chittorgarh Division, Rajasthan on 8th Feb., '73 fifty two spp. of birds' belonging to 42 genera and 25 families were observed from jeep in a day of 10 hours-8 A.M. to 6 P.M. The maximum number of spp. totalling 10 was recorded from the babbler family Muscicapidae. Eight spp. of these birds were migratory (winter migrants) to India. Among the water loving birds Black winged Stilts. Lapwings Cattle Egrets and the Sarns, Cranes were seen. It was an year of drought in the tract, tanks & ponds did not retain water till even February and hence perhaps other waders and ducks were not found. Some spp, of birds might have escaped notice, one such notable absence being that of Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabonda). This listing of birds might prove useful, as no such earlier record is available for these forests.

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