Birds of Bharatpur and Chambal - January 2019

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Birds of Bharatpur and Chambal - January 2019

General Information

The Keoladeo National Park, better known as Bharatpur, is one of the best places in the country for birdwatchers and bird photographers during the winters. The forest is just 29 sq. km. in area, but do not get mislead by its size. Its potential can be realized on examining the distinction it has got. It was a royal duck-shoot reserve in the times of Maharajas. It was declared a wildlife Sanctuary in 1956. It was then upgraded as a national park, perhaps the smallest, in 1981. It is listed as Ramsar site. It is a World Heritage and an Important Bird Area (IBA). India is a mega-biodiversity country and Keoladeo is a solid proof of it. About 20 percent (About 400) of bird species have been reported from this small area! The mosaic of habitat, that Keoladeo offers, is the reason for this. About one- third area is a wetland and rest is scrub, woodland and grassland. Keoladeo is regarded as one of the finest heronries of the India. About one – third avifauna is resident and equal number is migrant. Some other forms are local, summer or passage migrants.

Chambal National Sanctuary is a 5,400 sq km tri-state protected area for the critically endangered Gharials, the red-crowned roof turtle and the endangered Ganges River dolphin. Not only this, you have good chances of sighting Mugger crocodiles, Smooth coated Otters, Indian Wolves and Striped Hyenas. It is a long narrow eco-reserve co-administered by the three states, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Chambal river flows through this pristine sanctuary.

Itinerary

Sceduled dates: 24th to 27th January 2019

Day 1

We advise you to reach Bharatpur before 8 am of day 1. As you reach and checkin, freshen up and enjoy a cup of hot coffee before we start the day. The cycle rickshaw drivers will wait for you to get ready and move out towards the gates of Bharatpur. Explore the entire topography of the area. You will have unlimited opportunities to click fantastic photographs. On field, our expert will hand hold and conduct on field training session on tips and tricks of bird photography. We will have packed lunch on field and then again proceed for evening photography session. Back in the resort in the evening, we will have a discussion over small bon fire on wildlife photography and review the bird list, which will be possible to photograph over a period of the next 2 – 3 days.

Day 2

The day starts very early in the morning. Photography is primarily on foot. You can however, opt to keep a rickshaw with you (by paying an extra cost). Keoladeo park is popularly known as 'bird paradise'. Over 400 bird species have been recorded in the park. The park’s flora consists of 379 species of flowering plants of which 96 are wetland species. Mammalian fauna of KNP is equally rich with 27 identified species. Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles) of KNP is very rich. Out of the 10 species of turtles that are seen in Rajasthan , 7 are present in the park. There are 5 lizards species, 13 snakes species & 7 species of Amphibians. We will get packed lunch served on field and then proceed for evening session of photography. The sunset hours are not to be missed, which offer excellent photographic opportunities.

Day 3

The day starts very early in the morning. We will go to Chambal National Sanctuary today. It is a 5,400 sq km tri-state protected area for the critically endangered Gharials, the red-crowned roof turtle and the endangered Ganges River dolphin. It is a long narrow eco-reserve co-administered by the three states, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The Chambal River runs through the sanctuary with many sandy beaches on which you will have ample opportunities to shoot the beautiful Indian Skimmers. Photography will be primarily in a motor boat.

Day 4

Morning birding will happen following regular routine in Bharatpur. After lunch, we will depart.

Gallery

Getting Ready

Things to carry

Telephoto lenses – preferably above 400 mm
Carry fully charged batteries for your camera / flash.
Carry battery charger. Carry extra pack of camera batteries
Carry backup memory cards / HDD storage drives, Laptop
Carrying a Tripod is a must for all bird photography workshops
Carry a big towel / cloth to protect your gear from dust
Carry a big cloth / bandanna / scarf to protect you from the dust
Warm clothes, gloves for the chilly early mornings.
Sun screens are very important
It is advisable to carry basic first aid along with you.
Please carry Odomos to keep you protected from mosquito bites.
Carry a pair of good binoculars

We now have an equipment support division. Equipment are available on rental - please mail us at rentals@dcpexpeditions.com.

Field Learnings

On field learning from the experts is said to be one of the best methods of improving your skillsets. Our expert will hand hold you at every possible step for a better understanding of perspectives, camera controls and how to make use of the best opportunities to get better images. The training will focus on the following

How to approach Wildlife in the field
Different modes of shooting (Av / A, Tv / S, M and P)
Exposure control in field under difficult light conditions
Mastering metering techniques (Spot, partial, center weighted, evaluative)
Mastering auto focus, focusing points, AF locking and focus tracking for moving subjects
How to get sharp images of moving subjects
Framing and composition in the field
Ethics in Wildlife Photography

DCP Expert

A microbiologist by qualification, a home maker turned wildlife photographer and a skilled administrator, Sonal Patil is associated with us since the day of inceptiion and currently involved as a Panel Expert and a Consultant in the Strategy Team of DCP Expeditions. She is a passionate and a skilled bird photographer. Her knowledge about the avifauna is appreciable. She has travelled across the wild places of the country, specially the birding hot spots, have thorough knowledge of the local biodiversities, excellent photographic skills and a great teaching acumen. She loves to share her knowledge with people around her. Her images have been acknowledged and appreciated across many publication houses, social media, websites, forums and print media.

Stay

We will be staying at Iora Guest House. The resort is situated very close to the world-famous Keolaodeo National Park, Bharatpur. An ideal place to stay ideal for birdwatchers, photographers, and anyone who wants to visit this beautiful sanctuary. The rooms are very spacious, clean and well furnished. Each room has attached bathroom with running hot and cold water along with western facilities.

Package Cost

Rs 16500 per head inclusive of service taxes
(Accommodation on twin sharing basis)

*To know charges for foreign nationals please write to info@dcpexpeditions.com

Cost includes

Accommodation (twin sharing) for 3 nights
All meals - tea, breakfast, vegetarian lunch, evening tea and dinner
Park entry charges, all activities, equipment and instructor charges
Vehicle charges to Chambal National Sanctuary and back
Boat charges in Chambal National Sanctuary
On field photography training charges
All taxes and service charges

Cost does not include:

Rickshaw / cycle hiring charges
Travel from Mumbai / Delhi – Bharatpur – Mumbai / Delhi
Mineral Water, Soft Drinks, Laundry Charges, Phone Calls, Tips etc.
Any kind of insurance, Medical or/and Emergency Charges.
Any Thing not covered under the head ‘Cost Includes’.

Cancellation policy

All cancellations before 30 days of the event date - 100% credit
All cancellations between 20 - 30 days of the event date - 50% credit
All cancellations within 20 days of the event date - No credit possible

Registration

Please click on the 'Register for Workshop' tab on the top / bottom right corner of this page to register yourself. Once you fill in your details and click submit, you will be redirected to the online payment page. Your registration is completed and confirmed only after a successful payment process. Once you complete the online payment, you will receive an auto generated email from CC Avenue, our online payment portal. Consider the same as a confirmation of the transaction. Our team will soon revert with further details of the tour. In case of any difficulty, please connect with us through any of the following route - Land line: 022-61818464, Fax: 022-61214950 Mail: info@dcpexpeditions.com

Birds of Bharatpur and Chambal - January 2019

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