An account , a journal , tidings of what I gather, understand and put together during my many wanderings I have taken in the heart of everything that's wild, pristine jungles.
Buxa Tiger Reserve (760 sq. kms) lies in the Northern part of West Bengal state in Jalpaiguri district. Lately its been in news over the naxalite activity and the deaths of elephants by the railway lines that cut right across their habitat. Me and a group of my friends made this trip thanks to the then DFO of Buxa, Salimath Sir.
Although declared as Tiger Reserve, Tiger has not been spotted in Buxa for the last few years. However Buxa had lot to offer, since this was my first trip to see the Northern species of India.
The one week we spent roaming a few places in and around Rajabhatkhawa was quite overwhelming. I could only identify a handful of butterfly species. Here's a photo journal of the one of best 5 days we spent in W Bengal.
Day 1 - In and around the guest house in Rajabhatkhawa.
Id? Pale grass blue tiger moth - Nyctemera Coleta? Dark Evening Brown?
Day 2 : A 14 km walk and stay at Aadma village. The route to which lay in the meandering valley abutting the lovely Jainti river.
Hill Mynah Lascar Albatross? Bush hopper? Gaudy Baron Puchinello Indian Roller Dusky Yellow Breasted Flat Red Helen Chocolate albatross Palmfly Common bluebottle Tailey Jay Bright Sunbeam? Bright Sunbeam? Id? Dart Id? Cerulean Assorted :) 5 Bar swordtail Rounded Pierrot Rolling in the deep.. white capped water redstart
Day 3 : Enroute to Rajabhatkhawa from Aadma
Puchinello Id? Sailor Id? Id? Id? Oakblue Id? Oakblue Id? Angled Castor Spangled Drongo Id? Blue? Id? Blue? Id? Centaur Oakblue Orange Oakleaf Moth Id? Mealy bugs Common Lascar Id? Id? Himalayan Banded Treebrown Id? Centaur Oakblue? Peacock Pansy Wreathed Hornbill Sunbeam ID? Water Snow Flat Lascar on my bag :) Blue tiger Id? Same one as above Id?
Day 4 : Vulture Breeding Center
Hawk Moth Id? Moth Id? Moth Id? Commander Moth Id? Yellow Helen Tick Chestnut bellied nuthatch Hedge Blue? Grey Count Glassy Blue Tiger Jerdon's Baza Fluffy Tit Tri Colored Flat
Day 5 : Buxa Fort
Id? Skipper Id? Skipper Common Sailor? Dark Palm Dart? Staff Sergeant? Garden Lizard? Blue Spotted Crow Blue Spotted Crow Common Tinsel Golden Sapphire? Golden Sapphire? Tailless Plushblue? Himalayan Blue Imperial?
Day 6 : In and around Alipurduar
Pale grass blue? Moth Id? Moth Id? Frog Id? Palmfly Tusker near APC in Buxa Malayan Giant Squirrel
Day 7 : Jaldapara WS
Chestnut Bob? Chestnut Bob? Yellow footed green pigeon Id? Alexandrine Parakeet Indian Rhino Lesser Adjutant Stork Gaurs Peacock Sambar Red Jungle Fowl Moth Id? Tokay Gecko
Day 8 : Safari, Jaldapara WS
Safari Rhino Red breasted parakeets Black hooded Oriole Lesser Whistling ducks European Bee eater Black Ibis
