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.
Random Thoughts: Rainforests: The woods, they echoed the words in my ear. I felt the warmth of the sun and the coldness of the stream on my skin. Eyes full of lush gr...
Having heard about the Heblekar's wonderful attempt at protecting and building a natural forest as a habitat for butterflies, my heart was set at visiting this conservatory located at Goa. And when opportunity knocked on my door to visit Goa, to compulsorily attend a friend's engagement, visiting the Heblekar's butterfly conservatory just jumped up in my to-do list for Goa.
Mystic meadows, is located just outside Ponda in Goa. Your regular tourists don't go too far from the sandy beaches and miss the lush forests of Goa, after all Goa is part of the Western Ghats landscape. There are numerous local buses running from Margoa to Ponda, and at a small fee, autos from Ponda will take you to this conservatory.
Clockwise from right (Vidhyan Cruiser, Tamil Lacewing cats, Malabar Banded Peacock and Common mormon, Grey Count)
The place is very tastefully built for a walk around the park, winding around the host plants where you will catch some of the rare endemic butterflies hovering around. I was lucky to see around 30 odd species that day, in 3 hours and some of these were lifers for me.
The Heblekar's very kindly offered me, simple but delicious lunch when they knew I had only packed an apple! They have a small canteen area in conservatory where one can eat their packed lunch. The park fee is just 100 rupees for just a majestic treat.
Tamil Lacewing and Yamfly
I was delighted to spot Yamfly, Grey Count, Tamil Lacewing, Malabar banded peacock and Vindhyan Cruiser among others. The area adjoins natural forest, and I am definitely planning to visit the place and explore more.
Another interesting aspect from the visit for me was seeing the Heblekar's house which is definitely something to look out for, for people interested in sustainable living. They have a garden on the roof and not the potted garden! The plants and a tree is planted on the soil that covers the roof! Rain water harvested is pumped back to the park to keep a perennial stream running. Read on more on this here - http://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/personal-conservation-efforts/the-butterfly-conservatory-of-goa
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
