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Bharatpur Sightseeings
Keoladeo National Park

A paradise for the avian world, and the pilgrimage for the bird lovers,
it was known as the best duck shooting resort in the British empire. But
was declared a reserve for birds in 1956 and later upgraded to National
Park. UNESCO has listed it as a world heritage site. The geographical location
is ideal as it is on the main North-South avian route of India. Although
small in size, 29 sq km. Only, it boasts to house more than 375 species
of beautiful birds, and more than 132 of them breed inside the Keoladeo
Ghana National Park and nearly every year new ones are added to the list.
The sanctuary not only attracts birds from India but also from places
like Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet Before monsoons hundreds of these
exotic birds roost and nest building activities start on the babool and
kadam trees of the park. Water coming through the Ajan Bandh starts filling
the various ponds and lakes of the Park.
When assured of enough food, hundreds of large, medium and little cormorant,
darter, purple and grey heron, various species of egret, painted, open-billed,
white necked and black necket stork, white ibis, spoonbill, night heron
and other birds get busy in courting and mating. The trees are overflooded
with nest, one can observe a tree housing nests upto fifties and sixties
in number belongign to different species of birds looking after theri
loving young onces. The nests on the trees look like pearl necklaces.
Gracious Saras cranes, the tallest flight birds nest in exposed and open
area, both partners share the duty of hatching, while changing incubaating
duties, they come together, raise their neck and give out shrill trumpetic
calls in unison and at the same time fan their feathers.
The newly born chicks are only 10cm. in size but grows upto one metre
in height within a year. As the monsoons arrive birds from every part
of the country start pouring into the park. Migratory water-fowls, including
the pride of Keoladeo Siberian Cranes form the indispensable part of Park.
The water-fowls visit the park in millions during the month of October.
Rosy starling marks the beginning of the arrival of migratory birds. The
most noticeable water-fowl coming to the park are barheaded and greyleg
geese.
The ducks spotted here are pintail, common teal, ruddy shelduck, mallard,
widgeon, shoveler, commong shelduck, red crested pochard, gadwall etc.
predatory birds like imperial eagle, steppe and tawny eage, spotted eargle,
marsh harrier and laggar falcon are attracted towards the park completing
the avian food chain of the ecosystem. Some of them like short toed eagle,
lesser spotted eagle and shikra are the residents of Park. About 11 sq.
km.
Area of the park is covered with water the remaining portion is ric

h
with Kingfisher, Red Vented and white cheeked Bulbuls, Babblers, Quails,
Partridges,Sunbirds, Sparrows, Parakeets and orioles which live in bushes
and burrows. The year round activity of the winged beauties has made the
park a pilgrimage for bird lovers and an ornithologists delight. The animal
populace also show their presence although they are thoroughly dominated
by feathers, wings and beaks. The animals include the Black Buck, Sambhar
- the largest Indian Antelope, Spotted deer, and Nilgais.
Pythons can also be observed at some places lazing in the sun. Vehicles
are only permitted upto Shanti Kutir inside the park. The Electra Van
of forest department can be engaged in the sanctuary, although the best
way to explore the park is on foot or bicycles which are available on
hire. Cycle rickshaws can also be hired.
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