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Purple Sunbird feeding its chicks on the verandah at Basunti Contact Arrow

 

Sunbird video
Few places in India possess such a wealth of birdlife as Basunti, situated in the major wildlife sanctuary at Maharana Pratap Sagar/Pong Dam. More than 160,000 water birds - among the largest concentrations in North India - winter here, while the forests abound with altitude migrants from the Himalayas. Over 420 species of birds have been found in the lake area including 40 species of raptors. The endangered White-rumped Vultures breed and nest in trees within 10 metres of Basunti. The vast 500 sq km lake and its surrounding forests and wetlands provide a rich, diverse and safe habitat with one visiting ornithologist spotting more than 260 species in two days during his stay at Basunti.
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  • An intrepid birdwatcher on the high roof at Basunti, looking into the nest of the resident White rumped Vultures. For more pictures of the Birds of Basunti, use the thumbnail panels below.
  • Endangered White-Rumped Vultures nest in the pine trees alongside Basunti
  • Half the world's population of Bar-headed Geese winter in the wetlands around Basunti
  • The Wallcreeper winters on boulder banks along estuaries of Himalayan streams that feed the Maharana Pratap Sagar.
  • Globally threatened Indian Skimmers are common summer visitors.
  • Nagrota Surian with the Bhatu Temple emerging from the receding waters.
  • Some 15 pairs of Sarus Crane live around the wetland.
  • Maharana Pratap Sagar is one of only a few sites in India where Gull-billed Terns breed.
  • The Eurasian Wryneck winters in hedges and open woodland surrounding the wetland.
  • Inland sightings of Red-necked Pharalopes are very rare in India but at Maharana Pratap Sagar they are one of a variety of uncommon wader species seen on migration.
  • Citrine Wagtails are abundant around the wetland.
  • The Pied Kingfisher breeds around Maharana Pratap Sagar.
  • Fishermen give birdwatchers a lift on the waters of Maharana Pratap Sagar.
  • Rare birds such as Desert Warblers regularly turn up around the wetland.
  • Black-winged Stilts breed along the lake and are common year-round.
  • Every year several dozens of Common Merganser winter at the wetland.
  • Bar-headed Geese rest near Maharana Pratap Sagar with the Dhauladhar range in the background.
  • The total number of wintering birds at Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake exceeds the 160,000 mark
  • Black Francolins are common in the Shivalik Hills around the wetland.
  • The Puff-throated Babbler is one of many forest birds that are seen in the hills surrounding Maharana Pratap Sagar
  • Over 10,000 Bar-headed Geese from the Tibetan Plateau winter at Maharana Pratap Sagar
  • Every evening in winter over 5000 Great and Little Cormorants cross Basunti on their way to their evening roost.
  • One to two pairs of the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture yearly breed right below the rooftop terrace of Basunti
  • Many hundreds of Small Pratincoles breed along the shores of Maharana Pratap Sagar
  • Kangra is one of few places in India where White-rumped Vultures are still regularly seen in considerable numbers.
  • The two to three thousand Little Cormorants are only a fraction of the total number of water birds that winter at the wetland.
  • Spotted Doves are abundant in the whole of Kangra
  • Common Wood Pigeons in migration
  • Spotted Forktails breed along streams in the hillsides around Basunti
  • The Lammergeier soars regularly over the ridges around Basunti
  • Great Barbets are shy but common residents
  • The Orange-headed Thrush is a summer breeder in the local hill forests
  • Long-tailed Minivets breed in the Dhauladhar Mountains and spread out through the lower parts of Kangra in winter
  • The Russet Sparrow is one of the common birds of the area
  • The Rufous-breasted Accentor is common in winter
  • The Crested Kingfisher is a visitor common along the streambeds that feed the lake
  • Plum-headed Parakeets breed abundantly in Kangra
  • Steppe Eagles migrate from the nearby hills in spring and autumn.
  • Himalayan Griffons are among the many raptors that swoop to forage in the nearby hillsides and forests
  • The Black-headed Jay occurs year round at Basunti
  • The Black-lored Tit is a colourful resident of the temperate forests of the area
  • The liquid song of the Blue Whistling Thrush is a regular member of the winter dawn chorus
  • Crimson Sunbirds enjoy the giant poinsettias beside Basunti's verandahs
  • The Golden Bush Robin winters in lower Kangra
  • Red Junglefowls are common in the local forests and on the property
  • The Large Hawk-cuckoo is a summer visitor
  • Kalij Pheasant emerging from the dense forest
  • Yellow-billed Blue Magpies winter in the neighbourhood
  • Blue-fronted Redstart winters in the locality
  • The Indian Grey Hornbill is common in the lower parts of Kangra with several pairs nesting in the nearby forests.
  • The Booted Eagle swoops across the forests and plains around Basunti in winter
  • White-capped Water Redstarts are a familiar sight along streams and rivers
  • The Verditer Flycatcher is a common summer visitor
  • Himalayan Bulbuls are plentiful throughout Kangra
  • Emerald Doves can be seen all the year round
  • The Brown-fronted Woodpecker is the commonest woodpecker in Kangra
  • Asian Paradise Flycatchers are abundant in the breeding season
  • The song of the Drongo Cuckoo is a familiar sound in Basunti's gardens
  • The nearby Shanehar barrage is a good place to see crakes, such as the Brown Crake
  • Yellow bitterns can be seen in the reed beds amd marshes of the wetlands
  • Painted Storks are an unforgettable sight of the Pong Dam wetlands
  • Streaked Weaver is one of three species of weaver found in wetlands in North India
  • Purple Moorhens stand out against the green water plants
  • The Spotted Owlet is the commonest owl in the area
  • The Oriental Honey-buzzard is one of 40 species of raptor recorded at Pong Dam
  • Water birds can be observed at very close range at Basuntir. Here a pair of Little Grebes.
  • Pallas's Gulls and other gulls winter along the Beas River that feeds into the lake
  • The Indian Silverbill is a very common small bird in the area
  • The down-turned bill of the black ibis is a familiar sight in the marshes and fields surrounding the wetlands near Basunti
  • The Indian Peafowl is a common bird on the property and on the wetlands
  • An Indian Cormorant perching in a pipal tree next to the lake
  • White-throated Kingfishers are common in the ponds of Basunti and along the lakeside
  • Black-shouldered Kites hover over the drier margins of Pong Dam's wetlands
  • Green Bee-eaters are very common in most of India
  • Common Hoopoes visit Basunti in the summer months
  • Indian Rollers can be observed on Basunti in the wetlands close to Basunti
  • Yellow-footed Green Pigeons are nomadic wanderers that are commonly seen around Basunti
  • The Slaty-blue Flycatcher is one of several species of Himalayan birds that winter in scrub and woodland around Basunti
  • The unusual-looking Great Thick-knee is seen along the Beas River at Basunti
  • Darters are common at nearby Shanehar Barrage wetland
  • Bank Mynas are common around the Maharana Pratap Saga