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Unhurried Days @ Rishop

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The world was too much with us. So, in July 2023, we set forth for Rishop in North Bengal.  My goal: to dump stress and breathe fresh air; His aim: birding, and to breathe fresh air; Joint objective: to get away from the cacophony and enjoy a few quite moments in the hills.  It was monsoon and all national parks and wildlife sanctuaries were closed to visitors. It was the breeding season and nature was busy nurturing it's young. We tapped into our network and booked a room at Passerine Retreat Birding Lodge Rishayp and off we went on a Friday night. Kanchan Kanya, from Sealdah to New Mal Junction, arrived on time at the destination, and from there we hopped into a cab. Meandering through hilly roads we reached Rishop. The final 5 kms to the homestay were to be either treaded on foot or covered with a different vehicle. The cab owner, Tshering da, moved us to his Bolero, for only that 4x4 could cover the final stretch. It was a treacherous, adventurous path, bumpy, slippery, rocky a
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A Million Wings

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Ever since the talk of Black-headed Ibis slurping up water snakes like noodles hit our ears, we knew we had to visit Mangalajodi at least once. So, when a bird-brother revealed his plans of a road-trip to the same place, we bashfully asked to be included. So, in January 2020, my husband and I, henceforth referred to as the Bonded Pair, hoppped into the car and the long ride began. At any given point of time, winter- migratory bird population in Mangalajodi is counted in lakhs, in the months of November, December and January. Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Shelduck, Gargeny, Gadwall, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Common Coot, Black-headed Gull, Brown- headed Gull, Black-Tailed Godwit, Glossy Ibis, Collared Pratincole, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Purple Heron, Black-headed Ibis and River Terns are only a small number of the total migratory species that call Mangalajodi home in winter. And we were on a mission to watch them, learn about them and photograph them. Kolkata to Mangalajodi
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