Birdwatching? Head for Pong Dam near Dharamsala!

soulstation · Oct 25th, 2004, 14:03

Around 10,000 migratory birds have winged hundreds of kilometres from far off countries to arrive at the Pong Dam wetland in the Himalayan foothills.

Pong Dam reservoir is 65 km Pathankot and 115 km from Dharamsala. This reservoir was created in 1975-76 with the construction of Pong Dam on the Beas river.

The commanding Dhauladhar mountain ranges in the Kangra district is a major habitat for migratory birds and an attraction for bird watchers. With the early onset of wintry conditions, wildlife experts say they expect about 100,000 birds of at least 54 species to visit the lake this year.

The most common bird species to arrive here include the ruddy-shell ducks (surkhab), bar-headed geese, mallards, coots, pochards and pintails, besides rare red-necked grebe and gulls. These species come from as far away as China, Siberia, Central Asia, Pakistan and Ladakh.

Full article (external link)

Some pics & other useful info (external link)

Alan D · Oct 29th, 2004, 19:17

Has anyone on the forum visited this place? It looks like a good spot for us to include in a future visit to India.

I see from the links that water sports are also being promoted. Are there separate areas for water sports and birds? Also any info on accommodation in the immediate area would be much appreciated.

kiranlal · Nov 1st, 2004, 21:12

any one know about the birdwatching in rajashtan in winter time i heard there soem villages other than the bharahtpur national park , to see the siberian cranes

Alan D · Nov 1st, 2004, 23:01

Kiranlal

I very much doubt if you will ever see Siberian Cranes in India again! The sole surviving pair of the Siberian population that used to migrate to India have now not turned up at Bharatpur, I think, in the last two winters. If anyone knows of any other SC's elsewhere in India I would be very interested to know about it.

You mentioned cranes in a Rajasthan village - I think the place is Kheechan, near Phalodi in Rajasthan but the cranes are Demoiselle Cranes. I've seen a nature documentary film on this and it looks a spectacular sight.

Oct 25th, 2004, 14:03	#1
soulstation For God's Sake, Save The Tiger! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: IND Posts: 141	Birdwatching? Head for Pong Dam near Dharamsala! Around 10,000 migratory birds have winged hundreds of kilometres from far off countries to arrive at the Pong Dam wetland in the Himalayan foothills. Pong Dam reservoir is 65 km Pathankot and 115 km from Dharamsala. This reservoir was created in 1975-76 with the construction of Pong Dam on the Beas river. The commanding Dhauladhar mountain ranges in the Kangra district is a major habitat for migratory birds and an attraction for bird watchers. With the early onset of wintry conditions, wildlife experts say they expect about 100,000 birds of at least 54 species to visit the lake this year. The most common bird species to arrive here include the ruddy-shell ducks (surkhab), bar-headed geese, mallards, coots, pochards and pintails, besides rare red-necked grebe and gulls. These species come from as far away as China, Siberia, Central Asia, Pakistan and Ladakh. Full article (external link) Some pics & other useful info (external link)

Nov 1st, 2004, 21:12	#3
kiranlal The only one of its kind Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Trivandrum,Kerala,India,Malaysia,Singapore Posts: 522	bird in rajashtan any one know about the birdwatching in rajashtan in winter time i heard there soem villages other than the bharahtpur national park , to see the siberian cranes

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Oct 29th, 2004, 19:17	#2
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,866	Has anyone on the forum visited this place? It looks like a good spot for us to include in a future visit to India. I see from the links that water sports are also being promoted. Are there separate areas for water sports and birds? Also any info on accommodation in the immediate area would be much appreciated.

Nov 1st, 2004, 23:01	#4
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,866	Kiranlal I very much doubt if you will ever see Siberian Cranes in India again! The sole surviving pair of the Siberian population that used to migrate to India have now not turned up at Bharatpur, I think, in the last two winters. If anyone knows of any other SC's elsewhere in India I would be very interested to know about it. You mentioned cranes in a Rajasthan village - I think the place is Kheechan, near Phalodi in Rajasthan but the cranes are Demoiselle Cranes. I've seen a nature documentary film on this and it looks a spectacular sight.

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