* Towards an (Australian) Indigenous Ornithology - Is Australia an ornithological terra nullius? a paper I gave at the Australasian ornithological Congress at Canberra, December 2003

* Birds of the week - two freed Wedge-tailed Eagles - relocating Alice and Acacia from their home at the Desertt Wildife Park in Alice Springs, NT

* The Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus) - a lesson in indigenous bird hunting and conservation - one aspect of bird knowledge shared by New Zealand Moari and Australian Aboriginal peoples

* People doing really stupid things with animals…swimming with crocodiles and polar bears!

* White trash - and proud of it! - a story about racial hysteria

* Dogs of the Week - Camp Dogs on the Radio!! - links to an ABC Radio series on people and their dogs in central Australia

* The Northern Myth - Chapter 1 - a look at the first chapter of Bruce Davidson's 1965 book, The Northern Myth

Great Himalayan Bird Count, winter of 2008

An initiative of

"ACTION & RESEARCH FOR CONSERVATION IN HIMALAYAS, DEHRADUN"– (ARCH)

Supported by UTTARAKHAND FOREST DEPARTMENT


TO ALL BIRDWATCHERS & NATURE LOVERS

A very happy Dipawali to you and your dear family members

Friends, I start this communication with a  Bad news, that due to
the ongoing global financial crises and recession we have received a
dozen plus cancellations by participants for this bird count, so the
good news is that to cover this gap we are requesting bird lovers
once again to participate in this conservation initiative and for
this reason alone we have removed the late fee clause from our
registration process. So it is a golden opportunity now for bird
watchers to contribute in an important conservation initiative and
take back some wonderful himalayan trekking memories and experience
with great birds sightings.

Welcome to the amazing world of feathered friends from Uttarakhand
Himalayas; mentioned below please find our Registration Form,
proposed bird-count trail details and other necessary inputs for
your kind information.

As indicated in our Registration Form, you will also find three
choice options for count trails preferences to be made by you, but
with very popular count destination like Dayara; Dodital and Deoban
among many. I am sure most of you would like to prefer the most
popular destinations as your first choice option. But then you all
know it's not possible and practical to put everyone on these trails
at one go, so the final word on "which participant to put on what
team" will be left to our "Logistic Co-ordination Committee's" final
decision, but let me assure you once again that serious due
consideration will be given to each choice option requested by you.

As there is also the issue of balancing experienced birders
(especially considering their experience & familiarity with
Himalayan Bird Species) equally in each count trail for accurate
base-line data collection and birding guidance and motivation to
upcoming and new birders like many of you here.

Friends, let me assure you once again that each count trail is very
important and special from avian diversity point of view and apart
from this each count  destination is also geographically unique
which became the reason for it to get  selected in this "Great
Himalayan Bird Count – Winter 0f 2008". Moreover the good news is
this, that starting with fifteen groups in our very first bird-count
you can experience himalayan birding holidays for next fifteen years
without repeating a single location and that too at so little cost.

As nights are cold in mid November the organizers encourage the
participants to carry enough woolens with one set of inners and
their own sleeping bag for reasons of personal hygiene.

Friends as many of you are coming from very far-off places like
Chennai, Mumbai, Gujarat, down South and even overseas destinations,
so it was suggested by some participants if we at ARCH could make it
possible for them to stay a little longer in the Garhwal area after
the bird count. We would love to do it, if we get a group of around
7-8 people (Two people from Chennai have already given their consent
for this) The plan is to leave Dehradun after a day's rest on the
19th morning for Arakot (Himachal Pradesh) at the westernmost border
of Uttarakhand and then for almost a week, this group would travel
at leisure, escorted by professional and tested travel agency
escort  and a celebrated birding guide Mr Yashpal Negi  towards the
easternmost boundary of Garhwal i.e., Joshimath in district Chamoli.

During these seven days the group would undertake morning and
evening birding with one or two day-long mild treks and visiting
little known but bird-rich destinations like Arakot; Khooni Gaad
(famous for tallest pine trees in Asia); Mori; Jarmola Pass; Rarhi
Ka Danda; Uttarkashi; Nachiketa Tal (3 kms trek to this High
altitude lake); Pratapnagar (for magnificent view of Tehri Dam
Reservoir); Ghuttu (straight trek up to Reeh and back); Ghansali;
Kakragaad; Pipalkoti and Joshimath and also visiting places of
cultural and religious importance along the way. So go ahead and
plan your schedule accordingly.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

• Last Date to Submit Participation Form: 7th November, 2008
• Last Date to Submit Registration Fee (Rs 2,500/-): 7th
         November, 2008
• Arrival Dehradun on 14th of May, 2008 by 0900 hrs for
         orientation workshop.
• Count Days are  15th and  16th Nov, 2008
• Debriefing Workshop at Dehradun, by 1500 hrs on 17th of Nov,
         2008

Recommended Field Guides for this bird-count exercise:

• "Birds of Northern India"
          Authored by: Richard Grimmett & Tim Inskipp
          Published by: Oxford University Press.

• "A Field Guide to the Birds of India"
          Authored by: Krys Kazmierczak
          Illustrated by: Ber Van Perlo

• "Pocket Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent"
          Authored by: Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp & Tim Inskipp
          Published by: Oxford University Press.

Friends it gives me great pleasure in sharing with you that we've
got some fantastic participation response to our invitation call and
allow me to use this opportunity to thank you all once again for the
same, but as we have only 15 groups and in each group we cannot take
more than 5-6 participants including 2-3 experienced birdwatchers
plus we also have to accommodate 2-3 school students and judging by
the 100+ participation requests that we have received for
participation so far, it seems that we'll have to adhere to the
policy of "first come –first serve" as all of you are very special
to us.

So it is in your own interest to kindly take an Registration
Initiative now by sending us the participation fee (Rs 2,500/- per
participant) which will cover modest FRH lodging & boarding plus the
cost of 4 days of travel by a dedicated Jeep allotted to your count-
group.

Please send your Registration Fee & Donations by Demand Draft
favoring:

"ACTION & RESEARCH FOR CONSERVATION IN HIMALAYAS, DEHRADUN"
and courier it to the address & tel. no. mentioned below latest by
3rd November, 2008:

Address for Courier :

Prateek Panwar
Founder Trustee
Action & Research for Conservation in Himalayas
2-B MDDA Enclave, Opp. Petrol Pump,
Sahastradhara Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 INDIA
Tel# 9412054216, (0135)2114649
Email: arch.birdcount@..., arch.birdcount@...

OR

Payment can also be made directly by depositing a cheque or cash on
any branch of Indian Bank in your town/city favoring "ACTION &
RESEARCH FOR CONSERVATION IN HIMALAYAS, DEHRADUN" into our Current
A/c No: 794568161 on INDIAN BANK, Branch Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

Note: Kindly intimate us by mail after depositing your payment in
our account


WE REQUEST YOU TO KINDLY OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING:

• Help us to maintain pollution-free environment in
         Uttarakhand by bringing back all your plastic and polythene
         waste.
• Avoid using pollutants, such as detergents in water streams
         and springs.
• Do not light fires in open areas in order to prevent fire
         hazards.
• Do not litter non-biodegradable waste materials like
         plastic, water bottles and make judicious use of polythene
         bags.
• Respect the privacy of individuals and take permission
         before taking photographs of local people.
• Abstain from writing graffiti; instead click photographs to
         make your visit lasting.
• Do not disturb and damage the precious Flora and Fauna of
         the region as this natural heritage is with us to be passed
         on to future generations safely.
• Respect religious and cultural sentiments while visiting the
         holy places and villages.
• Where no toilet facilities are available, defecate at least
         30 meters away from water sources & streams and cover your
         waste.
• We expect that those participants who are traveling with
         cameras will share their pictures and video with us, we may
         use the photographs for extension, sensitization and in-
         house publications and we assure to give due name-credit to
         the photographer.
• Participants will be governed by the provisions of the
         Indian Forest Act, 1927 & Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in
         addition to the laws of the land.


CHECK LIST TO BE REFERRED BEFORE LEAVING YOUR STATION:

• Though basic medical aid facilities exist in mountain towns
         but if you are on any special medication with known drug
         allergies, kindly bring your own necessary medications
• Remember to carry a suitable headgear, (a cap is included in
         the Great Himalayan Bird Count Field Kit in case you forget).
• Carry your own Rain Poncho, Pen Torch, Field Guide and
         Binoculars
• Carry your own Sleeping Bag and Mattress or inform us to
         arrange at actual extra cost @ Rs 25/- per day X 4 Days.
• Please carry appropriate clothing to merge with the forest
         surroundings
• Carry One Heavy Duty Jacket/Sweater, Woolen Gloves, Wind
         Cheater, Cotton Shirts & T-Shirts, Woolen Shocks, Muffler,
         Pair of Sleepers, Rucksack (without frame), Cold Cream.
• Carry your own Insect Repellent sprays and ointments
• If you are a photographer, come prepared with film
         rolls/extra memory cards and a wide and 300+ tele lens other
         than your normal lens to capture the beauty of Garhwal
         Himalayas and its magnificent birds diversity.
• Polarizer and graduated grey filters will be useful for
         landscape photography.
• The BSNL mobile network with maximum reach does work (at
         times) in most of the count area, along with other operators
         with some network presence are,  Reliance; Airtel; Idea and
         Hutch.
• The local spring water is as good as bottled mineral water
         but please carry your water bottles.


"Happy Birding and May you have many new sightings"


MESSAGE BY OUR SENIOR TRUSTEE

I am delighted to know that ARCH, in collaboration with the
Uttarakhand Forest Department, has organized the Great Himalayan
Bird Count of 2008.  It has created tremendous enthusiasm among
birders within the State and across the country to participate in a
truly exciting event that will take them through some of the wildest
and most breathtaking landscapes of our inner Himalayas.

The wealth of bio-diversity of this region is truly astonishing. To
all those who are participating for the first time, I can only say
that the experience is bound to bring back many wonderful memories
and I am sure they would be lured to come back again and again.  To
the more experienced, I would say that they will further enhance
their insight and understanding of one of natures greatest treasures.

S.K. Das
Chairman,
Public Service Commission, Uttarakhand
Place: Hardwar
Date: 22nd of Oct, 2008


WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE  COUNT STEWARD

Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttarakhand
85 – Rajpur Road, Dehradun – 248001.
Letter Ref. No. 136 PA  – PA Dehradun, Dated 20th Oct, 2008

Dear Bird Count Participants

It is indeed a pleasure to welcome you all on behalf on the forest
department of Uttarakhand for this important cause of avian
conservation.

Friends, Birdwatching today is fully recognized as an important tool
to initiate the process of inquiry into our natural world and
especially keeping in view our rapidly shrinking biological
diversity there is also an acute need to create more awareness and
appreciation for the biodiversity of all life-forms and their
complex linkages for sustainability in the natural world. So it can
be easily said, that by taking up bird watching, nature enthusiasts
and bird watchers from urban landscape have ventured more actively
to the outdoors to satisfy their natural urge to observe extra bird
species than they are already exposed to, which have brought them
face to face with many other enlightening and interesting
phenomena's of the natural world.

So today, when habitats and species are under enormous developmental
and human-population pressure, a timely base-line population
dynamics study like "The Great Himalayan Bird Count" will be highly
productive by not only providing us with the avian population
dynamics data but it will also act as an important sensitization
tool for motivating our youth from urban and rural landscapes to
seriously contemplate the idea of taking conservation as an academic
and career pursuit.

Here I'll especially like to mention that among all the disciplines
of biology, Ornithology is one such exception that has developed
largely because of the observations and contributions made by the
amateurs, otherwise our knowledge today, about bird migration and
their global migratory routes would not have been practically
possible.

Wishing you all the success in this important conservation
initiative and hoping that this initiative does not become a one-off
event and rather continues for many long years.

(Dr R.B.S. Rawat)
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
Uttarakhand



PARTICIPATION FORM

GREAT HIMALAYAN BIRD COUNT - WINTER OF 2008
(Nov, 14th to 17th, 2008)

Non-Transferable

Participant's Name:

Participant's Photograph: Kindly attach your latest scanned PP size
photograph with this application

Father's Name:

Date of Birth:

Nationality:

Organization Working for:
Designation:

Current Address (Residence):
City:
State:
Zip:

Address (Office):
City:
State:
Zip:

Permanent Address:
City:
State:
Zip:

Tel Numbers: (STD Code) (Office):
(Residence):
(Cell):
(Fax):
Email:
Alternate Email:
Website / URL (Office):
Website / URL (Personal):
Blog(s) Link:

Details of your Birding Skills, Trekking abilities and trekking
experience:
(Use separate sheets to describe in 100 words each for Birding &
Trekking experience)

For Participants from North India
Would you prefer to use your own car/vehicle during this exercise,
and can you accommodate other members of your count team in your
vehicle.
[      ] YES   [        ] NO [       ] I don't mind accommodating
other participants

Please provide Seating Capacity of your Car/ Vehicle:

Do you want to recommend some school/college student for this
birding exercise as a future conservationist/Birder (Use separate
form to cater details)

Will you be carrying your own Sleeping Bag:
[          ] YES  [         ] NO

Participation Fee Details:
DD#.............................. for Rs 2500/- on
Bank…………………………………….Dt………....

Pl. provide your arrival details at Dehradun on 14th May 2008 (Its
Important):

You will arrive on 14th May 2008 by:
[     ] Own Car [     ] Train [     ] Bus to Dehradun at 9 AM

Your Association with organizations of similar nature:
(Use Separate Sheet for details)

Would You Be Interested in Activities of similar nature in future:
[      ] YES  [      ]  NO

If there is more than one participant, please photocopy this form to
send details.

Please state your preference of Group:
1st Option:
2nd Option:
3rd Option:

Arrival: 	 Date: …………………….. Time: …………………
Departure: 	 Date: …………………….. Time: …………………

Blood Group:

Person to be contacted in Case of Emergency:
Name:
Relation with the Participant:
Address:
Tel Numbers with STD Codes:

Participants are requested to report at the Orientation Workshop
Venue at 9 AM on the 14th of November 2008 at the address given
below:

Manthan Conference Hall
Forest Office Campus
85 – Rajpur Road, Dila Ram Bazaar, Dehradun – 248001
Tel Nos. 9412054216, (0135) 2114649

NOTE: Participants will be governed by the provisions of the Indian
Forest Act, 1927 & Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in addition to the
laws of the land.

For any other query please contact:

Prateek Panwar
Founder Trustee ARCH
Action & Research for Conservation in Himalayas
2-B MDDA Enclave, Opp. Petrol Pump,
Sahastradhara Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 INDIA

Tel# 9412054216
         (0135)2114649
Email: arch.birdcount@...
            arch.birdcount@...

BIRD COUNT TREKS' DETAILS
(Please bear if there are some minute last minute changes)


Group: One

Total Days:  Four days & two count trails
Base Camp: 	 PUROLA (Distt. Uttarkashi)
Key Altitudes (M.): Dehradun: 635, Purola: 1433, Nauri: 2134,
Jarmola: 1646
Construction Year: FRH Nauri: 1955


Day-1: 14-11-08:  Dehradun to Purola

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun. lunch at
1.15 PM and start of onward journey to the count destination Purola
for night-stay by Jeep.

Drive Time: 5.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: FRH Purola


Day-2: 15-11-08:  Purola to Nauri

7 kms uphill mild enjoyable trek through pine forest and further 2
km walk on the ridge through an old oak forest

Trek: 9 kms
Trek Duration: 4 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Nauri/ village before Nauri ?


Day-3: 16-11-08: Nauri to Jarmola Pass

Start of mild trek from Nauri FRH at 6 AM after tea to Jarmola Pass,
pack breakfast & lunch on the way

Trek: 19  kms
Trek Duration:  7-8 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Jarmola


Day-4: 17-11-08: Jarmola Pass to Dehradun

Start of return Journey to Dehradun by jeep after breakfast at
Jarmola, lunch on arrival at Dehradun and start of feedback &
debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, end of bird count exercise
after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 6.0 hrs
(End of our Logistic Responsibilities).



Group: Two

Total Days:  Four days & two count trails
Base Camp: 	 JARMOLA PASS, Purola (Distt. Uttarkashi)
Key Altitudes (M.): Dehradun: 635, Purola: 1433, Jarmola: 1646,
Construction Year: FRH Thadiyar: 1903


Day-1: 14-11-08:  Dehradun to Jarmola Pass

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, lunch at
1.15 PM and start of onward journey to the count destination Jarmola
Pass a little ahead of Purola for night-stay by Jeep.

Drive Time: 6 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: FRH Jarmola Pass


Day-2: 15-11-08:  Jarmola to Sandra

Start of 15 kms downhill enjoyable road-walk to Mori through pine
forest at 5 AM, breakfast on the way, pick-up by Jeep for onward
journey to Mori for lunch, further onward journey by Jeep to Sandra
FRH for night stay

Trek: 10 kms downhill road walk, pickup by jeep for Sandra
Trek Duration:  3 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Sandra
Drive Time: total 1 hour by Jeep


Day-3: 16-11-08: Sandra to Thadiyar

Start of mild road-walk from Sandra FRH at 5.30 AM after bed tea to
Thadiyar FRH, breakfast on arrival. Local Visit to Shri Mahasu
temples at Thadiyar and Hanol after lunch at Thadiyar.

Trek: ???  kms
Trek Duration:  3 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Thadiyar


Day-4: 17-11-08: Thadiyar to Dehradun

Start of return Journey at 4.30 AM to Dehradun by jeep after early
morning breakfast at Thadiyar, lunch on arrival at Dehradun and
start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of
bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 8 hrs
End of our Logistic Responsibilities).



Group: Three

Total Days:         Four days & five count trails
Base Camp:         RAMPUR MANDI near Paonta Sahib & Asan
                         Conservation Reserve
Key Altitudes (M.): Rampurmandi:401, Kulhal:455,Sahiya:1092,
                         Kalsi:405, Dakpathar:790
Construction Year:      FRH Karwa Pani: 1885, FRH Kalsi  1881



Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Asan Barrage

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Asan Wetland Conservation
Reserve, near Paonta Sahib by Jeep

Start of bird count at 4 PM same day by walking along the Yamuna
towards Paonta Sahib till sunset

Trek: Casual walk of 3-4 kms along the river Yamuna
Trek Duration:  1.5 hrs
Drive Time: 1.5 hrs
Night Halt: Rampur Mandi FRH


Day-2: 15-11-08: Asan Barrage

Start of water birds count at all the three water bodies at Asan
Conservation Reserve from sunrise to sunset

Trek: Total easy walk 2 kms
Count Duration:  Whole day at Asan Wetlands
Night Halt: Rampur Mandi FRH


Day-3: 16-11-08: Asan to Kalsi to Sahiya and back to Asan

Start of Journey to Sahiya at 4.30 AM by Jeep and easy walk along
the road to Kalsi and pick-up by jeep on arrival at Kalsi and return
Journey to Rampur Mandi for late lunch

Drive Time: 2.5 hrs in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening
Trek: Easy walk of 15 kms along the road
Trek Duration:  5 hrs

Start of walk at 4 PM along the Yamuna river towards Dakpathar

Trek: Easy walk of 5 kms
Trek Duration:  2 hrs
Night Halt: Rampur Mandi FRH


Day-4: 17-11-08: Asan to Karwa pani to Dehradun

Start of Journey at 5 AM by driving to Timli FRH for morning tea,
count begins at 5.30 AM by walking 7 Kms on the Karwa Pani forest
road, pick-up by jeep for onward journey to Dehradun via Karwa Pani
FRH at 10 AM start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: Asan to Karwa Pani 0.5 hrs by Jeep
Drive Time: Karwa Pani to Dehradun 1.5 hrs by Jeep

End of our Logistic Responsibilities).



Group: Four

Total Days:  Four days & two count trails
Base Camp:  Chakrata (District Dehradun)
Key Altitudes (M.): Chakrata: 2287,  Deoban: 2876, Kanasar: 2188.


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Chakrata

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of onward Journey to Chakrata

Drive Time: 4.0 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Chakrata FRH


Day-2: 15-11-08: Chakrata to Deoban

Mild Uphill Trek from Chakrata to Deoban

Trek: 12 kms uphill
Trek Duration: 6 hrs
Night Halt: Deoban FRH


Day-3: 16-11-08: Deoban to Kanasar

Downhill Trek from Deoban to Kanasar

Trek: 9 kms
Trek Duration: 4 hrs
Night Halt: Kanasar FRH


Day-4: 17-11-08: Kanasar to Dehradun

Start of journey to Dehradun after breakfast by jeep lunch at
Dehradun and start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 5.5 hrs by Jeep
End of our Logistic Responsibilities).



Group: Five
Note: To put Local birders in this group

Total Days:  Three days & two count trails
Base Camp:  KEMPTI FRH (District Dehradun) near Mussoorie
Key Altitudes (M.): Mussoorie:1900,Kempti:1372,Vinog Peak: 2300.
Construction Year:      FRH Kempti: 1923


Day-1: 14-11-08: Deharadun to Mussoorie

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Mussoorie for night-stay by our
vehicle.

Drive Time: 2.0 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: PWD Inspection House, Mussoorie


Day-2: 15-11-08: Mussoorie to Kempti Falls

Start of Journey to Company Garden by Jeep at 6.00AM and start of
trek from Company Garden to Cloud's End and then down to Dhobighat.
pack breakfast and lunch on the way

Drive Time: 45 minutes
Trek: 8.5 kms
Trek Duration:  3-4 hrs
Night Halt: Kempti FRH


Day-3: 16-11-08: Kempty Falls to Dehradun

Start of Journey to Library (Mussoorie) by Jeep and start of
downhill trek from Library to Bhatta Falls. And start of return
journey to Dehradun for night halt.

Drive Time: 30 minutes in the morning & 2.5 hrs in the evening
Trek: 5 kms
Trek Duration: 2.5 hrs
Night Halt: ARCH office, Dehradun


Day-4: 17-11-08:  Dehradun

This Team will help the organizers with data compilation upto
lunchtime. Start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)


Group: Six

Total Days:  Four days & two count trails
Base Camp:         JANKICHATTI (District Uttarkashi) on way
                         to Sh Yamnotri Dham

Key Altitudes (M.): Jankichatti: 2575,Yamotri:3165,Barkot:1372,
                         Hanumanchatti: 2400, Sayana Chatti: 2134.
Construction Year:      FRH Janki Chatti: 1974, FRH Barkot: 1965,
                         FRH Hanuman Chatti: 1938


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Janki Chatti

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, lunch at
1.15 PM and start of Journey to Jankichatti by Jeep

Drive Time: 7 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Jankichatti


Day-2: 15-11-08: Jankichatti to Sh Yamnotri ji

Start of Trek to Yamnotri Shrine and back in the evening

Trek: 5 kms uphill and 5 kms downhill
Trek Duration:  Uphill 5 hrs and downhill 3 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Jankichatti


Day-3: 16-11-08: Hanuman Chatti to Barkot

Start of trek to Hanumanchatti by road and further journey to Barkot
by Jeep

Trek: 10 kms by road
Trek Duration:  5 hrs
Drive Time: 2 hrs
Night Halt: Barkot FRH


Day-4: 17-11-08: Barkot to Dehradun

Start of return journey to Dehradun by jeep after breakfast at 6 AM
and lunch on arrival at Dehradun and start of feedback & debriefing
session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at
6 PM

Drive Time: 5 hrs by Jeep

End of our Logistic Responsibilities).


Group: Seven
Note: To put Local birders in this group

Total Days:  Three days & three count trails
Base Camp:  DHANOLTI (District Tehri)
Key Altitudes (M.): Dhanolti: 2286m, Kaddukhal: 7,500 fts.,
                         Sarkunda Devi:9999 fts, Nali: 1624m,
                         Sahastradhara: 624m.
Construction Year:      FRH Dhanolti: 1918


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Dhanolti

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Dhanolti FRH for night-stay by
jeep.

Drive Time: 3.0 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Dhanolti FRH


Day-2: 15-11-08: Dhanolti to Surkunda Devi to Dhanolti

Start of mild enjoyable road-walk after tea at 5 AM. breakfast at
Kaddukhal, then small uphill trek to Sarkunda Devi Peak and return
to Dhanolti via same route for evening birding, .a small birding
talk cum workshop at govt. school at Kaddukhal during the day

Road-Walk: 10 kms
Trek: 1.5 kms to Surkunda Devi
Trek Duration:  1 Hr
Night Halt: Dhanolti FRH


Day-3: 16-11-08: Dhanolti to Dehradun

Start of downhill trek from village Sarona to Sahastradhara at 5 AM
and pick-up by Jeep on arrival at Sahastradhara

Trek: 10 kms
Trek Duration:  5 hrs
Night Halt: ARCH office, Dehradun

Day-4: 17-11-08: Dehradun

This Team will help the organizers with data compilation upto
lunchtime. Start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)



Group: Eight

Total Days:  Four days & two count trails
Base Camp:         UTTARKASHI
Key Altitudes (M.): Uttarkashi: 1188, Sangamchatti:1350,
                         Agoda:2250, Dodital: 3310,Kalyani: 1829.
Construction Year:      FRH Kotbangla:???


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Uttarkashi

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Uttarkashi for night-stay by our
vehicle.

Drive Time: 7.0 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Uttarkashi FRH Kotbangla


Day-2: 15-11-08: Uttarkashi to Dodital

Early start of short 12 kms drive by jeep to Sangamchatti at 4 AM,
start of bird count from Sangamchatti to Agoda in an uphill trek of
5 kms. Breakfast on arrival.

Drive Time:  30 minutes by Jeep
Trek: To Agoda 5 kms uphill
Trek Duration:  2.5 hrs
Trek: To Dodital 16 kms moderate with a 3.5 kms uphill section
Trek Duration:  6-8 hrs
Night Halt: Dodital FRH


Day-3: 16-11-08: Dodital to uttarkashi

Start of downhill trek to Sangam Chatti with a section of mild
uphill of 1.5 kms midway

Trek: 21 kms
Trek Duration:  7-9 hrs
Night Halt: Uttarkashi FRH Kotbangla


Day-4: 17-11-08: Uttarkashi to Dehradun

Early start of return Journey at 4 AM and lunch on arrival at
Dehradun and start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 7 Hrs

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities).



Group: Nine

Total Days:  Four days & two count trails
Base Camp:         BHATWARI (Uttarkashi)

Key Altitudes (M.): Uttarkashi:1188, Bhatwari: 1210 Barsu: ???,
Construction Year:      FRH Bhatwari: FRH Agoda: ???


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Bhatwari

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Bhatwari via Uttarkashi for night-
stay by jeep.

Drive Time: 7.0 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Bhatwari FRH



Day-2: 15-11-08: Bhatwari to Dyara via Barsu

Early start of short 15 kms drive by jeep to Barsu village at 4 AM,
start of bird count from Barsu to Dyara in an uphill trek of 8 kms.

Drive Time:  45 Minutes by Jeep (12 kms)
Trek: 8 kms uphill
Trek Duration:  5 hrs
Night Halt: Tents & logistic courtesy Camp Hammock at Dyara Bugyal.


Day-3: 16-11-08: Dyara to Bhatwari Via Raithal

Start of downhill trek at 6 AM to Raithal Village

Trek: 7 kms
Trek Duration:  4 hrs
Drive Time: 30 minutes (10 kms)
Night Halt: Bhatwari FRH


Day-4: 17-11-08: Bhatwari to Dehradun

Early start of return Journey at 4 AM and lunch on arrival at
Dehradun and start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 8 Hrs

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities).



Group: Ten

Total Days:  Four days & two count trails
Base Camp:  GHUTTU
Key Altitudes (M.): Ghuttu: 1524, Reeh: 2132, Gangi:2500,
                         Ghansali: 974.
Construction Year:      FRH Ghansali: 1988,


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Ghuttu

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, lunch at
1.15 PM and start of onward Journey to Ghuttu  by Jeep

Drive Time: 6-7 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Ghuttu FRH


Day-2: 15-11-08: Ghuttu to Reeh

Start of casual trek of 10 kms to Reeh TRH

Trek: 10 kms
Trek Duration:  3 hrs
Night Halt: GMVN TRH at Reeh


Day-3: 16-11-08: Reeh to Ghuttu

Start of return trek to Ghuttu for night stay

Trek: 10 kms
Trek Duration:  4 hrs
Night Halt: Ghuttu TRH


Day-4: 17-11-08: Ghuttu to Dehradun

Start of return Journey to Dehradun after tea at 4.30 AM, breakfast
at NTT FRH and lunch on arrival at Dehradun and start of feedback &
debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of bird count exercise
after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time:  6-7 hrs by Jeep
(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)



Group: Eleven

Total Days:  Four days & three count trails
Base Camp:  Govt. Inter College, Village Kharsara
                         (Distt Tehri)
Key Altitudes (M.): Devprayag: 600, Rishikesh: 335,
Construction Year:      FRH Devprayag:


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Deoprayag

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Devprayag by jeep.

Drive Time: 3.5  hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: FRH Devprayag



Day-2: 15-11-08: Deoprayag to Kharsara

Start of casual road-walk along Bhagirithi to Kharsara after tea at
5.30 AM. lunch on arrival. workshop on bird watching in the evening
with local school children and experience sharing.

Trek: mild road walk of 16 kms
Trek Duration: 6 hrs
Night Halt: Govt. Inter College, village Kharsara



Day-3: 16-11-08: Kharsara to Ranichauri

Start of downhill trek of 10-12 kms to Koteshwar Dam site, pick-up
by jeep for onward journey to Camp Hammock, Ranichauri, near New
Tehri for night-halt

Trek: 10-12 kms
Trek Duration:  3 hrs
Drive Time: 2.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Camp Hammock, Ranichauri


Day-4: 17-11-08: Ranichauri to Dehradun

Start of Morning Count after tea. Breakfast at Camp and start of
awareness workshop at 8 AM with local school children upto 10 AM
Start of onward journey for Dehradun for lunch. And start of
feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of bird count
exercise after tea at 6 PM

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)



Group: Twelve

Total Days:  Four days & three count trails
Base Camp:  KAKRAGAAD (Distt Rudraprayag)
Key Altitudes (M.): Agastmuni: 735, Sonprayag: 1829,
			 Rudraprayag: 610, Okhimath: 1319,
                         Chandrapuri: 850.
Construction Year:      FRH Agastmuni: 1970


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Augustmuni

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Augustmuni

Drive Time: 4.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: PG College, Augustmuni (Distt. Rudraprayag)


Day-2: 15-11-08: Augustmuni to Kakragaad

Early morning bird watching with PG College students from 5.30 AM to
7 AM in-and-around Augustmuni before breakfast. Start of bird count
walk to Kakragaad along Mandakini river at 7.30 AM. lunch on arrival
at camp. Evening birding with Mr Yashpal Negi in a nearby area.

Trek: Casual Road-walk of 12-14 kms
Trek Duration:  3.5 hrs
Night Halt: Mandakini Magpie Birdwatchers Camp, Kakragaad.


Day-3: 16-11-08: Kakragaad to Ukhimath

Start of bird count on an 9 kms uphill mild trek to Ukhimath. lunch
on arrival. Visit to the famous winter seat of "Lord Kedarnath Ji"
at Ukhimath, night stay at PWD Inspection bungalow.

Trek: uphill mild trek of 9 kms
Trek Duration:  4.5 hrs
Night Halt: PWD Inspection bungalow, Ukhimath


Day-4: 17-11-08: Ukhimath to Dehradun

Start of return journey to Dehradun after tea at 4.30 AM, breakfast
at Agyustmuni College and lunch on arrival at Dehradun and start of
feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of bird count
exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 6-7 hrs by Jeep

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)




Group: Fourteen

Total Days:  Four days & two count trails
Base Camp:  GOPESHWAR
Key Altitudes (M.): Gopeshwar: 1600, Mandal:???,


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Gopeshwar

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of long drive to Gopeshwar

Drive Time:  8.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Gopeshwar


Day-2: 15-11-08: Gopeshwar to Mandal via Kanchula Kharak

Early start of onward journey to Kanchula Kharak at 4.30 AM after
tea, breakfast on arrival, short visit to Musk Deer Farm and start
of downhill road walk to Mandal for lunch.

Trek: ???  kms
Trek Duration:  4 hrs
Night Halt: Mandal FRH


Day-3: 16-11-08: Mandal to Gopeshwar

Start of bird count after early breakfast at 6.30 AM by walking on
the road to Gopeshwar for lunch.

Trek: 12 kms
Trek Duration:  7 hrs
Night Halt: Gopeshwar


Day-4: 17-11-08: Gopeshwar to Dehradun

Early start of Return Journey to Dehradun at 4 AM, lunch on arrival
at Dehradun and start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time:  8 hrs by Jeep

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)



Group: Fifteen

Total Days:  Four days & four count trails
Base Camp:  RASIABARH  (Jhilmil Tal Conservation Reserve)
Key Altitudes (M.): Haridwar: 294,
Construction Year:      FRH Rasiabarh: 1889


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Rasiabad

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Rasia Bad, evening at leisure

Drive Time:  1.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: FRH Rasia Bad
IMPORTANT CAUTION: Participants are requested to stay with-in the
boundaries of FRH Campus at all times (Wild Elephant Area)


Day-2: 15-11-08: Jhilmil Tal Conservation Reserve

Start of count after breakfast by driving short distance by jeep to
Jhilmil Tal Conservation Reserve

Drive Time:  0.5 hrs by Jeep one way
Night Halt: FRH Rasia Bad
IMPORTANT CAUTION: Participants are requested to stay with-in the
boundaries of FRH Campus at all times (Wild Elephant Area)


Day-3: 16-11-08: Ban Ganga Wetland

Start of drive to Ban Ganga Wetland after breakfast, return by
evening to Rasis Bad FRH

Drive Time:  2 hrs by Jeep one way
Distance: 70 kms one way on Laksar-Purkaji Road
Night Halt: FRH Rasia Bad
IMPORTANT CAUTION: Participants are requested to stay with-in the
boundaries of FRH Campus at all times (Wild Elephant Area)


Day-4: 17-11-08: Rasia Bad to Dehradun

Start of onward journey to Bhim Gauda Barrage after tea at 5 AM for
bird count till 8 AM, start of return journey for Dehradun and start
of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of bird
count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 2.5 hrs by Jeep

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)



Group: Sixteen

Total Days:  Three days & two count trails
Base Camp:  PAURI
Key Altitudes (M.): Pauri: 1814, Shrinagar: 572, Khirsu:???
Construction Year:      FRH Khirsu: 1902


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Pauri

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of onward Journey to Pauri.

Drive Time:  4.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: FRH Pauri or PWD Inspection House


Day-2: 15-11-08: Pauri to Khirsu

Start of Count after bed tea by driving 8 kms distance by jeep to
Buwa Hkal, enroute to Khirsu

Drive Time:  0.5 hrs by Jeep one way
Trek: 11 kms plain road walk through beautiful forest ridge
Trek Duration:  4 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Khirsu


Day-3: 16-11-08: Khirsu to Ranichauri via Shrinagar

Start of bird count after breakfast downhill trek to Shrinagar,
after lunch at Shrinagar and start of onward journey to Camp
Hammock, Ranichauri, near New Tehri for night-halt.

Trek: 8-9 Kms downhill trek
Trek Duration:  3.5 hrs
Drive Time:  3 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Camp Hammock, Ranichauri


Day-4: 17-11-08: Ranichauri to Dehradun

Start of Morning Count after tea. Breakfast at Camp and start of
awareness workshop at 8 AM with local school children upto 10 AM
Start of onward journey for Dehradun for lunch. And start of
feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of bird count
exercise after tea at 6 PM

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)

Greetings all:
Interested in these past two messages regarding both Quetzal and Lesser
Roadrunner.  Any ethno-ornithological information in the literature or pers.
comments on these two species is welcome.  Our historic, pre forced captivity
(1875) Numunuh (Comanche) feather trade was well established south of the Rio
Grand.  Recent study has revealed a Quetzal trim feather on an historic Numunuh
(Comanche) lance.  Tail feathers of both Greater and Lesser Roadrunners have
specific importance to rituals still extant within the tribe.  Best to all.
William TwoRaven Voelker
Director
Sia:  The Comanche Nation
         Ethno-Ornithological Initiative
siainc@...

---- Mark Bonta <markabonta@...> wrote:
> Relevant to Mesoamerican ethnoornithology, I have recently discovered that the
famous ancestor of maize, Zea mays parviglumis, is closely related in local
traditions to the Lesser Roadrunner and various other avifauna. If anyone is
interested in this, please let me know so I can send you the cits.
>
>  Dr. Mark Bonta
> Associate Professor of Geography
> Division of Social Sciences
> Kethley 226, PO Box 3264
> Delta State University
> Cleveland, MS 38733
> Tel. 662.846.4096 [w]; 843.6205 [h]; Fax: 662.846.4099
> Alternate email: mbonta@...
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: bob gosford <bgosford@...>
> To: Ethnoornithology@...
> Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2008 3:15:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [Ethnoornithology]Mayan Ethnoornithology - contact for Rob
Cahill?
>
>
> Rob (and anyone else who might be able to answer this query),
>
> While you were in Guatemala did you happen to come across a researcher
> by the name of Rob Cahill?
>
> I am in Buenos Aires at the BirdLife International World Meeting (a
> report to come soon!) and was talking to Mark Cocker (of Birders,
> Birds Brittanica & Birds & People fame) and he recommended that I
> contact an American ornithologist who was, or had recently been,
> working on the Quetzal in Guatemala and was a good contact for Mayan
> knowledge on that bird...
>
> I have yet to look at your posting but will in the next few days,
>
> Cheers and thanks in advance to anyone who may have a contact for Rob Cahill,
>
> Bob Gosford
> ERSG moderator
>
> On 26/09/2008, FERGUS, Rob <rfergus@audubon. org> wrote:
> > Some notes from my recent research trip to Guatemala and Belize:
> >
> > http://birdchaser. blogspot. com/2008/ 09/2008-maya- bird-research-
trip.html
> >
> > Rob Fergus
> > National Audubon Society
> > Warminster, PA
> >
>
> --
> Robert Gosford
> ERSG Moderator
> http://uk.groups. yahoo.com/ group/Ethnoornit hology/
> Yuendumu, NT
> Australia
>
>
>
>

Greetings all:
Interested in these past two messages regarding both Quetzal and Lesser
Roadrunner.  Any ethno-ornithological information in the literature or pers.
comments on these two species is welcome.  Our historic, pre forced captivity
(1875) Numunuh (Comanche) feather trade was well established south of the Rio
Grand.  Recent study has revealed a Quetzal trim feather on an historic Numunuh
(Comanche) lance.  Tail feathers of both Greater and Lesser Roadrunners have
specific importance to rituals still extant within the tribe.  Best to all.
William TwoRaven Voelker
Director
Sia:  The Comanche Nation
         Ethno-Ornithological Initiative
siainc@...

---- Mark Bonta <markabonta@...> wrote:
> Relevant to Mesoamerican ethnoornithology, I have recently discovered that the
famous ancestor of maize, Zea mays parviglumis, is closely related in local
traditions to the Lesser Roadrunner and various other avifauna. If anyone is
interested in this, please let me know so I can send you the cits.
>
>  Dr. Mark Bonta
> Associate Professor of Geography
> Division of Social Sciences
> Kethley 226, PO Box 3264
> Delta State University
> Cleveland, MS 38733
> Tel. 662.846.4096 [w]; 843.6205 [h]; Fax: 662.846.4099
> Alternate email: mbonta@...
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: bob gosford <bgosford@...>
> To: Ethnoornithology@...
> Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2008 3:15:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [Ethnoornithology]Mayan Ethnoornithology - contact for Rob
Cahill?
>
>
> Rob (and anyone else who might be able to answer this query),
>
> While you were in Guatemala did you happen to come across a researcher
> by the name of Rob Cahill?
>
> I am in Buenos Aires at the BirdLife International World Meeting (a
> report to come soon!) and was talking to Mark Cocker (of Birders,
> Birds Brittanica & Birds & People fame) and he recommended that I
> contact an American ornithologist who was, or had recently been,
> working on the Quetzal in Guatemala and was a good contact for Mayan
> knowledge on that bird...
>
> I have yet to look at your posting but will in the next few days,
>
> Cheers and thanks in advance to anyone who may have a contact for Rob Cahill,
>
> Bob Gosford
> ERSG moderator
>
> On 26/09/2008, FERGUS, Rob <rfergus@audubon. org> wrote:
> > Some notes from my recent research trip to Guatemala and Belize:
> >
> > http://birdchaser. blogspot. com/2008/ 09/2008-maya- bird-research-
trip.html
> >
> > Rob Fergus
> > National Audubon Society
> > Warminster, PA
> >
>
> --
> Robert Gosford
> ERSG Moderator
> http://uk.groups. yahoo.com/ group/Ethnoornit hology/
> Yuendumu, NT
> Australia
>
>
>
>

Rob (and anyone else who might be able to answer this query),

While you were in Guatemala did you happen to come across a researcher
by the name of Rob Cahill?

I am in Buenos Aires at the BirdLife International World Meeting (a
report to come soon!) and was talking to Mark Cocker (of Birders,
Birds Brittanica & Birds & People fame) and he recommended that I
contact an American ornithologist who was, or had recently been,
working on the Quetzal in Guatemala and was a good contact for Mayan
knowledge on that bird...

I have yet to look at your posting but will in the next few days,

Cheers and thanks in advance to anyone who may have a contact for Rob Cahill,

Bob Gosford
ERSG moderator

On 26/09/2008, FERGUS, Rob <rfergus@...> wrote:
> Some notes from my recent research trip to Guatemala and Belize:
>
> http://birdchaser.blogspot.com/2008/09/2008-maya-bird-research-trip.html
>
> Rob Fergus
> National Audubon Society
> Warminster, PA
>


--
Robert Gosford
ERSG Moderator
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ethnoornithology/
Yuendumu, NT
Australia

Some notes from my recent research trip to Guatemala and Belize:

http://birdchaser.blogspot.com/2008/09/2008-maya-bird-research-trip.html

Rob Fergus
National Audubon Society
Warminster, PA

Hallo everyone, Interesting newsclip from AOL:

New Delhi - Scores of Buddhist villagers in India's north-eastern state of Assam have performed a unique funeral ritual for more than 800 endangered storks that died after a tree where they were nesting fell.

The Asian openbill stork is a broad-winged soaring bird and is found mainly in India and Sri Lanka and in some south-east Asian countries.

The villagers, most of them farmers, considered the banyan tree sacred and believed that the storks were their guardian angels.

The Asian openbill storks died when the 200-year-old banyan tree that served as their colony crashed last week into a pond inside a Buddhist monastery some 300km east of state capital Guwahati, the IANS news agency reported.

"Five monks led the special funeral prayers at the monastery on Sunday as the incident of the banyan tree crashing and the subsequent deaths of so many storks is considered a bad omen," Dibyadhar Shyam, a villager, told the IANS.

The banyan tree was home to about 1 500 storks of the species listed as endangered under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, the report said.

The global population of these storks is estimated at 130 000. - Sapa-AP

Lynette van den Heever

Pretoria

South Africa

Yahoo! Canada Toolbar : Search from anywhere on the web and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now!

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the Ethnoornithology
group.

   File        : /jacobs_-_bates_&_moreau.pdf
   Uploaded by : robert_gosford <bgosford@...>
   Description : The Intimate Politics of Ornithology in Colonial Africa

You can access this file at the URL:
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ethnoornithology/files/jacobs_-_bates_%26_morea\
u.pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
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Regards,

robert_gosford <bgosford@...>

Dear all,

Further to my earlier posting on a reference to Irish bird-lore found
during my searches through the University of Arkansas library while
there for the SoE conference earlier this year, I found a rich vein of
ethnoornithological material in the pages of 'Folkore', the journal of
The Folklore Society.

I found a lot of material that will inform my future studies and
thought I would pass on to someone more interested in that part of the
world the following reference from the Vol 85 of Folklore - (1974)
Dupree, Nancy Hatch "An Interpretation of the Role of the Hoopoe in
Afghan Folklore and Magic", Folklore 85: 173-193.

At a glance it appears to be a well researched article that briefly
examines the broader mythological significance of the Hoopoe and then
examines the various sources in Afghani culture, noting the 'extremely
complex ethnographic picture', the diversity of languages spoken in
the country and the different names for the bird, including the most
intriguing, Suleimanai murg - the Bird of [King] Solomon.

A fascinating read, particularly the connection between King Solomon
and the bird and the bird's reputation for wisdom, as a messenger and
as an 'eloquent go-between' in marriage matters.

I'd be interested in more stories of bird-lore from Afghanistan and
the region...and I also note that the Hoopoe has recently, by popular
vote, been declared as Israel's national bird: see
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3549637,00.html and you can
buy the T-shirt!! at:
http://www.judaicawebstore.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=FR-HOOPOE.

Cheers and best,

Robert Gosford
ERSG moderator

Dear all,

Just a quick note to pass on a reference of interest that I found
while trawling through the stacks in the University of Arkansas
library while I was there for the Society of Ethnobiology meeting in
April...

At pp. 670 to 675 of the Acta XI Congressus Internationalis
Ornithologici (11th IOC) held at Basel, Switzerland in 1954 there is a
well-referenced discussion of the particular suitability of Ireland
for the study of local bird-lore.

If you are interested in a copy of this paper send me a note - I'll
ask for a stamped, self-addressed envelope to send it to you...or your
local library may have copies...or, if I can arrange it I'll make a
PDF copy and post it on the ERSG site FYI...

Cheers and I would be interested to hear of any more recent work done
in this area.

Robert Gosford
ERSG moderator

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25679150/?pg=8#WildlifeTrade_2008

Birds
The parrot family has more globally threatened species than any other bird family, and the capture for pets is a primary cause of decline. The trade in wild birds is banned in the United States and, since 2007, in Europe, but the trade is legal in other areas.

Of particular concern is trade in African Grey parrots in West and Central Africa. "The species may be threatened with extinction in its natural environment unless the trade is subject to strict enforcement," says Emmanuel de Merode, head of WildlifeDirect.

In 2008, some 1,200 live or dying African Greys stuffed into cages were seized from traffickers in Cameroon. The parrots were being illegally flown to Bahrain and Mexico for the exotic pet trade.

Asia also is a hub for the sale of birds as pets, both to locals and foreigners. "One bird market in Java (Indonesia) is estimated to sell between 1 and 1.5 million wild birds per year for the pet trade," says Liz Bennett, head of the wildlife trade program at the Wildlife Conservation Society.

At the Tangkoko Duasudara Nature Reserve in Sulawesi, Indonesia, the number of anoa and maleo birds declined by 90 percent between 1978 and 1993, she adds.

BirdLife International notes that bird species threatened due to the illegal trade include the:
*Yellow-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea of East Timor and Indonesia;
*Red Siskin Carduelis cucullata in northern South America;
*Java Sparrow Padda oryzivora of Indonesia.

The Spix's Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii of Brazil is already extinct in the wild due to the illegal trade and habitat loss.

 

 Angus Starling-British missionary (Brian McArdie) :  

l've lived in Africa for a year,
and l don't know what you know.

How long have you
been here?
Col. John Patterson (Val Kilmer) : 

Just about 24 hours.

But l've been longing
for this all my life.

 in

The Ghost and the Darkness.

Indian Parakeets

Hello Birding Friends,


The Himalayan Bird Count, Winter of 2008 is finally planned on the
most popular trekking trails situated in the valleys of Yamuna;
Bhagirithi; Bhilingna; Ganga; Mandakini and Alaknanda  rivers in
Garhwal.

- The Bird Count Dates are: 14th to 17th of November, 2008

- The bird count will start and finish at Dehradun

- This event will be organized in partnership with the Uttarakhand
   Forest Department.

- There will be a Orientation and Debriefing Workshop at Dehradun on
   the 14th & 17th respectively.

- The 14th & 17th are also the dates for to-&-fro journey to count
   the destinations.

- Most of the groups will be undertaking two treks during the Count
   But one or two groups will be undertaking 3-4 treks in the Count.

- It is an encounter-rate baseline data generation and conservation
   awareness activity.

- Each group will accommodate some local youths and young school
   children from the area and will provide orientation & motivation
   to take-up bird watching as an revenue generation skill.

- Each group is encouraged to conduct a small half-hour workshop
   with the local village elders to generate list of vernacular names
   of the bird species found in different river valleys. They are
   also expected to document any references occurring in oral folk.

- This is not an commercial activity, so we expect the participants
   to share the cost of lodging, Boarding & travel expenses at
   actuals.

- During the count modest lodging & boarding will be arranged at the
   Forest Rest Houses of the area.

Friends now you know the dates, so plan your schedules accordingly
and kindly let un know of your intention (with your trekking &
birding experience of Himalayan bird species) to participate in this
wonderful birding opportunity at the earliest possible. Kindly take
an early initiative to avoid any disappointments later.

Each Group size is restricted to 5 birders only, so please hurry...


Please contact here for more details

Regards

Prateek Panwar
Founder Trustee ARCH
Action & Research for Conservation in Himalayas
MDDA Duplex Villa # 3, Sahastradhara Road,
Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 INDIA

Tel# 9412054216
         (0135)2114649
Email: arch.birdcount@...
            arch.birdcount@...

Dear all,

Following is a (longish) message from Chege wa Kariuki a bird guide
(and all round nice guy!) from Kenya.

If members have any details of other bird training (for watchers,
guides etc) please feel free to post to the site.

Cheers to you all,

Robert Gosford
ERSG moderator

Dear Collins et al
there is also the Fundamentals of Ornithology Course run by the Nature
Kenya,
Department of Ornithology, Tropical Biology Association and Arocha Kenya.

More Info below
Cheers
chege

Fundamentals of Ornithology
A course for bird guides and birders
Elsamere Field Study Centre, Lake Naivasha
17 — 25 April 2008

Ornithology Section, National Museums of Kenya, Nature Kenya (the EANHS),
Tropical Biology Association and A Rocha Kenya

Course Fees: KSh 28,000 per person for Kenyans ONLY
US$450 per person for None-Kenyans
The course
‘Fundamentals of Ornithology’, or FoO course is designed for birders
(both
professional and amateur) who want to improve their understanding of
birds and
their skills in the field.

Birding and bird tourism are growing apace in Kenya. Many companies
now have
specialist units devoted to bird watching safaris, and numerous hotels and
lodges have employed resident naturalists. Many people are also
discovering
bird watching as an educational and enjoyable pursuit. The IBAs
programme, has
also led to steadily increase in the number of local groups with an
interest on
birds and their conservation in the last few years.

Many bird guides and birders are very good at identifying the birds
they are
used to seeing. However, to be an effective guide, and to make the most of
one’s birding, a deeper understanding is required. ‘Fundamentals of
Ornithology’ aims to give individuals a grasp of the principles behind
bird
identification and a sound knowledge of bird biology, thus giving them the
capacity for learning more independently.

Four key conservation institutions: the Ornithology Section of the
National
Museums of Kenya, Nature Kenya (the East Africa Natural History
Society), the
Tropical Biology Association and A Rocha Kenya, are working together
to deliver
the 2008 FoO course to be held at Elsamere Field Study Centre, Naivasha.

Course content
‘Fundamentals of Ornithology’ is an intensive, fully residential
course to be
based at the Elsamere Field Studies Centre on the shores of Lake Naivasha.
Elsamere provides a comfortable environment and an ideal setting for an
ornithological course. Wetland, grassland, savannah and forest
habitats are
within easy reach for practical field sessions. Lake Naivasha
ecosystem is also
renowned for a wide variety of local and migrant bird species.

Teaching will be in English through illustrated lectures (including
discussion
sessions and short practical exercises), group seminars,
demonstrations and
field practicals. We try to create an informal environment where
participants
can share their existing knowledge and learn from each other as well
as from
the course instructors.

Participants can expect to gain the following knowledge and skills:
(1) Reliable
identification techniques that can be applied anywhere; (2) A solid
general
knowledge of bird evolution, classification, behaviour and ecology;
(3) A good
overview of the distribution and conservation requirements of birds in
Kenya
and East Africa; (4) A better understanding of the interests and needs
of bird
watching visitors; (5) The ability to give visitors interesting,
detailed and
well-rounded background information on birds seen anywhere in the
country; (6)
An enhanced sense of professionalism and confidence.

Topics to be covered include: birding field craft and ethics •
evolution and
classification • scientific names • habitat and distribution •
identification:
parts of a bird; finding the right family; making descriptions and
taking field
notes; calls; submitting records; using bird guides; wetland, forest and
grassland birds • migration and movements • flight, feathers and
physiology •
feeding strategies • breeding behaviour • bird ringing • habitats
and
conservation. The full training programme is available on request.
Course assessment
Participants’ progress will be monitored by continuous informal
assessment.
Those who perform to the instructors’ satisfaction will receive a
Certificate
in Ornithology. There will also be exciting awards for exemplary
performance
on, and commitment to tasks given during the course.

Instructors
Instructors include leading scientists and conservation managers from
the four
institutions involved in organising the course. In the past, visiting
speakers
including Simon Thomsett (Co-ordinator of the Peregrine Fund’s Raptor
Conservation Program in Kenya) and Don Turner (Co-Author of the book
and field
guide “Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania”, popularly referred to as
Zimmerman), as well as other internationally renowned persons have
talk on the
course. The organisers will at all times endeavour to upgrade the
quality of
course and engage suitably qualified persons as teachers.

Course fees
The course fee is KSh 28,000 or US$450 per person, payable to
‘Nature Kenya’ for
Kenyan nationals/residents and foreigners, respectively. This
subsidised fees
includes full-board accommodation for eight nights at Elsamere Field Study
Centre, transport from and to Naivasha town (at the start and end of the
course, respectively) and during field outings, and all other course
materials,
fees, equipment, and teaching expenses. The fees DO NOT cover medical
expenses
(participants should have some money on them, at least to cover basic
medical
costs during the course, if any).

How to apply
This course targets present or potential bird guides and at keen amateur
birders. Applicants must have some experience of bird watching, and at
least
KCSE level of education (a short CV is required with application) and
fluent in
English. There is a strict limit of 25 places on the course offered on
first-come-first-served basis. To secure a place, applicants must fill an
application form and return together with a non-refundable deposit of
half the
course fees (KSh 14,000 or US$225). Application forms are available at
Nature
Kenya - applicants can fill when paying - or electronically from the email
below. Any course fees balance must be paid in full by 1 April 2008 or the
place will be re-allocated.

Background Information about the course site, meeting point/time and
what to
bring/expect

The venue — Elsamere, Naivasha
FoO takes place at Elsamere, on the South Lake Road, Naivasha (beyond
Fisherman’s Camp and just past the KenGen estate). This is a residential
lakeside facility for conservationists and researchers on the shores
of Lake
Naivasha. Elsamere is run by the Elsa Trust, which was set up by the
famous
author and artist, the late Joy Adamson. Joy’s former house forms the
main part
of the Elsamere Conservation Centre (ECC). A short distance up the
hill is the
Elsamere Field Study Centre (EFSC), which mainly deals with environmental
education. We shall be staying at the the Field Studies Centre.

Meeting up with the course group: course rendezvous
The rendezvous or meeting place for all participants is La Belle Inn,
Naivasha,
at 11:00am on first day of the course. La Belle is on the main street
through
Naivasha and is a well-known local landmark. Look out for an Elsamere
bus or
the NMK or TBA Landrover. If for some reason you are delayed, call us at
Elsamere and we will give instructions on how to join us - we strongly
encourage puntuality as the course starts soon after we arrive at EFSC
(about
noon of the same day). If coming from far, please travel the previous
night.

We will only provide transport from La Belle Inn, Naivasha (and also
drop off
participants in Naivasha town at the end of the course).

Accommodation
The EFSC has comfortable rooms, often in bunker beds. We are a large
group, so
expect to share showers and toilets. Hot water is usually available in the
evenings. All rooms have electrical sockets.

Things to bring
Naivasha is at 1,900m and it can get cold. Bring warm clothing
(sweater/jacket)
for evenings, especially; raincoat (it is likely to be wet at Elsamere and
during the excursion to Kieni Forest); gumboots or hiking boots with good
trend; light walking shoes; and personal effects.

If you have them, don’t forget telescope, binoculars, fieldguides, and a
notebook and pen. We also recommend that you bring a small flashlight
and an
extra towel.

Drinks…
Elsamere is a conservation centre, not a hotel. There are no bar services
available.

Health and safety...very important!
The course will NOT cover medical expenses incured by participants.
However,
there will be a small medical kit for minor health problems.
Participants are
encouraged to bring their own kit with malaria prophylaxies (if
needed), insect
repellent, basic painkillers and any other medication currently in use
(please
inform us of any condition (healthwise) that might affect your full
and free
participation in advance).

Lake Naivasha is full of hippopotamus. These emerge at night to graze
on the
shore, often right around the Elsamere buildings themselves. Hippos
are VERY
DANGEROUS. DO NOT approach them and DO NOT walk between the two centres at
night without an askari who normally keep an eye on the hippos.

The tap water at Elsamere is not safe to drink. Boiled water is
available in the
rooms/dinning area.

Communications
Telephones and a fax are available at Elsamere. Participants will be
charged per
use. Numbers are:
Tel. (050) 20 21247 (EFSC office. If unanswered, leave a message on
the answer
phone)
(050) 20 21055 (Conservation Centre office — daytime ONLY)
Fax (050) 20 21248/21074;
Email: elsafsc@...; website www.elsa.trust.com

Some background: Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate
Lake Naivasha is situated in central Kenya, and is part of a chain of
lakes
dotted along the eastern Rift Valley. At 1,890 m, it is the highest of
all the
Rift Valley lakes, and unusual in remaining fresh — there is a permanent
freshwater inflow from the Nyandarua (Aberdare) mountains to the
north-east,
and presumably some underground outflow or seepage to the south. The
outflow
remains undiscovered.

Naivasha consists of three distinct lakes. The big, shallow main lake
(c. 150
km2); a deeper crater lagoon on the eastern edge; and Oloidien, a
small (5.5
km2) alkaline lake that is connected to the main lake when water
levels are
high. The area has had a chequered history. At the end of the last glacial
period, 10,000 to 12,000 years BP, the area was far wetter and the
lake much
larger than at present. It also occupied the basin of what is now Lake
Nakuru
to the north, and overflowed through the Njorowa Gorge (‘Hell’s
Gate’)
to the
south. For the last 5,000 years, the lake has been much smaller and has
periodically dried up completely. Considerable fluctuations in water level
continue to the present day.

The lake’s ecology has been influenced recently by several introduced
species.
Until 1925 there was only one species of fish recorded in the lake —
an endemic
small tooth-carp that fed on zooplankton. Since then, several fish
species have
been introduced: some have flourished, others have disappeared.
Introductions
have not been restricted to fish. The Louisiana red swamp crayfish was
introduced in 1970, while coypu (a large rodent) escaped from fur
farms on the
plateau above the lake and arrived in Naivasha from 1965 onwards.
Between them,
the coypu and crayfish wreaked havoc on the native vegetation
(particularly
water lilies and submerged aquatic plants). The coypu eventually went
extinct
around 1984, an event questionably hastened by the further introduction of
pythons as a control measure!

Meanwhile the lake was invaded by floating weed Salvinia molesta which
spread
over a substantial part of its surface. In the early 1990’s a
salvinia-eating
weevil was introduced as a control measure, and appears to have sent
the weed
into a rapid decline. However, an even more noxious invader has
appeared: the
water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes, which was first recorded in 1988
and has
spread steadily, though relatively slowly by its standards, ever since.

The vegetation of Naivasha is directly affected by the lake levels. At the
moment much of the shore is fringed with dense stands of feathery
papyrus, with
floating mats of water hyacinth on the open water.

The lake is of great economic importance to Kenya. Irrigated
floriculture and
horticulture have expanded to cover sizeable tracts of land around it.
These
industries employ large numbers of people and provide important export
earnings
for the country. The lake also supports a substantial fishery and a
growing
tourist industry. In addition its water cools the turbines of the
geothermal
power at nearby Ol Karia. However, the lake is under threat from several
directions: the effects of introduced species; water chemistry changes
due to
increased water off-take and inputs of agricultural chemicals, unregulated
fishing, and the clearance of swamp and fringing vegetation. All the land
around the lake is privately owned, and these riparian owners have
taken the
lead in planning conservation efforts. They were instrumental in having
Naivasha listed in March 1995 as a wetland of international importance
under
the Ramsar Convention. Lake Naivasha is an Important Bird Area because
of the
large congregations of waterbirds it supports.

Situated about 6 km from Elsamere, the small Hell’s Gate National Park is
bordered by intensive farming on one side and the grazing lands of Maasai
pastoralists on the other. The gorge within the park (Naivasha’s former
outflow) is spectacular, with columnar cliffs towering 120 m high, and two
impressive volcanic plugs that stand as towers. The vegetation is a mix of
grassland, woodland and scrub, the last dominated by the unpalatable
leleshwa
bush, Tarconanthus camphoratus. The park also encloses the site of
Africa’s
first geothermal power station, a zone of hissing steam vents and
fissures.
Some of the common large mammals include Silver-backed Jackal, Kongoni or
Coke’s Hartebeest, Plains Zebra, Klipspringer, Eland, Cape Buffalo and
Warthog.
The cliffs provide important breeding sites for birds of prey, notably
a colony
of Rόppell’s Griffon Vultures.

Further information
For further information, and to apply for a place, please contact:

The Course Coordinator
Fundamentals of Ornithology, P O Box 44486, 00100 GPO Nairobi
tel. (020) 3749957, 3746090, fax 3741049, e-mail: Fornithology@...

With Kind Regards

chege wa kariuki
ornithological safari guide

Dear all,

Please find following a cross-posted request from Ashish Kothari
seeking information on field guides in Hindi.

Which brings up the question - is there a list of field guides (for
birds & other taxa)in LOTE - Languages Other Than English?

Cheers,

Robert Gosford
ERSG Moderator

Hi friends, I'd appreciate if I could get full references to any field
guides on Indian fauna published in Hindi....pl. send the information
directly to me and not mark to the full listserve....thanks!
Ashish


Ashish Kothari
Member, Kalpavriksh
Co-Chair, IUCN Theme on Indigenous/Local Communities, Equity, and
Protected Areas
Apt. 5 Shree Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana
Pune 411004
Tel: 91-20-25675450
Tel/Fax: 91-20-25654239
Email: ashishkothari@...
Website:  www.kalpavriksh.org

Re: 40-Language Dictionary of Bird Names

Dear OB Colleagues:

I am proud to announce that the non-passerine sections of my
forty-language Multilingual Dictionary of Birds is ready for
peer-review. We are having each list examined by ornithologists who
are native speakers of the language in question.

The dictionary is being published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom.

The dictionary follows the taxonomic order given by The Howard and
Moore Complete Checklist of Birds of the World, Edward C. Dickinson,
Editor (who has been very supportive of this effort), with two
exceptions. For the convenience of the non-professional birder the
concept of "orders" is retained and, within each genus, the sequence
is alphabetic rather than taxonomic. All of the entries in Howard and
Moore are covered, plus a few additional species, such as some
recently extinct birds and a few doubtful subspecies.

It covers so far Latin, English, German, Dutch, Afrikaans, Danish,
Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic, French, Italian, Romanian, Portuguese,
Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Welsh, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Polish,
Russian, Ukranian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Greek, Turkish, Hungarian,
Finnish, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Japanese, Chinese, Mongolian,
Indonesian, Maori, Hawaiian, Swahili, and Zulu.

If you would like to peer-review the list for your native language,
please advise. Although any format will be welcome, corrections made
in Microsoft Word with the "Track Changes" option are preferred.

If you know of native speakers of other languages that would like to
supply lists for their langauges, please also advise.

Be sure to include your own name, title, and institutional affiliation
and those of any assisting colleagues for correct acknowledgment in
the final book.

Thank you for your attention and assistance.

Sincerely,

John T. Burridge, "Terry"

birder@...

burridge@...

Dear all,

Foprwarding this message from Jevgeni - I note the reference to 'Birds
and People' on the website references for the Institute of
Ornithology's - Dr.Eugene Karev - I'd appreciate any comments by
anyone who can read Russian and perhaps provide a summary in English?

Cheers,

Robert Gosford
ERSG Moderator

Dear all,

There is web-site in Russian about Institute of Ornithology by
Dr.Eugene Karev (Ufa, Bashkiria, Russia) devoted to ornithotherapy:
http://www.institute-karev.narod.ru/rus/ornitoterapiya.html

At the link http://www.institute-karev.narod.ru/rus/sound-album.html
you can find the discs with bird voices made by him and his institute.

Translation of the sections of this site as the fhe first general idea
what is on this web-site is given below
Ornithotherapy

Bird gardens

Sound albums

Excursions

About E.V.Karev

Publications

Cooperation

Contacts

Achievements

People and birds

Goods and services

Forum (in Russian and English)

To the mian page

With best regards

Jevgeni Shergalin

Dear members,

Just a quick note to pass on this (somewhat dated) message from John
in Tanzania.

Cheers,

Robert Gosford
ERSG moderator
Yuendumu,
Australia

Dear all guys,

I am interested for information in regards of Bird
Trade business in Ethiopia if at exists!.Secondly what
species are tradable and to which country?.Which parts
of Ethiopia is this exrcise is common?. Are Ethiopian
domestic laws accept such business or not?.All efforts
will be appreciated.

Sincerely,

John Wambura
Department of Wildlife
Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation
Sokoine University of Agriculture
P.O. Box 3073
Chuo Kikuu
Morogoro
Tanzania
Mobil:0745-457615; Fax: +255 23 2604648; Tel. +255 23 2601376 (office)
Alternative E-mail: mugaboh@...

Dear all,

Forwarded from ME Birdnet a request for information and discussion on
raptos and cultural traditions - I'm sure there are lots of ERSG
members with comments...please reply via the ERSG site and/or direct
to Suzanne at: bonmarchand@....

Cheers,

Robert Gosford
ERSG moderator

With some Belgian friends, we try and gather some information on the
relations between falcons and religions or traditions. Is there some
mention of falcon in the Coran and in the pre-muslim civilizations ? I
just found one Sourate saying that you are allowed to eat what falcon
catch for you.
Also, in the Bible, Job 28:7, I read that the word used in Hebrew
is "ayyad". Is this a bird's name in modern hebrew ?

Suzanne Bonmarchand, Brussels

Hello all members,
     I have launched a new Birding blog which contains Interesting
and exciting Birding Observations from all around the world and
postings of bird behaviour and ecology that are sure to please and
surprise one and all. Sincere efforts are being made to comprehend
Bird behaviours by observing their day-to-day activities.

Please visit my blog and let me know what you think about it. I
would be happy to receive Both positive comments and criticism from
all of you.

Title : Birds, Birding and Bird Ecology Study
Link  : http://indianbirder.blogspot.com


If you have any observation that you would like to share with
Birders from around the world,.then please email them to me at my
id : birding_passion@... along with photos.

Regards to all,
Harshit