Bird-watching in Sattal, Kumaon Hills

A recent visit to Sattal, in the Kumaon Hills, located about 20 kilomteres from Nainital, for bird-watching was most enjoyable. While there are a number of lodges in the town (more a large village), the accommodation at the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam was very central and not crowded at all. More to the point was the ease of access to some of the birding areas in and around Sattal. One of the notable features was the trusting nature of the birds in the neighbourhood. One Grey-winged Blackbird practically came upto my feet and was photographed with a 25 mm lens from about 4 feet away.

The White-throated Laughing Thrush was equally trusting (though laughing thrushes are generally quite suspicious of men) and came and sat on a branch of a tree near my head.

It is possible that a person sitting still does not usually disturb the birds and animals. Here a barking deer, normally a shy animal, stood at a distance of about 20 feet, without feeling nervous. This experience was quite enjoyable.