Birding at Sultanpur Flats – The Kingdom Of Black Partridge

Most people associate birds with forests. At the least, they expect a green area earmarked as a sanctuary, or a water body surrounded by greenery, like Haryana’s Sultanpur National Park. Yet, there is better birding to be had in the fallow and cultivated fields and scrubland behind the park that birders call Sultanpur Flats. And in a place not too far away from Sultanpur, Basai, near what is touted as the region’s next hot real estate zone, developments adjoining the Dwarka Expressway. 

There is even better birding to be had along a drainage canal in Najafgarh. The Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Basai, Sultanpur, Bhindawas, Dighal—all are probably hotspots in the Central Asian Flyway, a migratory path from Europe and Central Asia to the Indian peninsula that birds have been using for hundreds, maybe thousands of years. A few of the hotspots have become national parks. Many are privately owned agricultural land or commons. 

After a heavy shower last night in a pleasant cloudy morning myself, Mahesh and Pawan started from Akshardham Temple to meet and pickup a very enthusiastic birder from London Ms. Emma Juxon from Holiday Inn, Aero city, Delhi for Dawn To Dusk Birding.  As we reach at hotel informed her regarding our arrival, after few moments she came down and meet us at hotel lobby. We welcome her with warm Indian style greetings that is “Namaste” and welcome to INDIA. Than we started our journey towards Sultanpur Flat  Area – Paradise of Birds. As soon as we started we informed Mr. Sanjay who is our senior naturalist based at Jhanjraula Village adjoined to Sultanpur National Park area about our  estimated time of arrival. Which is 55 minuets from Holiday Inn. On the way we shared the birding experience with Ms. Emma  who has already 6000+ birds in her book came first time in India and every birds will be lifer for her on that particular day of birding. So we started to show her every birds on the way like House crow, bank myna, black kite, house sparrow and other commoners.

After 55 minuets journey we reached the exit point of village where Mr. Sanjay is already waiting for us, after a small introduction session with Ms. Emma we proceed to near by village to see the  weaving process of nesting of Baya Weavers . After spending round about 15 minuets to see the process which was really delightful we proceed to flats area for the show stopper bird from last few weeks in NCR that is “RAIN QUAIL”, on route Ms. Emma enjoyed the view of Indian Village Culture like Mud houses, Cows, Buffalo’s etc. On route we are lucky to see the state bird of Haryana Black Patridge aka Black Francolin (Local Name Kala Titar) with macho sings a automated Ram Tere Kudrat from a mound. In that same area we found Grey Patridge, Indian bush Larks, Kotwal- The Black Drongo and a pair of Wire Tailed Swallow justified their name  sitting on a Electrical Wire. 

As soon as we enter the flat area  adventure started when  our car stucked in muddy field. After tried hardly by all of us when we failed to come out from problem we came to see the kindness & dedication of care ness towards their guest by local people, at first Mr. Sanjay called up some local people to join the rescue operation. Some of Delhi birders who are already in that area for birding also came to help us to overcome from situation, but due to wet soil we are unable to do the same so finally Mr. Sanjay went to request the village farmer who is already doing the farming work with tractor to help us and as usual he showed his kindness and came for rescue the car, in between that Ms. Emma, Mahesh & me we all are searching for  Rain Quails by walking. There was call of quails coming from every where and due to our foot step noise 02 of then flew away and we had a chance to see beauty of the bird and flying pattern. Here we found another small beauty Zitting Cisticola purged on a tall grass.  As soon as car got rescue we started our birding and saw a big flock of  greater flamingo, black breasted weaver, common babblers, bengal bushlark and many more. Within 15 minuets time we are lucky to find the  show stopper bird – RAIN QUAIL coming out from bush. After giving 5 to 7 minuets display he again entered to the other bush. Than we proceed for the other side of flats, on the way we had our home made breakfast and fresh fruits which we carried with us from Delhi. We enjoyed hot tea in a clean and hygienic road side Dhaba. 

After breakfast we proceed for other part of flats, on the way we saw a flock of Wire tailed swallow justified their name as siting on electrical wire, a solo black winged kite looking for his prey and a Knob billed duck continuously forging surrounded by waders. The most beautiful things to watch that all birds are in breeding plumage. On our way back to explore the back side village area of Sultanpur National Park we saw a house of Spotted Owlet  (04 Numbers) and a family of Indian Thick Knee. 

While going towards the famous Stoliczka’s Bushchat point I personally disappoint to see that the pond on right side which is very famous for Ducks, Painted Snipe and more was empty. Continue to explore the flat we saw Grey Backed Shrike, Scaly breasted munia and many more. Before lunch we explored the part of Najafgarh  Jheel & Chandu (Near water filter plant area). At Najafgarh we saw round about 100o+ Oriental Pratincoles on flight and a beautiful nest of Indian golden oriole with chicks, it was really a pleasant sighting.  

For Lunch we reached at Rosy Pelican Restaurant which is adjoint to Sultanpur National Park. They served hot & excellent Indian food. Ms. Emma really enjoyed the Charcoal oven grilled chicken (Tandoori Chicken) with Butter Naan. After having the nice meal we proceed for second half birding at Aravali Bio Diversity Park, Gurgaon.