We started from Dhaka on a Thursday Evening, headed for Rahanpur of Chapainawabganj. We arrived at spot at about 8:00AM, Had Breakfast and started birdwatching at Mulir Beel. This Located located just beside Bangladesh India Border so we had to operate with a little caution, we spotted large flocks of ducks there. Among it were Gadwalls, Garganeys, Green-winged Teals mostly, few Eurasian Wigeons, Northern Pintails, Ruddy Shelducks, Northern Shovellers and loads of Great Cormorants. the Birds were at a distance, we had fun watching them. We found few waders also and a nice Rosy Pipit which were few member’s lifer.
We headed towards Choruil Beel next, another famous wetland rich with avifauna. We got on three wooden boats and started looking around for the wader flocks. We found a large gathering of mixed waders consisting of Ruffs, Black-tailed Godwits, Common Greenshanks, Black-winged Stilts, Temminck’s Stints which gave very nice photo opportunities. We also had fun photographing Oriental Darters and Great Cormorants roosting on sticks and poles over water. We moved on and found few more birds. Notably the River Lapwing, several Grey-headed and Red-wattled Lapwings but we did not see the White-tailed Lapwing in that flock. That bird generally comes here in february or march. We also spotted a Long-legged Buzzard, a greater spotted eagle and few Lesser Adjutants. Grey Herons and Purple Herons were present too along with one Indian Cormorant.
We stayed at Choruil Beel until sunset, experienced one of the prettiest sunsets there and headed back to Chapainawabganj. We checked in our Hotel Rooms and then Had Dinner. Traditional Kalai Roti with Smashed Eggplant was in the menu along with Duck, Beef etc.
We woke up early in the Morning and picked up our breakfast and started journey towards the Ghat where Boat was waiting for us. We had Tea and Boiled Duck Eggs while we waited for the Boat to start. This was a Traditional Country Boat for Locals which gave several lifestyle photography opportunities. We spotted few Red-crested Pochards, One Common Pochard and a lovely male Hen Harrier from the Boat.
We had our Breakfast after arriving at Bakher Ali and started looking for the Red-naped Ibis. We saw a Black Redstart, several Bank Mynas and few River Lapwings first. After hiking for a while we spotted our first distant Red-naped Ibis. Moments later we found few more foraging on newly planted paddy fields. They were eating carelessly and allowed us to approach very close. We all got fantastic photos of at least 6 Birds including juveniles. We then saw few Black-headed Ibis too and there were Raptors flying in the sky often. Few Eurasian Kestrels and Buzzards flew over us as did at least two Greater Spotted Eagles. We had snacks for lunch, flew drones to take aerial photos and videos while an Oriental Honey Buzzard gave great views while it was busy fending off Bees from it’s body.
Watch Few Clips & Review of guests of this Trip
We started our return hike towards the Boat Ghat and on the way spotted some lovely Indian Thick-knees, Bluethroats, Greater Painted Snipes, another female Hen Harrier. Few members photographed a pair of Woolly-necked Storks and saw few Old-world quails also. River Lapwings were frequent throughout the Day. We started our return journey by boat and spotted the Pochard group from morning again. This part of Padma is not great with Waterfowl sadly, almost no activity in the river. We returned to Chapai Town, had lovely Dinner and got on to our Comfortable business Class buses and arrived Dhaka near Dawn the Next Day. We were able to see about a 100 species of birds in Two Days including several good photos and few Lifers for each.
It was an excellent tour! Arrangements, outcome, team members, hosts – everything was highly satisfactory!