05 Day Sundarban & Dhaka Birding with Young Birders from China - Masked Finfoot, Brown Fish Owl, White-tailed Stonechat - Trip Report
This team of Young Chinese Birders booked through Whatsapp, their schedule was a bit tight in the second half of Chinese New Year Holiday. They ended up booking from February 25th through March 1st. Four Days in Sundarban & 1 day in Dhaka.Â
Last members of The team of 6 arrived at Dhaka at midnight of the 24th and was recieved by our Guide Ikbal H. Babu. They did an overnight drive to Khulna and Boarded the AC Ship just before dawn during Low Tide.
Day 1: Boat was cruising with tide but water levels were too shallow that the Houseboat got stuck somewhere near Sutarkhali on the Way to Shekhertek. Sundarban was nearby so the Team Explored a bit on the smaller Dinghy and found few lifers already. Including the Brown-winged Kingfisher and a surprising Indian Spotted Eagle. After water levels rose enough, they continued and went to Finfoot Zone first instead. Remaining day was not very exceptional and they looked for Buffy Fish Owl after dark.
Day 2: Next Day early, the group got out in the forest looking for Masked Finfoot, after few hours of looking they scored a Female Masked Finfoot and then a Male Finfoot. Both gave pretty good views and photos but not portraits. The Group was extremely happy seeing the most anticipated bird. Another highlight of the day was a Large Estuarine Crocodile that also lives in this canal. Remaining hours of the day, they Visited Shekhertek Temple and walked inside the forest on the Boardwalk, learned about the 400 years old temple and it’s history. They came back in previous area at night.
Day 03: On third day, the Group went out early again for some birding, got several species of birds and had fun photographing them but no Finfoot on this day. Meanwhile Zaber joined the group and tried for some more birds. Highlight of that day was Great views at Male & Female Streak-breasted Woodpeckers, Call of Mangrove Whistler, a Smooth Coated Otter, Large and small Saltwater Crocodiles etc. In the Evening they tried for some nocturnals but it was the usual Buffy Fish Owls. Ship started return journey towards Karamjal overnight.
Day 04: Last morning in Sundarban, the Group entered Karamjal Boardwalk led by Zaber & found a surprising Brown-fish Owl roosting in one of the trees, it gave excellent views and photos and Lifer for everyone. The Boardwalk also provided great views at few new birds like At least 2 Ruddy Kingfishers, Green-billed Malkoha, Greater Yellownape etc. During Breakfast, back at the Houseboat, the Team photographed a nearby soaring Grey-headed Fish Eagle. Several Lifers for all guests even on this Last Day in Sundarban. The Houseboat Dropped us at Mongla after Lunch and we started towards Dhaka. Had Dinner at a Highway Restaurant and checked them in at a Hotel for the night in Dhaka City.
Day 05: Last Day of the Trip, Zaber & Babu picked them up again early in the morning and went to a Grassland on the Other Side of Padma River near Dhaka. Few Hours of Birding there resulted in 7-8 lifers for each of the Clients including the White-tailed Stonechat, Striated Babbler, Bengal Bushlark, Tricolored Munia, Common Quail, Black-breasted Weavers, Mongolian Short-toed Larks etc. We then returned to Hotel, checked out, Had Lunch and went out birding again. This time to another grassland near the Airport. We found Jungle Babbler, Yellow-footed Green Pigeons, Streak-throated Woodpecker, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Bronze-winged Jacana etc Lifers and great views at Asiatic Golden Jackal which is a rather rarity in China. We then moved closer to the Airport, got some snacks for eating inside the Airport, guests did some shopping and we dropped them off at the Airport 3 hours before their flight out of Bangladesh. This Last Day in Dhaka was Extremely fruitful for them.
