BIRDS (WILDLIFE)

Madhav is well known for the migratory waterfowl, which arrive from the North (mainly Siberia) to winter on and around the lakes. Dr. Salim Ali, world-famous ornithologist, has suggested that the lake be developed as a bird sanctuary and steps are now being taken to ensure that this is carried out. Bird life on the lake features many geese and ducks-whilst around the shores may be found several species of herons as well as storks and cranes. Taking the Lake view road, as described in circuit 3 may best see these.

Bird life in the forests is also plentiful, with many of the species typical of the habitat. A particularly good area for bird viewing is where the track crosses the wide, rocky stream, which flows, from the Waste Weir. Here there are annually Red-wattle lapwings, Large pied Wagtails, Pond herons and often a White-breasted kingfisher. Numerous other species may be seen, especially at dawn or dusk when the birds fly in to drink.

The following list shows some of the commoner and more conspicuous birds to be found in and around the Park - Large cormorant, Painted stork, Grey heron, Spoonbill, Purple heron, White ibis, Pond heron, Grey lag goose, Large brown dove, Grey duck, Spotted dove, Vulture, Red turtle dove, White-backed vulture, Blue rock pigeon, Common pariah kite, Spotted owlet, Black-winged kite, House swift, Marsh harrier, Common kingfisher, Shikra, white, breasted kingfisher, Laggar falcon, Small pied kingfisher, Eurasian kestrel, Little bee-eater, Common fowl, Indian roller, Common sandgrouse, Hoopoe, Painted sandgrouse, Wryneck, Sarus crane, Mahratta woodpecker, Indian moorhen, Red-rumped swallow, Red-wattled lapwing, Wiretailed swallow, Green sandpiper, Bay-backed shrike, Grey shrike, Blossom-headed parakeet, Rose-ringed parakeet, Purple sunbird, Large cuckoo-shrike, Red-vented bulbul, Plain prinia, Tailor bird, Ashy prinia, Common Mynah, Brahminy mynah, indian robin, Magpie robin, Black redstart, White-throated munia, Black drongo, Whitebellied drongo, Dusky crag martin, Collared bushchat, Paradise flycatcher, Verditer flycatcher, Red-breasted flycatcher, Orphean warbler, Pied bushchat, White-eye, Grey wagtail, Large pied wagtail, White wagtail, Grey tit, Jungle crow, Indian house crow, Treepie, Golden oriole, Black oriole, House sparrow.