| The Corbett Tiger Reserve is one of the world's
best birding habitats and many twitchers travel here from across
the world to add to their life-list of species. Just under 600
species of birds including passage migrants have been listed
from Corbett, which is also the site of several birdwatching
camps held by the Forest Department to train young school-going
children in the science of ornithology. One reason for the rich
birdlife is said to be the fact that the park is located in
the transition zone between high altitudes and the plains. Additionally,
migratory birds are attracted to the river, especially species
that migrated vertically up (in summer) and down the Himalayas
(in winter).
Winter migrants include the Greylag and the Barheaded goose,
Great Crested Grebe, Snipe, Sandpiper, Gull and the Wagtail.
Habitat changes have actually benefitted a large number of
water birds like Cormorants, Darters, Herons and Egrets, Storks,
Fishing Eagles and Kingfishers, whose populations have increased
manifold. Moorhens have become permanently resident in the
park.
The Lammergeyer, King and Griffon Vulture are present. Himalayan
Golden Eagles, Steppe Eagles, Honeybuzzards, Crested Serpent
Eagles, Longlegged Buzzards and Kestrels can be seen here.
Apart from Peacocks, the Kalij, Monal and Koklas Pheasant
are all visible (Chir Pheasants only at higher altitudes).
The Snow Partridge, Snow Pigeon, Woodcock, Rufus Turtle Dove
and Himalayan Wood Owl are some species you may spot. There
are as many as 17 kinds of Woodpeckers, five different species
of barbets, including the Great Himalayan Barbet, five different
Wagtails, Minivets, Redstarts, Finches, Cuckoos, Babblers,
Parakeets and Thrushes.
Nights are resplendent with nocturnal birds like the Nightjar
and Owls. Stone Plovers and Stone Curlew are active hunters
on the night waters of the river.
|
Winter. It is cold from November to February with the temperature
dropping to 20°C. Frost and mist are common and visibility
may be limited by fog till late in the morning.
Summer. It can be exceedingly hot between March and June
when temperatures may rise to 44°C.
Monsoon. From July to October the park experiences heavy
rain and it's humid.
A wind known as dadu blows down the valley from about 9 pm
to 8 am, lowering the night temperature. In summer, the dadu
is followed by a hot wind that blows up from valley from 10
am to 8 pm. As a result a thick haze of dust remains suspended
which generally clears up only when thunderstorms blow.
|
