Boshipota

The Eurasian Wryneck

Boshipota is a sleepy little village near Dankuni and it is definitely one of the birding hotspots in the greater Calcutta area. Last Christmas Arka, Kshounishda and I went in company with Radhanathda to see birds of Boshipota. In terms of number of species seen it was nothing great. But the quality of photography was really good because of the open nature of the paddy fields. I saw the Eurasian Wryneck for the first time. Got decent photographs of Bluethroat, Common Stonechat, Zitting Cisticola, Prinia and a spotted owlet.


Spotted Owlet


Indian Silverbill


Bluethroat

How do you get to Boshipota? Take the Delhi Road off the Durgapur Expressway. From the first cross road turn right. Turn left from Raghunathpur into the village of Boshipota.



A zitting cisticola

Bethuadahari by Road

Bethuadahari is just 150 kms from our house. In 2007 it had taken us just 3 hours. We were on our way to Darjeeling. Ever since I had wanted to spend a night in the forest. The opportunity came last Saturday when I got a confirmed booking in the forest bungalow there through the good office of Mr A.K. Bhaumik who pulled the right strings in Writers' Building and got the DFO to allot me a room in their commercial guest house called "Bedu Inn". I think they deliberately misspelt Bedwin lest anyone thought Beds were available for winning.
Back to the journey. It took us seven hours, thanks to some work on Ranaghat level crossing and the resultant traffic jam that stretched over 20/30 km. We faced it first near Borho Jaguli where police had actually stopped the trucks. We couldn't understand why the vehicles were stopped there. Later we realised that it was perhaps to prevent more jam ahead. Between Shimurali and Chakdah things came to a grinding halt till we discovered a side lane to the left of the highway. Through the village lanes and by lanes we managed to by-pass Ranaghat town and somehow managed to reach Bethua four hours behind schedule.

Got myself a new lens recently. A Canon 400mm F5.6 from Tanvir. This has given a new boost to my photography. The lens is razor sharp as I understood on the very first day of field trip. Went to Rajarhat. Though didn't find anything much beyond a few paddyfield pipits, Bengal bushlarks and Indian silverbills but the lens test was very satisfying. I got really close to this pipit with the lens mounted really low on the tripod.