Bird Stories - Small Birds Paradise across the road - Shahi Talab (शाही तालाब) Jabalpur

Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur
16 Jan 2018

Jabalpur is a city in central India and is the center of culture and epicenter of nature & wildlife in India. It is the stop if you have to go to at least five major national parks of India - Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna & Satpura.

Shahi Talab (शाही तलाब), Sanjeevini Nagar, 
Jabalpur

Jabalpur is a city of lakes and once had more lakes and ponds than any other city in Madhya Pradesh. There used to be over 150 lakes & ponds in Jabalpur, most of them urban wetlands or water bodies. Now there are about 30 left. Thanks to illegal land-grabbing & encroachment, corrupt practices to approve commercial initiatives, and ignorant & selfish deeds of citizens. Lake-by-lake more than 100 lakes were destroyed by dumping garbage to pave way for colonies and commercial complexes. One such lake was Marhataal (मढ़ाताल), there is no lake now, instead a commercial complex. I went to the Khalsa school that stands next to the lost lake and saw this lake being destroyed by planned dumping by government bodies.

Most of the lakes and ponds have disappeared but colonies and localities still have names that suggest that water bodies are buried there; these are graveyards in a literal sense. 

Bhanvar Taal (भंवरताल) is another example of conscious and institutional ignorance. Municipal Corporation of Jabalpur land-filled once a beautiful lake to create a public park near the main bus station. There are many such examples and many others on the edge of institutional destruction.

Bhanvar Taal (भंवरताल), Jabalpur
Lake Destroyed

Cheri Taal (चेरीताल) is another colony in the city of Jabalpur at one point used to be a beautiful lake. I never saw but our ancestral home is close to the place and it used to be a lake that my grandfather used to tell us stories about. The lake was named after Rani Durgavati's maid Ramcheri. There is a very small water body that exists there, I am not sure whether it was a part of the lake or not but a reminder of what used to be there.

Hanuman Taal (हनुमानताल) is a pond in the middle of the city. It is surrounded by tens of temples and a few dargahs. The pond probably survived because of religious legends, connotations, and relationship to surrounding places of worship. My ancestral home is 10 mins walk away and the road around the Hanuman Taal used to be our racing ground. I remember doing 8 rounds as a challenge when I was 12.

Hanuman Taal (हनुमानताल)
Jabalpur

But that's not what I am going to talk about in this blog, I will talk about a pond literally in front of my home in Jabalpur. It is called Shahi Talab (शाही तालाब). My granddad, dad, and I were born in Jabalpur, I partly grew up there and now my parents are living retired life there. The temple on the edge of the pond is every day, twice a day, a meeting point for all the elder ones of the locality. The temple, small park, and pond is part of their day-to-day lives. Be it daily yoga, laughing club, festivals, and celebrations, all happens around the Shahi Talab and Adi Shakti temple.

The legend says Rani Durgavati, regularly visited the Shahi Talab and Aadi Shakti temple for prayers, especially during the Navratri festival. It is also said, that this was the last place where she came to pray before her last battle against the Mughals. 

Shahi Talab (शाही तलाब), Sanjeevini Nagar, 
Jabalpur 

Now I live in London and crave to go to Jabalpur, not just because it's my native place and my parent live there. It's a small, little paradise for rooftop birders like me. During my visit in April 2017, in one day, 2 hours in the morning, and 2 hours the same evening, I photographed more than 40 different common birds just around the Shahi Talab and fields near my home. The map below shows my home (red circle), pond, and fields around. 

Shahi Talab (शाही तालाब), Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur

I will be sharing a list and photographs of birds that I photographed around my home in Jabalpur in this blog. Birds of Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur - the @BirdsAroundMe 

Thanks and regards,

Ashutosh

Birds of Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur, MP, India:

1. Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis / कौरियला)

https://birds.rekabira.in/2017/12/birds-around-me-0093-pied-kingfisher.html

Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur
Feb 2014

2. Green sandpiper (तुतारी) - Tringa ochropus

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/01/birds-around-me-0077-green-sandpiper.html

Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur
Nov 2017

3. The black kite (Milvus migrans) काली चील, have learned and adapted to live with humans... can be seen in large numbers in urban areas, outskirts, garbage dumps. I counted 28 on a tree in #Jabalpur 

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/01/birds-around-me-0160-black-kite-milvus.html

Black kite (Milvus migrans) काली चील
Location: Sanjivini Nagar, Jabalpur, India
April 2022

4. Woolly-necked stork or whitenecked stork (श्वेतकंठ महाबक) - Ciconia episcopus

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/07/birds-around-me-0163-woolly-necked.html

Taken on June 26, 2018

Location: Sanjivini Nagar, Jabalpur, India (Latitude: 23.172826, Longitude: 79.881881)

5. Asian Openbill (घुंगिल) - Anastomus oscitans

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/08/birds-around-me-0166-asian-openbill.html

Taken on June 26, 2018
Location: Sanjivini Nagar, Jabalpur, India (Latitude: 23.172826, Longitude: 79.881881)

6. Painted Stork (कठसारंग) - Mycteria leucocephala

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/08/birds-around-me-0067-painted-stork.html

June 2018
Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur, M.P., India

7. Black-headed Ibis (कचाटोर, मुंडा) - Threskiornis melanocephalus

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/08/birds-around-me-0167-black-headed-ibis.html

Taken on June 26, 2018
Location: Sanjivini Nagar, Jabalpur, India (Latitude: 23.172826, Longitude: 79.881881)

8. White-throated Kingfisher (किलकिला, श्वेतकण्ठ कौड़िल्ला) / Halcyon Smyrnensis

https://birds.rekabira.in/2017/12/birds-around-me-0045-white-throated.html

Taken on November 10, 2017
Location: Sanjivini Nagar, Jabalpur, India

9. Black Drongo (कोतवाल, भुजंग) - Dicrurus macrocercus

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/01/birds-around-me-0123-black-drongo.html

Taken on June 26, 2018

Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

10. Purple Sunbirds (छोटा शक्कर खोरा) - Cinnyris asiaticus were around me all the time in Jabalpur, garden, around the lake, on bushes, sucking flowers.. just❤️them 

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/09/birds-around-me-0052-purple-sunbird.html

Purple Sunbirds (छोटा शक्कर खोरा) - Cinnyris asiaticus - Male
Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur

Purple Sunbirds (छोटा शक्कर खोरा) - Cinnyris asiaticus - Female

Taken on April 11, 2016

Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

11.   Asian Pied Starling (अबलक मैना, सिरोली मैना) - Gracupica contra

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/01/birds-around-me-0053-asian-pied.html

Taken on January 15, 2018
Location: Sanjivini Nagar, Jabalpur, India (Latitude: 23.172826, Longitude: 79.881881)

12. Laughing dove (छोटा फाख्ता) / Spilopelia senegalensis

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/01/birds-around-me-0035-laughing-dove.html

Taken on January 15, 2018
Location: Sanjivini Nagar, Jabalpur, India (Latitude: 23.172826, Longitude: 79.881881)

13. Ashy Prinia (फुत्की) - Prinia socialis 

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/08/brids-around-me-0057-ashy-prinia-prinia.html

Taken on April 10, 2016
Location: Sanjivini Nagar, Jabalpur, India (Latitude: 23.172826, Longitude: 79.881881)

14. Black-winged kite (कपासी) / Elanus caeruleus

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/02/birds-around-me-0064-black-winged-kite.html

Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur
16 Jan 2018

15. Paddyfield Pipit (चरचरी) - Anthus rufulus

https://birds.rekabira.in/2021/02/birds-aournd-me-0075-paddyfield-pipit.html

Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur
15 Jan 2018

16. Spotted Owlet खुसटिया, चुगड़, चिट्टेदार चुगड़ (Athene brama) is revered in many myths and mythology, like other owls. Named after the Hindu god Brahma and the Greek goddess Athena.

https://birds.rekabira.in/2022/07/birds-around-me-0189-spotted-owlet.html

Spotted Owlet खुसटिया, चुगड़, चिट्टेदार चुगड़ (Athene brama)
Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur

17. One brings bad luck, the couple will change bad fortunes to good & a flock of Common Myna (देसी मैना, गुलगुल) - Acridotheres tristis ensures the abundance of food for others and your self. Another bird of myths, love & hate.

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/04/birds-around-me-0025-common-myna.html

Common Myna (देसी मैना, गुलगुल)- Acridotheres tristis
Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur

18. Black-hooded oriole (Oriolus xanthornus) टोपीदार पीलक, हल्दी पाखी, बनिया बहु another gorgeous bird of interesting myths & tales

https://birds.rekabira.in/2022/07/birds-around-me-0191-black-hooded.html

Black-hooded oriole (Oriolus xanthornus) टोपीदार पीलक, हल्दी पाखी, बनिया बहु
Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur

19. One of the #birding highlights of Apr 22 trip to #Jabalpur was an elaborate display to claim territory & woo females by Indian Robin (कलचुरी) - Copsychus fulicatus. Male puffs, huffs, stretches, sings... in a majestic sequence

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/02/birds-around-me-0044-indian-robin.html

Indian Robin (कलचुरी) - Copsychus fulicatus
Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur
April 2022

20. Oriental Magpie-Robin (दहियर, काली सुई चिड़िया) - Copsychus saularis is a popular songbird, still being illegally traded for singing abilities 

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/08/birds-around-me-0085-oriental-magpie.html

 Oriental Magpie-Robin (दहियर, काली सुई चिड़िया) - Copsychus saularis
Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur
April 2022

21. Indian paradise flycatcher दूधराज, सुल्ताना बुलबुल (Terpsiphone paradisi) state bird of MP, India. Seen it many times, but failed to get the right shot. This time managed to get a decent record shot

https://birds.rekabira.in/2022/06/birds-around-me-0190-indian-paradise.html

Indian paradise flycatcher दूधराज, सुल्ताना बुलबुल (Terpsiphone paradisi)
Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur
April 2022

22. Saw rust on barbed wire, thought an Indian robin or Red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) will make a nice frame & boom it was there

https://birds.rekabira.in/2022/06/birds-around-me-0022-red-vented-bulbul.html

Red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)
Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur
April 2022

22. You can hear Brown-headed barbet (Psilopogon zeylanicus) बड़ा बसन्ता but won't be able to see... camouflages perfectly 

https://birds.rekabira.in/2020/07/birds-around-me-0030-brown-headed.html

Brown-headed barbet (Psilopogon zeylanicus) बड़ा बसन्ता
Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur
April 2022

23. Rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) तोता, मिट्ठू, a common bird, have seen in 100s when we had trees, not concrete. literally 100s. Still, a pleasure, especially when they display affection

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/08/birds-around-me-0028-indian-rose-ringed.html

Rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) तोता, मिट्ठू
Shahi Talab, Sanjeevini Nagar, Jabalpur
April 2022

24. #NationalBird of India - Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) मोर, मयूर 

https://birds.rekabira.in/2022/06/birds-around-me-0119-indian-peafowl.html

 Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) मोर, मयूर

25. Indian Silverbill फिकी मुनिया, चरचरा, पिदुरी, पवई मुनिया, मल मुनिया (Euodice malabarica) normally seen in large flocks, I have always managed to find one relaxing away from the flock.

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/08/birds-around-me-0169-indian-silverbill.html

Indian Silverbill फिकी मुनिया, चरचरा, पिदुरी, पवई मुनिया, मल मुनिया (Euodice malabarica)

26. The Indian Pond Heron बगुला, अँधा बगुला, चमा बगुला, खूंच बगुला, अंध बक, भूरा बगुला  (Ardeola grayii) is a small heron. They are very common but can be easily missed when they stalk prey at the edge of small water-bodies or drains or even water tanks in front of your house.

https://birds.rekabira.in/2018/01/birds-around-me-0026-indian-pond-heron.html

Indian Pond Heron बगुला, अँधा बगुला, चमा बगुला, खूंच बगुला, अंध बक, भूरा बगुला  (Ardeola grayii)

27. Green Bee-eater हरियल पतरिंगा, पतुरी  (Merops orientalis), like other bee-eaters, is a richly coloured, slender bird. It is about 9 inches (16–18 cm) long with about 2 inches made up of the elongated central tail-feathers. The sexes are not visually distinguishable.

Green Bee-eater हरियल पतरिंगा, पतुरी  (Merops orientalis)

28. Ashy-crowned sparrow-lark दियोरा, दूरि, स्लेटी-सिर देओली, जोथौली  (Eremopterix griseus) is  a small bird with a finch-like bill.

Ashy-crowned sparrow-lark दियोरा, दूरि, स्लेटी-सिर देओली, जोथौली  (Eremopterix griseus)