One could spot the White-cheeked Barbet, Vigor's Sunbird and Nilgiri Flowerpecker, Malabar Parakeet, Orange-headed Thrush, White-rumped Shama, Gold-fronted Leafbird and several more. This is the best place to see butterflies like Blue Mormon, Blue Oakleaf, and reptiles like Green Vine Snake, Bronze Backed Tree Snake and Deccan Banded Gecko. It is also a good place to see the state animal of Maharashtra - Indian Giant Squirrel. Charges:Â Rs.1950/- for members and Rs.2250/- for non-members. (include: Transport ex-Mumbai, accommodation, food at camp site, entry fee to Matheran and BNHS expertise) Registration: Call at Hornbill House 22871202, 22821811 or e-mail at bnhs.programmes@gmail.comÂ
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2) Explore Western Ghats of Goa - A Biodiversity Hotspot
We once again take you to this enchanting place - Wildernest, which is nestled in the Swapnagandha valley, amidst thick expanse of forest tracts at 800mtrs in the Western Ghats. During this camp, we also will be exploring Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamdi Surla) and Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. The region has been acknowledged as a Mega Biodiversity Hotspot of the Western Ghats Range and has also been recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA), where one can see Malabar Grey Hornbill, Indian Scops owl, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Trogon, Sri-Lanka Frogmouth, Speckled Piculet, Grey-headed Bulbul, Malabar Barbet, and besides the birds this place is also famous for Draco or the Southern Flying Lizard. Dates: 6th - 9th December 2010. Charges: Rs.9000/- (includes twin-sharing accommodation in eco cottages, all meals, slide-show on wildlife and bio-diversity, swimming pool facility and pick-up and drop-off from Thivim Railway Station on the Kokan railway). Registration: Call at Hornbill House 22871202, 22821811 or e-mail at bnhs.programmes@gmail.com
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3) Wild wonders of Bhutan: This Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is home to a variety of wildlife comprising of birds like Beautiful Nuthatch, Red-billed Leiothrix, Red-faced Liocichla, Blue-winged, Black-faced and Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Grey-throated Babbler, Brown and Red-headed Bullfinch, Brown-throated Treecreeper, Ward's Trogon, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Black-throated, Great, Brown and Fulvous Parrotbill, Slender-billed Scimitar-babbler, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Long-billed and Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Streaked-breasted Scimitar-babbler, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Shortwings, White-winged Grossbeak, Collard Grosbeak and Long-tailed Thrush. Among butterflies there are Purple Emperor, Large Silverstripe, Six-bar Swordtail, Panther, Glassy Bluebottle, White Commodore and lot more. Good time to see flowering orchids and Rhododendron blooms. Dates: 8th to 23rd April 2011. Maximum Tentative Cost: Rs.97000/- (Kindly confirm the cost 8th November onwards). Registration: Call at Hornbill House 22871202, 22821811 or e-mail at bnhs.programmes@gmail.com
