THE BANDHAVGARH DIARY

In Tigerland

THE BANDHAVGARH DIARY

THE WHISPER OF WINGS AND THE ROAR OF TIGERS

10^th February, to 14^th February, 2011.

BIG BIRD DAY, Sunday 13^th February, 2011

On Thursday, 10 February 2011 3:27 PM, Maurice Ryder wrote to Bikram Grewal:

Re: Official Birding List

Dear Bikram,

Please send immediately the birding list by e-mail for our reference for Big Bird Day on the 13th Feb., 2011.

We will be birding at the Kanha National Park* in M.P., where we shall be camping on 12th, 13th & 14th Feb., 2011.

And all the best for BBD.

Sincerely,

Maurice Ryder

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

On Thursday, 10 February 2011 3:45 PM, Bikram Grewal’s reply to Maurice Ryder;

Here it is Maurice, do a bird count in Kanha* and send me the details
and I will announce it at dinner.
Best of luck
Bikram Grewal

On Thursday, 10 February 2011 8:15 PM, Maurice Ryder wrote to Bikram Grewal

*Re: Changed venue from Kanha NP to Bandhavgarh NP on BBD

Dear Bikram,

The Collector/District magistrate , host to my team, has advised to do Bandhavgarh on the 13th, BBD due to good water-bodies there. The Collector is also in my team and will 'count' with us on the 13th.

Thank you very much for the 'Official List' so promptly sent to us.
Sincerely,
Maurice Ryder.

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

On Thursday, 10 February 2011 6:08 PM, Maurice Ryder wrote to the Collector

RE: 13^th Feb, 2011, Big Bird Day

To,

Collector/Distt Magistrate.

Re: COUNTING on Big Birding Day at Bandhavgarh, M.P.
I am extremely glad and honoured to know that you will be part of my birding team on the 13th inst., at Bandhavgarh, National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
We plan to be positioned at a suitable starting point, (which we shall do a reccee for on Sat) and begin counting at sunrise, concluding the 'count' by sundown.
I thank you very much for all the arrangements you have made for us to cover Bandhavgarh on this BBD; it would not have been possible without your help.
All are welcome to join and the accent is on having fun. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning, where from thence we shall proceed to the Park.
Sincerely,

Maurice Ryder.

On Thursday, 10 February 2011, 8:16 PM, Maurice Ryder wrote to Nikhil Devasar

Re: BBD Team at Bandhavgarh on the 13^th.

Dear Nikhil,

My team will be in Bandhavgarh on the 12th Sat

to do a reccee for the 13th, BBD, to plan our movements for that day.
The Collector/Distt Magistrate is being host to my team and is birding with us as a team member too.
We shall miss the sharing and the Dinner Sunday evening and so many wonderful birder friends.
Best Wishes to all of you.
Sincerely,
Maurice Ryder.

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

On Friday, 11 February 2011 9:29 AM, Nikhil Devasar includes Maurice Ryder’s Team

Hope we are now all ready with the Big Bird Day just a day away. Good
news is that we have still a few new teams.
I can see Bikram’s work increasing as the teams are building up, but
then as Bikram says "I live to serve" :-), so to Bikram
New teams: Bandhavgarh - Maurice Ryder (mauricewryder@yahoo.co.in), along with
the Collector/Distt Magistrate, Manisha and others.

On Saturday, Feb 12, 2011 at 12:39 PM, Maurice Ryder wrote to Shariq Bijli:

Re: In Bandhavgarh NP

Dear Shariq.
I have just arrived at Bandhavgarh in time to do a reccee for tomorrow's Big Bird Day where I shall be doing an official bird count.
The Collector/Distt Magistrate is host to my team.
Very excited and hoping to camera-shoot a tiger too!
Sincerely,
Maurice Ryder.
Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

On Saturday, Feb 12, 2011 at 2: 02 PM Shariq Bijli’s reply to Maurice Ryder:

Re: In Bandhavgarh NP
Hello Dr. Ryder,

Glad to hear from you and that also from Bandavgarh. I wish you the very best while doing your work there.

I'm sure you'll get some great shots. It would be great if you see the striped big cats. Anyway, Bandavgarh is one of the best places to see the tiger.

Please keep me informed regarding your findings regarding the birds and other animals at Bandavgarh when you return to Noida.

Warmest personal regards

Shariq

On Saturday, Feb 12, 2011 at 2:22 PM, Maurice Ryder wrote to Shariq Bijli:

Re: Tiger’s sighted !

Guess what? Two tigers spotted. Photos taken. MR.
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On Saturday, Feb 12, 2011 at 3:28 PM, Shariq Bijli’s reply to Maurice Ryder;

Re: Tiger’s sighted !

That's fantastic. Cheers for the Big Cats.

Shariq Bijli wrote to Maurice Ryder:

Dear Dr. Ryder,

I can only imagine how exciting and heart pumping it must have been for you and others to see not one but two tigers. Wow!

Can't wait to see those pix when you get back.

Let’s hope and pray that these majestic creatures will become a bit more easier to sight in the future. That's a wish and a prayer which the Almighty will hopefully grant for the benefit of all mankind and other living beings. Otherwise, we'll just have memories of this majestic cat in the form of photographs and past sightings. How tragic would that be!

Thanks for sharing the news. It's so exciting.

Warm regards,

Shariq

On Sat, Feb 12, 2011 at 7:19 PM, Maurice Ryder wrote to Shariq Bijli:

Re: Got Her !

Shariq...you won't believe it!
The tigress came out of the forest straight to us in the jeep. She wanted to cross the road. She actually stopped and stared at us for a few seconds. We kept shooting! Then she actually...

Wait till I get back and tell you what happened next...! And show you the photos to prove it
Maurice Ryder.

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

On Sat, Feb 12, 2011 at 9:03 PM, Maurice Ryder wrote to Delhi Birders:

Re: Reccee for BBD completed. Tiger sighted as bonus!

Bandhavgarh NP:
We start from FRH at 6am sharp. Will do Chakradhara Meadows, Palpur Talab, Mahaman Dam, Elephant Camp, Charger Point, Chorbahra, Sita Mandap...
And guess what happened at 5.55 pm today ?!
The tigress, 'Kankati' alias Baghrani walked out of the forest and straight towards our jeep...She wanted to cross the road to the stream on the other side. She stopped not seven feet from us! She stared at us for a few seconds. We were clicking away like mad !
And guess what happened next? Wait till I get back and post the pics. Manisha and the DM have good pictures too.
Maurice Ryder (team leader)
Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel