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NEBM VI-2019 Namdapha Tiger Reserve
Day 1 of the meet:
We woke up around 5 AM and found the light was good and some people were already chasing the crepuscular Awlets. We
saw an Orange Awlet and then a Popinjay and other early morning active butterflies like Common Evening Brown, Dark-brand
Bushbrown, Common Five-ring and a Grass Demon. We then moved to the main building area, where there was a lawn with a
few nectar flowers in bloom. Tamil Lacewing, Spangle, Yellow Orange-tip and Common Mime were the regular visitors to the
flowers, which continued until we left. Other butterflies in the vicinity to note are Skippers, Purple Sapphire, Constable, Glassy
Tiger, Naga Pied Flat, Blackvein Sergeant, Punchinello, Pale Wanderer, Fluffy Tit, Tailed Jay, Commander, Lesser Albatross,
Quaker, Vagrant and a Dingy Sailer. We had our breakfast in between. The food was served in banana leaves placed in a bam-
boo basket. And Bamboo shoots were used to serve Tea and drink water. It was raining, and we could not decide what to do.
Luckily, Sandex Vargheese alerted us that a Common Mottle (we were calling it as Darkie, until checked for correct ID) was
resting nearby and we immediately pumped to capture it. The rain was slowing down and the loosely formed group of us de-
cided to walk to Anamika falls.
We started walking towards Anamika falls, which is about few kilometres from the base camp. It was a momentary phase of no
rain and we could spot just a Punchinello, until we reached the first falls. We saw a Constable and a Punchinello and a Quaker
nearby. We walked further towards a point, where the road joined the main road leading to Bijay Nagar. There was, however,
some good activity around the 2 nd waterfalls and the bridge, so we decided to spend quality time here. Large Yeoman, Tiger
Hopper, Common Jester, Elbowed Pierrot, Great Orange-tip, Northern Spotted Ace, Tabby, Long-branded Bushbrown, Yellow
Jezebel, an unidentified Hedge Blue and a Staff Sergeant. However, a co-operative Jungle Glory made our day. At this point, the
rain started pounding and we have decided to retreat to the camp with our umbrella and raincoats on. We briefly halted at
forest staff shed on the way back to escape from heavy rains.
Once at the camp, we spent some time around the Ranger office building, which we named as “Pettai” for its strategic location
and an odd chair to sit. A White Dragontail made a brief appearance and hovered over stagnant water before disappearing. We
also spotted a Bright Sunbeam and a Black Prince. After the rest and lunch for an hour or so, it was back to action again. We
could add a Common Mormon, Plain Puffin, Plain Earl and Pale Grass Blue to the list. Three Rufous-necked Hornbills made an
appearance on a tall tree briefly, before flying off. Most birds are heard than seen here. We then spotted females of Dark and
Great Archdukes. Also added a Watson’s Bushbrown, a Plain Bushbrown and a Dark Evening Brown. We finished the day
around 4 PM with a repeat sighting of Common Mottle.
Day 2 of the meet:
The day again dawned early, but we got up little late as the rains were pouring down. It was around 7 AM, the rain relented for
a while. Umbrellas were out and the butterflying had to start. The Pale Green Awlet and Indian Awlking were the early ones to
make appearance. And the usual nectar seekers were there, and we could add Skippers like Pelopidas agna and Parnara sp. to
the list. Around 11 AM or so, when the rains finally stopped, we started walking towards Anamika falls as we could not cover it
in full on the previous day.
It was the turn of male Archdukes to make their presence today as we walked slowly along. Other butterflies to note are Tailed
Jay, Rings, Chocolate Albatross, Banded Treebrown, Long-banded Bushbrown, Purple Sapphire, Striped Blue Crow, Common
Cerulean, Large Yeoman and others. As we were badly looking for a priced butterfly to appear, it finally showed up! What a
Gem it is. A brilliant blue on the upper and cryptically designed on the under, it was wonderful to watch the Common Gem but-
terfly for a while. It was time to take the long walk after recording the Vagrant and Dingy Sailer.
We reached the second falls near the Bijoy Nagar road junction and decided to explore the place leisurely. First to make an
appearance was a Pale-marked Ace (Absent Ace). It was soon followed by White Dragontail, a female Cruiser, Black Prince, El-
bowed Pierrot, Map Butterfly, Branded Lineblue, Constable, Fluffy Tit, Punchinello and Orchid Tit. At this point in time, couple
of tribal with loads of material on their shoulder were walking towards Miao. Ajith Raut told me that they were carrying Carda-
mom and probably walked down for a few days from the deep inside of the Jungle from Bijay Nagar area.
We reached Anamika falls earlier than expected. We saw a Red Helen taking minerals from a rock. And a Banded Ace came to
the wet soil. A possible Common Yeoman was also recorded. Other butterflies recorded here include Cruiser, Common Hedge
Blue, Great Orange-tip, Fluffy Tit, Mishmi Ace, Common Jester, Elbowed Pierrot, Common Bluebottle, Chocolate Albatross,
Tabby, Unbroken Sergeant, Dark Blue Tiger, Common Cerulean, Common Grass Yellow. An Orange Oakleaf was flying past and
we could not capture by camera. We realized it was 3 PM and forgot our lunch too. While waking back, we could only add a
female Plain Earl. It was almost 5 PM when we reached the camp and the field activity ended without any further significant
addition. The evening meeting was held to consolidate list for the day. We had couple of presentations too. The day’s total for
me was 73 species.
PATTAMPOOCHI
A TNBS MAGAZINE
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