Bird watching in Chittagong



Thursday 4th of August 2022 and I woke up at 2 o'clock, that is 3 o'clock Thai time. I had tea killing time until 6 thirty when I went for breakfast. I was in the reception at 7 and the car arrived a few minutes later.

We will drive north on road # N1 to the eBird hotspot: Muhuri Dam (Feni)

I got two bottles of water from the hotel that I brought in the car and I took the seat in the back and off we went.

Bird watching in Chittagong
My driver and I are ready to leave

N1 (Bangladesh)

The road network of Bangladesh consists of national highways (designated by a number preceded by "N"), regional highways (R numbers) and zilla or district roads (Z numbers) which are maintained by Roads and Highways Department, as well as Upazila Roads, Union Roads, and Village Roads which are maintained by Local Government Engineering Department. The total length is more than 375,000 km.

The N1 or Dhaka–Chittagong Highway is a main transportation artery in Bangladesh, between Dhaka and Chittagong. Approximately 250 kilometres in length, the road links the country's two largest cities, Dhaka and Chittagong.

The highway is known along various stretches as the Chittagong–Cox's Bazar Highway and the Cox's Bazar–Teknaf Highway. Currently four lanes with an eight-lane expansion underway, the N1 is the busiest road in the country and a top development priority. Construction of a larger Dhaka-Chittagong expressway has been proposed to decrease traffic on the highway.

From Wikipedia

We drive north on the N1 and we can see some of the big ships on the beach over the houses when we drive past. Our Agent have set up a boat for me tomorrow morning so it will be exciting to see if I can come close to the beach.

As I had had very little sleep I was half asleep in the back seat.

Bird watching in Chittagong
Driving north on N1

My driver had told me that he knew the place when we left so I was not worried to get a little bit of sleep in the back. I woke up and the driver asked me where to go and I showed him on the map. He stopped to ask for directions and I got worried.

So, I had to give him directions and we finally made it to the eBird hotspot and I could start my eBird app.

There was a lot of House Crows and I also spotted two Large-billed Crow. There was a group of Asian Pied Starlings and some of them looked to be juveniles. They were feeding on something on the ground. There were also plenty Black Drongos in the area.

House Crow, Corvus splendens

House Crow, Corvus splendens
House Crow

Common Myna
Common Myna

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, Gråsparv

Black Drongo, कालो चिबे, Dicrurus macrocercus, นกแซงแซวหางปลา

Black Drongo, कालो चिबे, Dicrurus macrocercus, นกแซงแซวหางปลา
Black Drongo / कालो चिबे

Long-tailed Shrike, Lanius schach

Long-tailed Shrike, Lanius schach
Long-tailed Shrike

Bird watching in Chittagong
Crossing Muhuri River

Bird watching in Chittagong
Crossing Muhuri River

Bird watching in Chittagong
Crossing Muhuri River

We cross the Muhuri River and we make a U-turn and we cross the bridge again. There had not been so many birds in the area, mostly crows. So, we decided to drive back south again. We spotted one Little Cormorant just before I turned off my eBird app.

Well, a little disappointed, but now I have seen the area.

Little Cormorant, Microcarbo niger, นกกาน้ำเล็ก

eBird

eBird Report


Muhuri Dam (Feni), Chittagong bibhag, BD 04 Aug 2022 09:30 AM - 10:23
Protocol: Traveling
0.1 kilometer(s)
13 species

Spotted Dove 2
Little Cormorant 1
Indian Pond Heron 5
Black Drongo 2
Long-tailed Shrike 1
House Crow 10
Large-billed Crow 2
Barn Swallow 2
Red-vented Bulbul 2
Asian Pied Starling 5
Common Myna 5
Oriental Magpie-Robin 4
House Sparrow 4

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116300844

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Bird watching in Chittagong
Today's track at eBird hotspot: Muhuri Dam (Feni)

We left the area to go back to N1. There is one more eBird hotspot I want to visit before returning to Chittagong. The Hazarikhil WS hotspot and we ended up on a small dirt track through the jungle. We came to a fallen tree and we could not continue.

A very small road and we had to put the car in reverse as we could not make a U-turn. But my driver managed to get around after a while and we sat course towards road N1 and Chittagong. My driver stopped along the road for a quick cup of tea.

Bird watching in Chittagong
Mini Mart / tea shop along highway N1

Bird watching in Chittagong
Mini Mart / tea shop along highway N1

When we approached Chittagong I asked the driver to take me to the Patenga Sea Beach as this is an eBird Hotspot. This is a popular beach with the tourists and there are a small market and something that looked like a fun fair. But man! Garbage everywhere!

It is the same all over Bangladesh, garbage for long as you can see. There was not very many birds, no birds on the beach, maybe because people were swimming in the almost black water.

Bird watching at Patenga Sea Beach in Chittagong
As exciting as it gets at Patenga Sea Beach

Bird watching at Patenga Sea Beach in Chittagong
Plenty ships anchored at Patenga Sea Beach

Bird watching at Patenga Sea Beach in Chittagong
Fun fair?

Bird watching at Patenga Sea Beach in Chittagong

Pied Myna, Asian Pied Starling, Gracupica contra, นกอีแจว, Siamese Pied Myna, Gracupica floweri

House Crow, Corvus splendens

House Crow, Corvus splendens
House Crow

House Crow, Corvus splendens
House Crow

Jungle Myna, Acridotheres fuscus

Jungle Myna, Acridotheres fuscus
Jungle Myna

eBird

eBird Report


Patenga Sea Beach (Chattogram), Chittagong bibhag, BD 04 Aug 2022 12:49 - 13:11
Protocol: Traveling
1.62 kilometer(s)
5 species

Indian Pond Heron 2
House Crow 25
Asian Pied Starling 20
Common Myna 5
Jungle Myna 3

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116303024

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Bird watching in Chittagong
Today's track at eBird hotspot: Patenga Sea Beach (Chattogram)

We leave the beach to go to look for Ganesh in a shop close to the hotel. The shop was closed, anyway, the Ganesh did not look so good so we went back to the hotel.

I went for lunch, hamburger with no French fries and bread. A pot of tea and sesame nan. The food tasted very good and I was full when I returned to my room.

No more food for today, still eating twice per day only. So, it is all well, except for the nan.

Very tasty but it is very bad for the blood sugar and diet.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Chattogram Bay View, Chittagong
Radisson Blu Hotel, Chattogram Bay View, Chittagong

Radisson Blu Hotel, Chattogram Bay View, Chittagong
Reception

Radisson Blu Hotel, Chattogram Bay View, Chittagong
Lunch / dinner

+++++++++++++++
Friday 5th of August 2022
and I am out of bed at 4 thirty and I turn on the kettle first thing. Our Agent will come to pick me up at 7 o'clock so I had some time to kill. I got a LINE message from the Agent and he will be here quarter past seven.

Restaurant opens at 6 thirty and I went for breakfast. A pot of tea and some cheese and nuts. Butter nan and I had a spoon of whipped cream with chocolate sauce. Not good for my blood sugar and it did no good to my diet.

Bird watching in Chittagong
Agent come to pick me up

Bird watching in Chittagong
On our way to the boat in Kumira

We drive north on road # N1 and there were a lot of shops selling “ship stuff” from the scrapped ships. There was of course more shops in Alang, India. I asked the Agent to stop every now and then so I could get some pictures.

Road # N1 is going close to the beach and we could see the top of some of the scrap ships down at the beach. So, it was really an interesting ride this morning. Plenty to see.

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Ship machinery for sale

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Ship machinery for sale

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Ship equipment’s for sale

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Ship equipment’s for sale

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Life boats

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Life boats

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Life boats

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Ship machinery for sale

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
We can see some of the scrap ships from the highway

We leave road # N1 turning down towards the ocean. We will take out boat from the fishing harbour at Kumira. Our Agent have arranged one fisher man and his boat for the trip.

Arriving to the fishing harbour and there are plenty boats. Which one is ours? Our Agent called the driver and we managed to get contact and we went down to the water. The driver negotiated his way in to pick us up and we were soon on our way towards Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard.

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Now we have to find our boat

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Now we have to find our boat

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Now we have to find our boat

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Now we have to find our boat

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Our boat is coming

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
We are leaving for the Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Our Agent is coming with me


House Crow
House Crow

House Crow
House Crow

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Fishing men returning to the fishing harbour

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Breaking ships north of the fishing harbour

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Breaking ships north of the fishing harbour

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Breaking ships north of the fishing harbour

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Breaking ships north of the fishing harbour

We will drive south to cover the whole ship breaking area, north of the fishing harbour is one yard as well, but we covered this while leaving the fishing harbour. There was a few egrets and herons on the mudflats, but the area was full of House Crows.

We come around the Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু and we meet boats full to the brim with passengers from the anchored ferry. The boats dropped the passengers at the Kumira Bridge. 5 to 10 minutes in the boats between the ferry and the bridge.

And the boats were loaded with people, no social distancing there.

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passengers coming for the Kumira Bridge

Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু

Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু

We left the Kumira Bridge behind continuing towards the south and we could see everything from freshly beached ships to ships that was almost totally gone.

I think most of the ships was old gas tankers, a lot of them, from small to very big ships. Jack-up riggs and also a ferry. It was very interesting to see the area even though it was very hot.

Should have brought a bottle of water with me, well, now it is too late.

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing scrap ships on our way south

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
We reach the south end and we turn around

It took us more than one hour to reach the south part of the breaking yard and we turned around to go back north. Nice, it is very hot and it will be nice with some A/C in the car.

And it will be nice with some water coming ashore again.

Going back north was not as exciting as we had already seen the ships when going south. And there was not many birds, I had expected many birds on the mud flats. Only, well, I could only see Egrets and pond herons.

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Our Agent, also happy to go back north again

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing the ships again going back north

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing the ships again going back north

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing the ships again going back north

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Great Egret

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Little Egret

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing the ships again going back north

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Passing the ships again going back north

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Indian Pond Heron, Little Egret and a Great Egret

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Ship waiting to be scrapped

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Beach marked with yellow and white flags

They put up yellow and white flags on the beach and the ships aim between the flags during highwater. There was one ship anchored outside and they had put up the flags on the beach so she will beach on the next highwater.

I could see a total of three places with the white and yellow flags so they have three ships that will be beached in the very near future.

We approached the Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু and we will have to get off on the bridge. Low water so there is no water in the fishing harbour. Our Agent asked if I could walk for one kilometer and I told him that it was no problem.

Coming closer to the bridge and I could see that there were bicycle rickshaws so we will take a rickshaw going back to the car.

Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
Approaching Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু

Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু

Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
Going back to the car

Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
Going back to the car

Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
Going back to the car



Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
Going back to the car

Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
Going back to the car

Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
Going back to the car

Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
End of the trip

Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
End of the trip

Kumira Bridge- কুমিরা ব্রিজ কুমিরা সেতু
No water in the fishing harbour

eBird

eBird Report


Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard, Chittagong bibhag, BD 05 Aug 2022 08:16 - 10:26
Protocol: Traveling
19.55 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: Along the beach with a rented boat from Kumira and back
6 species

Great White Egret 1
Intermediate Egret 2 Fight with one of the Little Egrets
Little Egret 8
Indian Pond Heron 5
House Crow 100
Common Myna 1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116352857

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Bird watching in Chittagong
Today's track at the Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Click HERE for full size picture over the area

I have booked the hotel car for 11 o'clock and I will be a little late coming back to Radisson. We leave the fishing harbour and Kumira behind. Driving back towards the hotel on road # N1 and we pass more of the shops selling ships equipment.

We made a few stops for pictures, but as the car was waiting for me at Radisson I was in a wee bit of a hurry to get back.

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Shops selling ship's equipment

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Shops selling ship's equipment

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Shops selling ship's equipment

Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard
Shops selling ship's equipment

The hotel car is waiting for me when we return to Radisson and I just “POP” by my room to down load my pictures to my computer before leaving for Chittagong University Campus (Chattogram). It is an eBird hotspot so I hope to see plenty birds.

We take off and I start my eBird app at 12:09. My driver take the wrong turn and we are lucky to run in to a couple of birds eating from garbage next to the road. Pied Mynas and Crows. I get a recording of the Large-billed Crow.

Large-billed Crow, thick-billed crow, Jungle crow, Corvus macrorhynchos

Large-billed Crow, thick-billed crow, Jungle crow, Corvus macrorhynchos
Large-billed Crow

Listen to the Large-billed Crow

Remarks from the Recordist

Recorded with my ZOOM H5 Handy Recorder. High Pass Filter applied with Audacity.

Crow and Asian Pied Starlings eating from some garbage next to the road


www.xeno-canto.org

Pied Myna, Asian Pied Starling, Gracupica contra, นกอีแจว, Siamese Pied Myna, Gracupica floweri
Pied Myna or Asian Pied Starling / นกอีแจว

We leave the paved road driving towards the Botanical Garden but we only come to a closed gate and we have to put the car in reverse. So, the Botanical Garden turned out to be a disappointment. And there were quite a few people outside the gate.

Holiday today so there was quite a few people in the area. Anyway, not many birds to be seen in the area, and I am sorry to say the same about the other places I have visited so far.

Bird watching in Chittagong
The gate is closed

eBird

eBird Report


Chittagong University Campus (Chattogram), Chittagong bibhag, BD 05 Aug 2022 12:09 - 12:48
Protocol: Traveling
3.21 kilometer(s)
9 species

Feral Pigeon 2
Spotted Dove 1
Black Drongo 1
House Crow 1
Large-billed Crow 4
Asian Pied Starling 12
Common Myna 1
Oriental Magpie-Robin 1
Scaly-breasted Munia 2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116354683

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Bird watching in Chittagong
Today's track at the Chittagong University Campus (Chattogram)

I wanted to visit one more area before calling it a day, the eBird hotspot: Gumai Beel (Chattogram) an hour or so away from the Botanical Garden. I showed the place using my map for the driver. He said he knew the place, but he was soon lost.

And I lost my temper and told him to go back to the hotel. But this would have made him to lose face at the hotel so after a while he asked me for the way. First time for me and I have to show a driver, that according to the hotel was born in Chittagong and knew all the streets.

We were soon on the country side and there was only small walk paths out in to the rice paddies. We found a dirt road and we turned off the paved road. The first birds was Pied Mynas and Jungle Mynas. Then we passed three Indian Silverbills.

We spotted two Common Sandpipers and there was also a Common Kingfisher sitting next to the road. Of course, the bird took off before I could get any picture.

Indian Silverbill or White-throated Munia, Euodice malabarica

Indian Silverbill or White-throated Munia, Euodice malabarica
Indian Silverbill or White-throated Munia

Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos, Drillsnäppa, イソシギ, นกเด้าดิน

Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos, Drillsnäppa, イソシギ, นกเด้าดิน
Common Sandpiper

Long-tailed Shrike, Lanius schach
Long-tailed Shrike

Long-tailed Shrike, Lanius schach
Long-tailed Shrike

Long-tailed Shrike, Lanius schach
Long-tailed Shrike

I spotted three Long-tailed Shrikes and there was a big group of Cattle Egrets in the fields. Some Indian Pond Herons and Little Egrets as well. The road came to an end after a km and we had to turn around.

Well, it had been good and I was happy when we were back on the paved road.

eBird

eBird Report


Gumai Beel (Chattogram), Chittagong bibhag, BD 05 Aug 2022 14:27 - 14:54
Protocol: Traveling
2.14 kilometer(s)
13 species

Collared Dove 2
Common Sandpiper 2
Little Cormorant 2
Little Egret 5
Cattle Egret 12
Indian Pond Heron 2
Common Kingfisher 1
Black Drongo 7
Long-tailed Shrike 3
Large-billed Crow 1
Asian Pied Starling 24
Jungle Myna 3
Indian Silverbill 3

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116356196

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Bird watching in Chittagong
Today's track at Gumai Beel (Chattogram)

I had my lunch / dinner when I was back at the hotel. Then I was off to my room. We will leave for Cox's Bazar tomorrow at 5 thirty. Originally at 7 but then we changed to 6.

My driver told me that he would be here at 5 o'clock and I asked him to call me when he arrive and we can leave at 5 thirty.

Then we can dodge the traffic and make it to Cox's Bazar a couple of hours earlier and we have more time to explore the area.

+++++++++++++++
Saturday 6th of August 2022
and I had ordered 2 sesame nan breads when I had my lunch/ dinner yesterday. So, I enjoyed them with my tea at 5 o'clock and I was in the car at 5 thirty.

Took us a little more than 2 hours to reach Cox's Bazar and we started to drive south. There are two eBird hotspots south of Cox's Bazar that I want to see. We will start at the southernmost, the eBird hotspot: Inani Beach (Cox's Bazar)

And driving back to Cox's Bazar we will stop at Himchori NP. Anyway, disappointing to reach the Inani Beach as there wasn't really much to see. They had rented 4-wheel motorcycles on the beach and I could not see one single bird.

The road is going along the beach and we stopped at a hotel between the road and the beach. There was some trees in the area and I went to see if there was any birds.

Bird watching in Inani Beach (Cox's Bazar)
On our way to Inani Beach

Bird watching in Inani Beach (Cox's Bazar)
On our way to Inani Beach

Bird watching in Inani Beach (Cox's Bazar)
Walking down to the beach

Bird watching in Inani Beach (Cox's Bazar)
On the beach

Bird watching in Inani Beach (Cox's Bazar)
On the beach

No birds on the beach and I entered the hotel area. I could spot one female Oriental Magpie Robin. A little disappointing and I left again. The building next door was also having trees in the garden and there was plenty birds. But very hard to see them in the trees.

I was approached by a few of the 4-wheel motorcycle people. 1500 Taka to see the whole beach and he went down to 500 Taka (5 US Dollars) but as I could not see any birds on the beach I said no thanks. But it could have been nice to drive around if there was any birds.

Oriental Magpie Robin, Copsychus saularis, นกกางเขนบ้าน

Oriental Magpie Robin, Copsychus saularis, นกกางเขนบ้าน
Female Oriental Magpie Robin

Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis

Black Drongo, कालो चिबे, Dicrurus macrocercus, นกแซงแซวหางปลา
Black Drongo / कालो चिबे

Black Drongo, कालो चिबे, Dicrurus macrocercus, นกแซงแซวหางปลา
Black Drongo / कालो चिबे

Bird watching in Inani Beach (Cox's Bazar)
Purple-rumped Sunbird - Poor picture, kept for ID purpose only

Bird watching in Inani Beach (Cox's Bazar)
Female House Sparrow

eBird

eBird Report


Inani Beach (Cox's Bazar), Chittagong bibhag, BD 06 Aug 2022 08:49 - 09:26
Protocol: Traveling
1.19 kilometer(s)
5 species
Checklist Comments: No birds on the beach. All birds seen in the trees around the hotel

Black Drongo 2
Common Myna 3
Oriental Magpie-Robin 1
Purple-rumped Sunbird 1
House Sparrow 1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116406260

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Bird watching in Inani Beach (Cox's Bazar)
Today's track at Inani Beach

Bird watching in Inani Beach (Cox's Bazar)

We left driving back towards Cox's Bazar and we would stop at Himchori NP. On the map there is roads but we could not find any roads and we continued to Cox's Bazar.

Cox's Bazar seems to be the # 1 tourist destination for Bangladeshi tourists. They were building new buildings, and there was one or two hotels that looked nice. Otherwise, it seems to be pretty run down.

But you could see that they tried to decorate the place to be tourist like. A roundabout had a fountain. Made of concrete and sharks and stuff, could have been looking nice. But the paint was coming of and no water.

There was garbage in the fountain, as well as all over Cox's Bazar.

Cox's Bazar
Cox's Bazar attraction

Cox's Bazar
Cox's Bazar attraction

Cox's Bazar
Cox's Bazar attraction

Cox's Bazar
Cox's Bazar attraction

I wanted to go to another hotspot across the river, but then we would have to take a ferry. Or driving far north until we reached a bridge and we would have to spend several hours. So, I decided to go back to Chittagong with 2 stops at eBird hotspots along the # N1 road back to Chittagong.

First stop will be at Fasiakhali WS--Lama Road and then at the Chunati WS. We tried to get to Fasiakhali WS--Lama Roundabout the road was closed as they had some problem with the road. So, we continued towards Chunati WS.

Chunati WS is located in the mountains and we drove along a very narrow road. Just before the end of the road there was a mud track going up through the jungle. This track did not seem safe to enter so we decided to drive down to N1 going back to Chittagong.

It started to rain while on the mountains so lucky we did not go up the mud road. Imagine to have got stuck up there! Pure horror.

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Start to rain in the mountains

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Crossing a bridge

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Crossing a bridge

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Crossing a bridge

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Crossing a bridge

We have heavy rain on most of the trip back to Chittagong. We could hardly see the oncoming traffic as no one had their head lights on. I asked the driver to turn on the light, I was scared enough, they drive like crazy here.

It was very nice when we reached Chittagong, I am very hungry so I will go to the restaurant first thing. We reach the Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge over the Karnaphuli River. And as no one else is caring about any traffic rules here we stopped on top of the bridge.

Karnaphuli River is full of ships waiting for cargo and it was interesting to watch. But I wanted to get off the bridge as soon as possible. The whole bridge was shaking when the cars was passing. I want to be somewhere else if the bridge collapse.


Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge
Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge

Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge
Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge

Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge
Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge

Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge
Plenty ships on Karnaphuli River

Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge
Plenty ships on Karnaphuli River

Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge
Plenty ships on Karnaphuli River

Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge
Plenty ships on Karnaphuli River

Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge
Plenty ships on Karnaphuli River

Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge
Plenty ships on Karnaphuli River

Not so many birds today, but I had seen one new bird, the Purple-rumped Sunbird. Otherwise not much. But I was happy with the day, a little adventure in the mountains and I had seen Cox's Bazar and plenty country side. I was a happy tourist.

There will be no tour tomorrow as Karen Mærsk should arrive and I have no berthing prospects. 3 other joiners will arrive tomorrow as well and we don't know when we will come on board.

Bird watching in Inani Beach (Cox's Bazar)

+++++++++++++++
Sunday 7th of August 2022
and I had my breakfast and I was back in my room. Waiting for news and our Agent send me a picture from his phone just before 9 o'clock, Karen Mærsk was anchored on Chittagong anchorage.

Still no berthing prospects so I really did not know when to join the ship. Join on the anchorage or when she is coming alongside. Later on, he sent another picture, he had been to the airport to pick up the other on signers and now they were on the way to the hotel.

Chittagong anchorage
Karen Mærsk have arrived Chittagong anchorage

Chittagong
Agent on the way to the hotel with the on signers

Around lunch time and it was decided that we would join the ship when she come alongside the jetty. So, I looked on internet on things to do in Chittagong and as it was turning in to late afternoon I decided to go have a look at the Butterfly Park, there might be some birds.

I called the reception and I booked a car and I was surprised, the car was available after 10 minutes. I booked the car for a full day tomorrow as well. The Butterfly Park is close to the Patenga Sea Beach and we drove along the coast.

I could see Karen Mærsk on the anchorage when we passed Patenga Sea Beach so I asked the driver to stop so I could get a picture.

Chittagong anchorage
Karen Mærsk at Chittagong anchorage


The Ferris wheel at the fun fair was running and it turned out to be a kid, maybe 7 years old turning the Ferris wheel by hand. Poor kid if I decide to take a ride. We left and we arrived to the Butterfly Parka few minutes after that.

I paid the entrance fee, 300 Taka, about 30 cents and I entered the park. Sunday and there was some people in the park, enough to scare the birds.

First bird was an Oriental Magpie Robin. I spotted a White-throated Kingfisher across the pond, too far away for any pictures. I had not been walking for long before someone wanted to have a selfie, yeah, why not?

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
Ticket office

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
My ticket

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
Entrance

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
Selfie

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
Selfie

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
Selfie

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
Selfie

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
White-throated Kingfisher

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
The pond

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
Black Drongo

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong

Oriental Magpie Robin, Copsychus saularis, นกกางเขนบ้าน
Female Oriental Magpie Robin

Oriental Magpie Robin, Copsychus saularis, นกกางเขนบ้าน
Female Oriental Magpie Robin

Sunday, it was not crowded but enough to make it almost impossible to walk alone. Well, the park is not very big. Anyway, the selfie couple followed me and lucky me, they startled a Common Kingfisher that I would never have seen if it wasn't for the bird flying away.

I was quite happy, two kingfishers and that makes it three total for me in Bangladesh.

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
What a pointless exercise to put up the sign

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
What a pointless exercise to put up the sign

eBird

eBird Report


Butterfly Park - Chattogram, Chittagong Division, Chittagong bibhag, BD 07 Aug 2022 15:24 - 15:54
Protocol: Traveling
0.46 kilometer(s)
7 species

Common Kingfisher 1
White-throated Kingfisher 1
Black Drongo 2
Asian Pied Starling 2
Common Myna 1
Oriental Magpie-Robin 1
House Sparrow 1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116474446

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Butterfly Park Bangladesh, Chittagong
Today's track in the Butterfly Park

Back at the parking lot and I got in to the car and we were driving back towards the hotel and the Ganesh shop close to the hotel. I have a new driver and he can speak English and he can read a map. He was soon finding out where I want to go during our day tomorrow.

We drive north along the coast and I see an egret and I ask the driver to get off the road at the সি ডি এ দু-পাশ গোল চত্বর and I really don't know what that means. We drove down the exit way to the roundabout and back up to the main road where we did a U-turn.

We drove back down towards the roundabout again keeping my eyes out for birds.

Little Egret, सानो सेतोबकुल्ला, Egretta garzetta, นกยางเปีย

Bird watching in Chittagong
Indian Pond Heron

eBird

eBird Report


সি ডি এ দু-পাশ গোল চত্বর - Chattogram, Chittagong Division, Chittagong bibhag, BD 07 Aug 2022 16:05 - 16:19
Protocol: Traveling
2.11 kilometer(s)
7 species

Little Egret 1
Indian Pond Heron 1
Black Drongo 1
House Crow 2
Large-billed Crow 1
Common Myna 2
House Sparrow 2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116474942

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Bird watching in Chittagong
Today's track at সি ডি এ দু-পাশ গোল চত্বর

There were a few birds around the roundabout and I was happy when we continued towards the Ganesh shop in the city. My new driver is Hindu so he should know everything about Ganesh.

We park at the shop and I have a look, most of the Ganesh are small, but they had one big that looked nice and I asked if he had three of them. They looked for boxes to pack the Ganesh and as I was hungry I wanted to get back to the hotel.

I gave them 2000 Taka and we will be back tomorrow with the rest of the money and they had plenty time to pack the boxes.

Ganesh in Chittagong
Ganesh shop

Ganesh in Chittagong
Ganesh shop

Ganesh in Chittagong
Ganesh shop

Ganesh in Chittagong
Ganesh shop

Ganesh in Chittagong
Ganesh shop


+++++++++++++++
Monday 8th of August 2022
and we left the hotel at 7 o'clock and the first stop will be at the Sultan Ahammed Tea House and then we will go back to Chittagong and the Parki Beach south of the mouth of Karnaphuli River.

Did not take long before I realised that something was wrong. We approached the Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge. He crossed the river and I asked where he was going, this is not the way. So, we made a U-turn and we paid the bridge toll again.

We turned off # R163, the same road we drove when we went to the eBird hotspot: Gumai Beel (Chattogram) and we crossed the 2nd Karnaphuli Bridge and we were soon running in to trouble. The road to the Sultan Ahammed Tea House was not much more than a walk path.

We turned around and we ended up on a dirt track and we were surrounded with paddies and a beautiful landscape.

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Not much of a road and we soon have to turn around

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Beautiful landscapes

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Beautiful landscapes

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Yet again, the road come to an end

Second road, well, dirt track turned in to a walk path and we turned around again and I gave up the idea on Sultan Ahammed Tea House. Well, we had seen a few birds in the rice paddies, the first Bee-eater for me in Bangladesh.

There was also a White-throated Kingfisher sitting on the same wire as the Bee-eater. I also spotted a couple of Red-wattled Lapwings, also the first time for me in Bangladesh.

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Brick factory

Bird watching in Bangladesh
You see these brick factories all over the Chittagong area

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Black Drongo

eBird

eBird Report


Anwar Bin Mahmud Jame Masjid - Chittagong Division, Chittagong bibhag, BD
08 Aug 2022 08:42 - 08:58
Protocol: Traveling
1.04 kilometer(s)
10 species

Red-wattled Lapwing 3
Little Cormorant 1
Little Egret 3
Indian Pond Heron 6
White-throated Kingfisher 1
Blue-tailed Bee-eater 1 Poor picture, kept for ID purpose only
Black Drongo 7
Large-billed Crow 1
Asian Pied Starling 100 Many foraging in the fields. Impossible to give a proper count
Common Myna 5

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116532522

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Bird watching at Anwar Bin Mahmud Jame Masjid
Today's track at Anwar Bin Mahmud Jame Masjid

We drove back to # R163 crossing the 2nd Karnaphuli Bridge. We turn right and we go to check out the eBird hotspot: Gumai Beel (Chattogram)

We get out on a different dirt road today, a couple of days ago we had been on another dirt track. Today we had to put the car in reverse after 500 meter as the dirt track turned in to nothing. Not so many exciting birds today.

A lot of herons and of course, Asian Pied Starlings. Since I came to Bangladesh I think I have seen most of the Asian Pied Starlings, except for the House Crow.

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Indian Pond Heron

Bird watching in Bangladesh
Indian Pond Heron

eBird

eBird Report


Gumai Beel (Chattogram), Chittagong bibhag, BD
08 Aug 2022 09:26 - 09:42
Protocol: Traveling
1.13 kilometer(s)
7 species

Indian Pond Heron 5
Black Drongo 3
Long-tailed Shrike 2
House Crow 28
Large-billed Crow 1
Asian Pied Starling 3
Jungle Myna 4

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116533705

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Bird watching at Gumai Beel (Chattogram)
Today's track at eBird hotspot: Gumai Beel (Chattogram)

We start to drive back to Chittagong and I fall asleep in the back seat. I wake up and I discover that we are driving south on Chittagong Coastal Road. Wrong side of the river and far away from the Karnaphuli 3rd Bridge. We have lost a lot of time and I am not happy.

This morning he was driving to Parki Beach and now he thinks we are going to the Patenga Sea Beach. It is not all that fun to spend time in the car, and now hours extra because of this.

So, we were late coming to the beach. I also have to pick up my Ganesh before going back to the hotel. But I could start the eBird app at 13:35

Black Drongo, कालो चिबे, Dicrurus macrocercus, นกแซงแซวหางปลา
Black Drongo / कालो चिबे

Black Drongo, कालो चिबे, Dicrurus macrocercus, นกแซงแซวหางปลา
Black Drongo / कालो चिबे

It is a beautiful area, even though there is garbage everywhere. There are plenty birds in the area, but it was starting to pour down 10 minutes after I turned on my eBird app.

We drive around and I keep my eyes out for birds. We reach the end of the road and we turn around. I wish I had more time here and better weather. I found it strange that this was not an eBird hotspot, the area with most birds so far in Bangladesh.

Well, of course, the places I had visited.

Leaving the area and I spotted on Kingfisher but it took off before I could give a proper ID.

Bird watching at Parki Beach, Chittagong
Great White Egret in heavy rain

Black Drongo, कालो चिबे, Dicrurus macrocercus, นกแซงแซวหางปลา
Black Drongo / कालो चिबे

Bird watching at Parki Beach, Chittagong
White-breasted Waterhen

Bird watching at Parki Beach, Chittagong
Common Sandpiper

eBird

eBird Report


Parki Beach, Chittagong Division, Chittagong bibhag, BD
08 Aug 2022 13:35 - 14:25
Protocol: Traveling
5.31 kilometer(s)
11 species

White-breasted Waterhen 1
Red-wattled Lapwing 6
Common Sandpiper 1
Little Cormorant 5
Great White Egret 1
Indian Pond Heron 5
Black Drongo 7
House Crow 3
Asian Pied Starling 23
Jungle Myna 2
Oriental Magpie-Robin 2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116537788

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Bird watching at Parki Beach, Chittagong
Today's track at eBird hotspot: Parki Beach, Chittagong

Coming to Parki Beach and my driver had tried to take the short cut through the Korean EPZ, Korean EPZ Corporation (Bd) Limited (কোরিয়ান ইপিজেড করপোরেশন (বিডি) লিমিটেড) Restricted area and we were not allowed to enter at the North Gate.

So, we had to spend an hour extra on a very poor road. And the road condition was surprising, Parki Beach is a popular tourist destination for people in Chittagong. So, I had expected the roads to be more than mud and pot holes.

Anyway, going back to Radisson Blu Hotel, Chattogram Bay View and my driver tried to enter through the South Gate. Maybe because he had a Danish bird watcher in the back, no problem and we entered the area.

Beautiful area and gorgeous roads and we would have made the distance in less than 10 minutes. But we were looking for birds we spent 20 minutes, but we could easily have spent more but we were in a kind of hurry.

Indian Roller, Coracias benghalensis

Indian Roller, Coracias benghalensis
Indian Roller

Indian Roller, Coracias benghalensis

I spotted one roller sitting on a wire and I wasn't too excited as I have seen the roller in many places in Asia and India. But here it was a rare bird and this bird generated a RARE BIRD ALERT in eBird. So, this was a surprise.

We passed 3 foxes on the road, first I thought it was dogs but when we passed I could see that it was foxes. They left the road when I went out trying to take pictures.

Bird watching at Korean EPZ, Chittagong
Long-tailed Shrike

Bird watching at Korean EPZ, Chittagong
House Sparrow

Bird watching at Korean EPZ, Chittagong
House Sparrow

Bird watching at Korean EPZ, Chittagong
A fox

eBird

eBird Report


Korean EPZ, Chittagong Division, Chittagong bibhag, BD
08 Aug 2022 14:42 - 15:01
Protocol: Traveling
6.28 kilometer(s)
10 species

Collared Dove 3
Little Cormorant 2
Indian Roller 1 Picture taken. Bird sitting on wire
Black Drongo 1
Long-tailed Shrike 1
House Crow 1
Red-vented Bulbul 3
Asian Pied Starling 3
Common Myna 7
House Sparrow 3

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116538345

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Bird watching at Korean EPZ, Chittagong
Today's track at Korean EPZ

Surprisingly light traffic across the bridge and through the city and we are soon in the shop to pick up my Ganesh. I already in contact with my friend planning to put powers in the Ganesh. Like we did with the whale teeth in Kanchanaburi.

This time we plan to do it in Lopburi at the Crocodile temple that we visited back in June. So, this is an adventure to look forward to.

I paid the remaining money and we went back to the car to leave for the hotel.

Ganesh in Chittagong
Picking up my Ganesh


My friend sent me a comment on the traffic in Chittagong via LINE, I had to pick myself up from the floor laughing listening to his message.



Another long day and I had not had anything to eat since early morning. And now I am back on my strict diet so no carbs this morning. Took a great deal of self-discipline to skip the nan bread, but I managed. Only cheese and nuts.

So, I was hungry when I came back to my room and as I did not want to eat in the restaurant I ordered room service. And I only ordered meat, if I would have gone to the restaurant I would most likely have had some nan bread as well.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Chattogram Bay View
Room service

Radisson Blu Hotel, Chattogram Bay View
Room service

Amazing

Latest news is that Karen Mærsk will get the pilot tomorrow morning at 07:00 but still no confirmation so I will see tomorrow morning. To sign on or to extend the hotel stay? If I have to stay one more night I will go to visit the Parki Beach again.

And maybe try to visit the Korean EPZ again. Well, having breakfast and I get a message from our Agent. Karen Mærsk is leaving the anchorage so no more birding in Bangladesh.

I will be picked up at 8 thirty and I am off. Click HERE to find out how works out on board Karen Mærsk. Are we going from here back to the PTT charter in Thailand?


       
                  
OK, it has come to my knowledge that we have senior citizens visiting my web page. How hard can it be? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page.
Jiffy (also jiff)

noun [in SING.] informal a moment: we'll be back in a jiffy.

ORIGIN late 18th cent.: of unknown origin.

So as you understand, in a jiff pretty much depends on your internet.
So I put a “Next” button here and I hope that there isn't any problem to understand how to use that one. So just CLICK the “Next” button on your left hand side and you will be on the next page in a jiff!

Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaas

Faites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!

Haga usted dice el español? No hay problema! Ver la siguiente página sólo hacer clic el botón “Next” encima!

Farla parla l'italiano? Non problemi! Per vedere la prossima pagina lo scatto per favore giusto Il bottone “Next” sopra

Sprechen sie Deutsch! Kein problem! Wenn Sie die folgende Seite sehen wollen gerade klicken der Knopf “Next” oben!

คุณพูดภาษาไทยได้ไหม ไม่มีปัญหา ถ้าคุณต้องการไปหน้าถัดไป ให้กดปุ่ม “Next” ข้างบนนี้

Вы говорите по-русски? Просто нажмите синюю кнопку "Next" с левой стороны и Вы моментально переместитесь на следующую страницу!

E ni Svenskar och inte förstår Engelska så ska ni skämmas. J och Björn, med det menar jag inte att alla mina stavfel ska ältas varje gång vi träffas.

Flag of Skåne / Skånska flaggan Well, the flag of Skåne, just a BONUS flag.


                                       

BirdforumTV

You are visitor no.
To www.aladdin.st since December 2005

Visitors from different countries since 26th of September 2011


Send me an e-mail My web page directory