The Global Birdwatchers Conference, Gujarat

The conference started with the official lighting of the lamp.

Dignitaries lighting the conference lamp

After several speeches by the dignitaries, the cultural entertainment started with a dramatic display of dancing from different regions of Gujarat.







The next day, the second part of the conference began: a two-day field trip exploring some of the best birding around the area.

Boxed lunches for everyone

Quite undisturbed by so many picnickers, this Bluethroat pottered about right beside us

Next stop, a wonderful freshwater lake where we enjoyed watching a myriad of duck and waders, including these charismatic Great Thick-knees

Wonderful to get so close to these enigmatic waders

What a place to stay the night: a maharajah's palace, not that he was in residence while we were there!

Come back again soon for some more fantastic Indian birding....