Entries about birds

Nowhere could this be more true than here at Khichan, near the little town of Phalodi in the hot, dry expanse of Rajasthan's Thar Desert.

This gathering of thousands upon thousands of migratory Demoiselle Cranes, here to avoid freezing temperatures on the steppes of foreign lands far to the north beyond the Himalayan heights, remains a wonder to which I could happily return every year.

The sight of such vast flocks of delicate, maiden-like birds with their plumage in shades of grey and white, bright red-brown eyes and guttural trumpeting 'krilll-krill' call is difficult to express in words. Suffice to say that this was my third visit in as many years to this natural spectacle, my brother David's first.

I could wax lyrical for as many thousands of words as there were birds. In fact, I've done just that in previous years, so I leave you instead to peruse these photos and to read of my past experiences of this unique and wondrous place (2016 'The eighth Wonder of the World perhaps?', 2017 'The face of success').

Accommodation:
Kurja Resort (Bird View Point, Railway Station Road, Khichan, Phalodi, Jodhpur Tel:+91 09649417417 email: kurjaresort@gmail.com)
As communications can sometimes be difficult, it is probably best to reserve through Booking.com.

This small, well-run hotel always lives up to expectations. Around INR3,500 (GBP41 at Feb 2018's exchange rate) per night for a good double room including breakfast. Lunch for two, about INR500 (GBP6). Three-course dinner for two, about INR700 (GBP8).