Upper Kachura Lake, also known as Upper Kachura Lake Skardu or Shangrila Lake, is a stunning alpine lake in the Skardu region of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It is situated at an elevation of approximately 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level.
The lake is renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, surrounded by breathtaking mountains, lush green meadows, and dense forests. The serene and picturesque beauty of Upper Kachura Lake attracts tourists and nature lovers worldwide
One of the remarkable features of Upper Kachura Lake is a small island located in its center, which adds to its allure. This island is accessible by a wooden bridge, enhancing the enchanting ambiance of the lake.
Surrounded by the magnificent Karakoram Range and the Indus River, the area around Upper Kachura Lake offers a range of outdoor activities and opportunities for adventure enthusiasts. Visitors can do boating and fishing in this beautiful lake, explore nearby hiking trails, or indulge in peaceful picnics by the lakeshore.
Additionally, the region around Upper Kachura Lake is home to diverse flora and fauna, including various species of birds. Birdwatchers can spot avian species in the surrounding forests and meadows, making it a paradise for bird enthusiasts.
Overall, Upper Kachura Lake Skardu provides a tranquil retreat amidst nature’s beauty, offering a mesmerizing experience to those who visit.
The wildlife _ Himalayas species of bird at Upper Kachura Lake Skardu
The blue whistling thrush (Myophonus caeruleus)
The blue whistling thrush (Myophonus caeruleus) is found in Central Asia, South Asia, Pakistan, India, China, and Southeast Asia mountains.
These birds can be found across a wide geographic range in Asia, from the Himalayas, stretching across India, China, and Southeast Asia, to some regions of Russia. They usually inhabit areas near water, in forests, or woodland.
Blue Whistling Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus) is a species of bird in the thrush family, Turdidae. They are known for their distinctively loud and melodious whistle-like song, often heard before dawn. The bird has a striking appearance with deep blue or blue-black plumage, and its color can appear to change depending on the lighting.
Their diet mainly consists of fruits and small invertebrates, like insects and snails. The species is generally non-migratory, although some populations may move seasonally due to conditions and food availability.
The Blue Whistling Thrush is monogamous, with a breeding season that varies depending on location. The nests, typically built by the females, are cup-shaped and placed in crevices or hollows near water.
The Eurasian magpie or common magpie (Pica pica)
Regarding habitat, the Eurasian Magpie is adaptable and can be found in many environments, including urban and suburban areas, farmlands, mixed woodland, and more. They are omnivorous, feeding on various food sources, including insects, small mammals, eggs and chicks of other birds, seeds, and carrion. They are also known to hoard food, storing it for later consumption.
The Eurasian Magpie, or Commonly Magpie bird, also called Pica Pica is recognizable by its distinctive black and white plumage and long tail, often accounting for over half its body length. The tail and wing feathers can exhibit a purplish-blue iridescent sheen when seen in the right light.
It is one of the most intelligent birds known for its curiosity and strong problem-solving skills. Studies have shown that these birds are capable of self-recognition in mirrors, which is a trait often associated with higher intelligence.
The Eurasian Magpie is found across a wide geographical range in the Palearctic region, extending from Western Europe and North Africa to Eastern Asia. Habitat choice and diet adaptability have helped it thrive in many of these regions.
Hoopoes (Upupa epops)
The Hoopoe (pronounced either “hoo-poo” or “hoo-poh”) is a colorful bird found across Afro-Eurasia, known for its distinctive “crown” of feathers. Its scientific name is Upupa Epops.
Hoopoes are recognized by their characteristic crest, which consists of long, black-tipped feathers that form a fan-like shape when raised. Their plumage is usually a rich cinnamon or orange-brown color, with broad black and white stripes on the wings and tail. The bird’s long, thin beak is curved, resembling a probe, which is useful for hunting insects, grubs, and other small creatures in soil and under rocks.
Still, Hoopoes have a unique way to combat this issue – they produce a secretion from a gland near their tail, which has antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties.
One interesting fact about Hoopoes is their unique nesting behavior. Unlike many other birds, they don’t clean their nests. This can lead to a buildup of parasites in the nest.
The call of the Hoopoe is typically a trisyllabic “oop-oop-oop”, where the bird gets its name.
House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus)
They are native to Europe and Asia; these have been introduced to other parts of the world, including the Americas, Australia, and Africa. Its adaptability has allowed it to thrive in many of these new environments, often to the detriment of local bird species.
Despite its global prevalence, there has been a notable decline in the population of House Sparrows in many regions, including its native range. Habitat loss, pollution, disease, and competition with other species have contributed to this decline.
The House Sparrow, also called Passer domesticus, is a bird species in the sparrow family, Passeridae. It’s one of the most widespread and well-known wild birds and has been closely associated with human habitation for centuries. The bird is small, robust, and generally brown, with males typically having more distinctive markings and a small black bib.
House Sparrows are generally social birds that are often seen in flocks. They are primarily granivorous, eating mainly seeds, but their diet can also include insects and food waste in urban areas. They usually nest in close association with humans, utilizing cavities in buildings and other structures.
Oriental turtle dove or rufous turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis)
The Oriental Turtle Dove, also known as the Rufous Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis), is a bird species in the pigeon and dove category.
The species is native to Asia, extending from Eastern Europe to Japan.
The Oriental Turtle Dove has two distinct color forms: one that is grey and found in the colder northern regions of its range and a warmer, rufous form that is found in the southern areas. The bird has a distinguishing black and white striped patch on its neck. Both male and female Oriental Turtle Doves are similar in appearance, and juveniles are more uniformly grey and lack the striped neck patch.
In terms of size, the Oriental Turtle Dove is a medium-sized dove, typically between 30-34 cm (12-13.5 in) in length. They have broad wings and a long tail, with a plump body shape typical of many doves.
These doves prefer open wooded areas, edges of forests, and cultivated lands, often avoiding dense forests. They feed on various seeds, grains, fruits, and occasional invertebrates.
The bird’s call is a cooing sound, and they are known to make a flapping sound with their wings during takeoff, which is characteristic of this species.
Tickell's Thrush (Turdus Unicolor)
Tickell’s Thrush is primarily found in the Indian subcontinent, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar
This medium-sized thrush has a distinctive appearance with a dark olive-brown or grayish-brown plumage on its upperparts, including the head, back, and wings. The underparts are whitish or pale gray, with fine streaks on the breast and flanks. The throat and chin are also pale, sometimes with a yellowish tint. The bill is yellow with a dark tip, and the legs are pinkish-brown.
Breeding season for Tickell’s Thrush varies across its range but generally occurs from March to July.
The female normally lays three to four eggs, pale blue or greenish-blue with reddish-brown speckles.
Both mom, dad participate in incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
Tickell’s Thrush (Turdus unicolor) is a species of bird belonging to the thrush family, Turdidae. It is named after Samuel Tickell, a British ornithologist who first described the species in 1845.
Tickell’s Thrush inhabits various forest habitats, including evergreen, deciduous, and mixed forests. It can also be found in wooded gardens, plantations, and bamboo groves. This bird is known for its melodious song, consisting of rich and varied notes. It is often heard singing from a concealed perch within the forest or treetops.
These thrushes primarily feed on insects, worms, snails, and berries. They forage on the ground, hopping and probing the leaf litter for prey or searching for fruits in the understory. Tickell’s Thrushes are generally solitary or found in pairs during the breeding season. They build cup-shaped nests made of twigs, grass, and leaves, typically placed on tree branches or in the fork of a shrub.
