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Walks in the veedi (grasslands)
where nilgai (India's largest antelope) could be seen as also
smaller species like the black-naped hare, Indian gerbil,
monitor lizard and the endangered spiny-tailed lizard. The
endangered wolf is also present in and around Sayla.
The grassland is good for birdwatching as is the lake at Sayla
where a variety of waterfowl gather in large numbers during
the winter months.
Sayla is also an ideal base to visit a number of the Surendranagar
District reservoirs for birding.
We can arrange a trip to
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary for a boat safari from Ranagadh
to the western shore of the lake. This bird sanctuary comprises
a shallow lake, about 105 sq km in area, which attracts numerous
birds like the greater and lesser flamingo, demmossile and
common cranes, saras crane, rosy or white pelican, spoonbill,
openbill, painted stork, wooly-necked stork, black stork,
white stork, black-headed, glossy and black ibis, greylag
and bar-headed geese, coots, cormorants, lesser whistling
duck, ruddy shelduck, Northern pintail duck, Northern shovelor,
mallard, gadwall, wigeon, garganey, comb duck, spot-billed
duck, three species of pochard, tufted duck, pheasant-tailed
and bronze-winged jacana, Indian moorhen, purple swamphen,
sandpipers, little stint, greater spotted eagle, osprey, marsh
harrier, brahminy kite, and other birds. The country boat
ride on the shallow lake is a beautiful experience.
A jeep safari to the the Ratanpur and Botad-Dhakania Vidis
is excellent for viewing blackbuck or Indian antelope and
possibly also chinkara or Indian gazelle, Indian fox and Indian
hare.
Another interesting jeep safari is to Latura Katura where
the endangered Asiatic wild ass can be seen as also blackbuck
antelope, chinkara gazelle, Indian hare and a variety of semi-desert
birds.
Sayla has excellent Kathiawadi
horses, an indigenous breed of horses whose distinctive features
are a concave profile, long neck, big nostrils, fine and curved
upright ears on 90 degrees axis that can rotate at 180 degrees,
broad forehead, large expressive sensitive eyes and curved
tail. The dry face and broad round hooves are adaptations
to local conditions. Riding enthusiasts will enjoy riding
these horses, once the battle-horses of the Maharajas and
Nawabs of this region, and arrangements can also be made for
cross-country safaris with picnic lunches.
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