tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51730252166094141732024-03-05T16:42:19.908-08:00The Budding Bird-Watcher's ChroniclesNikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-59526202466134976312011-01-26T23:12:00.001-08:002011-02-06T11:35:35.504-08:00Review of the Stokes Talon 8x42 binoculars<blockquote>I have owned the Stokes Talon 8x42 binoculars for just over three years now. They were given to me as a gift by my aunt, and I have enjoyed using them on all of my birding trips since then. The following is a short review of this integral birding equipment and I hope you find it useful.</blockquote>It was January 2008. The Mumbai BirdRace was about to be held soon and my binoculars (Bushnell 7x35 Falcon porro-prism) were literally on their last <span style="font-style: italic;">objectives</span> (pun intended). With the alignment between the barrels badly screwed, they were barely usable. The optics were worn with scratches too and only gave very dim and low contrast views of birds; it was time to get new ones.<br /><br />As with any purchase, I began looking at reviews of binoculars online and began my research for choosing good birding optics. After much online reading, I concluded that I needed the following qualities in my new binoculars:<br /><ol><li>They should have fully multi-coated optics (on all glass-to-air surfaces) for bright and contrasty views.<br /></li><li>They should have a wide field of view, 8 degrees being ideal.<br /></li><li>They should be waterproof, not only to enable using them in the rain, but also to prevent the insides from fogging in the early hours of the day.<br /></li><li>They should be able to close-focus to less than 10 feet, so that watching butterflies is possible.<br /></li><li>They should be durable (shouldn't go out of alignment).<br /></li></ol>I also read that in the world of optics, you generally get what you pay for and that zoom binoculars aren't as good optically as fixed magnification ones and they also have a severely reduced field-of-view. Moreover, most of the binoculars costing upward of $150 were roof-prism rather than porro-prism, partly because it is much easier to make waterproof binoculars in such a design.<br /><br />Deciding the magnification is quite a personal decision. I chose to get 8x bins instead of 10x since my hands aren't very steady and they would also allow me to get a brighter exit-pupil for the same objective size. In theory, this meant that they would be better for low-light situations and also for astronomy.<br /><br />The Talons satisfied all of my requirements and I chose to bite the bullet. I was certainly not disappointed. Vortex, which is the company that manufactures them, produce another line of binoculars called "Diamondback" and these are essentially the same as the Talons except for the exterior rubber grip. They feel quite solid and are a tad bit heavy. This can become a strain on the neck if used for long hours, but a good quality shoulder harness is very useful in taking the strain off your neck.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp2ueauYFJxek4ifwcpRbbZ92rJeW6mPgQdz-zPVDkHIQ69tm2YHiT2Z4FtByrqILa43BaWlQOLvC9wg-iOR_Hk9OIGeFmr_JtRKuLTkuCxP97sDD6o-Npbror6g1Jk2-ZV6tGaY8sB0V/s1600/Canada_Part6-107.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp2ueauYFJxek4ifwcpRbbZ92rJeW6mPgQdz-zPVDkHIQ69tm2YHiT2Z4FtByrqILa43BaWlQOLvC9wg-iOR_Hk9OIGeFmr_JtRKuLTkuCxP97sDD6o-Npbror6g1Jk2-ZV6tGaY8sB0V/s400/Canada_Part6-107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570661858859427410" border="0" /></a><br /></div>The Talons (and the Diamondbacks) have excellent coatings on their optics. Vortex calls them <span style="font-style: italic;">phase-corrected</span> (whatever that means) and these provide superb bright and contrasty views of birds that I had never seen before. Compared to entry-level models like the Olympus DPS I 10x50 or 8x40, these are way superior (much brighter and contrasty) and the difference is very much apparent when looking for illusive field-marks on birds or enhancing low contrast details / colours.<br /><br />The 8x42 Talons also have an 8 degree field of view which is plenty large to follow small birds as they move around. The focusing ring is nice and smooth and is quite different from the one on the Bushnell. They are waterproof and can focus as close as 4.5 feet!<br /><br />The Talons cost about $200 at the time (early 2008) and sell for around the same price even today. If you are willing to spend $200, then look no further than the Talons. I have used them alongside the Nikon Monarch 8x42, which are priced about $100 more than the Talons, but optically I do not see any difference at all. The Nikon's focusing ring though looks superior to the Talons. One drawback with the Talons is that they do not focus well to infinity and this is somewhat of a pain when used for astronomy. The stars are just at the end of the focusing range of the bins and it is somewhat tricky to keep them in focus.<br /><br />I highly recommend these binoculars to anyone who wants to upgrade from entry-level models like the Olympus DPS I series or Bushnell Falcons. The cost is significant compared to these models which sell for around $50, but if you are serious about birding, then the investment in the Talons or any good birding optic is definitely worth it.Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-72844569892216199962010-11-15T19:13:00.000-08:002010-11-15T20:04:28.202-08:00Hello, USA<blockquote>Seeing two lifers on the day you land in a new country is cool. It happened when we'd stopped at a 'rest area' somewhere on the way to PA, after having picked me up at Newark airport. The ride was a long one (almost 5 hours), and these 'rest areas' provide you a nice opportunity to stretch a leg [even if you're a dog] when making long journeys on the broad and luxurious highways in the US.</blockquote>One was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tufted_Titmouse-27527-2.jpg">Tufted Titmouse</a>. A small sparrow-sized bird with a 'tuft' at the back of its head, resembling Robin Hood with his pointed hat. But that's as far as the semblance goes. It's not a green bird and does not have blond hair. It's no good at archery. It's a dull colored bird with a gray back and a white underparts, but with a big black eye that stands out remarkably well against its white face, (perhaps giving it its name?)...<br /><br />The one I saw was perched right at the top of an almost leafless tree. Without binoculars I was just about able to make out the slight 'tuft' but it was too difficult to make any identification. Thankfully I didn't have to strain my eyes for long because it soon descended upon a nearby bush giving a clear enough view for a positive identification. I had wanted to see this bird while in Canada near Toronto, since it is quite common in this region. I recall sitting in the Marriott hotel in Brampton looking up my Peterson's Fieldguide for common birds that I might see the next morning on a trip to a nearby conservation area. Not having binoculars ready did make the sighting somewhat disappointing, but I wasn't so bad, especially since it was a lifer! Having spent more than 2 months here in the US now, I have seen this bird many times since then, and the best view that I had was actually through my window in the dormitory building! (through binoculars ofcourse!) :)<br /><br />The other one was a <a href="http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/white_breasted_nuthatch.htm">White-Breasted Nuthatch</a>. Nuthatches, in general, are masters at navigating along branches and trunks, able to move in any direction with their strong and agile bodies, even more so than woodpeckers who can only move upwards along a tree-trunk using their strong tails as support. This one was on the same tree as the Titmouse had been a few moments ago although I did not get a good enough view of it that day. Nuthatches are even smaller than sparrows and this makes it very difficult to watch them with any level of satisfaction without binoculars. I could not tell if it was a male or a female, but it did remind me of that trip to Dandeli in the winter of 2009 when I'd first seen a nuthatch (<a href="http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=2618&Bird_Image_ID=38680&Bird_Family_ID=212">Velvet-Fronted Nuthatches</a> and <a href="http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_ID=2625">Chestnut-Bellied Nuthatches</a>). Since then, I did see this species more clearly again, guess where? From my window at the dormitory :)Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-68787712628341889852009-11-30T10:20:00.000-08:002009-12-03T08:37:44.288-08:00Phantastic Dandeli<blockquote>Tucked away in the Western Ghats on the border of Karnataka and Goa lies a lovely forest that is part of the <strong>Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary</strong>. Endemic species like the <strong>Malabar Trogon</strong>, <strong>Malabar Pied</strong> and <strong>Malabar Grey Hornbills</strong>, <strong>Malabar Parakeet</strong>, <strong>Malabar Whistling Thrush</strong>, <strong>Asian Fairy Bluebird</strong>, <strong>Crimson-fronted Barbet </strong>and <strong>Ruby-throated Bulbul</strong> can be seen here which attracts bird-watchers from all over the country to this wonderful place. I was part of a 4 days + 3 nights birdwatching trip to Dandeli which was organized by <strong>Nature India</strong> (an eco-tourism venture run by Adesh and Mandar), along with 10 other participants: Kalpana, Jayanthi, Sharada, Mohan, Sucharita, Mr. and Mrs. Jayaram, Uma, Vamsee and Saru. Over the course of these few days, we managed to see many attractive birds and the following is a short [?] account of this trip.</blockquote><p>Travelling through the night by a Volvo, we had reached Dharwad early in the morning. After a quick breakfast in Dharwad, we began our birding at a Timber Depot which was on the way to the Kulgi Nature Camp in Dandeli. The Depot had plenty of tall trees and we saw many impressive birds here which included a rather inactive but photographically co-operative <strong>Malabar Grey Hornbill</strong>, male and female <strong>Malabar Pied Hornbills</strong>, a flying <strong>Lesser Adjutant Stork</strong>, an <strong>Ashy Drongo</strong> enthusiastically chased a dragonfly, a nesting <strong>White-rumped Munia</strong> and a handful of energetic <strong>Grey Wagtails</strong>. <strong>Malabar Giant Squirrels</strong> were also relatively common here and we could see them sitting high in the trees.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410211391613246274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 171px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrwmKCnLG1MybDyE9SgcUm71ccGdrVJuWc0om0vpduuUWdWs7o3JyaXtDklXX_n1pVKzx65qNaBWC10gzHwQjmG1LoFGPMuU0u_flO5B9wIkHc6i_WOjSBv7LlM7sDNvJ5BHEWHB3WfCZ/s320/OgAAAAKYUtkPGLH6jkGCpechC2rVrOYEJ-hr3DJbFsfO6DJKXmrmN64QdePVhEVli3Hl45zxsQKN_s8dFgsNgkdX-HAAm1T1UOrVNcxq4hyvXIm7Rx09wObjHaza.jpg" border="0" /> Lunch and a short nap at the Camp were followed by more birding, this time in the camp vicinity itself. A large broad-leaved tree right behind the dining shed seemed to be popular with the local birds, and we saw <strong>Common Woodshrikes</strong>, <strong>Large Woodshrikes</strong>, <strong>Oriental White-eyes</strong>, <strong>Coppersmith Barbets</strong> and a single <strong>Crimson-fronted Barbet </strong>as they moved about in the dense maze of branches. A couple of <strong>Vernal Hanging Parrots </strong>nibbled at the nearby bamboo shoots, flaunting their bright red beaks and rumps.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410210216882891106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtW9XCIBq9Jt3J6ZihWkKB_Zbb-gnYL2_D2xGNjtKDzUY7GWYEONcF5y15490H-R0H5I68GhS4PLqZZh92li929Qr9nnmtMscJ1BLO3jTNZz6OIHNWXFxMkkqfYDfqiL19NHM-JcqZhfb/s320/IMG_0055.JPG" border="0" />In the evening, we visited <strong>Ganeshgudi </strong>which was a long narrow dam-like structure with a huge water-body on one side, and the forest on the other. The sun was a little low by now, casting a warm glow over the forest. In this beautiful ambience we saw a pair of <strong>Asian Fairy Bluebirds</strong>, <strong>Orange Minivets</strong>, <strong>Chestnut-tailed Starlings</strong>, a moulting <strong>Bronzed Drongo</strong>, a <strong>Crimson Sunbird</strong>, and a <strong>Black-headed Cuckooshrike</strong> (which I happened to miss). Later in the evening, we visited a bridge on a nearby river to witness the roosting of [numerous] <strong>Great Pied </strong>and<strong> Malabar Pied Hornbills</strong>. Unfortunately, all we saw were a few <strong>Malabar Pied Hornbills</strong> far far away, some <strong>Brahmini Kites</strong> flying idly, numerous bees, and a sky replete with <strong>House Swifts</strong> displaying their amazing acrobatics in mid-air. While strolling on the bridge, I also happened to notice a large yellow hornet appear from nowhere, pick up one of the sleeping[?] bees and vanish as swiftly as it had arrived, carrying its passenger to what must have been a rather unpleasant ending!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410210752935284162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2CdogV7KRqLWsDwKUiqHLaT3A9X3UAs4x2DyF8_g56qFCjcViOquvCFIzSXmeEnznobFjwIgUY4QiP85u6wRmGFdkxtLXC7I163k0d0tvipukwKmE1C_3pR06k15hW2wrDNjfzMY7cmq/s320/OgAAAOzj69cNLItI5-nXEklDDj6M4lcdDzlhbHGCpkj5gxbJ9yc-AZkHGdOUwGqWMlOeDHb2sIfHAWC9URY7zX2FRc0Am1T1UKO2fKfOB7jyh_f05lCK744TmRvU.jpg" border="0" />Early next day, we visited the nearby ‘safari’, and well, ended up seeing nothing at all. Atleast so to say. All we saw were a few <strong>Barking Deer</strong>, some <strong>Grey Junglefowl</strong>, a lone male <strong>Indian Peafowl, </strong>and a <strong>White-cheeked Barbet </strong>which was seen very well in the morning light. Thankfully, we soon headed off to a much more productive birding location which was the nearby Timber Depot.</p><p>The Depot was more like the place you’d want to be in the morning on a birding trip. Here, I was introduced to a new concept which was that of the ‘<em>mixed hunting party</em>’. Insectivorous birds like drongos, woodpeckers, etc. tend to venture out as a collective unit in search of, well, insects and other invertebrates. As the group progresses through a patch of woods, the insects panic and expose themselves becoming easy prey for the swarm of hungry birds. While drongos chase them in the air, others like woodpeckers climb upwards along trunks and branches, feeling for disturbed grubs and insects in the tiny crevices with their long beaks. Yet others like the nuthatches traverse the trunks and branches downwards, thus picking up those creatures that the woodpecker had likely missed on the way up.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410379494252580658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kt0gjJa_i9BJyUxbcCyS98CpEmcOBxvaEsSnSMnJFUPFnc_d9kNC0SupLMq_BF09LYqIx1ly470PE236BHeOV0Ts6jJLK0yHohlQB6x0gQ6OWizRCtbg9_QJ94rpncvt58TY3xNYqqiM/s320/OgAAAAkVv6ZuafBUbjC9sZXwCJ95GbsqSExnGHePz-TK_rla-BN7wJle9HIfsJMfUe9DrREG9JhJ6eS4remouqf58F0Am1T1UMPSFHbB5qo531oKyO74ExOi6ANQ.jpg" border="0" /></p>We soon witnessed one such party that was made up of <strong>Bronzed</strong>, <strong>White-bellied</strong> and <strong>Ashy Drongos</strong>, <strong>Dark-fronted Babblers</strong>, <strong>Velvet-fronted Nuthatches</strong>, <strong>Black-rumped Flamebacks</strong>, <strong>Yellow-crowned Woodpeckers</strong>, a <strong>Streak-throated Woodpecker</strong> and <strong>Black-lored Tits</strong>. The nuthatches, especially, were amazing to watch as they skillfully navigated branches. It was as though they were displaying their superiority to the woodpeckers who always use their tails as support, unlike the nuthatches. Meanwhile, sitting camouflaged on a nearby tree was a flying lizard, commonly known as the ‘<strong>Draco</strong>’. This guy has the ability to fan out his throat and use it to glide around the woods. And this particular one was constantly extending his collapsed yellow-coloured gliding equipment, so that when looking from its back, it seemed as if he was drawing out a bright yellow tongue!<br /><br />Later, we also got an excellent sighting of a <strong>Jungle Owlet</strong> sitting on an exposed branch in the dense woods. Its heavily barred chest and deep brown colour was superbly visible in the Pentax 80mm ED scope with a 2” eyepiece which Adesh and Mandar had brought along. The scope was used often for the numerous birds that we were seeing all along the way, with people queuing up like kids as soon as a bird was located in the scope.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410212688751486994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FZI1JsRD5eaBuvitoOcrGuSub7VfkO0vrEkksRxa-70LEJE2NiGsm17huL6Rvb_x74v2jyrTFBT-4LBK3BMQcqgSeBc-hH3hROVzntOYu_LoSK9F-osRm_QEj8-z2aXG5si8QNL3jj4k/s320/OgAAADELDHbtWTlf6cR1tkVeWCZi4nxvFEOXEwwWwcirqrh9sT0F2qrwAUWC-8VG3RmQcTdbS_jMCaupJRFGecBYjbEAm1T1UKTg5OzAjqCenYzy7SEG5TmgoBAe.jpg" border="0" />That evening, we headed to ‘<strong>Syntheri Rocks</strong>’, which is a cave-like structure, many kilometers away from the Camp. While we were just about to commence on our journey, a majestic <strong>Black Eagle</strong> glided slowly over us! This was one of those sights which I will remember for a long long time. The clear blue sky, the huge black bird itself with its bulging wings and tail, its big and striking yellow beak, its yellow legs that stood out against its black body, the subtle shading on the underwing pattern, oh it was fantastic!<br /><br />Birding at Syntheri Rocks wasn’t exactly great. While we saw an <strong>Indian Schimitar Babbler</strong> and a got a glimpse of a <strong>Common Flameback</strong> on the way, the place itself was devoid of bird activity. It was late and all we could see were <strong>Rock Pigeons</strong>, which were seen for a change in their natural habitat. But on the way back, we got some respite. While travelling back along the tar road in the darkness, we spotted a large owl which had apparently caught something on the road and flew away as soon as our vehicle got close. Thankfully, it perched on a tree on the road-side giving us a chance to see it. While Adesh identified it as a Brown Fish Owl, possibly from a much better view than mine, I remember registering a pale face and collar with huge round black eyes. It was very dark, and we didn’t have the best torch, but it looked like a Brown Wood Owl to me. Whatever it was, it was rewarding to see this large owl in the night.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410380552097558450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7B_aV1akCUfAttx1uULbYte35tpUOeGkvkpxTRaz9_758cR7oCBDxXJ8Bgs4rHMNRN00mGwbI0rJ-Anw40fMbD_vvFgeTOlQY_VVYOohE4asM7IW7lulW7OiaxO8Zb6z_waBQawhpScN/s320/6580022254af6756d76e85.jpg" border="0" />After dinner, we ventured into the jungle close to the Camp in search of the elusive <strong>Sri Lanka Frogmouth</strong>, which is a nocturnal bird and is almost impossible to see in the daytime owing to its excellent camouflage. Like <strong>Potoos</strong> in South America, these Indian counterparts stay well hidden during the day and remain absolutely still, usually blending with tree stumps or hiding in bamboo thickets. They are so confident of their camouflage that they are unlikely to fly away even when you get close to them. Only when you get <em>too</em> close will they fly away, exposing themselves to predators. This behavior is best seen in the documentary by Sir David Attenborough, a clip of which can be seen <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK6nlsOZpuU"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong><br /><br />At night, frogmouths feed in a way similar to flycatchers, which means they usually perch on a strategic point that enables them to feed on insects. But they do this silently, and moreover, unlike Nightjars whose eyes glow in the torch-light, those of these frogmouths don’t making it very difficult to spot them at night even when using a powerful torch. While spotting a Sri Lanka Frogmouth can be safely considered as uncommon, the bird itself is usually present in good numbers in its habitat.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410212059441024306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6bHrQChdrECoWU-jTX8dBTuBYgOuFnb8nUtrnV3iI45FJKhvrsJZMt1GSEHZjGCd-PsYGPbyV_VKT-EbtU9zO0hzWpv6DcNdj1oecSODG7ZZ8yRPd_jK9rc4sTMmc30mD2jnoD_2LUfs/s320/523619114af998ca58409.jpg" border="0" /> We searched a lot that night, torches in hand, scanning the dark trees for any sign of this elusive bird. Adesh mimicked the frogmouths calls, hoping that it would lure them out of the woods. A few frogmouths certainly answered, with both males and females calling from different directions. But unfortunately, we didn’t see a single frogmouth that night…<br /><br />We woke up next morning to the calls of a Brown Wood Owl which had perched very close to our tents in the Kulgi Nature Camp. We were supposed to leave for the <strong>Shirval</strong> village, but a late breakfast somewhat created a dent in our plans. However, it did enable us to get good sightings of <strong>Yellow-browed Bulbuls</strong> in the tree behind the dining shed before we left. These were kept company by a few <strong>Asian Fairy Bluebirds</strong> and <strong>Crimson-fronted Barbets</strong>.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410213708603014754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgFGrnQ7abdB5iR9OODog_RGuJWQA1qIEQukf5L8EF4bZH1fZSCs4u24wcQr8GbZ44KX_rLF2faSU3c7uS2LxjfyJxJEXxl8-xNCwOxy_tbd1TK-l-RVjofccKYLjV4kUv80Zakz3mRTL/s320/21384770534af67409169ec.jpg" border="0" />Shirval, which is an abandoned mine area was supposed to be a hotspot for bird activity. But by being late, we could only get sightings of a few <strong>Malabar Parakeets</strong>, some <strong>Black-hooded Orioles</strong> and a <strong>Crested Treeswift</strong> drinking water in its own unique way by diving towards the water surface at great speed only to pull out of the dive as its beak barely skimmed the water surface.<br /><br />With not much bird-activity here, we moved on to Ganeshgudi where immediately a <strong>Eurasian Hobby</strong> was seen in all its glory showing its masked face and heavily barred underwings. We also saw a couple of <strong>Malabar Parakeets</strong> perched nicely in the open; the spotting scope revealing some fantastic views.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410216138437378210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jonPaTvTJnv9MLU9UD1A2HidiPIzszhVlznEG0JCA1TVNjiy6HNHxJIv4_ebgaI8TqMHXqCb-PAXzbCQ3lBsfJf7ALMTZ4uq53jzHLWV4HEKbm5nDsYZH-1h4YObGPZ85WZ6flniqXpH/s320/9104282474af3c311685f6.jpg" border="0" />Post lunch was when the birding at Dandeli really came into its own. We visited a large but extremely scenic lake that reminded me of the idyllic illustrations in my very first Collins Field Guide. As we began birding here, it soon became evident that this was a special day. An extremely uncommon <strong>Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle</strong> circled above, while the much much much more common <strong>Lesser Whistling Ducks</strong> and <strong>Cotton Pygmy Geese</strong> swam about in the water. A <strong>Grey-headed Fish Eagle</strong> flew across the lake and perched to everyone’s delight on a dead tree albeit on the other side of the lake. This was followed by excellent views of a <strong>Stork-billed</strong> and <strong>Common Kingfisher</strong> in the scope.<br /><br />As we left the place, we could hear the Fish Eagle calling out in its harsh and somewhat unpleasant screech, and landed up at the Timber Depot to spend the rest of the evening. Male and female <strong>Pompadour Green Pigeons</strong>, an <strong>Oriental Honey-Buzzard</strong> and the usual <strong>Malabar Pied Hornbills</strong> were on display here. We counted <strong>26 Malabar Pied Hornbills</strong> as they darted out of a single huge tree, like the luminous trails of fireworks at night...</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410381699147957810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivl5smWBkjI1sCqe-qsaNWinuhEXBn2l4uHzbnc_w9ECHsvLlOItRQR2WlJbJBoBIJEoPFGlkGgE0eZ1eHPVkeeYOQGRxhdj_AgC8rcoPBOPEqdhgZ6k4NXdh1vYeHuZ2H-37IlEK9Fq8l/s320/17611621524af3c009967f0.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>We repeated the night trail again that night, hoping to see the elusive and much coverted Sri Lanka Frogmouths. They had been close last night, but not close enough. The trail got off to a promising start with the sighting of a <strong>Flying Squirrel</strong> that stirred in the tree tops near the main entrance of the camp. This was followed by plenty of searching for the frogmouths along the road-sides, much like the earlier day with Adesh mimicking their calls. We were almost at the end of our trail when we suddenly saw a pair of male and female <strong>Sri Lanka Frogmouths</strong> that had perched on a low branch right next to the road, located expertly by Adesh in the powerful torch beam! As excitement gripped the group, stifled exclamations and chatter filled the air. The birds weren’t as glamorous as Fairy Bluebirds or Malabar Trogons, but the sheer act of spotting them was delightful. While the birds appeared grey in the torch light, the white spots on their chests were clearly visible. With all the commotion, the male got spooked and flew away to another tree, but the female remained faithful (to us, that is) and stayed on the branch for another whole two minutes before she too disappeared into the darkness. For a day filled with great sightings, this was the icing on the cake!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410216629888365970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fqUZZN5waC3yCH8c_avCWP7b4K7J8favOmcQPMeiPV9CPgwf4gpYbCz-70lOq5R843Ukyhhc8xT2Zxdxi2Jo7Hp5525XnCfB1rPUJyTdA0ootFCagOOQGq5XDdz3ro3rdoXP4YmtynOI/s320/IMG_0201.JPG" border="0" />Next morning, we reached the mine area at <strong>Shirval</strong> again, well in time to catch all the action; or rather to “witness the grand arena”, as Adesh put it. <strong>Black-throated Munias</strong> put up the opening act in conjunction with <strong>Plum-headed Parakeets</strong>. A <strong>Rufous Treepie</strong> gave a brief appearance before making way for <strong>Yellow-browed Bulbuls</strong> and a <strong>Golden-fronted Chloropsis</strong>. The lead role, however, was played by a <strong>Blue-bearded Bee-eater</strong>, who ironically broke all rules of acting on stage and plainly showed us his back for more than an hour, providing only brief glimpses of his brilliant blue beard. A few <strong>Orange Minivets</strong> and <strong>Brown-headed Barbets</strong> were more professional and gave us very pleasing views. A <strong>White-rumped Shama</strong> and <strong>Large Cuckooshrike</strong> played cameo roles and disappeared almost as soon as they arrived. The closing act was performed by <strong>Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters</strong> who made a lovely sight against the dark brown ground on which they occasionally sat.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410377654049025394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBllVRIMOsQfELvQF4zmNS4AEIkjbZA3xh71zxWEuLAl4USGEurVlEkyefx9B4ksgitKUpeIiZ8sEtJGm0sZoKGHx-xeTHanqpf-rgqy8mnEqOKYnftVtJgCe1qZGYJGVOXz0BiUipwWh/s320/IMG_0212.JPG" border="0" />The birding had picked up momentum and it continued at the Timber Depot, where we spent the rest of the morning. Huge and impressive <strong>White-bellied Woodpeckers</strong> darted among the tall trees along with others like <strong>Heart-spotted Woodpeckers</strong>, <strong>Black-rumped Flamebacks</strong>, <strong>Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpeckers</strong> and a <strong>Yellow-crowned Woodpecker</strong>. Later we even saw a <strong>Common Flameback</strong>, which ironically is considered to be very uncommon, climbing up a sloping tree. The place was literally full of birds. A <strong>Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch</strong>, <strong>Black-lored Tits</strong>, <strong>Black-naped Monarchs</strong>, <strong>Bronzed</strong> and <strong>Ashy Drongos</strong> kept the place busy. As though the morning birding session wasn’t enough, we even saw a <strong>Blue-faced Malkoha</strong> on our way back near the main gate of the Camp!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410553085679438914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwb6Fcj4AToA1zxPU1Oq0hTwprOi5QcFnUqupos9p0Ja27TwzJfuPl0Aw7UFbVFiX20OhydLI5w5AzMFZZHJZLRmUtAVJYDl6k1fS1lOte3YMK5B1YsjPmfOnI2g3fSEVK1r_0OxWIuYl/s320/IMG_0197.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>That was pretty much all the birding we managed over the course of 4 days at Dandeli. We saw 134 species in addition to 7 that we only heard. We did not manage to see the <strong>Malabar Trogon</strong>, which had been one of our prime targets throughout the trip. But this was compensated by the numerous other lovely birds that we saw here. And it was not just the birds either. The accomodation at the Kulgi Nature Camp was quite comfortable and it certainly helped in maintaining our focus on birding, as did the excellent arrangements for food. Equally important was Adesh's expertise in identifying the many different kinds of birds while also sharing his knowledge with the group. Both Adesh and Mandar were proactive in showing everyone different birds, with or without a scope, and also explained various trivia about the feathered creatures. Credit deservedly goes to them for organizing such a wonderful trip to this lovely place in the Western Ghats: Dandeli.</p>Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-6093464866226833312009-08-31T03:45:00.000-07:002009-09-01T02:48:01.378-07:00A Review of "The Life of Birds" by David Attenborough<blockquote>"The Life of Birds" is a fantastic book written by the renowned naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough. It is an excellent read, even for the non-birder, and explores all the major aspects of bird life. Written in a pleasing and often witty style, accompanied by breath-taking photographs, the book is nothing short of a best-selling page-turner. It is without doubt a must-have for bird-watchers and naturalists alike.</blockquote><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHwLbkd40iYsuCcpY4Uix9B9YS3xjUb5W2vPpYV5wue64Gw0aGpv9R5_RDfasWx8phikdalulyA1aW-wE5Byoz7oltpqzhlnkV8E5q00dP2PBdPuHYkN2dHLIMtsTyPboEXsMoUeul-ZP/s1600-h/Cover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376099854395790098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHwLbkd40iYsuCcpY4Uix9B9YS3xjUb5W2vPpYV5wue64Gw0aGpv9R5_RDfasWx8phikdalulyA1aW-wE5Byoz7oltpqzhlnkV8E5q00dP2PBdPuHYkN2dHLIMtsTyPboEXsMoUeul-ZP/s320/Cover.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Overall, this book is well organized as a collection of 10 chapters, each of which is devoted to a distinct aspect of bird life. Attenborough begins by explaining the evolutionary modifications that have enabled birds to fly, while at other times have also made certain birds flightless. He then expands on the different types of food that birds eat and also how they procure it. Later, he elaborates on the diverse forms of bird communication before moving on to the equally diverse methods of finding suitable mates. He then explains how different birds prepare for parenthood and finally how they perform the actual, and so often exhausting, task of raising a family. In this way, the book gives the reader a walk-through of most of the activities that are part of a bird's life with plenty of examples drawn from a wide range of species.<br /><br />In fact, the sheer number of examples that have been packed into this book is amazing. To write a book that has so many examples must surely be challenging as far as continuity in reading is concerned. But Attenborough pulls it off with ease. There is a natural flow to the content and the reader is guided along all the way with dexterity. There are, however, only a few Indian birds that are part of this huge collection of examples from all over the world. But this is more than compensated by the fact that the book covers many different families of birds, so that it is easy to correlate the birds cited in the book to those found here in India.<br /><br />By the time I finished reading it, I was overwhelmed and also surprised, by the amount of knowledge that has been squeezed into this masterpiece. It gave me new insights into the wonderful world of birds and also greatly increased my respect and admiration for these lovely creatures. I am glad I got this book.Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-41641063943578038922009-07-10T09:56:00.000-07:002009-09-03T08:11:41.440-07:00A Review of 'Peterson Field Guides: Birds of Eastern and Central North America'<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Toronto, Canada</span>: I was in the <a href="http://www.onlineshoppers.ca/stores/coles-bookstores.html">Coles</a> bookstore, looking for a good quality field-guide to Canadian birds, when I came across this superb Peterson Field Guide to the "Birds of Eastern and Central North America" on one of the shelves. Written by the renowned American naturalist and artist Roger Tory Peterson, it helps identify birds seen in almost half of the North American continent. It is by far the best field-guide I have ever used :)<br />A preview of this book is available on <a href="http://books.google.co.in/books?id=GGUtkpL9f9cC&dq=peterson+eastern+central+birds&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=9DfTrcV-w0&sig=bTdinJaKg14_TZp0bspIHCYn6T4&hl=en&ei=A4ifSo-gNMyfkQXxvoHwDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5#v=onepage&q=&f=false">this link</a></blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxNFuQDLm9i7c9bTRPDJJweEcV-dRKAwRr51O9mptPuoVZuVb-a5XLztnAM0J4FwsChunfjMbpe-8WmqKVA4HE6koLXr9p_3y7r75QChyqepM4tjfh3HLISK8Gvl6EsC2Xy-XeLf-Jf1y/s1600-h/pfg_birds_east_200.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxNFuQDLm9i7c9bTRPDJJweEcV-dRKAwRr51O9mptPuoVZuVb-a5XLztnAM0J4FwsChunfjMbpe-8WmqKVA4HE6koLXr9p_3y7r75QChyqepM4tjfh3HLISK8Gvl6EsC2Xy-XeLf-Jf1y/s320/pfg_birds_east_200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377173612836080674" border="0" /></a>Initially, on my birding trips at Brampton, near Toronto, I used to record my sightings on a notepad and then search the internet for birds that matched my notes. The birds of Canada are quite different from those found in the Indian Subcontinent, with only a few species being common to both lands. But the Canadian birds are indeed very well documented on the internet, with plenty of information on their identification, general behaviour and food being available on numerous websites. It is, however, difficult to quickly look-up an unknown bird on the net. I had to browse through the online pages until I found a bird that roughly matched my observation. After that began the tedious process of making sure that this was indeed the bird that I had seen. I soon realized that this was not a very practical way of identifying birds and it was time to buy a genuine field-guide.<br /><br />Peterson's field-guides have acquired more or less a legendary status among birders in North America. I was aware of this when I went shopping for my field-guide, but my online search for field-guides had also resulted in a few other books like 'Birds of Ontario' by Andy Bezener, 'Ontario Birds' by James Kavanagh and Raymond Leung and a few of the Stokes Field Guides. These books had the advantage that they excluded those species that are never seen in the Toronto region, thus reducing the effort in identifying birds to some degree. However, I soon found out that the Peterson's field-guide, though it included many more species, was certainly much better than the rest.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Good:</span><br />This 5th edition of the Peterson's field-guide covers birds that are seen east of the Rocky Mountains. It starts with a brief introduction to bird life and behavior which is followed by a section that helps identify different types of birds [like Wrens, Flycatchers, etc.]. The book is compact enough to be carried in one hand while on bird-watching trips. I always did so, since I knew I would have to refer to it very frequently. And I did not find it inconvenient to do so.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElrplkLQgZH0sv_ipLEbcjOiSm_bSldYI9ET1rsa3qOy9JB-0fTeRwV6JwfTQ8fV3EoBVBEILrR-xrsL62TiF_jVx3_Jw4S5Cwi_RVlVE7GWDA11tRzzS5HRdroyWLMoginD9iEHGdXt7/s1600-h/Canada_Part6-107.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElrplkLQgZH0sv_ipLEbcjOiSm_bSldYI9ET1rsa3qOy9JB-0fTeRwV6JwfTQ8fV3EoBVBEILrR-xrsL62TiF_jVx3_Jw4S5Cwi_RVlVE7GWDA11tRzzS5HRdroyWLMoginD9iEHGdXt7/s320/Canada_Part6-107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377171143382363698" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Better:</span><br />There are two qualities that make this book extremely useful. The first is that each bird's illustration is enhanced by what are called as 'field marks'. These are those features or markings on a bird's plumage that help to identify the bird, while also differentiating it from other similar species. Thus, the 'field marks', which are accentuated by arrows in the illustrations, tell the birder to look for those features in a bird in the field. The second quality of this book is that next to every bird's description is a small colour-coded map showing the bird's range over the eastern half of North America. A bigger and more detailed map is available for each bird at the end of the book, but these small maps which are on the same page as the bird's description are also incredibly useful to quickly ascertain if a bird is found in a particular region or not.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Best:</span><br />This field-guide provides illustrations for different plumages of the same bird. E.g. Those of juvenile birds, those of breeding adults, illustrations that show the bird in flight, etc. Moreover, the description for each bird also suggests how to differentiate it from other similar birds, even when the distinction is based on the bird's call. Certain illustrations are even reproduced on other pages, so that it is possible to get a side-by-side comparison of 2 similar looking birds, whenever required. As a result, it is very easy to identify even some of the tricky birds. And it is these qualities that set this field-guide apart from all the others mentioned above. The other field-guides lacked such crucial information as juvenile forms or plumages of birds in flight which is so often helpful in identification, not to mention the invaluable field-marks.<br /><br />The Peterson's field-guide truly stands well above the competition in terms of both quality and utility. It packs a great deal into a relatively compact package and is a great companion to have on all your birding trips in this part of the world.Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-48974038695142900432009-04-17T05:07:00.000-07:002009-04-18T04:15:24.989-07:00Six Lifers and a Life<blockquote>I had always wanted to visit Phansad Wild Life Sanctuary (WLS) for a birding trip. This WLS is a moderate to heavily wooded forest close to Alibag; and after almost a year of waiting, the opportunity had finally arrived. Four of us Mumbaikars: Parag, Shirish, Sameer and I, made a trip to Phansad WLS on the Good Friday weekend. Over 2 nights and 2 days, we had a very productive outing in this lovely place.
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<br />After my two previous trips (to Gorai and Sinhagad), I was less than enthusiastic about this one. On both outings, I hadn't seen many birds after 9:00 in the morning, and it was just too hot to roam in the sun after that! But Parag had provided me a cogent reason to visit Phansad in this rather hot time of the year: <span>the breeding of Nightjars.</span>
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<br />I'd neven seen a Nightjar before, let alone a breeding one! So I was more than happy to join!
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<br />We reached Phansad at about 20:00 hours on Friday, and after a quick visit to Murud for dinner, we were prowling about in the jungle that night. A local forest official had provided some encouraging news: just a few days back, there had been a leopard kill (an unfortunate cow) close to the main entrance of the sanctuary. So a leopard sighting was on the cards tonight...
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<br />But we never saw the leopard. All we could hear were the calls of Jerdon's Nightjars and the occasional Grey Nightjar. I must say that it is a really peculiar call (Jerdon's). It's a single note that sounds something like a hurried "qwouwl", and it keeps repeating once every 4 seconds or so!
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<br />Back at the base camp (which was a spacious tent near the sanctuary entrance), I was happy to have atleast heard a Nightjar! But it was difficult to sleep in the tent, and there were 2 big reasons for it. The first was that I didn't have a pillow, the second was that Shirish was snoring so loudly that it must have kept the whole jungle awake...
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LcZTGM2zXu6cEIZ8-2ALIOQEQRkN8FLQCTRgNrBSadtraXraRDZpw2nAKG03J7v2Rw4PGVraUwWpVBXL0eWOLGuS6qRZovPedqdvzPIzeufxPmcCAQfG4ERwCbSJonOljIFmvGox38JT/s1600-h/Phansad_Apr2009-086.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LcZTGM2zXu6cEIZ8-2ALIOQEQRkN8FLQCTRgNrBSadtraXraRDZpw2nAKG03J7v2Rw4PGVraUwWpVBXL0eWOLGuS6qRZovPedqdvzPIzeufxPmcCAQfG4ERwCbSJonOljIFmvGox38JT/s320/Phansad_Apr2009-086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325675266717882290" border="0" /></a>After a sluggish start the next morning, we ventured into the nearby forest outside Phansad for a quick visit. We saw a breeding male Common Iora, a lovely <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/saurabhsawant1/2150378383/">Golden-Fronted Chloropsis</a>, numerous doves, a pair of Grey Junglefowl, a few highly vocal Greater Racket-Tailed Drongos, plenty of Golden Orioles, etc. An Indian Schimitar Babbler was also quite vocal, but we never actually got to see it. The birding wasn't all that great...
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<br />So we headed to Revdanda. After an appetising breakfast and a long drive through the numerous coastal villages, we finally reached Revdanda beach.
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<br />The beach was deserted. And it was hot. Somewhere in the distance a Long Tailed Shrike sat idly on the top of a bush, kept company by a few Green Bee-eaters.
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<br />We saw a Common Greenshank scurrying along the shore, and a group of Sanderlings who were feeding slowly on the sand. But the highlight of the day was a Hook-Nosed Sea Snake that we saw in a pool near the shore! About 3 feet long, this is a venomous snake, and is one of the most common sea snakes found in India. This one was quite calm, and didn't take too much notice of us. I took many pics of it, even managed to touch its tail! Ofcourse, I didn't know that it was venomous then!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoMt-teUO-sLsV8bvlA04x4nnazKfL8FhIIMgpxQKbTUWZ3b-J9lsNVdH1jW6z-czwAWbfrbBBXB8DM8y-ejsObTDG04-FinFE3riElKL4Hyqsk3lXOYFavjfLt58kAQ2TQlJbaS24giu/s1600-h/Phansad_Apr2009-103.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoMt-teUO-sLsV8bvlA04x4nnazKfL8FhIIMgpxQKbTUWZ3b-J9lsNVdH1jW6z-czwAWbfrbBBXB8DM8y-ejsObTDG04-FinFE3riElKL4Hyqsk3lXOYFavjfLt58kAQ2TQlJbaS24giu/s320/Phansad_Apr2009-103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325675273886521698" border="0" /></a>
<br />This was my first face-to-face encounter with a venomous snake in the wild, and I managed to come out of it unharmed...but I won't try it again ;)
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<br />After a rather prolonged and frustratingly slow lunch at Murud (thanks to 'Hajam' waiters to put it in Parag's words), we were back at Phansad. On the way back, we spotted a group of 6 White-Rumped Vultures soaring effortlessly over the hills. This was a pleasing sight, given the drastic fall in the vulture population in recent years.
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<br />We had managed to procure the forest guesthouse today, and it was equipped with a bed and pillows....good news :). A short nap in the afternoon and a couple of pics in the neighbourhood was all we did till evening. However, we did see a pair of Scarlet Minivets in the trees adjoining the courtyard right outside the guesthouse! These are truly beautiful birds, and they make quite a colourful pair....the male is bright orange-red while the female is a vivid yellow!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96sANHdtQ1pfY1DTSK8JyHUzezEquKa76iQ62t3s3mKxue_ishT9XSY3mct91aHDEOYXp67i8DfzGQqp6ZguLadOdArLaKizHj2U9U06zEJwFoeDoOj4sNI8XsnY39Vot98HuZ9kZIIo0/s1600-h/Phansad_Apr2009-115.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96sANHdtQ1pfY1DTSK8JyHUzezEquKa76iQ62t3s3mKxue_ishT9XSY3mct91aHDEOYXp67i8DfzGQqp6ZguLadOdArLaKizHj2U9U06zEJwFoeDoOj4sNI8XsnY39Vot98HuZ9kZIIo0/s320/Phansad_Apr2009-115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325664702442248018" border="0" /></a>That night, we again ventured into the jungle. And this time we were lucky :)
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<br />The first bird we saw was a nesting Grey Nightjar. A much awaited lifer! We also saw another one on a tree nearby. I'd no idea how to spot Nightjars in the night, so I saw how it is done on this trip! I managed to click a pic of one of these 'camouflage masters' from quite close. All I had was a compact camera with a 140 mm equivalent lens, but the result was quite satisfactory (see below)!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxwREFMstHxMxLksT49StPFpZYQz0H4781FjHW_bQglKf6uOluYzDDJyeHjo1Q1PxqgL6xSY5Se7YTAMRyxebjflf32nwwdrKQ0md7vYv0xYpa_NTiwyV08IF1aUlqh7uGjexD0Qmh-KA/s1600-h/54663099549e75414ad91f.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxwREFMstHxMxLksT49StPFpZYQz0H4781FjHW_bQglKf6uOluYzDDJyeHjo1Q1PxqgL6xSY5Se7YTAMRyxebjflf32nwwdrKQ0md7vYv0xYpa_NTiwyV08IF1aUlqh7uGjexD0Qmh-KA/s320/54663099549e75414ad91f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325664204402512290" border="0" /></a>Nightjars rely heavily on their superb camouflage for safety. Indeed, it is next to impossible to spot them in the day time! Once spotted, they will remain still and will let you approach quite close to them! I suppose they assume that they can fool you by their excellent camouflage. But if you venture too close, they will certainly fly away. Indeed, the reason why they are called 'nightjars' is also interesting. It seems they feed at night by flying with their mouths wide open. Whichever unfortunate insects land up in their open mouth (analogous to an open 'jar') are happily devoured!
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<br />Later, we also saw a nesting Jerdon's Nightjar! And this 'hero' had his "nest" (which is nothing but the ground on which it lays eggs), right next to the kaccha-road that meanders through the forest. Quite a risky location!
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<br />Thoroughly satisfied with both sightings, we headed back. As there were two rooms in the guesthouse, I was spared the snoring and got a nice long nap.
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<br />The next morning was the best of all.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA69yZ7xhpJGjbrX_7xndIr1S79skvu0QXlfORC2AJeL574iI36uROb1i-0eoHovsNg1xGpRQ-if9Oy5xbk5P8s04IpKzpVk_f9LSPVJhl6BcwGbjT9c_ShvnSfcY77BdElEp8qAg_pgZE/s1600-h/Phansad_Apr2009+117.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA69yZ7xhpJGjbrX_7xndIr1S79skvu0QXlfORC2AJeL574iI36uROb1i-0eoHovsNg1xGpRQ-if9Oy5xbk5P8s04IpKzpVk_f9LSPVJhl6BcwGbjT9c_ShvnSfcY77BdElEp8qAg_pgZE/s320/Phansad_Apr2009+117.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325675566483306962" border="0" /></a>We ventured into an area called 'Chikhal-gaal' inside Phansad. This place was literally brimming with bird activity! In a short period of time, we managed to see an Imperial Green Pigeon, a Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon (the State Bird of Maharashtra, shown above), a <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=61568">Pompadour Green Pigeon</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/barbara-h/265933097/">an Emerald Dove</a>, a Black-Rumped Flameback Woodpecker, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdeng/2226415024/">Greater Racket-tailed Drongos</a>, a Large Cuckooshrike, and many others. At one point of time, an <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=90248">Imperial Green Pigeon</a>, a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naseer_ommer/2305619245/">male</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shashankbjain/2893491372/">female</a> Scarlet Minivet, a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deomurari/464890575/">male Small Minivet</a>, 2 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jnarin/2748485740/">Jungle Mynas</a>, 2 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shivanayak/185656476/">Black-Hooded Orioles</a> were all sitting on one leafless tree at the same time!!! If you're not familiar with these birds, click on their names to see how colourful they are! To see all of them on a tall, white, leafless tree is really something! A Malabar Whistling Thrush and a Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo enthusiastically provided background music for this spectacle!
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<br />Soon, we also saw a nesting <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shivanayak/2430932615/">Bronzed Drongo</a>! And a little later we saw it chasing away a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snapflickr/3382608378/">Shikra</a> (a type of hawk) which came and perched on a tree near its nest with gusto! Drongos, though small in size, are very agressive birds. It is amazing to see how they shoo away even big predatory birds! Indeed, this was not the first time I saw this behaviour. I'd seen a couple of drongos attacking a majestic Eurasian Eagle Owl on my Nannaj trip in November 2008.
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<br />As though this was not enough, we even saw a Giant Squirrel nearby! This big mammal, measuring about a meter in length, is also known as 'Shekroo' (pronounced as Shake-roo) in Marathi and is the State Animal of Maharashtra. It is an endemic species to Peninsular India. So we had managed to the see the State Bird and Animal too at the same time!
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<br />The birding (+ Shekroo sighting) this morning was simply too good! The cherry on the cake was a Crested Serpent Eagle perched on a leafless tree on the way back....
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<br />On the way back to Mumbai, we stopped at Kankeshwar to seea few larks. Sure enough, we saw Ashy-Crowned and Malabar Crested Larks on the rocks at the base of a hill.
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<br />On the whole, this was a very nice trip. I managed to add 6 species to my bird count, which is not bad at all!
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<br />Here is a list of birds seen on this trip:
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mso-list-template-ids:-1235161082 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l4:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";} </style> <![endif]--><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:14;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Phansad WLS: Bird-List</span></span></b><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">1.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Grey Junglefowl</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">2.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Heart-Spotted Woodpecker [heard]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">3.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Black-Rumped Flameback</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">4.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Brown-Headed Barbet</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">5.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Coppersmith Barbet [heard]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">6.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Indian Grey Hornbill</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">7.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Common Hoopoe</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">8.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->White-Breasted Kingfisher</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">9.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Greater Coucal [heard]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">10.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Asian Koel</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">11.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Plum-Headed Parakeet [female]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">12.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Grey Nightjar</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">13.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Jerdon’s Nightjar</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">14.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Rock Pigeon</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">15.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Green Imperial Pigeon</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">16.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Spotted Dove</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">17.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Emerald Dove</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">18.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Pompadour Green Pigeon</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">19.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">20.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Red-Wattled Lapwing</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">21.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Brahmini Kite</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">22.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->White-Rumped Vulture</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">23.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Crested Serpent Eagle [soaring and perched]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">24.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Shikra</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">25.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Golden-Fronted Chloropsis</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">26.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Golden Oriole</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">27.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Black-Hooded Oriole</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">28.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Large Cuckooshrike</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">29.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Small Minivet [pair]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">30.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Scarlet Minivet [pair]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">31.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Ashy Drongo</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">32.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Bronzed Drongo [nesting]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">33.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">34.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Asian-paradise Flycatcher [female]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">35.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Common Iora [breeding male]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">36.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Malabar Whistling Thrush</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">37.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->White-Rumped Shama [heard]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">38.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Rosy Starling</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">39.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Jungle Myna</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">40.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Red-Whiskered Bulbul</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">41.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Red-Vented Bulbul</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">42.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><st1:place st="on">Blyth</st1:place>’s Reed Warbler</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">43.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Indian Scimitar Babbler [heard]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">44.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Jungle Babblers</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">45.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Brown-Cheeked Fulvetta [heard]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">46.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Green Bee-eater</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">47.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Large-Billed Crow</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">48.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Paddy field warbler </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">49.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Oriental Honey Buzzard </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">50.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Chestnut Tailed Starling</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";" >Revdanda</span></b></st1:placename><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";" > <st1:placetype st="on">Beach</st1:placetype></span></b></st1:place></span><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:14;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">: Bird-List</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">1.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sanderling</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">2.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Gull-Billed Tern</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">3.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Whiskered Tern</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">4.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Great Egret</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">5.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Little Egret</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">6.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Cattle Egret</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">7.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Long-Tailed Shrike</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">8.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Common Green Shank</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:14;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Kankeshwar: Bird-List</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">1.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Pied Bushchat [male]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">2.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Ashy-Crowned Sparrow Lark [male, female nesting]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">3.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Malabar Crested Lark</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">4.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Rufous-Tailed Lark [glimpse…it was probably this one]</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:14;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">On the way: Bird-List</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">1.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Black Kite</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">2.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Black-Winged Kite</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">3.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Montagu’s Harrier [female]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">4.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Little Cormorant</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">5.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->House Sparrow</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">6.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Magpie Robin</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">7.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Common Myna</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">8.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Barn Swallow</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">9.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Purple Sunbird [mating]</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">10.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Purple Rumped Sunbird</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">11.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Laughing dove</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">12.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Rose ringed Parakeet</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">13.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Asian Palm Swift</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">14.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->House Crow</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:14;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Other Highlights</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">1.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Giant Squirrel</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">2.<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Hook-nosed Sea Snake</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></p><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">A little about Phansad WLS:</span>
<br />Phansad lies about 150 km from Mumbai, and is close to the West Coast. It is a moderate to heavily wooded area and spans an area of nearly 50 sq. km. You can reach it by vehicle by travelling along the Mumbai-Goa highway and then taking the road that goes to Alibag. Phansad is about 40 km. south of Alibag. Another way is by a S.T. bus heading towards Roha. I have heard that this bus goes via Phansad.
<br />
<br />Phansad was earlier the private hunting ground of the Nawab of the Janjira State. It is now home to close to 150 species of birds, 27 species of snakes, and numerous interesting mammals and insects, not to mention butterflies and plants. It is truly a fantastic place.
<br />
<br />Tents are available for free at the entrance of the sanctuary. But there are no places to eat nearby, so you have to travel to one of the nearby coastal villages like Murud.
<br /></blockquote>Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-54869248443153885882009-03-30T20:36:00.000-07:002009-03-30T21:28:24.621-07:00A new hunting ground: GoraiA nice, long weekend in Mumbai is surely incomplete without a birding trip! But options for short birding trips around Mumbai are rather limited to places such as SGNP, Sewri, or let's say Nagla Block. So Shirish and I ventured into 'new territory' today. We visited Gorai.<br /><br />The Gorai area is a mixed habitat. While there are marshes near the creek, there are fields and lightly wooded areas near the coast. So it was worth checking out this place. Ofcourse, Essel World isn't too far away from here, but that wasn't on the itenirary!<br /><br />We saw our first birds while crossing over the creek. These included Gull-Billed Terns, a Common Kingfisher and a few herons and egrets. That was after we managed to haul Shirish's bike on the fairy....no easy task!<br /><br />After crossing over to the other side, we saw many <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snapflickr/2376595725/">Rosy Starlings</a> and Chestnut-Shouldered Petronias on the road-sides, not to mention the ubiquitous White-Cheeked and Red-Vented Bulbuls. We even ventured near a small hillock, where we saw numerous ashy Drongos and a lone female Baya Weaver...<br /><br />It was getting hot pretty quickly, so we decided to head for the beach, assuming that we could perhaps get sightings of a Flameback or two...So off we went!<br /><br />The beach itself was crowded to say the least. One hero was driving his Santro along the water's edge at good speed. We parked near the beach, and began exploring the nearby woods. But most of this area belonged to 'rooms' and hostile 'room-keepers', so we decided to head back home.<br /><br />But just as we got to the road that goes to Bhayander, there was hope! We could see open fields and in the distance, some trees. This looked like a place where we could do some peaceful birding..! The place is near a board that says somethign like 'This property belongs to Morzella and others'. Also in the vicinity is a board that reads 'White Castle'....!<br /><br />Undaunted by the amusing signs, we headed into one of the fields where some farmers were toiling away in the sun. We saw a group of Paddyfield Pipits (or were they Tawny?!), fluttering about in one of the small fields. Later, we also saw an <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dzinepixel/3374916990/">Oriental Honey-Buzzard</a> soaring with its well rounded wings and distinctive underwing pattern. But the highlight of the day was the sighting of a pair of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shivanayak/115726723/">White-Browed Bulbuls</a>, at the edge of one of the fields, sitting quietly in a tree. This was a lifer for me!<br /><br />Further into the area, we got some nice views of many <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shivanayak/147948783/">male breeding Common Ioras </a>in the nearby trees. I also saw, for the first time, a Coppersmith Barbet, while it actually made its distinctive call! It was amusing to see this little bird bow in a bobbling manner as it voiced out each note. On the way back we saw a Spotted Owlet too!<br /><br />Having finished our birding for the day, we stopped at a close-by restaurant on the Bhayander road. The Aquafina bottle (overpriced at Rs. 20) I purchased here, had a peculiarly bitter aftertaste! I happily emptied it at the base of a tree. Conclusion: Don't buy mineral water here.....carry your own!<br /><br />This last place we visited looks promising. In the winter I'm sure there will be many more birds here..<br /><br />How to get to Gorai:<br /><blockquote>1. Reach Borivli station. From here, take an auto or BEST bus to the Gorai Jetty. There are boats that take you over the other side, and the crossing is not very big. Although you can take bikes in the boat, bewarned that it is tricky to handle the bike in the early morning when fish-mongers are merrily littering the place with all kinds of slippery liquids...<br />2. Travel by road from Bhayander. BEST buses are available too. It's a fairly long route, so it does take a lot of time.</blockquote>Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-78605020435129361182009-03-22T02:39:00.000-07:002009-03-24T20:58:03.466-07:00Where Eagles Dare"Don't fear change, embrace it", they say. Quite true! Having dropped my plan to visit Mumbai literally at the last minute (or last 'Asiad' for that matter), I had a welcome opportunity to visit Sinhagad Valley for some birding today.
<br />
<br />For those who don't know about this area, here's a quick sketch:
<br />
<br /><blockquote>Sinhagad Fort lies about 25 km.to the South-West of Pune. You can see it on Google Maps <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=sinhagad&sll=18.425222,73.751564&sspn=0.073613,0.11055&ie=UTF8&ll=18.36536,73.755551&spn=0.589111,0.884399&z=10">here</a>. At the base of the fort is a moderately wooded region, alongside a few fields, also known as the Sinhagad Valley. The Valley is famous for sightings of sundry flycatchers and raptors. One of them worth mentioning is the <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=71455">Ultramarine Flycatcher</a>, which I have yet to see :(
<br /></blockquote>
<br />The Valley was alive with bird calls in the early morning! Many of the trees have shed their leaves by now, making it easy to spot the birds. For starters, we saw Jungle Mynas, Jungle Babblers, a solitary Indian Robin and also a Magpie Robin. A few doves were also seen in the area. Nothing spectacular as such...
<br />
<br />A little ahead, we saw a group of <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=82984">Chestnut-Shouldered Petronias</a> (formerly known as Yellow-Throated Sparrows) moving busily in a nearby tree. As a matter of fact, this is actually the species that inspired Salim Ali to become a birder :)
<br />
<br />In the early morning sun, the yellow throats of these sparrows made them look even more impressive! Accompanying them was a group of Grey-Breasted Prinias, that flitted energetically through the bushes and trees. A lone Rufous Treepie was also seen on one of the trees, but we never got a really good view of it, as it continuously moved about, and was generally far away.
<br />
<br />We were soon joined by two other birding enthusiasts, and the six of us together ventured into one of the adjoining fields. After sighting other common birds such as Oriental White-eyes and Common Ioras, we got an excellent view of a handsome Golden-Fronted Leafbird (a.k.a. G. F. Chloropsis).
<br />
<br />Later, two other birders in the area joined us. Soon, A Tree Pipit was seen in one of the fields. It was quite close to us, and given the heavy streaking on its chest, it was really a matter of two choices for identifying it: either it was a Tree Pipit or an Olive-Backed Pipit. But the absence of any black and white spot behind the eye confirmed it as a Tree Pipit...so much for Pipit identification!
<br />
<br />Then came our first raptor! It was a big eagle, lacking any particular under-wing pattern. As it soared on its mighty wings, we tried our best to ID it, but to no avail. One of our new joinees [;)], Mr. Gokhale, managed to get a photo of it using his 500mm Sigma. After coming home and scanning the Grimmett field guide again, I managed to identify it as a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gauravbhatnagar/413543665/">Tawny Eagle</a> :)
<br />
<br />At only 0930 hrs, it was blisteringly hot! The bird activity had seemed to die off and we couldn't see anything other than the common resident species. A few worth mentioning are Plum-Headed Parakeets and White-Bellied Drongos, but even those were few and far between... We decided to head back.
<br />
<br />On our way, we heard a Crested Serpent Eagle calling and I was only able to catch a glimpse of it as it flew against the hill-side far away. The other new joinee was a boy named Rohan. He showed us the nest of a <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=7885">Crested-Hawk Eagle</a> (a.k.a. Changeable Hawk Eagle), which can be seen from the last bus-stop at the base of Sinhagad Fort!
<br />
<br />Sure enough, a CHE was sitting right on the nest! As we sat down for refreshments at the nearby cafe, another CHE came soaring towards us. We were in awe as it flew in circles over the fields in front of us, showing its distinct under-wing pattern! Mr. Gokhale got a decent, if not cracking shot of it in flight. To see this eagle soar was I guess consolation for not seeing the Ultramarine Flycatcher!
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<br />Overall, the trip was very good. The total species-count was not impressive, but the sightings of the two eagles were certainly memorable. Overall, we had only seen <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">one</span> migrant species, and that was a Long-Tailed Shrike! Rohan tells me Indian Schimitar Babblers (residents) can be seen in the Valley! Hmmm...... :)
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<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Here is a list of birds we saw on this trip:</span> <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" equiv="Content-Type"><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator"><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator"><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNikhil%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Book Antiqua"; panose-1:2 4 6 2 5 3 5 3 3 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:580943671; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:1939251114 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style>
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<br /><ol><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Brown-Headed Barbet [heard]<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Coppersmith Barbet [heard]<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">White-Throated Kingfisher<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Green Bee-eater<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Plum-Headed Parakeet [male, female]<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Rock Pigeon<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Spotted Dove<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Little Brown Dove<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Black-Winged Kite<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Crested-Serpent Eagle [heard]<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shikra<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Tawny Eagle<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Crested Hawk Eagle [on nest and soaring]<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Golden-Fronted Leafbird<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bay-Backed Shrike<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Long-Tailed Shrike<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Rufous Treepie<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Small Minivet [male and female]<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">White-Throated Fantail Flycatcher<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Black Drongo<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">White-Bellied Drongo<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Common Iora [breeding male and female]<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Asian Paradise-Flycatcher [rufous male, female]<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Indian Robin [male]<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Magpie Robin<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Pied Bushchat [female]<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Brahmini Starling<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jungle Myna<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Common Myna<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Red-Vented Bulbul<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Red-Whiskered Bulbul<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Grey-Breasted Prinia<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Ashy Prinia<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Oriental White-eye<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Common Tailorbird<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jungle Babbler<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Purple Sunbird<o:p></o:p></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Chestnut-Shouldered Petronia</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Tree Pipit<o:p></o:p></span></div></li></ol><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><o:p></o:p> </p>
<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">How to get to Sinhagad:</span>
<br />
<br /><blockquote>If you bring your own vehicle, you can reach the base of Sinhagad Fort by travelling along Sinhagad Road for about 20 km. Parking is available for charges of around 5/- at the base of the fort. Another option is to take the local PMT buses. These buses start at Swargate and reach Sinhagad Fort in a matter of about 40 minutes, early morning. Once at Sinhagad Fort, a timetable of return buses is put up at the cafe adjacent to the last bus-stop, so you can plan your return time accordingly. Return buses are at a frequency of about every 45 minutes.</blockquote>Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-74133035248442294912008-12-01T23:32:00.000-08:002008-12-08T09:11:36.258-08:00The Land of the GIBSituated about 22 kms North of Solapur lies the <a href="http://www.kolkatabirds.com/indianbustard8j.jpg">Great Indian Bustard</a> (GIB) Sanctuary at Nannaj. Comprising extensive grasslands, it is home to a small population of 15-20 Great Indian Bustards. These majestic grassland birds, once common in India, are now on the brink of extinction with less than 400 birds remaining in the wild.<br /><br />The landscape in this part of our country immediately reminds you of scenes from the African Savanna, so often shown on Discovery or Nat Geo. Vast stretches of flat terrain, covered in short grass swaying gently in the wind, with the occasional thorny bush or tree sticking out in the distance. But don't be fooled. The diversity of wildlife in this region is simply amazing. While there are mammals like Blackbucks, Chinkaras, Indian Wolves, etc. there are also birds like Quails, Floricans, Larks, Pipits that are well adapted to this kind of habitat. And of course, there are snakes, scorpions, .....the like! The star attraction, though, is the elusive GIB.<br /><br /><div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUliwfXlALG73V5gOZvpiuYclBhRU2vPPOEZzQQRP9Ofs9cH2Pm_lJtWscIJgP1JT4293nRsujiO3KXgJnWjhqjPf3yxTgUSn4S-d7EbLT6k4APkErzev9Yg4fZ3HtZnOiSwT9zKVBJtrJ/s1600-h/Nannaj+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276888793573448818" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUliwfXlALG73V5gOZvpiuYclBhRU2vPPOEZzQQRP9Ofs9cH2Pm_lJtWscIJgP1JT4293nRsujiO3KXgJnWjhqjPf3yxTgUSn4S-d7EbLT6k4APkErzev9Yg4fZ3HtZnOiSwT9zKVBJtrJ/s320/Nannaj+017.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>The GIB sanctuary has an area of 8500 sq. km., which includes whole towns like Solapur itself. Rather than having a namesake area of this high magnitude, the government has recently decided to declare only a 300 sq. km. area as the sanctuary, and protect that area properly. Out of this area, about 100 hectares of land lies near a small village called Nannaj, where the GIBs are seen more often than in the other areas, especially while breeding. Adesh Shivkar had organised a trip to this place as part of his NatureIndiaTours programmes, and I was only too happy to join.<br /><br />The Siddheshwar Express that leaves CST at about 10:20 p.m. brought us (9 of us including Adesh) to Solapur early on Saturday morning. We checked in at the Ritesh Hotel, and after a quick breakfast, left for Nannaj by a hired Trax and hit the highway.<br /><landscape></landscape></div><div></div><div></div><br />Soon after crossing the toll naka, we stopped by the roadside for a quick look at the birds on the nearby wires. There was an Indian Roller, a Laughing Dove, a Brahmini Starling troubled by some Black Drongos, some Indian Robins and also an Oriental Honey Buzzard which was in 'Pandharpur' (Adesh's expression for really far away birds!).<br /><br />Back in the Trax, we drove on for some 20 minutes till we reached an area called 'dreamland', which is quite close to the Nannaj village. We had reached Africa! There were birds all around. A couple of Eurasian Collared Doves sat on a nearby bush, while a Rufous-Tailed Lark darted about in the rocks. A Montagu's Harrier haunted the area, scaring away some doves in the distance. A Southern Grey Shrike posed nicely for a picture. Some Indian Silverbills showed up on a thorny bush. Large flocks of Greater Short-Toed Larks were on the move. A few Chestnut-Bellied Sandgrouse came flying searching for water, and instead found us. A few anachronic Grey Francolins cheered for Kapil Dev with their typical calls (sounding like they were calling out Kapil Dev's name with an accented 'i'). Thankfully, it was cloudy and a steady breeze had set in. Perfect birding.<br /><br />Quite satisfied, we moved on and reached a small village close to Nannaj and took a walk through it. While on our way we saw Ashy-Crowned Sparrow Larks, Large-Grey Babblers, a Shikra, Rosy Starlings, a Lesser Whitethroat, several Rose-Ringed Parakeets, and a handsome male Asian Koel. The village children had started following us, and Adesh obliged by letting them see through the spotting scope and chatting them up.<br /><br />We boarded the Trax again and soon reached the '100 hectares' area of the Nannaj sanctuary. This is the place where the chances of seeing a GIB are high. We entered the main gate and began walking on the narrow path that leads to a small hut.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNeZXC_6my5otxZjpXMuuHEbpDdx-pOs_2739IuYVrYYBBlEs5ggLmtxxiZkW6kJ2cJ2UpS_4t4UU6nBiHFFfghKLyApSGx2_sve6lxiPXmug4akT_ySNwMuweB3QyYQLRvBGhxf0Y1b_/s1600-h/Nannaj+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276903242497622594" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNeZXC_6my5otxZjpXMuuHEbpDdx-pOs_2739IuYVrYYBBlEs5ggLmtxxiZkW6kJ2cJ2UpS_4t4UU6nBiHFFfghKLyApSGx2_sve6lxiPXmug4akT_ySNwMuweB3QyYQLRvBGhxf0Y1b_/s320/Nannaj+015.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The hut here is as far as anyone is allowed to venture into this area. It provides cover and shelter, so birders can safely see the birds unnoticed. As we approached the hut, a Bay-Backed Shrike greeted us by perching on a nearby tree.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0sta2vDRwYXZ-OZ8w-NSCelQZibrUsjUACrwbWEKS_xoMdXpCs97_lvAAzzKp60Lv7jhu4UAbDROcGeFBTUloLh_01bRDkXTLcD0EcEobsf4HbJjqC7OqKyJoEbqxKc0wec0Ago_TqLe/s1600-h/Nannaj+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276903982180769842" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0sta2vDRwYXZ-OZ8w-NSCelQZibrUsjUACrwbWEKS_xoMdXpCs97_lvAAzzKp60Lv7jhu4UAbDROcGeFBTUloLh_01bRDkXTLcD0EcEobsf4HbJjqC7OqKyJoEbqxKc0wec0Ago_TqLe/s320/Nannaj+021.jpg" border="0" /></a>As it was cloudy, we preferred not to use the hut, and instead stand outside it. And as we scanned the area with our binocs, a Common Kestrel was spotted hovering in the air. Some Blackbucks were giving us enquiring looks and had stopped moving completely. The air seemed to freeze. There was hardly any movement. Flocks of Greater Short-Toed Larks were seen.<br /><br />Then, a lone GIB was spotted far away with its clean white neck sticking out from the grass!! Surely, it was in 'Pandharpur'. These birds have become so shy that they never venture close to humans, and most of the GIB sightings are, well, in 'Pandharpur'. Sure, the bird was far away, but the spotting scope Adesh had brought along managed to bridge that gap pretty well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFb-Wm488XNUnVBg-mGIfc9smrv1jQPbm8WMlV_2J_QGw7TQMPKrgtguyBiX29lAfGSTJT9OK926E_rZ8cYSxF3UPRjqH2Yz1XinpCKtXEcQq2c6NbWilgj_2MZdnw3BJZE_Z9MqdgCH_p/s1600-h/Nannaj+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276912016821655986" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFb-Wm488XNUnVBg-mGIfc9smrv1jQPbm8WMlV_2J_QGw7TQMPKrgtguyBiX29lAfGSTJT9OK926E_rZ8cYSxF3UPRjqH2Yz1XinpCKtXEcQq2c6NbWilgj_2MZdnw3BJZE_Z9MqdgCH_p/s320/Nannaj+025.jpg" border="0" /></a>The grace of this bird is simply unmatched. With its neck upright and head tilted up slightly, it has an aura of nobility. Like a ship in slow motion, it glides smoothly across the grasses. The body does not wobble an inch! It feels almost unreal to imagine a bird of this size to walk so steadily and slowly. Floored!<br /><br />This one was a male, with the clean white neck being the identifying characteristic. It sailed at its gentle pace for a long time after which it was just too far away. We headed back, and decided to visit another area on the opposite side of the sanctuary gate. Now that the GIB had been seen, we could focus more on the other bird species too.<br /><br />On our way, we were crossed by a couple of healthy looking Indian Wolves. We got down for a pic and some snacks too!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hxSYE4CwlnDN6ul5ZxcjhtNB-5y91mGTersSVyRThEicWXNof9Litrl3HStZBH0-5WmtDkiwxjT-v4k0eFL_9Dz4edH_U3tq_9-17WepE8kxBcvTgi2Ys9NvdwEA0pQBdpaJtMm_dc2v/s1600-h/Nannaj+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276913287844911730" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hxSYE4CwlnDN6ul5ZxcjhtNB-5y91mGTersSVyRThEicWXNof9Litrl3HStZBH0-5WmtDkiwxjT-v4k0eFL_9Dz4edH_U3tq_9-17WepE8kxBcvTgi2Ys9NvdwEA0pQBdpaJtMm_dc2v/s320/Nannaj+029.jpg" border="0" /></a>As expected, the landscape had not changed at all. We had reached some private land in the vicinity and decided to spend some time birding in this area. It was nearly 1:00 p.m., but thankfully it was still cloudy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuMZvZzGIHiWbANf2bU0-nVspvvBPP56OOjNgwk6lGrrDE4mJhsW05akZ3mgYWeU3SefXMGx7g2qq32mh0Q-G7CVK74InJFxKZGrYhR-RCQkA8MpQjXPQwTKMUdP_IAXwj3_OtY23N-xg/s1600-h/Nannaj+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276916275410648242" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuMZvZzGIHiWbANf2bU0-nVspvvBPP56OOjNgwk6lGrrDE4mJhsW05akZ3mgYWeU3SefXMGx7g2qq32mh0Q-G7CVK74InJFxKZGrYhR-RCQkA8MpQjXPQwTKMUdP_IAXwj3_OtY23N-xg/s320/Nannaj+031.jpg" border="0" /></a>A Siberian Stonechat, Paddyfield Pipit, Long Billed Pipit and a Tawny Pipit were seen scurrying about. Some Eurasian Collard Doves fidgeted in a tree nearby. Common Kestrels were busy flying about. There were birds everywhere. But the best one was the Isabelline Wheatear (a winter migrant) which perched right in the open on some rocks. As Adesh explained how to distinguish it from the Desert Wheatear (by looking at its lore, which is the area between the eye and the base of the beak), I managed to get a pic by digiscoping my camera with the spotting scope. This result was quite satisfying!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DKs-yZ0iTwL5F5mIMytnCGfONyL5el8OKiXIzV7j3_BcznhLKiKMPKf8vSQGyXrqt7kRqrIj2ceCygAPTzY73KNn01x4CtSS_Bd-qj0DzHLe0jgDcYa_hDXTtWgTFcJ7Jsku5J7AXdln/s1600-h/Nannaj+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276915037540395954" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DKs-yZ0iTwL5F5mIMytnCGfONyL5el8OKiXIzV7j3_BcznhLKiKMPKf8vSQGyXrqt7kRqrIj2ceCygAPTzY73KNn01x4CtSS_Bd-qj0DzHLe0jgDcYa_hDXTtWgTFcJ7Jsku5J7AXdln/s320/Nannaj+045.jpg" border="0" /></a>Then, on our way back, we also saw a Richard's Pipit and a Lesser Whitethroat. And just as we were about to board the Trax, we even saw a juvenile Pallid Harrier perched on a thorny bush. Right on the opposite side, but a little far off, an adult male Montagu's Harrier had perched on a small mound on the ground. Both sightings were amazing, with Adesh explaining how to distinguish a juvenile Pallid Harrier from a juvenile Montagu's (by looking at the white neck collar on the Pallid). And then Adesh spotted the GIB we'd seen earlier, except that it was much closer to the sanctuary gate now. For us, on the other side, it was still in 'Pandharpur'.<br /><br />It was time for lunch. We headed for the 'Nisarga' restaurant somewhere outside Solapur, and managed to catch a small nap on the way in the Trax. Arriving at nearly 3:00 p.m. at the restaurant, Adesh prompty ordered the local delicacies, viz. the sweet Shenga Poli with loads of ghee, not-so-pungent Shenga Chatni, a fiery Thecha, a few curious sounding 'Dhapaate' (which are like Theplaas), Bhakris, Zhunkaa and Shrikhanda-Basundi. This vivid combination of dishes made for a sizzling lunch which left us with rather protruding bellies, and we wondered how we'd continue birding!<br /><br />The next place to visit was a small village called Kegav, where the magnificent Eurasian Eagle Owls are seen in what appears to be a canal of some sort. The canal lies on both sides of the road leading to Kegav, and we soon ventured into the right hand side.<br /><br />These owls, though huge in size, are excellently camouflaged against the rocky outcrops. It was almost like a game, finding the owls that are in the area, but are so difficult to spot. After seeing a Grey Necked Bunting and a Long Billed Pipit on the way, no one had yet seen the elusive and much anticipated owl. We managed a glimpse of a Blue Rock Thrush and a female Black Redstart hopping on the rocks below while a Eurasian Spoonbill flew past in the air.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFVdegCavresvN_P8pBuXugi3Nye6gvnwUyq8StwJKLhtZ9jbo_pr1v8XdvoQdvXHjhkOM2m9QjTB_jJza3OyiO0er58YdAuOfK6kJhIbIlY_veNs7P-OeOD-bwtN-ZjJ6AHLfWYyfl7T/s1600-h/Nannaj+065.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276927243416703346" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 241px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFVdegCavresvN_P8pBuXugi3Nye6gvnwUyq8StwJKLhtZ9jbo_pr1v8XdvoQdvXHjhkOM2m9QjTB_jJza3OyiO0er58YdAuOfK6kJhIbIlY_veNs7P-OeOD-bwtN-ZjJ6AHLfWYyfl7T/s320/Nannaj+065.jpg" border="0" /></a>Sameer finally spotted the owl, but even with binocs, I wasn't able to locate it in the direction he pointed. Adesh soon trained his scope on the Owl so we could all have a better look. And what a look it was (from the Owl)! The Owl was sitting behind a small bush, and its big orange eyes were staring us down! It was in fact quite scary! But the Owl soon got self-conscious and flew off. Although a big bird, its flight is completely noiseless! Not a whisper!<br /><br />Since no more owls could be seen, we decided to move over to the other side of the road, and try our luck there. Here, again, it was Sameer who spotted another Owl, while all of us had coolly walked past it. This one too was impressive. We also saw some Spotted Owlets, many Grey Necked Buntings, a few Small Minivets and Streak-Throated Swallows in the area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IAnjS75HxVaTCWrsFOg2ofxLHHZNKIshOQgIXcebqIPu48A-4LMg1y3fh4PbBb90FOnWcYrII4W93zGTroXtg2k1f23PaNOx8MQJc5nvlpNhbRbGrPl6QflW22wnEr7X_g1TTCaPwXCi/s1600-h/Nannaj+052.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276925700607892626" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IAnjS75HxVaTCWrsFOg2ofxLHHZNKIshOQgIXcebqIPu48A-4LMg1y3fh4PbBb90FOnWcYrII4W93zGTroXtg2k1f23PaNOx8MQJc5nvlpNhbRbGrPl6QflW22wnEr7X_g1TTCaPwXCi/s320/Nannaj+052.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwR1X2tmhZ1Gc218M3mBCKh5ub6rv7qci7cleqs73z6yXlXjnlR9cP8iVTBIa3iueP4F1ioy3PKKpMk4aEe-Kxuy2PBdufOvJn9E5gMn0pXavR41Old8dZ5b5vnQwaJHSt2_a9FZUis3S/s1600-h/Nannaj+057.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276925706997354418" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwR1X2tmhZ1Gc218M3mBCKh5ub6rv7qci7cleqs73z6yXlXjnlR9cP8iVTBIa3iueP4F1ioy3PKKpMk4aEe-Kxuy2PBdufOvJn9E5gMn0pXavR41Old8dZ5b5vnQwaJHSt2_a9FZUis3S/s320/Nannaj+057.jpg" border="0" /></a>We were just heading back, when the Owl was seen again, this time sitting in the open, but far away. As it sat there, gazing at us even from that great distance, some Black Drongos were obviously offended and tried to drive it away. Interestingly, the Owl was looking exactly like a cat! I managed to get a record-shot of the Owl, again, by digiscoping. As the light was really low, the pic didn't come off exactly as planned!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevpla6vY0xt-uU1q9DMbWy9NyTNSo_rUVm6yQj6ljJvl7nwqzIbYzLPbX11TGAubNttMbMmeBcow541gFmMZq_UAgE5QnWL58LnW3kdCOm9ZSPKSPR3hgG_3Ab34J_al-XclpuabRrY9j/s1600-h/Nannaj+069.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276936108571124354" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevpla6vY0xt-uU1q9DMbWy9NyTNSo_rUVm6yQj6ljJvl7nwqzIbYzLPbX11TGAubNttMbMmeBcow541gFmMZq_UAgE5QnWL58LnW3kdCOm9ZSPKSPR3hgG_3Ab34J_al-XclpuabRrY9j/s320/Nannaj+069.jpg" border="0" /></a>After a much satisfying view of the Owl, we decided to head back to the hotel. It had been a tiring day of non-stop birding, and the trip so far had been simply too good. I knew I had seen many lifers (first time sightings) today, including the GIB and the Eurasian Eagle Owl. Tomorrow we'd come back to Nannaj and then also go to Hiparga Lake to see ducks and waders.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOIcXDSzFcsxMN78rIxDf-VgV18qQcz0KyubO0-Brke6JXSGYY7QuanYVYYScEMG7CwnPnow3FLlfRi0WgeUw97SDFzts0yOows_mL0YS7KrLtivK2RSSmRzUv_ON4H67a4DVcUdjfjH8/s1600-h/Nannaj+061.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276937365686179778" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 244px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOIcXDSzFcsxMN78rIxDf-VgV18qQcz0KyubO0-Brke6JXSGYY7QuanYVYYScEMG7CwnPnow3FLlfRi0WgeUw97SDFzts0yOows_mL0YS7KrLtivK2RSSmRzUv_ON4H67a4DVcUdjfjH8/s320/Nannaj+061.jpg" border="0" /></a>Dinner was at the Ritesh Hotel itself, and after a rather blatant "None" in reply to our query "What sweet dishes do you have?", everyone got a good night's sleep. Actually Ranjeet had tried rephrasing the question too by asking "Gulab jamun hai kya?", but the waiter seemed to have his wits about him and said there were no sweet dishes to offer!<br /><br />Early on Sunday morning, we set off for Nannaj again. The task for today was to get a good look at the Bustard and some of the other species too. On the way, all of us kept a watch for any birds on the road-sides, and soon we halted to see some Red-Collared Doves, Black-Headed Buntings, a Common Hawk Cuckoo which looks quite like a Shikra, a flying male Pallid Harrier and also a White-Eyed Buzzard perched on one of the poles.<br /><br />Once at Nannaj, Adesh went up a small lookout tower, to see if there were any Bustards around, but unfortunately there were none. Since we'd already had our fill the earlier day, we decided to move on and look at the other species in the surrounding area, particularly a small lake nearby. Back in the Trax.<br /><br />As we approached the lake, we saw a couple of Grey Francolins running about on the road. We also saw an Indian Bushlark on some rocks as it posed nicely for a photo. I managed to get a pic of it using even the mere 4x zoom lens on my camera! While about it, a Black-Winged Kite crossed the road in front of us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HGer2XSzSbW0C3z7zmIJWoPLtQWJ08EMmyHAoEpaIvu1DJjI6rGwPlh1gGdXGnLeT4QTwW8z-3lzwI7fCDNxkTTbGD42FPRo_yl5cg-HjQV9S_p7ru7TKDo2VzBmov1Nb9rpiFKAS3mr/s1600-h/Nannaj+075.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277053011551260098" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 222px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HGer2XSzSbW0C3z7zmIJWoPLtQWJ08EMmyHAoEpaIvu1DJjI6rGwPlh1gGdXGnLeT4QTwW8z-3lzwI7fCDNxkTTbGD42FPRo_yl5cg-HjQV9S_p7ru7TKDo2VzBmov1Nb9rpiFKAS3mr/s320/Nannaj+075.jpg" border="0" /></a>Once at the lake, there were many birds to be seen. A few Ashy-Crowned Sparrow Larks came for a drink. A Little Ringed Plover darted across the banks while many ducks were busy swimming in the water. Most of them were Spot-Billed Ducks and Northern Pintails, but there was also a single Common Pochard and Northern Shoveler among them. There were many Little Grebes in non-breeding plumage too. As we watched them through the scope, Red-Rumped Swallows had filled the air and were gliding nicely all around the area.<br /><br />A little further, Adesh spotted a Short-Toed Snake-Eagle soaring in 'Pandharpur'. As he explained how to identify it, the large eagle seemed to scan the area for prey. It even hovered in the air like a Kestrel for long durations. So much so, that Adesh was even able to locate it in his scope so we could see it better. It is amazing to see a bird of this size balancing itself in mid-air while scanning the ground for prey!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU9crNbt3gW6v1YBTc5Ts7QZWIC7__SARK4kM8fq5qhv2g5H4QEvDqkFJ-5D4usjSPILWTmMZGHBA9sm4z-YYgWSysi8T2RS6lkLYfcpm9M1cKro9dRU24b1lQkSkNdBUHMusXf_z7z2O/s1600-h/Nannaj+078.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277055540148058546" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU9crNbt3gW6v1YBTc5Ts7QZWIC7__SARK4kM8fq5qhv2g5H4QEvDqkFJ-5D4usjSPILWTmMZGHBA9sm4z-YYgWSysi8T2RS6lkLYfcpm9M1cKro9dRU24b1lQkSkNdBUHMusXf_z7z2O/s320/Nannaj+078.jpg" border="0" /></a>In the meanwhile, the Common Pochard was seen again and gave us a nice view. There was also a Spotted Redshank, a Yellow Wagtail and a White-Browed Wagtail in the region. Adesh captured the White-Browed Wagtail in a typical eye-level shot while Garima too took a few pictures.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RFhqOIDFy1ialG4VP7MwMsD48SGfAHczmx9zIbdJ-BqGYd3kGFunuNpEyfskmfj8miDJCedd1y6efKDOe_xVVzo9odKGdEYz7uzhCHPb5yIN243SdDUjataux-D-ipDVx7uxchayap79/s1600-h/Nannaj+087.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277058785356609410" style="width: 136px; cursor: pointer; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RFhqOIDFy1ialG4VP7MwMsD48SGfAHczmx9zIbdJ-BqGYd3kGFunuNpEyfskmfj8miDJCedd1y6efKDOe_xVVzo9odKGdEYz7uzhCHPb5yIN243SdDUjataux-D-ipDVx7uxchayap79/s200/Nannaj+087.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUd1EzSnwLyBvn7hHfRe6bqhta5eb_GnK7jerF4E55wz5WG9u37t2ATDrOGyGVC_U6dL13W9_RvAtXXKH9bD8sipAdKOtXMTkyZK9umI6SBa1yNsd1MeQoLVUykYewBehAhlfQHB7-jiIu/s1600-h/Nannaj+085.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277058299279755650" style="width: 200px; cursor: pointer; height: 136px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUd1EzSnwLyBvn7hHfRe6bqhta5eb_GnK7jerF4E55wz5WG9u37t2ATDrOGyGVC_U6dL13W9_RvAtXXKH9bD8sipAdKOtXMTkyZK9umI6SBa1yNsd1MeQoLVUykYewBehAhlfQHB7-jiIu/s200/Nannaj+085.jpg" border="0" /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dMfr5jyDfB1N1mWNU0g4jROkUiPO4UYpWCTkmz5jyv1ZppO701t-ZOH2G0CYLwQy1_FuAMu9KikXSC9zD8WKD2SrMmQM4SUOv8dIO3wWjwCX5-U4Wtrx2fx_ZLKSOLOmiPHTpBV_I8GD/s1600-h/Nannaj+091.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277058795204219842" style="width: 200px; cursor: pointer; height: 136px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dMfr5jyDfB1N1mWNU0g4jROkUiPO4UYpWCTkmz5jyv1ZppO701t-ZOH2G0CYLwQy1_FuAMu9KikXSC9zD8WKD2SrMmQM4SUOv8dIO3wWjwCX5-U4Wtrx2fx_ZLKSOLOmiPHTpBV_I8GD/s200/Nannaj+091.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br />As we were about to leave the area, a couple of Syke's Crested Larks too made an appearance! Leaving them behind, we set off for a nearby pond where Yellow-Wattled Lapwings are seen.<br />As expected, 3 Lapwings were seen at the edge of the pond, one of which appeared like a juvenile. There was also a Green Sandpiper and a Common Greenshank standing side by side in the pond! A better opportunity to compare these similar looking birds would be certainly hard to find!<br /><br />It was lunch time again, and we decided to head back. This time we went to a restaurant in Solapur itself called as 'Sugran'. Here, too, the typical local dishes were ordered and were promptly served by the waiter. The food was, as expected, delicious! In fact the Basundi was probably the best that I have ever had!<br /><br />Again, with bulging stomachs and a quick freshening up at the Hotel, we soon left for Hiparga Lake. This is a big lake close to Solapur and has many water birds. It was afternoon by now, and the sun had just started to come out of the clouds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVzQmpM80SRhpD2PPZys4H3YeYiFAjCSkGiyzAZbWAbKt2mCPnw4msNuX6JFfmgoGFh306hi86GeeVkivx95XPlgg_s-ndFoYWPMTGJwIBBPGjHZLLeB945c-eWCCutzX33W96gYfhDF-/s1600-h/Nannaj+105.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277062527127445970" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVzQmpM80SRhpD2PPZys4H3YeYiFAjCSkGiyzAZbWAbKt2mCPnw4msNuX6JFfmgoGFh306hi86GeeVkivx95XPlgg_s-ndFoYWPMTGJwIBBPGjHZLLeB945c-eWCCutzX33W96gYfhDF-/s320/Nannaj+105.jpg" border="0" /></a>Birds like the Indian Roller, Citrine Wagtail, Chestnut Shouldered Petronias and a group of Red-Headed Buntings were busy in the area. A female Common Kestrel had perched on a small tree. About 5 Black Ibises and a Painted Stork lazily looked around on the banks of the lake. Even a Rufous-Tailed Shrike was seen as it flew about the bushes. As we headed closer to the Lake, which was full of Common Pochards, Common Coots and some Tufted Ducks, a Wooly-Necked Stork came soaring towards us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBtIu0l2BJh-o-HcHSKb4Ql3b5x009uDEdVaC-9hiDs9gMsJ7SPH_Z6c_j82wJ97BgBUdADhp-3sTdbvY9cpm_S4wPgTUwqu50EdfYMTcHq7l-moQaPKQ4muMZluuP5rkjNmrd2rN8OBK/s1600-h/Nannaj+100+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277065981578074034" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBtIu0l2BJh-o-HcHSKb4Ql3b5x009uDEdVaC-9hiDs9gMsJ7SPH_Z6c_j82wJ97BgBUdADhp-3sTdbvY9cpm_S4wPgTUwqu50EdfYMTcHq7l-moQaPKQ4muMZluuP5rkjNmrd2rN8OBK/s320/Nannaj+100+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a>Later, a male Eurasian Marsh Harrier came flying silently from the left. The beauty of this bird was accentuated by the surreal blue sky in the background. Exclamations of 'oohs' and 'aahs' filled the air. Seeing a male was rewarding, as usually it is the females or juveniles that are seen.<br /><br />It was time to head back. The sun had peeked out from a few clouds and seemed to shower blessings upon us. Surely, it had been an exciting and eventful trip. But it wasn't over yet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFFetm2wzQlkEC0ya5_F1cp_k3ICXToQq7N_0ZjGq7vjXZUgBN0RWwSvk4zAIo-YxLov9Q8Ya1mNpjRSAmADfvshPOzfatZMP2qN1puXE1n_m7f3dpduxBnSz2MvHFZD-wLrrCQoQ-j3B/s1600-h/Nannaj+119.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277067143053340898" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 218px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFFetm2wzQlkEC0ya5_F1cp_k3ICXToQq7N_0ZjGq7vjXZUgBN0RWwSvk4zAIo-YxLov9Q8Ya1mNpjRSAmADfvshPOzfatZMP2qN1puXE1n_m7f3dpduxBnSz2MvHFZD-wLrrCQoQ-j3B/s320/Nannaj+119.jpg" border="0" /></a>As we reached our Trax, there was some more activity around. A juvenile Brahmini Kite came to say farewell. A Clamorous Reed Warbler was seen on some bushes. A Blue Rock Thrush was hopping about the rocks nearby, accompanied by some Indian Robins. A Common Kingfisher kept watch over his part of the water.<br /><br />Then we saw Red Avadavats, Silverbills and a Scaly Breasted Munia all on the same small, bare, thorny bush not too far away! In the evening sunlight, this sight was simply fascinating. It was as if the bush had acquired bright red jewels! We also saw a male and female Rose-Ringed Parakeet in the vicinity. Though very common, it was amazing to see them in the saturated yellow sunlight. A Spotted Owlet too was seen close by.<br /><br />On our way back to the Hotel, we stopped by Mr. B.S. Kulkarni's place. He's over 75 years of age, and has spent most of his life studying the bustards and other birds in the region and consequently has published many books. We had a small chat with him before we left for home, again by the Siddheshwar Express that leaves Solapur at 10:40 p.m.<br /><br />This had been a marvellous trip! Well planned and well managed by Adesh, it was total 'paisa vasool'. What made it even more so was Adesh's meticulous insights and tips that would improve us as birders. That's not to say that the others didn't contribute. Everyone contributed in some way or the other, and it all resulted in a memorable experience.<br /><br />We had seen close to 115 species of birds, many of which were winter migrants. Moreover, 25 of these were lifers for me. We had missed the Quails and the Indian Courser, which are typical birds of this region, but after seeing so many other birds it would be unfair to demand these too. After all, on a wildlife trip, you never know what you'll see and what you won't. All you can do is visit the right places at the right time and hope for the best.<br /><br />It is unfortunate that the GIB is getting extinct. It puzzles many people how such a graceful bird can be hunted down so mercilessly. It seems to be heading the same way as the Dodo, and hence will require special efforts to save its dwindling population. What was at one time a prime contender for being nominated as the National Bird of India is now well on the verge of saying goodbye.<br /><br /><blockquote>Here are links to photos taken by Garima and Anup on this trip:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/garima.bhatia/Nannaj?authkey=KM-6CvIv0QU" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1228669064_0">http://picasaweb.google.com/garima.bhatia/Nannaj?authkey=KM-6CvIv0QU</span></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ranadive.anup/DropBox?authkey=RA7XDqBjTb0" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1228669088_0">http://picasaweb.google.com/ranadive.anup/DropBox?authkey=RA7XDqBjTb0</span></a></blockquote>Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-77552112405866249332008-11-24T22:28:00.000-08:002008-11-25T19:58:46.699-08:00Birding at Sinhagad valley<strong><u><em></em></u></strong><blockquote><strong><u><em>Note:</em></u></strong> Most of the bird-names mentioned here are <strong>links </strong>to photos which are taken by different people, and posted on sites like <a href="http://www.flickr.com/">http://www.flickr.com/</a> or <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/">http://www.indianaturewatch.net/</a>. You can click on them to see those pictures.</blockquote>After numerous visits to the neighbourhood Magarpatta City garden, it was now time to head to a more serious birding spot. So on Sunday morning, a friend of mine, Yogesh Athavle, and I, set off to a much acclaimed birding site in Pune which is the valley at the base of Sinhagad Fort. Some really interesting information about the fort and its history is available on <a href="http://www.sahyaadri.com/info/articles.php?art_id=71&start=1">this link</a>.<br /><br />The valley is a modestly wooded area and is famous for sightings of such attractive birds as the male <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=12405">Asian Paradise Flycatcher</a> and <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=50700">Ultramarine Flycatcher</a>. We reached the place by bike at about 6:30 a.m. and after parking it at a local temple, we soon got down to business.<br /><p>It was still relatively dark, though not very cool. As we ambled along, we saw our first bird. It was an <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/abhishekvarma/2157179035/">Indian Robin</a> sitting quietly at the base of a tree. It wasn't too alarmed at our presence, and seemed to hop about the rocks. Soon, some <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbukhari/2233907433/">Oriental White-Eyes</a> came by too, and they began scampering about the nearby bushes. A highly vocal <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandeepr/2904667373/">Grey-Breasted Prinia</a> and an <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shashankbjain/335634372/">Ashy Drongo</a> too joined in and the place was busy with activity.<br /></p><p>After a good look at each of these species, we moved on and came to a small stream. It was getting brighter. A few <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/indiantraveller/2179446382/">Jungle Babblers</a> were sitting on a small hut by the side of the stream. Like all babblers, they were making their typical harsh calls. However, their calls were distinctly different from the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/abhishekvarma/463743263/">Large Grey Babblers</a> in Magarpatta, which make a sort of "crying" call. One of them even ventured into the stream and began sipping at the water! Jungle Babblers are quite a common gregarious resident species, and can sometimes even be seen on the road-sides in Kothrud.</p><p>A <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_mask/2119994516/">Grey Wagtail</a> was sitting right in the middle of this stream, wagging its tail with enthusiasm. Seeing a Grey Wagtail was rewarding, since I'd already seen the Pied, White and Yellow Wagtails at Magarpatta this week. Later, on a tree besides the stream, we saw some <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85874768@N00/2362248044/">White-Throated Fantail Flycatchers</a> and also an <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/somchai2008/2886494459/">Asian Brown Flycatcher</a>, which is a winter migrant to this area.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272481172381209730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 217px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6h3f4MdxP2WIqpLtynaL3bIHIwpJj1J9XKgTFRpuzNA8zfpzGPLW2kMUq4SDEjCfJDh24PyfLK7WoQ68Fx_f9dBSPH30aYD9utnpRcWdbyehAgz9AKMFG1kM7XSUZq3D96EsfufKhWuAb/s320/Sinhagad+010.jpg" border="0" /> Leaving them behind, we ventured into the fields beyond the stream. Here, again, there was lots of bird-activity. A <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shivanayak/564716431/">Scaly Breasted Munia</a> came and perched very close to us, just about 5 feet away! Ahead, we could hear some "odd" parakeet calls. I had a hunch that these could be from Plum-Headed Parakeets, as they have been seen here in this valley. The calls were coming from nearby tree, but the bird itself couldn't be seen. While hunting for a view, we were suddenly passed by a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sourendu_gupta/425013112/">Rufous Tree-Pie</a>, whom I mistook initially for a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shivanayak/464951402/">White-Rumped Shama</a>. I haven't seen it in Mumbai yet, though they are common in places like Sariska in the North. The Tree-Pie settled on a tall tree, as if giving a pose.<br /><p><br />Then, a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22096675@N07/2335217696/">White-Bellied Drongo</a> came from across the area and perched on top of that same tree. The Tree-Pie seemed miffed and altered its perch. Suddenly, a bird that looked like a small parakeet shot off from the tree we were looking at earlier. The calls were still coming though. I went to get a better view, and sure enough, there was a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/candletree/2529809901/">Plum-Headed Parakeet</a> perched on top, merrily calling out aloud. This is really a beauty of a bird! Its purple face and shiny blue tail make it really attractive.</p><p>Back to the Tree-Pie, we saw that a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neloy/2294137990/">Long-Tailed Shrike</a> was now sitting in the foreground on some bushes. That made quite a pretty sight: the Tree-Pie, the White-Bellied Drongo and now this Shrike, all in the same field of view! </p><p>All the birds soon dispersed, and we headed further into the forest. The place fell silent. Carefully avoiding the paddy plants, we walked at a gentle pace. Thorns and some weird looking vegetation had begun to poke at my pants! All the bird calls had stopped, and we struggled to see anything other than <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_mask/2679541312/">Red-Vented Bulbuls</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/anandpatre/2907036536/">Purple Sunbirds</a> for a while.<br /><br />Then we came to a bush that had some continuous calls coming from it, intertwined with those of a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/abhishekvarma/1799915504/">Common Tailorbird</a>. Looking closely, we saw that it was the Tailorbirds themselves that were making those other calls! I'd never heard them make this call before; it was like a continuous chirping. We moved on.<br /><br />Far away, there was a small dead tree, full of Jungle Babblers. But there were two other big birds sitting right in their midst, and we couldn't identify them, though they looked like a pair of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hvhe1/252590829/">Shikras</a>. While we looked about in other directions, suddenly, a Shikra came racing towards us, chasing a Long-Tailed Shrike! The shrike escaped, and the Shikra settled on a nearby tree. I missed seeing part of the action, as I had spotted a huge bird looking like an Eagle flying low through the trees on the opposite side!! It was almost like a black ghost flying fast through the foliage, and only about 10 feet off the ground!<br /><br />Having lost sight of the "ghost" I'd just turned back to see the Shikra tearing through the air and maneuvering its body like a champ while on its chase. The shikra settled close by, and I was even able to get a photo of it with my mere 135mm equivalent lens on my Canon A520. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqpygNMPVQ3P217NpuXa5erKRtr7kD5_A054RPoPApkVbSOtMAs3FiCgOfwsjIv7MtReoJdNPpcKWqqbpbm5gDEHWTIgOHi6LDMlG20d0WrAdkMHzu6TZ096Pr5sAgvpwZz_Pp561r_Y-/s1600-h/Sinhagad+022.jpg"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272641123681429906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 237px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqpygNMPVQ3P217NpuXa5erKRtr7kD5_A054RPoPApkVbSOtMAs3FiCgOfwsjIv7MtReoJdNPpcKWqqbpbm5gDEHWTIgOHi6LDMlG20d0WrAdkMHzu6TZ096Pr5sAgvpwZz_Pp561r_Y-/s320/Sinhagad+022.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Just like at Malshej, I tried plugging my camera behind the binocs, and the result wasn't all that bad. After some brightness/contrast adjustment and massive sharpening, this was the result.<br /><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdBvX-jIyRL5WFb9sboqA40uvLcJo7II-fasHwlqPuvJijdYRQZbqK_wF6dUAF_4phSTgBjw6VavNYH7BFkhCgBLvFtE_NRfyO5N74w-qE8c92M-R2LW2Qlu9LKY_0C3wPSFGGawNXlwq/s1600-h/Sinhagad+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272641515198062738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 217px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdBvX-jIyRL5WFb9sboqA40uvLcJo7II-fasHwlqPuvJijdYRQZbqK_wF6dUAF_4phSTgBjw6VavNYH7BFkhCgBLvFtE_NRfyO5N74w-qE8c92M-R2LW2Qlu9LKY_0C3wPSFGGawNXlwq/s320/Sinhagad+023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Soon, we saw another Shikra close-by and concluded that the 2 big birds seen with the Jungle Babblers were indeed a pair of Shikras. This seems odd, since Shikras are birds of prey, and have been known to feed on small birds. On the other hand, Jungle Babblers feed on insects or berries. One would expect them to stay away from predators like Shikras, and yet here they were, sharing the same tree. Perplexed, we went further.<br /><br />The White-Eyes had returned, and so had the Grey-Breasted Prinia. We also saw a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/abhijitavalaskar/3015753662/">Common Iora</a> hopping through a close-by bush in search of food. This natural singer was making one of its harsher calls today. A few <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shashankbjain/488945366/">Red-Whiskered Bulbuls</a> too were seen in the area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6d9Hv9IFtGbKE06W7pK4nhyF7Y2i9LVinEYnGMAkphkdkOBoOPVLd9E5CBcLsEoxrLGbGmTDBCWkGs8eTCsopS3rNdLpY5swqeZIhoF8pXXmVktghZWLs1lEqpjZJNSrClV0rL4Ij3PeU/s1600-h/Sinhagad+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272645200992382754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 218px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6d9Hv9IFtGbKE06W7pK4nhyF7Y2i9LVinEYnGMAkphkdkOBoOPVLd9E5CBcLsEoxrLGbGmTDBCWkGs8eTCsopS3rNdLpY5swqeZIhoF8pXXmVktghZWLs1lEqpjZJNSrClV0rL4Ij3PeU/s320/Sinhagad+025.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge667oQaJeBR6zv7aMU0GX97OfyEt30NE3Ov0J6Cm84YYxXEYNexO0iC541AlYLQJ3ejg05o38Pm3lsVFy7OVrU_djDm4io663WB82e6P6H9Mu0eYCWacjBxhGpexGSithPSN5SW5Nj4Dn/s1600-h/Sinhagad+024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272645196227867346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 217px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge667oQaJeBR6zv7aMU0GX97OfyEt30NE3Ov0J6Cm84YYxXEYNexO0iC541AlYLQJ3ejg05o38Pm3lsVFy7OVrU_djDm4io663WB82e6P6H9Mu0eYCWacjBxhGpexGSithPSN5SW5Nj4Dn/s320/Sinhagad+024.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The path was getting unclear. We were making our way through a narrow stream, when the party of Jungle Babblers came along again. It was as though they were following us on our trail! Some Common Tailorbirds too were seen in the trees. It was past 8:30, and we decided to head back and explore the area close to the start of our trail. While on our way, a few small ants were busily moving about. I clicked a photo just for fun, and now it looks like a photo taken on Mars!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_25QXR8l1C5x5G7c8FmLCiN5OqvW5yu6W9AsX80gNwrtk_xJYmy-s_WTF9tyljmsrG4wQKw4_bSQmjZLbVqUQgl7HXRZGv2mS5LATa4_AA1dBITqLm2yIbKvYT9MccnWxIlfiZi9IyRNd/s1600-h/Sinhagad+026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272646284863302850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 243px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_25QXR8l1C5x5G7c8FmLCiN5OqvW5yu6W9AsX80gNwrtk_xJYmy-s_WTF9tyljmsrG4wQKw4_bSQmjZLbVqUQgl7HXRZGv2mS5LATa4_AA1dBITqLm2yIbKvYT9MccnWxIlfiZi9IyRNd/s320/Sinhagad+026.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />On our way, we saw Shikras very often. It was as if the place was full of Shikras! There were many pretty flowers and insects on the way too. Some of the flowers looked quite fragile and delicate, almost like a lace! Then there were other bright blue ones too. The one on the left looks like a Ganpati Idol!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq2fDc2DaPE9uUq7zXIxnodf37eT77ZTb0y7mQT9LrMnUefeNQrpc8OXP5O440bQwoXpk1d2AIZC7pVKa-IZHwogvq-6RVp8qViquZMQaRLjgBUmBmRLf2zG6uyDuxBxwTshK8PDVQmGm/s1600-h/Sinhagad+039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272647840096405202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq2fDc2DaPE9uUq7zXIxnodf37eT77ZTb0y7mQT9LrMnUefeNQrpc8OXP5O440bQwoXpk1d2AIZC7pVKa-IZHwogvq-6RVp8qViquZMQaRLjgBUmBmRLf2zG6uyDuxBxwTshK8PDVQmGm/s320/Sinhagad+039.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>And there was time to take a portrait shot too! [:)]<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pMCirrbPcb9Y-TrN-tfN1Mch3WTOltyNU3eZ1Xg1G-34en58Nk5_BDNapSvtCDqn8ORD-M925sOdBG9Kk5y77Fw-0xQdRkZ0hqBUERqfhwqmNU7OBoPx1H2f-Q51D898P8o3LKUj8LhD/s1600-h/Sinhagad+041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272648634539807570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 237px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pMCirrbPcb9Y-TrN-tfN1Mch3WTOltyNU3eZ1Xg1G-34en58Nk5_BDNapSvtCDqn8ORD-M925sOdBG9Kk5y77Fw-0xQdRkZ0hqBUERqfhwqmNU7OBoPx1H2f-Q51D898P8o3LKUj8LhD/s320/Sinhagad+041.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It was quite bright now, and we slowly made our way back to start of our trail. Eventually, we came to the small stream where we had seen the Asian Brown Flycatcher. A bird-photographer was at the site, and he told us that he'd seen a male Asian Paradise Flycatcher here a while back. We decied to hang around in the area, and also have some sandwiches while we waited. Munching on our snack, we saw a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7745120@N04/1006459197/">Spotted Dove</a> on one of the trees.<br /><br />A Glassy Tiger butterfly had managed to escape the beak of a Red-Vented Bulbul in search of a meal, and was flitting about the flowering bushes nearby.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqi8R8V2ljXIDi3yioQwWRVLbwgZnBSiEAvlVS1a6k67qn8FOxqOt-2QUn7Gw2Y01DDiaC8_ts5PcW-lJhL-okRRSvJoGnGFKGUCiGKMkZloYwu0g8PXnL3GgEvwDZNXDsqEX3-uTrQGc/s1600-h/Sinhagad+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272667606074598690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 218px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqi8R8V2ljXIDi3yioQwWRVLbwgZnBSiEAvlVS1a6k67qn8FOxqOt-2QUn7Gw2Y01DDiaC8_ts5PcW-lJhL-okRRSvJoGnGFKGUCiGKMkZloYwu0g8PXnL3GgEvwDZNXDsqEX3-uTrQGc/s320/Sinhagad+050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Then, out of nowhere, a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/abhishekvarma/2276998788/">Tree Pipit</a> showed up at the stream. It came and landed right in the middle of it and began walking about the dry river-bed. The abundant streaking on its body was quite striking. Scaly Breasted Munias were active in this area too.<br /><br />Suddenly, a<a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=809"> female Asian Paradise Flycatcher</a> crashed out of the woods, and gave us a brief sighting. It soon disappeared back into the woods. Later, it made another entry, but this too was very brief. Females of this species are generally more often seen than the male, and so this wasn't really a rare sighting. The male remained elusive. We decided to call it the day. It had been a good outing.<br /><br />On our way back, we stopped by the Khadakvasla Lake, which is off Sinhagad Road. There were many ducks here. Most of them were males and females of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_mask/359820157/">Spot-Billed Ducks</a>. But there were also some other species like the <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=39911">Gadwall</a> (which were showing us their white bottoms by diving head-first into the water!!) and an eclipse male and a female of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amitmishra/2591768409/">Cotton-Pygmy Goose</a>. While Spot-Billed Ducks and Cotton-Pygmys are residents, the Gadwalls are migrants. Cotton-Pygmys are I think India's (or perhaps the world's) smallest species of ducks.<br /><br />We also saw many <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gpitta/2242294036/">Common Coots</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shivanayak/132275728/">Little Cormorants</a> and a solitary <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/anoopaa/3048603172/">Grey Heron</a> (which also is a winter migrant). Later, Yogesh spotted a pair of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/k_shreesh/2097594182/">Ruddy Shelducks</a> towards the far end of our view!! Also known as Brahmini Ducks, these are grand looking big birds that migrate to the subcontinent during winter. We moved a little farther down the road for a better view, and we got just that! I managed to capture a record shot using my digi-cam. There's also a White-Breasted Kingfisher in the foreground, perched on a wire.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I_NcnwaGRgQ3zmjgfeEXSz-3j1OK9EYsQ9em-ZF7-9_GwVIh4bZnrMY6D8wxPYX5ejV8tNLhJHE1eWaRVyD8LAdpnKZgGS-t1ftYw6u8V5X33XIrYdpK-AAtuoOhTVM48Zam6Z5HPlEe/s1600-h/Sinhagad+056.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272653265424639330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 216px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I_NcnwaGRgQ3zmjgfeEXSz-3j1OK9EYsQ9em-ZF7-9_GwVIh4bZnrMY6D8wxPYX5ejV8tNLhJHE1eWaRVyD8LAdpnKZgGS-t1ftYw6u8V5X33XIrYdpK-AAtuoOhTVM48Zam6Z5HPlEe/s320/Sinhagad+056.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There were many "other" birds (about 15 of them) that seemed to accompany the Common Coots. After spending half an hour debating which ones they were, we finally concluded that they were <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amitmishra/2398110148/">Eurasian Wigeons</a> (also winter migrants). Seeing the Eurasian Wigeon was a lifer for me! [:)] Later, we saw about 5-6 more of the Ruddy Shelducks that were sitting against the bank of the lake, which was earlier hidden from our view.<br /><br />It was past 11:00 and was time to go home. We had seen some really nice birds, including 9 migrant species, of which one was a lifer (In birding jargon, a 'lifer' means a bird that you see for the first time in your life). Next time I hope to see the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8773601@N03/2077926338/">Crested Bunting</a> and Ultramarine Flycatcher. Till then, adios.</p>Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-5603758582133612092008-11-11T00:20:00.000-08:002008-11-25T08:34:02.241-08:00Juvenile Tuesday<blockquote><strong><u><em>Note:</em></u></strong> Most of the bird-names mentioned here are <strong>links </strong>to photos which are taken by different people, and posted on sites like <a href="http://www.flickr.com/">http://www.flickr.com/</a> or <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/">http://www.indianaturewatch.net/</a>. You can click on them to see those pictures.</blockquote>The garden in Magarpatta City continues to throw up surprises. Today, Dilip Sant, a friend of mine, and I, paid another visit to this garden. While walking through it, we saw juveniles of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12466980@N05/2843849373/">Red-Vented Bulbuls</a>, <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=19308">White-Throated Fantail Flycatchers</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdmantj/2639312240/">Oriental White-Eyes</a> and also of a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kunan/2084825530/">Shikra</a>!<br /><br />Interestingly, all these are resident species. I have heard that the resident species of the subcontinent finish breeding before the winter migrants arrive. Today's sightings seem to confirm this. The tiny White-Eyes were especially a pleasure to watch. They were sooooo cute!They were hopping about a red-flowered bush, and were only 3-4 feet away from us!<br /><br />Later, we also got a sighting of a juvenile Shikra! It had a yellow eye, and the brown streaks on its chest were quite noticeable. It perched for a while in the open, while on a Nilgiri tree, giving us an excellent view.<br /><br />After spending a long time searching for the Red-Breasted flycatcher in the bamboo thickets, we were just heading off, when it suddenly crashed out of nowhere and sat out in the open, again, giving us a marvellous view. It was as if it wanted us to see it! We also spotted a few <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shashankbjain/335634372/">Ashy Drongos </a>flying about in this area.<br /><br />Earlier, we saw the male and female of the Pied Bushchat again. The male this time had a small white patch on its wing. Grimmett et. al. suggests that it was a "first winter male" which means that this too was an immature bird. That makes it 5 juvenile species in one day!<br /><br />This is truly a wonderful place for birds.Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-33852832308421564282008-11-05T07:15:00.000-08:002008-11-05T21:34:18.911-08:00What a day!I carried my binoculars to work today. After last week's recon mission, today was D-day at Magarpatta City.<br /><br />As soon as I stepped into the garden, I noticed a small brown bird sitting on one of the light-poles, towards the right. It was more or less fully dark drown. Only its bottom was orangish. A man walked past it, and it settled on the top of a nearby plant. It was a rather quiet bird, which apparently didn't mind being seen in the open. As it stood there, shifting its tiny head from side to side, I was trying to register as many details as possible. Black legs, black beak, black eyes. While on its perch, it wagged its small tail much like a Wagtail, although with less ferocity. I had never seen this bird before, and the closest matching bird I could think of was the Brown Rock Chat. But a rock chat would be found near rocky terrain, and this garden wasn't exactly rocky!<br /><br />I cursed myself for not bringing the Grimmett field-guide. I had left it at home thinking it will make my bag too heavy! So I resorted to the next best thing: committing everything to memory. After giving me the nice long view I needed, the bird flew deep into the left side of the garden.<br /><br />I followed. I soon noticed another bird, smaller than a sparrow and about the same size as the previous one, fidgeting on a medium sized bush by the side. I stopped. The bird was just 8 feet away! It was totally black but with a conspicuous white bottom. The sighting of a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sshashank/2796298707/in/photostream/">Pied Bushchat </a>at Malshej Ghat instantly came to mind. But that one had a white patch on the shoulder. This one didn't. It had a black beak, black eyes, black legs...much like the previous one....and its chest seemed dark grey, almost ashy...<br /><br />This bird too wasn't shy. It moved about in the bush. For a moment or two it even appeared to hover like a humming-bird. It hardly took any notice of me, and soon settled on a thin twig. I adjusted my view. There it was, right in front of me, swaying on the twig, while I was contemplating the excellent but missed photo opportunity. After what looked like ages, I finally managed to drag myself away from the bird.<br /><br />Two new birds at the very beginning had built up my enthusiasm. I retraced my path back to the garden's gate and ventured further into the garden, this time on the right hand side. This part of the garden was relatively diverse, as it had lawns, bamboo thickets, and also a pond.<br /><br />As I ambled along one of the garden's paths, I noticed the ubiquitous Yellow Wagtails busily moving about. Some seemed to quarrel, some were looking for insects in the grass. Others were kept company by White Wagtails, which looked a tad bit bigger than the Yellow ones.<br /><br />I soon came to the patch of bamboo trees. White-Throated Fantail Flycatchers were active here as usual. There were 2-3 of them. As I looked about, I saw a small bird on the edge of one of the thickets. My binocs locked into position. Surprise! <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=38415">Red-Breasted Flycatcher</a>! A lifer!! It is a species similar to the Red-Throated Flycatcher which I'd seen just a month back for the first time in my life. My excitement went up a notch. I watched the bird for some time, before it disappeared into the bamboo.<br /><br />moving on, I approached the pond. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sow/2685434549/">Red-Wattled Lapwings </a>were on display as usual. But the look through the binocs was amazing. The sun was behind me, and I could see a pink fringe on the Lapwings shoulder. Never had I seen this before. As I stood there, marvelling at this common bird, something flew into the Nilgiri trees on the left. Surprise #2! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jvverde/1020026028/">Pied Kingfisher</a>!! Well, well, I thought. This really is a good day!<br /><br />The kingfisher had perched on one of the lower branches. It was a beauty! I realized that the black-and-white plumage that looks so striking in a book, manages to camouflage the bird decently enough on Nilgiri trees! I was hoping it dives into the water. And soon, it did just that! What a sight!<br /><br />It was getting a little late, so I decied to head back. On the way, I got the best view of a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deomurari/464890961/">Black Drongo</a> that I have ever had. Sitting about 10 feet away on a light-pole, it was amazing. With the sun beding me, its plumage appeared to shine and show shades of blue. I could also see the white spot at the base of its beak, a fact that a friend of mine (Amit Gupta) had pointed out just a few weeks back!<br /><br />Then I also saw a male <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shashankbjain/297508026/">Eurasian Golden Oriole</a>. This too was so close that I could see its brilliant red eye. Green bee-eaters, sunbirds, bulbuls, prinias, were there too. I packed my binocs and headed for the office building. As though the birding I'd done wasn't enough, I saw a pair of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deomurari/1408191998/">Large Pied Wagtails</a> on the lawn adjacent to the building!! There was a White Wagtail too, and so I also got a size comparison between the two species, the Pied Wagtail being distinctly larger.<br /><br />What a day!<br /><br /><blockquote><p>The two birds mentioned in the beginning were later identified as a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shashankbjain/297508025/">female </a>and <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=34077">male</a> Pied Bushchat respectively, with the male in non-breeding plumage. The one I had seen at Malshej was in breeding plumage, and hence it had a white shoulder-patch. These birds are residents over a major part of the sub-continent, and they feed mostly on insects.<br />Pied Kingfishers and Large Pied Wagtails too, are breeding residents found over most of the Indian sub-continent.<br /></p></blockquote>Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-28578469013952875822008-10-21T22:26:00.000-07:002008-10-21T23:58:53.131-07:00Reconnaissance: Magarpatta City GardenMagarpatta City hosts a rather impressive garden at its very center. Flanked on all sides by 'Towers', the garden has a somewhat circular shape and is quite vast. There are mostly lawns, flower beds, a few Nilgiri trees, Bamboo bushes, even a pond. After 2 months in Magarpatta City, a 'recon' mission to this garden was due. So off I went.<br /><br />First up were <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yeliseev/2516955073/">Yellow Wagtails</a>. Plenty of them. Scurrying over the lawns, and wagging their tails like a manual water-pump, they were rather amusing to watch. Some were looking for worms, others were just squabbling about. A few were making chirping calls. A good start!<br /><br />Two <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33246833@N00/2270697175/">Black Drongos</a> were sitting calmly on a small tree nearby. There were <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_mask/2679541312/">Red-Vented Bulbuls </a>flitting in and out of small bushes, apparently chased by Common Mynas. An old man in the vicinity was wondering what I was doing....<br /><br />Moving on, I came to a big tree. A rather harsh sound made me look up. It was a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shashankbjain/297508026/">Eurasian Golden Oriole</a>. For such a nice looking bird, its call (which was somewhat like a cat's snarl) was certainly incongruous. It soon disappeared into the foliage.<br /><br />And after that came a pond. Not surprisingly, a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dickysingh/2047845852/">Pond Heron </a>was standing on some Lotus leaves staring intently at the water. Behind them, almost like magic, two <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/k_shreesh/2211897263/">Red-Wattled Lapwings </a>materialized into view. They were nearly camouflaged against the background, which was the pond's white border by the way. Puzzles me how these Lapwings manage to blend themselves against even a white background!<br /><br />A little ahead were some Bamboo bushes, bursting with activity. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/divdude007/2208226029/">Green Bee-eaters </a>were busy hunting for insects. An unidentified warbler was hopping about. A <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85874768@N00/2362248044/">White-Throated Fantail Flycatcher</a> sat on a small white fence (like those in the old Cricket stadiums) and swerved rapidly from side to side. Perched beside it, a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/k_shreesh/2631069158/">Magpie Robin</a> occasionally dropped to the ground and pecked at it, apparently feeding on insects. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85874768@N00/2354477134/in/set-72157602334109096/">Red-Whiskered Bulbuls </a>were sitting atop some nearby bushes.<br /><br />Mission accomplished. Back to work!Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-86225315561297664602008-10-13T20:40:00.000-07:002008-10-15T02:38:28.321-07:00A bird in the shadowsOn Saturday, I decided to pay another visit to the mango trees on which I'd seen the Fantail. Armed with binoculars this time, I could see some of the more common birds. There was a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandeepak/2739615375/">Common Tailorbird</a>, some <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shashankbjain/488945366/">Red-Whiskered Bulbuls</a>, a Common Iora, etc. There was also another bird, a shy one, that seemed to hover on the lowest branch on one of the smaller mango trees.<br /><br />I couldn't make out what it was. Indeed, for most of the time it was partially covered by foliage. A tiny bird, smaller than a sparrow, that wasn't exactly too active. It dropped down into the grass a couple of times, only to settle back on its branch. I could barely make out a buffish colour on its back, and after quite a lot of eye-straining could make out that it had dark coloured legs. I still couldn't see its face...it was facing the other way!<br /><br />Then suddenly it turned towards me. And I could see a beautiful smear of pale orange on its throat. It was as if the bird was blushing! The colour was so appealing, and yet not bright or gaudy. I'd never seen this bird before!<br /><br />When it hopped or flew to a nearby twig, I could see its small tail that forked out into a kind of inverted heart, i.e. into two lobes, thus showing a black and white composition. It stayed in the area for about 10 minutes, and finally flew away. Quite excited, I returned home and began a search through Grimmett. Initially, I thought it was a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jakobsig/310204739/">Northern Wheatear</a>. But a check of its habitat and range quickly eliminated the possibility. Also, this bird didn't have a white rump like the Wheatear.<br /><br />Then I saw a picture of a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26931849@N04/2595207555/">Red-Throated Flycatcher</a> in Grimmett, which looked quite like the bird I'd seen. The habitat and range was a match too! Still a little unsure, I called up Adesh to see what his opinion was. A description of the pale orange throat and its habits was enough to confirm the sighting. It was a Red-Throated Flycather! A lifer!<br /><br /><blockquote><em><strong>Some facts about the bird<br /></strong></em>The bird is a <strong><em>winter migrant</em></strong> found over most of the subcontinent. Being a Flycatcher, it feeds mainly on small insects. It is now considered a seperate species from the Red-Breasted Flycatcher which has a deep orange upper chest in addition to the throat.<br /></blockquote>Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-23173009730303523502008-10-07T20:30:00.000-07:002008-10-08T10:45:13.422-07:00Fantail Flycatcher: powered by Duracell<blockquote><strong><em>Some facts about the bird</em>:<br /></strong>About 18cm long, the bird is a common breeding resident found in the southern half of the sub-continent. It gets its name from the distinctive shape of its tail, which is so often spread out into a fan. It is often confused with another similar looking species known as the White-Browed Fantail Flycatcher, which has a much wider range. Both are extremely active birds.</blockquote><br />On my way to work today, I stopped by some mango trees to see if there was any bird activity. Sure enough, there was a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85874768@N00/2362248044/">White-Throated Fantail Flycatcher</a> bubbling with enthusiasm on one of the smaller trees. It is one of the most active members of the bird family, and today was no exception. It's as though it were powered by Duracell batteries! That's right. It just goes on and on!<br /><br />If you were to write an <em>'algorithm'</em> for the bird's movements, you'd end up with something like this: <em>'hop-hop-swerve around-spread tail-swerve back-hop-.....'.</em> This would go on forever and that too at a rapid pace!<br /><br />Ofcourse, the bird can't keep up this energy level without food. Indeed, it feeds quite often on insects in a single day, and that fuels its engines. It's quite a sight to see this bird leave its perch to chase a fly or a moth, somtimes vertically, catch it in mid-air and return to its perch to devour the unfortunate victim.<br /><br />I watched this bird for about 5 minutes, and in that time it seemed to traverse its own tree's branches and those of the next tree more than twice! It did show a kind of liking to be in an area for some time before moving on to some other tree.<br /><br />Meanwhile there were some other birds around too. There was a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10240318@N08/2900553818/">Common Tailorbird</a>, and probably a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shivanayak/309513391/">Common Iora</a> too, whose bright yellow body was noticeable from a distance. I didn't have binocs with me, so I can't be certain about the Iora. But I've seen Common Ioras here twice before.<br /><br />I had a bus to catch, and turned away. The Fantail was still merrily hopping about.Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-9396759248676415352008-10-07T03:08:00.000-07:002008-10-07T03:35:54.207-07:00A Shikra visits Magarpatta CityWhile on the terrace today after lunch, I spotted a <a href="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A86.OUeAOutIbwgBAARXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB1ZzE1aXNiBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvAwR2dGlkAwRsA1dTMQ--/SIG=12fldvgqm/EXP=1223461888/**http%3a//www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php%3fid=54975">Shikra</a> on one of the buildings in front of mine. It slowly came up from one side and perched on what looked like telecommunication antennae on the building. Its flight was unmistakeable, rapid flaps and then a glide, almost looking like a koel from far away...<br /><br />After it had perched, some nearby crows were obviously offended, and they tried to drive it away. There were minor tiffs, with one of the crows coming right at the Shikra forcing it to leave its perch and take to the air. Then another joined, and the Shikra simply settled on a nearby lone spike-like antenna at one end of the building.<br /><br />But the crows wouldn't have any of it. They had another go at it, and by now I guess even the Shikra had had enough. After dodging the pestering crows, its beautiful falcon like body gently swerved towards my building and with minimum flaps of its wings it traversed that great distance in no time and sped away even across my building!<br /><br />It was the first time I felt that a Shikra was fit to be called a "bird of prey" based on its flight alone, as I have always seen it fly at an easy pace and wondered "how does this bird fly so easily and still catch prey?"....!! I hope to see it again soon!Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-15950101755170413242008-10-04T23:08:00.000-07:002008-10-06T05:27:41.131-07:00Oriental White-Eyes seen from my balcony!See its photo <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=203">here</a><br /><br />Saw this bird today morning on a bush full of big brushy red flowers. The bird was full of energy, constantly jerking its head in all directions, hopping about, occasionally scratching itself! A chubby little bird it is, and the white eye-ring was quite conspicuous. Its bottom too was noticeable as a bright yellow spot. There were two of them. I saw them yesterday too, except that was in the afternoon. Seeing this bird here in the suburbs of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pune</span> was quite a delight! [:)] The last time (and the only time) I'd seen it was on an Industrial Visit organized by our college to some companies around <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pune</span> in January 2008. We'd been to a garden named after Indira Gandhi somewhere near Pimpri and I only got a glimpse of these birds, which were in a party of about 7-8 in the scrub-like forest.<br /><br />This bird has an amazing camouflage! Its lemon green colour nearly blended it into the similar coloured leaves of the bush. Curiously enough, the bird was only tugging at the base of the long red flowers, which had many smaller "sub-flowers" all the way to the tip. Perhaps that's indeed the only way it could feed on the nectar by balancing itself. I recalled David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Attenborough's</span> documentary where he mentioned birds being attracted to reddish coloured flowers. I soon realised how much more fun it is to actually see things like these in real life!<br /><br />There was a squirrel running all over the bush too, and the white-eyes were quite efficient in keeping out of its way. Later, a couple of <a href="http://indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=57568">Purple-Rumped <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sunbird</span> females</a> paid a visit, and the bush was busy with activity. But it soon stopped, with the White-Eyes scurrying off to a nearby broad-leaved tree. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Grimmet</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">et</span> al. certainly mention its habitat as "Open broad-leaved forest and wooded areas"! The leaves of this tree weren't <em>that</em> broad, but surely about as broad as those of a Cashew-nut tree. Perhaps it <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">is</span> a Cashew-nut tree!! Whatever it is, the bird could now be seen clearly against the dark leaves, albeit only for a few moments. It soon disappeared into the foliage. A perfect start to a Sunday morning!<br /><br /><em><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Facts about the bird compiled from various sources:</span><br /></em>Measuring about ~10cm from beak to tail-tip, the bird is a breeding resident found over most of the sub-continent. Its quite a common bird and breeds from February-September. Both sexes look the same, and its usually a gregarious bird. I've yet to find out what this bird feeds on, but I'm sure nectar would be on the menu!Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-38067880875913968442008-06-26T02:44:00.000-07:002008-06-26T02:58:02.776-07:00Nagla Block<p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote>On Saturday, Shirish and I decided to visit the Nagla Block area near Bhayinder. The place is known for sightings of the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher which arrives in Mumbai around this time of the year. Since the ODKF is such a colourful bird, motivation for this trip was quite high.<br /><br />Note: I've provided links to photographs of the birds mentioned...</blockquote><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">ODKF: <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=24211">http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=24211</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">The forest was lush green and though we heard many birds calling, we saw quite few. One of the more vocal ones was the Puff-Throated Babbler making its “Ithe-ye-tu” call (as Adesh describes it!). The calls seemed to be pretty loud, but we never actually saw the bird.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Puff-Throated Babbler: <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=34161">http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=34161</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Brown-Headed Barbet: <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=45875">http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=45875</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">The first birds we saw were the Indian Grey Hornbills calling away merrily on a nearby tree with their typical “kiiaeaeae….” call. Later, we also heard the Brown-Headed Barbet and got only a brief glimpse of the bird.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:10;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Indian Grey Hornbill: <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=47894">http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=47894</a></span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">Walking on, we soon reached the “tower” which is a ~15 feet tall structure like a machan. We climbed aboard, and almost instantly saw a male White-Rumped Shama sitting not too far away in a clearing. The bird had something pinkish in its mouth and was giving all kinds of poses on the branch. It jumped, hopped, tweaked its tail, much like a Magpie Robin, and was curiously making a “krack-krack-KRACK” call…It was soon joined by the female, which perched only inches away from its mate. It too had something in its mouth, and we thought it was nesting material. I spoke to Adesh about this, and he says it was probably food for the chicks. Whatever it was, the birds kept us company for nearly 40 minutes.<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">The view of these birds was so good that we could literally examine each feature of the bird’s plumage and compare it with the illustration in Grimmett. Particularly noticeable was the size difference between the male and the female.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">White-Rumped Shama: <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=49967">http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=49967</a></span><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">While on the tower, we also saw a large raptor swooping about, like it was scanning the forest for food. I’m quite sure it was a Tawny Eagle. It flew past quite close to our tower, and seeing a big bird fly so close was quite rewarding. Besides the raptor, some sunbirds and bulbuls also kept us company. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">The forest right now is filled with mosquitoes, and had it not been for Shirish’s Odomos cream, we’d look quite ungainly when we came out. The mosquitoes are quite stubborn and one even bit me through my socks! What’s worse is that they stay put even when you try to swap them!!<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">We couldn’t see the ODKF on our trip. That was a little disappointing. But it’s a long season, and I hope to see it soon!</p>Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173025216609414173.post-22901909445089806312008-06-21T10:43:00.000-07:002008-06-21T11:58:46.161-07:00Malshej Ghat<blockquote>I visited Malshej Ghat on 16<sup>th</sup> June for a 2 day overnight trip with my mom and dad. It's a beautiful forested area about 160km from Mumbai, and even more so during the monsoons. We stayed at the MTDC resort, which provides decent accommodation for trekkers/birdwatchers. We roamed around in this lush green area a lot, and we saw many birds. Here's a brief account of that trip:</blockquote><o:p></o:p><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">As soon as you step out of your vehicle at Malshej, the first sound you'll probably hear is the <b style="">Malabar Whistling Thrush</b> singing in the background. The other sound you'll hear is that of the non-stop strong winds that blow in almost all directions at this place!<br /></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva1EsNVxyukroS24FYN8bOotUk1HzFrz6y4cAWDEvnP44UXbuMyv-LHdujx1XGlSddGMGlglIMCs2JN4Hh2R1oyfGTeH-JweVBqCLFrElDDXJ5ygQxwItBSU9myMGUDSNVIHgOxFK45uM/s1600-h/resort.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva1EsNVxyukroS24FYN8bOotUk1HzFrz6y4cAWDEvnP44UXbuMyv-LHdujx1XGlSddGMGlglIMCs2JN4Hh2R1oyfGTeH-JweVBqCLFrElDDXJ5ygQxwItBSU9myMGUDSNVIHgOxFK45uM/s320/resort.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214410459284096274" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Our first bird was a <b style="">Laughing Dove</b> sitting right outside the MTDC canteen….I saw it while sipping tea! I went outside for a better look, and this fellow wasn't disturbed at all. He was looking at me no doubt, occasionally shutting his eyes tight in a rather cute way. The dove seemed to be totally at ease, strutting along on the small path it was on. I'm used to seeing <b style="">Spotted Doves</b> fly away at the slightest disturbance in Mumbai, so this was a welcome change! I silently acknowledged</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> a good start to this trip…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">After checking in to my room, I asked the locals if they knew any nature trails that birdwatchers normally take in this region, but they had no clue. All they could tell me was that the flamingoes hadn't arrived yet at the "dam", which we could see from the resort. The dam actually starts at a place called Khubi Phata, which is a 40 min walk along the highway (NH 222) from the MTDC resort. The dam goes all the way upto the village Khireshwar, which is the base village for a trek to Harishchandragad. Dad and I decided to take a walk along the highway, and try to do some bird-watching, for there's good forest cover on either side of the highway. We set off.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Soon enough we saw a <b style="">Brown-Headed Barbet</b> on a tree somewhere off the highway. It kept visiting a neighbouring tree quite often, and was quite well camouf</span><span style="font-size:100%;">laged against the green leaves. Since this bird is relatively rarer than the Coppersmith Barbet which we see so often in Mumbai, I was quite happy. I've seen it in Mumbai also only </span><span style="font-size:100%;">on 2 occasions, once at <st1:place><st1:placename>Tulsi</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place>, and once at Tungareshwar.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Red-Whiskered and Red-Vented Bulbuls</b> are pretty common in the area and are also quite vocal. Their typical "qui-qwayou" was heard I think as often as the whistling thrush. And soon enough, I saw the myna sized black bird land next to the highway and disappear in the next-door bush. We heard a loud continuous whistling, louder and clearer than ever before. A quick flight revealed its shiny Prussian blue plumage, and I knew it was the <b style="">Malabar Whistling Thrush</b>. There were two of them, and they settled on a nearby tree and kept hopping about on branches that were about 30 feet above the ground. It really is a splendid bird. And when it flies, the dark-bluish wings make it even more beautiful. Lifer #1.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Walking on, we reached the Khubi village, indicated by a sign-board off the highway. There's a small parallel road to the highway that goes past some houses and fields though this village. Since there'd be less traffic on this road, we took it. Looking at the village life here was rather touching. A woman was sifting through a huge heap of <i style="">bajri</i> seeds that she claimed had got spoilt due to the rain. We also met an old farmer who wasn't too happy about the dam forcing some of the fields to be drowned. How, I don't know. But the simple style of talking, walking, living, was a welcome change from the life in Mumbai. A few more paces down the road, we saw a group of <b style="">Brahmini Mynas </b>on a tree next to a house.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We reached the dam. Surprise! A couple of <b style="">Wooly Necked Storks</b> were standing gracefully on the water's edge, about 200 feet away. And quite close to them, say 50 feet or so, a couple of village women were sitting on the ground and doing something like washing clothe</span><span style="font-size:100%;">s, I'm not sure exactly what….Emboldened, we tried to approach the storks. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">We deliberately walked at an angle, so as not to scare them off. But when we were only 100 feet away, they flew off without warning! They settled in the distance, and there wasn't any point in following them there…it was getting late for lunch. Lifer #2.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Before they took off, I tried to take some pictures through my 4x optical zoom Canon PowerShot A520. I even tried to stick the camera behind my 8x Stokes Talon binoculars, and the result wasn't too bad! Talk about digi-binoc-ing! OK, sad joke…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHgQ0tFgwFoIYXWdSRA_tE0w10DkjVUMwP4bF7l0GJRhjMWsXfnFWPbv5W2Is_RPqLdTjqXq6bYTuOG05AioYq1XdVK_Y8SVtS0hJaFRJ-Y_epX1zvaHM-fuybHweSHvoA2XDjoRlhySY/s1600-h/p1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHgQ0tFgwFoIYXWdSRA_tE0w10DkjVUMwP4bF7l0GJRhjMWsXfnFWPbv5W2Is_RPqLdTjqXq6bYTuOG05AioYq1XdVK_Y8SVtS0hJaFRJ-Y_epX1zvaHM-fuybHweSHvoA2XDjoRlhySY/s200/p1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214410811454807602" border="0" /></a></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6BMCFZ0uCZuPy9ozplHv8CAwmuP8_FlN7tQi9B7omxpfML2h_uuID211GNnJuHJvA09zAoalEb4HRDytGh-reu64qAhLvDMlRDGM29v79GKrRIMqEjPHOZvkqZ41CRGSmcjCm1F4aiBM/s1600-h/p2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6BMCFZ0uCZuPy9ozplHv8CAwmuP8_FlN7tQi9B7omxpfML2h_uuID211GNnJuHJvA09zAoalEb4HRDytGh-reu64qAhLvDMlRDGM29v79GKrRIMqEjPHOZvkqZ41CRGSmcjCm1F4aiBM/s200/p2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214410812023401122" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">On the way back, we saw a <b style="">Pied B</b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">ushchat</b>. Sure en</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ough, it was on a "bush" next to the small parallel road I mentioned. It was flying around quite close to the ground, visiting this bush then the next. We got a particularly good view of this bird when it was about to land on a dried bush: a small black bird with three white patches, 2 on the shoulders and one on the rump. Too good. This too was a lifer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">3 lifers in one day isn't too bad!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In the evening too, we set off along the area right behind the MTDC resort. It’s a vast expanse with trees, bushes and moderate forest. Here too we saw the Whistling Thrush, and this time I noticed an almost indigo patch on its shoulder. Perhaps it was my imagination!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">And just before we left the resort to start on this trail, I saw a <b style="">quail</b>!!! There's this small platform between the canteen and the main building, and the quail was standing silently at the end of the small "wall" of the platform, probably to shield itself from the wind. The winds at Malshej are simply incessant. And strong. Anyway, having never seen a quail before, I couldn't identify it at once. I registered a grey head and a brown body. I went towards it. And I couldn’t find it at al!!! I took one more step and this fellow flew away from a distance of less than 10 feet! The flight w</span><span style="font-size:100%;">as quick and direct. It flew only 4-5 feet off the ground and landed about 30 feet away, at the base of the small 1-storeyed building. The flight reminded me of the flight of a sandpiper. I followed. I noticed some barring or lines on the chest. But again, it flew before I could see more of its features. This time it landed farther off, but not too far. And then I lost it in the bushes! I tried to identify the quail using the book by Grimmett…but couldn’t find a match. I was a little disappointed.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Back to the trail. We were walking along, when sud</span><span style="font-size:100%;">denly, a large bird came from nowhere and settled on a cactus/bush, about 70 feet away. To my delight, it was a male <b style="">Common Kestrel</b>. In these overcast conditions, the bird looked simply awesome. And it was nearing sunset too, although there wasn’t the typical sunset lighting. Looks like these winter visitors come in June itself! A sighting to remember!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The next day too, we tried to do some birding. But this time luck wasn’t on our side. We saw the thrushes, barbets, and also a <b style="">Crow Pheasant</b>. But no new species.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So! An excellent trip to an excellent place. Do visit Malshej. I'm not sure if birding in the heavy rains is a good idea, but when I went, there wasn’t any rain. It had rained a week back, and had made the place quite green. I'm sure you'll take back fantastic memories….the way I did.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I compiled a 360 degree view</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> of the area just behind the </span><span style="font-size:100%;">MTDC resort. You can see the dam which looks like a flat wall to the left of the buildings. Here it is:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxeuHSK7gkIHz34pK4KnlEYVygxNkFUEzWvnGtm3_4UogaIlX3XWJBUyRaAPSdbiMJaoeQDzt0iWSvqvgdvrw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Here are some random pictures taken on this trip:</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Farmers ploughing the field<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY2WWmDBPHpIJd7pWqlyInxagNgIpnWXzhlvMk5TxXVCPoQhAF6-7msmi9Cef6Po8Z22fGkfU3MH3LHq3pLSWz_dP6QWwvklTpLYhCi01-3ZtLvxIOGeQgsDN6QVHHfL_ocwFfpu3RfpX/s1600-h/IMG_0085.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY2WWmDBPHpIJd7pWqlyInxagNgIpnWXzhlvMk5TxXVCPoQhAF6-7msmi9Cef6Po8Z22fGkfU3MH3LHq3pLSWz_dP6QWwvklTpLYhCi01-3ZtLvxIOGeQgsDN6QVHHfL_ocwFfpu3RfpX/s320/IMG_0085.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214406085490652674" border="0" /></a>A dead snake. <span style="font-size:100%;">If you know which species it is, please let me know.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt5URMA0UnCWI4XZamTbkPZqvGG8yn-vcxMvqPyQjg2hDqKCh5MciTyAoV6M2Xj1BWJ_F38pHBsFnbFTcxYsGjqj99p2Efu9uZyc-xCdJfKlXrNn7kTKoq4BT2i13YAbLlmq4pLdUeUyO/s1600-h/p3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt5URMA0UnCWI4XZamTbkPZqvGG8yn-vcxMvqPyQjg2hDqKCh5MciTyAoV6M2Xj1BWJ_F38pHBsFnbFTcxYsGjqj99p2Efu9uZyc-xCdJfKlXrNn7kTKoq4BT2i13YAbLlmq4pLdUeUyO/s200/p3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214406750367447170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">This bright green bug is known as the Jewel Bug. What a fitting name!<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_H_8rvrXCGMQt_i9LTEi5Z0bC6TeMLWFhgCeiJPTJkj_oz4izPFIyUVY2c0jHNMF_eDXdiQ2JCrCYe7izBg5rCs5N2Q3IMROa9uDPlSa_xrPCoRMRokVXVBIMeBfKYUcTBsvzej4pLZSh/s1600-h/p4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_H_8rvrXCGMQt_i9LTEi5Z0bC6TeMLWFhgCeiJPTJkj_oz4izPFIyUVY2c0jHNMF_eDXdiQ2JCrCYe7izBg5rCs5N2Q3IMROa9uDPlSa_xrPCoRMRokVXVBIMeBfKYUcTBsvzej4pLZSh/s200/p4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214406750430602514" border="0" /></a><br />Pretty flowers on a tree<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhE1Ex-xsvnH31R0sH0Qwaa4106g3HDgNbWm7fRkLwQhuRGESOTOOcd6QngCinm4Yr4Ys6imA_3mfKkp5F9oUlTsdKJt7jrB4pv7_o4-1CjnjIV120Zo2xfSTLJdrT5H3sjAxHqAiazgO/s1600-h/p5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhE1Ex-xsvnH31R0sH0Qwaa4106g3HDgNbWm7fRkLwQhuRGESOTOOcd6QngCinm4Yr4Ys6imA_3mfKkp5F9oUlTsdKJt7jrB4pv7_o4-1CjnjIV120Zo2xfSTLJdrT5H3sjAxHqAiazgO/s200/p5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214406750712334626" border="0" /></a>Common Garden Lizard<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK0tYPOjB8KIwxsFb5KqlGhtr8x2AKYFgF8z3rhUM12t0uUzY75urqh0Wz41N5JdcVeV2jjKA8ZYeGnJ-yY3ZgF6ZyZ5K9Y4zxhVOsoUGbpRgnB90qjDHhzhxgYpcGZpa_7Q1LOQAbno0/s1600-h/p6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK0tYPOjB8KIwxsFb5KqlGhtr8x2AKYFgF8z3rhUM12t0uUzY75urqh0Wz41N5JdcVeV2jjKA8ZYeGnJ-yY3ZgF6ZyZ5K9Y4zxhVOsoUGbpRgnB90qjDHhzhxgYpcGZpa_7Q1LOQAbno0/s200/p6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214406756908639442" border="0" /></a>The winding road offers good birding opportunities, but mind the traffic!<br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AwwLRPq7TrdT_oXidkzZ-dq8hTo753OkVhDHBbk0Os3y1WAlxu2ZVuZx5EXkJh_3pm6rUDFB7794vbjJstwzgUZyhlVPFYnOWbx64Imdv3tOu4-rEGIlQxOtJPgQ2WPxQdd1PSanNlYR/s1600-h/p7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AwwLRPq7TrdT_oXidkzZ-dq8hTo753OkVhDHBbk0Os3y1WAlxu2ZVuZx5EXkJh_3pm6rUDFB7794vbjJstwzgUZyhlVPFYnOWbx64Imdv3tOu4-rEGIlQxOtJPgQ2WPxQdd1PSanNlYR/s200/p7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214406756269196786" border="0" /></a></p>Nikhil Patwardhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911414939176523611noreply@blogger.com5