On this pleasant spring morning, 15-20 of Delhi's birders flocked to Okhla Bird Park to check out the spring passage migrants and breeding residents amongst it's riverine grassland, wooded groves and open country.
We arrived at the entrance at around 6:45am and were immediately greeted by pairs of Black Drongos going about their usual antics on the high pylons. On entering the santuary, about a dozen flying Rosefinches were seen. Also in the roadside reeds were bulbuls, Prinias, Doves etc. Red Throated Flycatchers played hide and seek in the trees, which were aquiver with Siberian Chiffchaffs and other small members of their kin. On the fields to our right strolled Egrets and Citrine Wagtails.
And then a pleasant surprise! 4 Rosefinches sitting quietly on a tree provided excellent views for a few minutes. Now as we approached the river, a flock of Indian Cormorants took a casual flight over us. Seen in the reeds were Black Breasted and Streaked weavers as well as a Siberian Chiffchaff. But the Rosefinches stole the show! About a dozen of them were feeding actively on a mulberry tree. Most of us got good views of the feeding birds through binoculors. After we had had our fill, we went off towards the tall grass to our right. Soma pointed out a Striated Babbler through the cluttered reeds. Also seen here were two more Rosefinches. Then a raptor took a flypast. It was a Peregrine Falcon, showing a dark mask and barred underparts.
As we emerged from the grass, KB fixed his scope on a far-off sandbar, revealing a River Lapwing and a lone Ruff. Now we began to wait for the White Tailed Stonechats. We hadn't waited long before a male showed up, shortly followed by the female. The birds would perch in the open for short while and then disappear into the reeds only to come out onto another perch, challenging us to spot them every couple of minutes. The Stonechats were forgotten for a while as a Striated Grassbird took a flypast. It subsequently took a few more flypasts and even perched in the open for a few seconds, all the time calling its strange yet melodious call!
Now, some of us went off to the fields. A Yellow bellied Prinia and a Bluethroat were seen in the nearby reeds. Yellow and Citrine Wagtails were just about everywhere. A very obliging Oriental Skylark provided great views. In the trees were a few calling Rosy Starlings. Zitting Cisticolas provided fleeting views and Green Bee eaters glided in the breeze. A group of about 10 perched Wagtails marked the end to our rewarding walk, as we made our way to a more than rewarding breakfast!
A morning well spent, notching up a tally of 64 species, including 6 lifers for me.
Thanks for reading,
Udiyaman
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