Thursday, July 7, 2011

(delhibirdpix) The Commoners - # 150.00 - Watercock (Gallicrex cinerea) - 2011-175

Made a trip to Hasanpur area (40 Kms east of Delhi) and came back via Dadri Wetlands (40Kms S-E of Delhi).

All usual birds seen. Highlight was a couple of Pied Cuckoos and Sarus but the surprise sightings were of Bristled Grassbird at Hasanpur and Watercock at Dadri.

Bristled Grassbird at Hasanpur was a surprise - the grasslands it is generally seen in do not exist in the area and paddy fields are not yet ready unlike Dadri where quite a few paddy fields are ready. It was seen perched on a wire and calling, which attracted our attention. Very good views on wire, at top crop that would be used as cattle feed. It displayed in the air - calling all the time and then coming back to perch on the same stalk at exactly the same place.

There was another individual about a km apart. Could not see it but heard the call for quite some time.
Hopefully, they breed at Hasanpur. The field where these bred last year, drew a blank.

Dadri showed the Sarus and as we focused on the pair, just behind was a beautiful male Watercock, my first sighting at Dadri in the five seasons. It came up to its full height and walked around to make shutterbug happy. Here it is - walking

Cheers.


Anand Arya
353, Sector 15A
NOIDA 201301
INDIA
+ 91 98182 61909
www.anandarya.com
www.okhlabirdpark.com
"This is a copyrighted image. Not to be used for any purpose without prior permission."
Canon 1D M4 + 800mm

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