Cheers.
On 12-Jul-2014, at 4:02 PM, 'Sheila *' sheila@delhibird.net [DELHIBIRD] <DELHIBIRD-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
If the Sarus is your bird, then Bilaspur village is your place. This morning we had a count of 77 individuals - the largest congregation consisting of 46 cranes, a few groups of 8 and smatterings of couples dotted in the fields to add up to the total. The bigger groups consist of adults and sub-adults, the grown-ups looking just a tad spiffier at the moment, with the colours of red, white and grey showing deeper and brighter. We have all seen and heard the Sarus Crane umpteen number of times and may have second thoughts about driving long distances just to get another look, but to see them in such huge numbers and up close is certainly one of the "Wow" birding moments. From the distance, while they feed, their large size could easily be mistaken for farmers bent at work, and when they raise their heads and slowly walk together, perhaps put on a short head dipping and wing flapping display.....Oh Wow!!
Besides the Sarus there were many Weavers - Baya, Black-breasted and Streaked- all in breeding plumage and all engaged in weaving a flawless home and impressing the girls. Openbills were at nest as were Cattle Egrets. Juvenile White-breasted Waterhens walked unafraid in the paddy fields while their parents, even more intrepid, stole some roti from a crow who was trying to soften it by dipping it in the water. Black and Black-headed Ibis were present, 2 Wooly necked Storks, 2 Black-shouldered Kites, 2 Golden Orioles, some Night Herons and a Black -headed Munia with nesting material were seen. Our path was temporarily blocked by a Peacock with his tail fanned open and spreading to both ends of the road. He shimmered and shook and danced for the Peahen and adjusted his pose as she moved, always presenting his most alluring angle. He was so focused that it took a man walking with a huge bundle of fodder and a motorcyclist converging from the other side to finally get him to pause his display.
Along with the birding we also had a very eventful visit - towing cars! We towed a stuck school van full of children; Wingco's wheel was embedded in mud and needed a tug and Anand's car was being recalcitrant and refusing to start unless pulled and prodded. The village roads are narrow and making way for tractors and bullock carts can also be a tad challenging. So do be prepared for a full on birding adventure when you visit this area. It would be best to go with 2-3 cars and a few heavy duty tow chains in the boot. Wingco can be contacted for directions as well as the number of the local villager who is now familiar with birders and their foibles.
Bilaspur holds great promise for the winter months, the guide speaks of countless migratory birds as well as a few unscrupulous hunters!
Until the next adventure,
Happiness
Sheila
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