Hi everyone!
About 15 (brave) birders turned today at the entrance of Sultanpur National Park on a frigid winter morning. Thick fog enveloped the area but did not seem to affect our enthusiasm!
While we trying to buy tickets for our big group, a pair of Brook's Leaf Warblers flit actively on the trees above. The tiny birds showed a prominent supercilium and yellow underparts. Once inside several Red-Breasted/Taiga Flycatchers could be seen in the bushes while a male Black Redstart was spotted sitting quietly on the ground. Through the fog we could make out the vague shapes of Greylag Geese, Gadwall, Shovellors, Pintails and Common Pochard.
A very obliging Common Kingfisher gave ample photo opportunities as it perched on a dry tree stump. Several Indian Thick-Knees walked like clockwork onto the trail and allowed us to admire their beautifully marked plumage. Soon, a Long Tailed Minivet was spotted by a few.
As we approached Duck point we saw martins...lots of martins. Their numbers would have run into the hundreds. It was a mixed flock consisting of both the usual Plain Martin and the uncommon Pale Martin. Many Citrine Wagtails, Chiffchaffs played in the mud but were largely overshadowed by the martin-scape.
After spotting Common Starlings and Bar Headed Geese in flight, we began too head back to our well deserved tea and breakfast. We did however spot an Olive Backed Pipit on the way. Thereafter some of us headed to the flats and 3 of us (including me) made a quick visit to Basai.
The partially flooded fields at Basai held many White tailed Lapwings, Common Greenshank and Bar Headed Geese. Barn and Red Rumped Swallows flew close and low...in fact they almost bumped into me a few times! Rosy Pipit and Paddyfield Warbler did give brief views.
But the highlight surely was a Smoky Warbler that reluctantly came out in the open for the few moments necessary to get some record shots! It refused to come out again though and called quietly to itself as we tried to spot it through the undergrowth.
And so that was the end of another morning well spent with over 90 species spotted including 4 lifers for me!
21 December, 2014
Udiyaman
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