Six of us Ram Gopal,Sonika,Vanya,Vedic,Chand & yours truly decided to explore Sanjay van one of my favorite birding destination. We assembled at 6.30 a.m. opposite to ICSSR ,JNU on Aruna Asif Ali Road. There was another group of 60 people led by Ishtiyak BNHS.
This forest, which was a hunting ground of Firoz-Shah Tughlaque once upon a time, has a very thick canopy of trees therefore it protects us from direct solar radiations while walking inside. Many Dusky Crag Martins, Swifts, Black Winged Stilts, Common Moorhens, Lapwings ,Spotbilled Ducks & nesting Little Grebes welcomed us. Several cattle egrets, white breasted water hens were busy taking their breakfast. The most amazing part was 'Geophagy' of Yellow footed Green pigeons. We all became standstill to closely monitor their behavior. Birds usually perform this activity to consume salts which includes Calcium & Sodium as it has added nutritional advantage. In India one can see Bee eaters engaged in 'Geophagy' but first time in my entire birding carrier I saw yellow footed green pigeons involved in it. There were around 60-70 birds feeding mud or clay rich in salts.
On moving ahead we saw white throated king fisher taking dips in water.Asian Koels & Common Hawk Cuckoos were busy spreading pleasantries through their melodies inviting their soul mates . tailor birds,prinias,bulbuls,babblers ,hornbills ,house sparrows were in abundance. Our group saw few Chestnut Shouldered Petronias also within the flock of house sparrows.Fluting calls of Indian golden oriole was very soothing but screeching of Indian Spotted Owlet was not that melodious still we all loved its sighting. Brown headed barbets and coppersmith barbets were calling in full volumes. Peacocks were also displaying to woo peahens.
At 9 a.m. we decided to call it a day because Vedic was exhausted but not without delhibirders delight of breakfast . Alloo sabzi with puri,rolled uttapam,laddus,cold coffee,lemonade,biscuits,sandwitches were very refreshing. With the hope to meet again soon we all dispersed at around 10 a.m.
Happy Birding
SP
Room # 001 C.I.F.
School of Life Sciences
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi 110067
INDIA
Phone (Work) 26708767
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