(delhibirdpix) Dadri Wetland 28 Nov 10 Report

Sat the 27 was a bright day with the Sun very generous with the light ideal
for bird watching and photography during the hazy winter days. Missed Sat
for birding and was hoping that Sun would be the same.
Early morning Anand, Self, Mayangand the man Friday Bimal.

The morning was cold with mild ground fog. By the time we reached past G
Noida the fog seemed to lift and on the east the fire ball greeted us as we
were entering the dadri area. The first stpp over was the Black neacked
Stork with the three chicks high in their nest. The moma was away for food
and in the cold morning with the sun rays just casting the golden light on
the chicks. Watched the Moma fly in with food and the mail busy collecting
twigs to rebuild the nest to prevent the chicks from falling.

The first turn into the village and Anand spotted the common myna which was
not so common-it was the Myna Common (Leucistic) sitting on the ground
feeding. We were just a few feet from the bird when a truck behind us let go
a cocophony of the horn and the bird was gone. We maqnaged to get some good
photos before it disappeared.

The sun by this time was nice and bright.The WT Kingfisher was the next
exiting catch. Dived into the water and was back in a jiffy with a king size
fish in its beak. Took almost 5 min before it killed the fish to permit it
to swallow the fish.
We next saw the Pied Kingfisher hovering followed by the common kingfisher.
All four egrets, the three goose-barheaded, greylag and the cotton pygmy,

The spoonbill, openbill, the painted stork, followed by the ibib black and
black headed. We then drove to the temple and took the track leading to the
marsh. As we reached we heard fire crackers-marriage party and then the
sight was out of this world-thousands and thousands of ducks-goose took to
the air. 270 degrees and one could see the flocks blackening the sky. We
left the cameras and just watched this spectacular sight. A villages
estimated the numbers to one lacs. I feel about 30000 to 50000 birds had
taken off at that moment. They later settled on the far side towards the
boundary wall near the highway. More than three Marsh Harriers around to
flush the duck.

A great day. Dadri is going strong and if it rains the same next year we
will have Dadri for another year.

The list is attached, Add the tufted Duck to the list Images will follow

Vijay

wingco@icon.co.in
veena@icon.co.in
Wg Cdr Vijay K Sethi (Retd)
PH 011-26491529, 26491538
FAX 011-26490105
Mob 9810134504

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