(delhibirdpix) Hasanpur near dadri UP

Anand has given the details regarding Dadri Wetland. Dadri has been rocking and of the 6 visits made in Nov only one was a little disappointing. Mainly because the migratory birds were a distance away and the Marsh harriers were well fed it seems as they did not seem to bother the birds as such almost no activity. On most visits the greylag and the ducks have been an amazing sight to see. 

Last week after a break we decided to do Hasanpur which we had done in the beginning of Nov. were we had seen a large no of woolly necks, Painted. Egrets, Spoonbills etc. There were small water bodies around the area and the storks etc were all busy feeding. The small pools had a lot of food.

The visit this Sunday 11 Dec started as a disappointment, all the water bodies were dry, there was no water no birds. Driving around hoping to see some birds. Finally we landed up near the temple, which still had some water. As we came close to the temple what we saw-amazed us- a two flocks took off a little distance from us followed by two more flocks. The sight was the same as one sees the starlings on Discovery. Out came the camera.

Two flocks flew away and the other two settled back with a large no of Painted, spoonbill, egret etc were feeding in a small patch of water. We stood fascinated just watching the flock of Ruff as they turned out finally. 4000 or more my estimate. 

There were Wooly necked 3 in a group. One of the woolly neck bent down on it knees and with the wings spread out and the neck hanging low with the breast feathers puffed up in an unusual size. The stork went round and round and looked similar to the dieing eagle we had seen at Tal Chhapar. After about 10-15 mins we lost track of time watching this unusual behavior. There after it stood upright as though nothing had happened. All was well. I took images and will make a collage and post the same. Comments on this behavior would be welcomed.

First the omegas of the Flock.

Vijay

Date : 11 Dec 2011                           

Location : Hasanpur Near Dadri UP            

Camera :  LensNikon D300. Nikon 500mm F4, VR.

Common Name : Woolly-necked Stork 

Scientific Name : Ciconia episcopus  

Bird Family : CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae

Remarks :

Vijay

Wg Cdr Vijay K Sethi

Mob 9810134504

Off 26491520

Res 29536061

wingco@icon.co.in

veena@icon.co.in

Wg Cdr Vijay K Sethi (Retd)

PH 011-26491529, 26491538

FAX 011-26490105

Mob 9810134504