Species: Paddyfield Warbler (Acrocephalus agricola)
Location: Basai Fields, near Sultanpur, Haryana, India
Date: 22 Dec 2013
Remarks: A heavily overcast day. The Acro warblers were relatively active and foraging in the open here, three species were found at this point namely A. agricola, A. melanopogon and A. stentoreus. A wintering Phyllo was not shy either to join their haunt, a Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus Collybita). The Paddler (A. agricola) appeared to regularly creep up and down the typha reeds (Typha angustifolia) to feed with sheer curiosity of what each reed had to offer. Although it was hardly ever shy to jump off the reed blades to feed occasionally on the earthy ground, which was scattered with dry, withering skin-colored fallen reed blades and some grassy patches. It would also swoop down several times from the swaying lush reeds and the rustling dry ones, to the excessively thriving and rather healthy hyacinth growing in the stagnating earthy waters of this (near) wetland. The Clamy (A. stentoreus) stayed put inside the reeds but would at times show up perched on a neighbouring tree branch, its large size was unmistakable if seen alongside a Paddler. The Moustached (A. melanopogon), most distinctive in its appearance and behavior, was the shy amongst all and thee different individuals were seen at this point. It was observed usually picking up its food from the surface of water, while being perched just above couple inches from the water surface, on the reed itself. The hyacinth perch also proved effective in this regard, but usually views would be obscured. All birds would do several rounds of feeding and would call intermittently. Among other prominent birds closeby were c.14 White-tailed Lapwings resting in the hyacinth (there could be few more but my eye started to strain from their fine camouflage in low light) and SIX Marsh Harriers oscillating above the reeds in unison (the highest number of Marsh Harriers, I have seen at a point in time in Basai till date - very thrilling to watch them glide low!). This was around three of the clock in the afternoon.
Regards
Puja Sharma
New Delhi, India
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