Hi everyone,
About 20 Delhibirders turned up today morning for a rewarding walk through the environs of Sultanpur. October is always an exciting month for birding as its nearly impossible to predict what could crop up on passage!
We entered the park around 7am and I must say, Sultanpur looks really good at this time. Tiny Zitting Cisticolas played tag among the tall reads while Cormorants dried their wings on earthen mounds. A beautiful female Honey Buzzard posed an a dead tree while the ever fidgety Lesser Whitethroats gave brief views through the canopy.
A little deeper into the woods and a sudden explosion of bird activity! At least 6 Hoopoes, a Common Hawk Cuckoo, Tree Pipit, Oriental Turtle Dove and Golden Orioles all jostled for our attention. A sandy area nearby proved to be a Thick-Knee hotspot. First there was just one...and then another and so on untill we had 5 of these beady-eyed birds staring at us suspiciously.
However, the Thick-Knee's glory was short-lived! A male Black Redstart perched on a lump of mud and showed off his crimson plumage, much too the group's delight. He was soon chased off by a female though. On a tangle of twigs nearby, a Long tailed Shrike stood guard even as a Booted Warbler fidgeted around him.
A little deeper still and a surprise! A handsome European Roller eyed us from a distance. We saw at least two more birds during our walk. A Common Hawk Cuckoo perched nearby and gave its characteristic manic call.
The woodland had opened to grassland now and quite appropriately, we saw a pair of Common Starlings that proved very obliging to photographers. Also seen here was a pair of Pied Kingfishers that gave us a quick demonstration of their fishing skills. AT Duck point...there were lots of ducks. Pintails, Shovellors, Teals, Comb Ducks etc. watched warily as a Marsh harrier and a Booted eagle surveyed the various items on offer.
Also at Duck point was a thriving Heronry. Painted Storks, in their pink tinged white dresses adorned the trees as did several Egrets. The Pied Kingfishers must have felt left out because they showed up again and provided excellent views.
We headed back now had our much awaited breakfast. After all, birding is hungry work!
A few of us now headed out towards the flats despite the blazing sun. Common Stonechats, Paddyfield Pipit, Indian Bushlark etc gave good views. Also we may stumbled upon a Rufous Tailed Lark and a Tree/Red Throated Pipit here! The photos of the Pipit will soon be up for ID.
And so that rounded up another great birdwalk with 70+ species sighted, which included two lifers for me!
Thanks for Reading
Udiyaman
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