Birding in heat can be a Bittern experience and how! Since I couldn't do birding on Sunday - and as a result I missed largest flock of Greater Flamingoes- I roped Wingco in to go Bittern search on Saturday afternoon. In order to avoid the heat we arrived later than usual. Air was hot and still and well I would like to say silence reigned, but that happens only in books. In reality, the birds were chirping, to be more specific just in case Bill Harvey corrects me, Black Winged Stilts were calling, while Red Wattled Lapwings chased each other or stood guard over what we presumed were their nests. Looking for Quail, we slowly rolled on the road and Wingco called out as he spotted something. Looking into the haze it took me a while to spot them! Thicknees, not one but two! What a great way to begin birding. They gave us front, back, profile, camouflaged - basically shots from every possible angle - before running away.
-- Heron ke do aage heron, heron ke do peeche heron, aage heron peeche heron, bolo kitne heron. Never knew there were so many Purple herons at Basai and all were busy nesting. While one would take off from left, another would coast in from right carrying nesting material and then another one would take off. Wait, is it possible that it was just one pair that kept that busy? I will never know but we had a great time watching them and every time one was spotted through the corner of the eye, I almost shouted Bittern, ummm sorry no Purple Heron again!
Regards
We rolled further on the road and spotted Streaked Weavers playing hide and seek, actually they were busy building nests, unlike us who were birding instead of working! and just like magic, as if a curtain had parted, a Yellow Bittern stepped out into our vision. Silent, soft footed, oh so smooth. Even I got a picture!
Emboldened by our luck we coasted up and down the road some more and yes the Cinnamon Bittern too flew past and Wingco got flying shots.
As the sun got swamped by the haze, Purple Swamp hens fought with each other, presumably protecting their babies (there were many). Having sighted two Bitterns and therefore no longer bitter we bid adieu to Basai. Hasta la vista Basai.
Vineeta Dixit
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