While reading some bird literature, I came across an interesting reference on 'Indian Pitta' which said 'apart from the foothills of Himalayas they also breed in Northern Plains from June to July in thick and deciduous evergreen forests'. This was amusing for a person like me to think if they can breed in Jaipur which is farther from foothills of Himalayas compare to Delhi-NCT where even if they don't breed but at least sightings during monsoon could be possible. I started working on this hypothesis and scanned through all the old available records of Indian Pitta's sightings in Delhi-NCR on delhibird & other places. To my utter surprise, all the reported sightings living or dead were between June to July from Noida, SNP, Chanakyapuri, Bhindawas, Aravalli Biodiversity Park & many more un-reported on this forum. This was a first positive sign. I started corroborating & analyzing data by reading more about the Ethology of Pitta & its habitat. I recalled some old nesting records of Asian Paradise Flycatcher in Mayo College, Ajmer because of which I could locate and document its nesting in Sanjay Van-Delhi in July 2011 (Usha Ganguli also mentioned 7 nests in Northern Ridge in 1976) where two pairs bred . Pitta's breeding in Jaipur has become an annual affair now in Jhalana Forest but Indian Pitta should presumably breed in NCR as well if scientific analysis is to be believed I thought. According to the available references, its habitat is deciduous evergreen forests. I narrowed it down to 'Mangar Forerest' as its suitable breeding habitat hypothetically.
Mangar is one forest which I had visited couple of times with my friend Pradip Krishen, not for birds, but for Trees nature trails in ridge is my passion. Those were some amazing walks in the ridge forest. But this time we went for Indian Pitta. My friends (Dr. Neelam & Chand D. ) had already finalized their trip to Jaipur but obliged me by tagging along to Mangar. After this ground work it was time to execute it practically.
Believe me, the moment we entered Mangar I heard its call because it is also known as 6-O Clock bird, the car stopped & we stepped out. Suddenly another synchronized call was answered. Indeed it was a Eureka moment for all of us & a good omen as well cause we saw two individuals here from a distance in a tree canopy. After spending some time here, we moved ahead where 'Crested Bunting' was foraging on ground. As we moved little ahead, a lone 'Black Headed Cuckooshrike' was perched on a tree top. We kept moving and birds kept showing up here. A pair of IP (Indian Pitta) was waiting for us so we spent half an hour here with them as they being very shy & sulky hence were intermittently coming out and going into forests (might be nesting somewhere). Many Pied Crested Cuckoos, Common Hawk Cuckoos, Pair of Eurasian Cuckoo and Asian Koels, Barbets, Plum headed Parakeets, Tree Pies, Tailor birds, Indian Golden Orioles ,Blue Tailed & Cheeked B- Eaters also graced us with their presence. A solitary Ruddy Mongoose was scanning the forest for food. The real surprise came when we spotted a pair of nesting 'Cinereous Tit' feeding their chick in an active nest which I guess is probably first nesting record of this Tit from NCR. (Feel free to comment if nesting records from Delhi NCR are available). After spending 3 hrs with SIX Indian Pitta, we returned home happily but not without sighting of Indian Golden Jackal' & 2 Monitor Lizards. Thanks Neelam & Chand for an excellent company & all help in the mission.
Best Regards
SP
Room # 001 C.I.F.
School of Life Sciences
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi 110067
INDIA
Phone (Work) 26708767
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