Rare winter visitor

 Red-breasted Merganser female, pic courtesy Saurabh Sawant

Saurabh, Abhinav and I walked in a hurry in the hot afternoon sun. We were in Vasai, a suburb of Mumbai looking for a very unlikely feathered visitor. This bird is so rare that this is the official first record of its sighting in India. And we couldn’t wait to see her. The visitor we were so eagerly looking forward to was none other than the “Red-breasted Merganser”.

And what a place to see it!

Through the busy Vasai traffic we entered a quiet residential lane. The lane ended only to become a wide well laid out road. On either sides of the road, large faded bill boards advertised upcoming residential projects at bargain prices. The most ominous sign of all was a construction office, behind which excavators carried out half hearted work. The pace of the equipment was quite in contrast to the eager way the billboards claimed when the project  would be completed.

Lovely lily leaves carve a path in the channel

Even though it was mid-afternoon bird activity was still on. We saw a Shikra try to rouse some sleepy doves out of their afternoon stupor. Saurabh heard the unmistakable chweep of a Paddyfield Pipit as we crossed the scrubby grassland leading to the pools. The road carried on further inside, marking out large square marshy pools on either side. The initial pools had dried out and choked with grasses. In these we saw a big flock of Open-billed Storks, who took to wing as soon as we neared. No doubt the binoculars and cameras must have given them a scare even as locals in bright gaudy clothing walked past nonchalantly.

Painted Storks circled overhead as we searched for the Merganser

We continued birding as we searched for the Merganser. A number of Black-winged Stilts, Common Sandpipers, Terns, and Pond Herons were feeding in the shallow pool as Saurabh walked on ahead while Abhinav walked behind carrying a heavy camera and lens. That’s when I saw a dull coloured duck dabbling nonstop in the shallow pool. I called out to Saurabh to confirm if it was the Merganser and so it was.

The male Red-breasted Merganser has a deep rusty chest and hence the name, however the female is uniformly slaty grey, with a pale throat and chest merging with a darker neck. The slender scarlet orange beak is an easy way to distinguish it from other ducks and grebes.

The Merganser kept dabbling in the shallow pool with other birds for company

Though it’s a diving duck, these pools being too shallow for it, the Merganser seemed content just dabbling continuously. She was not very shy and kept on exploring the pool from one end to the other. We had a long and satisfying sighting before the evening approached and she suddenly disappeared after a short flight.

This sighting is at the same time heartening and dismaying. It’s an absolute joy to see such a vagrant in the middle of the city but it’s dismaying because one can see with their own eyes the unstoppable march of the city. Perhaps next year when the bird comes flying this way, instead of green marshy ponds, it may only see square grey buildings and nowhere to land.

And that is why it is imperative that birders continue birding and reporting common and uncommon sightings. We may not always stop the city in its tracks but we may surely try to slow down its march to claim everything in its path. Perhaps even now some hidden and overlooked pool somewhere holds rare feathered beauties waiting to be discovered.

Prey and Predator live side by side, seemingly in harmony

You can see the checklist of all the birds we sighted here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33159639

MBC Dombivali bird walk

Black-tailed Godwits - We saw quite a few of these feeding in the mud

Bird watching is an​ educative, healthy and ​fun way to spend time outdoors. It gives a sense of purpose while walking, hones your observational skills and gives a glimpse into nature. Mumbai Birdwatchers Club offers this and the bonhomie of other birders in its weekly bird trails in and around Mumbai. Last Sunday, 18th Dec, 30 birders armed with binoculars and cameras​ gathered at the crack of dawn at Kopar creek in Dombivali. The trail was led by local birders Kiran Kadam and Prathamesh Desai. Both of  whom have extensive experience in this area.

Birders doing what they love best

The area is close to a village and so large tracts are converted into a maidan where people play cricket and other games. Despite this, the area upto and including the creek has a variety of birds, both scrub land and water birds who due to this constant proximity to people are not as shy offering good sightings close.

Plain Prinia and Ashy Prinia were quite gregarious and gave ample photo opportunities

The Ashy Prinia can be easily differentiated from the Plain Prinia by its ash crown and nape

We started the trail in the scrubland where despite the noise and crowd, we saw​ an Oriental Skylark and a Paddyfield Pipit foraging near each other. Larks and Pipits are easily confused due to their similar plumage and colouration hence this was the perfect opportunity to see them side by side and ​

learn how to distinguish between the two. The lark has a slimmer body, longer tail and fine slender beak, whereas the pipi​t has​ a heavier body, very short tail and thicker beak. Also larks sport a crest on their head, unlike a pipit.

Peek-a-boo - An extremely well camouflaged Red-wattled Lapwing is nearly invisible in the grass. 

Painted storks kept circling overhead as we continued our walk near a marsh. Kiran set up a spotting scope to observe the waders feeding in the nutrient rich mud. We had a good look at Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Ringed Plover, Temminck's Stint and Little Stint. Both Kiran and Prathamesh helped the new birders in identifying the different waders.  Apart from waders we also saw Yellow, White and Citrine Wagtails and a lone Purple Swamphen rooting through the mud for worms and crustaceans.

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Scaling new heights - Scaly-breasted Munia

In the grass along the rim of the marshy pool we saw many Scaly-breasted Munias, Common Silverbills, Plain and Ashy Prinias. We also had a glimpse of the normally shy and uncommon Yellow-eyed Babbler​.

​Shortly we observed ​Bluethroat and Long-tailed Shrike,​ two migratory birds and added these ​to our list at the marsh. It was unusual to see the Long-tailed Shrike looking for worms in the mud of the marsh​.

​While we were in the swampy scrub, the tide in the creek had ebbed we anticipated sighting more waders and other water birds.

All of us lined up at the jetty with binoculars and cameras, the muddy bank was barely a few feet away and so we had a good look at Black-tailed Godwits, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper from close quarters. While standing at the jetty we also saw a bit of drama on the opposite bank where a pair of handsome Ospreys were being​ mobbed by a flock of crows. As the Ospreys disappeared in the mangroves, we turned our attention to the Meswak bush on the right. These salt tolerant trees are a favourite of Sylvia warblers and we could see a  pair of Lesser Whitethroats foraging in the branches.

Pond Heron looking for a tasty morsel

The trail ended at the jetty as Prathamesh urged the birders to keep visiting the area. Despite the extensive human activity, this area has allowed many uncommon sightings in the past. Frequent visits by birders will help keep a record of these sightings and preserve it’s excellent bird activity.

Fly me to the moon - We intermittently saw Northern Pintail and Indian Spot-billed Ducks fly across the creek

The Dombivali bird walk checklist can be accessed here - http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33071750

MBC walk to Karnala

Karnala fort - The pinnacle is a welcoming sign to birders.

 Winter is here in all its glory. And 40 birders joined in for yet another excellent birding day with Mumbai Birdwatchers Club on 27th Nov. This time the destination was Karnala bird sanctuary near Panvel. Karnala fort located within the sanctuary is a big draw for hikers in monsoon and winter. As one nears the sanctuary the thumb like pinnacle is a welcoming sign. The tiny hamlets and fields are taken over by the deep green of the forest as one travels along the Mumbai-Goa highway which divides the sanctuary in two.

After the usual introductions, the birders were split in two groups to be led by Saurabh Sawant, Amey Ketkar, Rujuta Phadke and Shashank Dalvi. The two trails, Mortakka and Hariyal, are popular amongst birders. The Mortakka trail is the shortest and easiest and has a winding circular path. Both groups were to bird on this trail but in opposite directions to avoid crowding.

In my past visits to Karnala I have observed the most number of birds just as one enters the sanctuary. And today was no different as we had a succession of sightings only a few meters from the main gate.

We started the walk with the sighting of a pair of Puff-throated Babblers skulking in the undergrowth. Usually these nondescript birds are difficult to spot as they remain hidden in the shadows and are more often heard than seen. Their call is easy to remember, it’s a very sweet rendition of “I will beat you”. The Puff-throated Babblers were quickly forgotten for views of a Brown-cheeked Fulvetta. This is yet another skulker but the lure of the early worm seemed to have brought it out in the open.

The air was full of bird song as the sunlight hit the trees. The yellow of the Black-hooded Oriole that we saw next was as bright as the golden sunlight. The mix deciduous forest of Karnala was sporting some yellowing Haldu trees as well. All along the trail we had excellent views of Ashy Drongos and Bronzed Drongos, quite a few of them flit amongst the trees drawing our attention with their antics.

Bronzed Drongo - Their smaller size compared to other drongos and glossy wings are an identifying feature.

White-naped Woodpecker female - One of the highlights of the trail.

However the day was dedicated to woodpeckers as we saw a Yellow-fronted, Brown-capped Pygmy and later along the trail a White-naped Woodpecker. The woodpeckers were observed gleaning for insects along the main trunk of the tree.

The leaf warblers, Green and Greenish, were also gleaning for insects. Unlike the woodpeckers they were seen searching for food in the leaves and smaller branches. Niche feeding like this reduces direct competition amongst birds which feed on the same tree.

Grey-fronted Green Pigeon - Though I prefer it's old name, "Pompadour Green Pigeon"

Soon we left the open trail and entered the forest, and saw a lone female Grey-fronted Green Pigeon. She sat atop a bare tree with her face towards the rising sun and sang sighingly. Endemic to the Western Ghats, the Grey-fronted Green Pigeon is usually seen in small flocks as they feed on fruits in the tree canopy. Another endemic bird which gave us excellent views were a pair of Thick-billed Flowerpeckers. The pair was quite gregarious, indicating that they were probably nesting nearby. So we quickly moved away to enjoy the sight of a Red-throated Flycatcher.

The heat had increased by now and we hoped to see some raptors taking advantage of  the thermals. But apart from a Crested-serpent Eagle, the raptors were the dip of the day.

Our most notable sightings for Karnala were the migratory Verditer and Ultramarine Flycatcher. Both species travel from Himalayas down south for the winter.

Karnala offers something to everyone, be it nature, history or adventure. However, this tiny sanctuary is threatened by unruly picnickers blind to it’s rich history. Earlier the forest department had initiated a deposit system against any plastic that one carried inside. But the large number of people visiting the sanctuary seems to have deterred the continuation of this practise. The recent news of widening the Goa-Mumbai highway passing through the sanctuary is also disheartening. Hopefully continued visits by MBC and other nature organisations will help put a light on the rich heritage of Karnala, that future generations may hear birdsong with as much joy as we did.

The old must fall for the new to rise.

MBC Bird walk at Bhuigaon

What a fantastic birding day! This was the thought in every birder's mind as the trail by Mumbai Birdwatchers Club ended at the Bhuigaon beach in Vasai. Around 40 passionate birders gathered to explore the hitherto unknown area of Bhuigaon. The mosaic of paddy fields, interspersed by wetland, scrub land, and seaside habitats gave us a superb variety of birds, and we all came back with a list of 75 bird sightings.

White Stork - an uncommon winter visitor

Mumbai Birdwatchers club has recently revived their activities. It’s aim is to offer a common platform to amateur birders to further their interests.The fourth birdwalk in this season was held at Bhuigaon in Vasai on Sunday, 20th Nov. Though not a very known trail, Bhuigaon is a popular birding destination for well known birders like Amol Lopes, Kuldeep Chaudhary, M. V. Bhakta, Sachin Marti and Varun Satose who reside in this area. The trail was led by senior and experienced birders like Saurabh Sawant, Rujuta Phadke, Varun Satose, Amol Lopes, Kuldeep Chaudhary, and M. V. Bhakta.

The weather was cool and pleasant when we started our walk, a welcome respite from the October heat. The approach road leading towards the seaside passed through Bhuigaon. It was lined by large opulent bungalows surrounded by small gardens. The gardens gave us views of Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Purple-rumped Sunbird, and Pale-billed Flowerpecker trying to catch the early rays. The village suddenly gave way to paddy fields, interspersed by marshes and scrub land. Apart from the usual suspects like Red-wattled Lapwings, Common Sandpiper, the whole egret range, Great to Little, we also saw Little ringed and Kentish Plovers feeding in the nutrient rich mud.

A Striated Heron in flight brought our gaze back towards the skies, as we saw a gorgeous Black-shouldered Kite hovering in the distance. An Oriental Honey Buzzard was our next sighting. It showed off it’s unmistakable pigeon shaped head and tail markings as it was relentlessly chased by a murder of crows out for its life. Though both our sightings of Osprey were hazy and far, it was a satisfactory feeling to know they are well fed and that the fish are biting in this area.

It helped that our necks were craned towards the sky looking at an Oriental Skylark, when there was a sudden shout of “Falcon” from Saurabh. Lo and behold a handsome male Amur Falcon flew right over our head giving us a superb view of it’s pied underparts. As fast as it came, the falcon quickly disappeared from view. No doubt it was making it’s way across the ocean onward to its winter grounds in Africa. These tiny birds are one of the longest bird migrants in the world. They breed in the Amur river basin between Russia and China and undertake a journey of 22,000 Kms to their wintering grounds in Africa. They are passage migrants in India, which made this sighting very special as they are only seen for a short period of time during the beginning of winter.

Another notable sighting was of a Short-eared Owl as it circled overhead with a Marsh Harrier in tow. The sighting could be quickly confirmed as photographers produced pictures of this beauty in flight.

Short-eared Owl

The paddy fields produced for us Paddyfield Pipits, a trio chased each other merrily. Two Tree Pipits sat watching their antics from an electric wire. The sun was quite bright by now and the Tree Pipits were bathed in perfect light. This helped everyone observe the yellow wash and striations on their chest which distinguishes them from other pipits.

Tree Pipit showing off striations and yellow wash on chest

Siberian Stonechat, Booted and Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Long-tailed Shrike and an uncommon Red-headed Bunting confirmed that migration was well under way.

The rich countryside gave us ample sightings and we ended up spending nearly 2 hours covering a stretch of 2 kms. By now the sea was beckoning and by 9:30 a.m. we ended up on the a clean beach littered with Little Ringed, Greater and Lesser Sand, and Kentish Plovers, running helter skelter in the sands. Ruddy Turnstones, Terek and Curlew Sandpipers and a lone Sanderling were amongst our notable sightings by the grey Arabian sea.

We ended the day with a vote of thanks to all the participating birders. Some of the birders quickly headed over to the nearby saltpans for another uncommon sighting of White Stork, a widespread winter visitor to the Indian subcontinent. In the past there have been some very uncommon records from the Vasai area, like White-tailed Lapwing, Crab Plover, and very recently the White Stork. Local birders with their sustained efforts have come up with a list of 250 birds and a birding app “Vasai Birds”. It is vital that this region receives popularity as a birding destination. MBC hopes that their efforts to bring light to such unknown areas will help in their conservation as the city rapidly takes over the last bits of green and converts it to a dreary grey.

Terek Sandpiper with unmistakable orange legs and slightly upcurved beak