With a teaser thrown at us last week about sighting Pacific Golden Plovers and a Jack Snipe and several Curlews at Basai (courtesy Mike and KB), the adrenalin rush was higher even before the group could reach the Basai temple point. Around 20 of us met on an unusually warm for mid Nov yet pleasant morning to watch "Birds of Basai". The muhoorat sighting was a lovely male Red Avadavat at almost an arm's length right at the start of the bund road.
Most of the Basai fields wore the post-harvest golden look letting the birds throw a
spot-me-if-you-can challenge for the group. While we looked long and hard between the golden hues of fields to spot Pacific Golden Plovers, they remained elusive throughout.
However the other migratory and resident birds more than obliged to make up and we had a unhurried yet splendid birding, counting over 80 species in over 3 hrs.
Interesting sightings included several Olive-backed Pipits, a Rosy Pipit, Paddyfield Pipit and a possible Tree Pipit. Flocks of flying Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpipers, Common Snipes were seen in the wet fields around. Wood Sandpipers were in plenty and few Marsh as well.
Thousands of Ruffs creating swarms and landing in fields was a sight to behold. Several Bar-headed Geese flew overhead as we spotted a Eurasian Wigeon pair on the far side of fields. Several Northern Shovellors and a Common Teal were seen swimming with resident Spot-billed Ducks. A little Ringed Plover and a possible Kentish Plover were spotted in the golden fields.
All 3 Ibises - Black, Black-headed and Glossy were plenty in numbers. Large numbers of Glossy Ibises that are present has probably not been seen in a long time here.
Despite their resident status, Black-winged Stilts and Red-wattled Lapwing numbers were simply mindblowing and I thought is worthy of finding a mention in report.
A Family of 3 Sarus Cranes (with apparantly a Juvenile) was another delight just as Neetu spotted a pair of Red-headed Bunting for all of us to stop in our tracks and marvel at them. Citrine, Yellow and White Wagtails were also seen in abundance. Eurasian Marsh Harrier was hunting for it's breakfast and one beautiful creamy headed female sat in the fields for some time to allow us to scope on it. Several birds spotted in smaller groups were Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Temminck's Stint and while we were returning, a Eurasian Curlew flew in and gave some of us very good time to marvel at it's long curvy beak.
Several Bluethroats, Isabelline Shrike, Long-tailed Shrike and Clamorous Reed Warbler added to the delight. Flocks of Common Starlings were busy in golden fields while Grey, Purple and Pond Herons standing as sentries on the bund kept a vigil.
Finally, in true Delhibird tradition, lavish spreads of Breakfast were gorged on.
Few enthusiastic birders then headed for Sultanpur from where pictures of Dark-throated Thrush have been sent by Pankaj.
Please add any other interesting sightings from Sultanpur.
Birds almost regularly seen at Basai but which surprisingly eluded us were Black-necked Stork, Pied Avocets and Eurasian Thicknee.
Happy winter birding to all ...
Soma Ateesh
