Thattekkad diaries. Part 1

From the snow in the Himalayas, i was off the very next day to the sea sides of Kerala to spend a few days with my grand parents. After a stay which involved a lot around food & eating, it was time to say goodbye to my grand parents in Calicut. We boarded the train for our journey to Alwaye, from where we took a cab to reach the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Thattekkad.


I had heard my parents talk so much about Thattekkad, i was quite excited at the prospects of been in the midst of all the birds & the thought of the chance to see the the Black Baza was just too much. It was afternoon by the time we reached Thattekkad, we had a quick lunch of rice & fish curry, our host & guide Girish had told us we can go into the sanctuary by 3.30 pm. I was waiting impatiently.

As soon as we entered the sanctuary we saw the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Black naped Orioles & the White Bellied Treepie. Suddenly Girish called out & said ......... Its the Black Baza !!

All of us could not believe our eyes. Here is the bird we have been waiting to see, suddenly making a appearance. That too within our first 10 minutes in the sanctuary, we could not believe our luck. It was beautiful, with a lovely crest, which was flaying in the air. I managed to take a couple of photographs, before it flew away. It was truly an unforgettable moment. (and to think of it we never saw the Baza sitting for the next five days of our stay !!!)

Then i got to see for the first time the Sri lankan Frogmouth.


A very unusual looking nocturnal bird. Girish told us to be very careful & not to touch or move any branches of the trees while observing the bird. Because once it flies away, then it becomes very difficult to sight it again.


The calls of the White Bellied Treepie were just too much. I was wondering who is a better mimic........ the Drongos, or the Tree pies or the Hill Mynahs ??

After birding for about a couple of hours, it was getting dark and also there was an single wild elephant somewhere close by. We reluctantly headed back to our rooms.

School trip+Mountains+Friends+Snow = FUN Unplugged. Our visit to Camp Himalayan.

It all started at Old Delhi railway station, though we had to wait an hour or so because the train was late but we could wait. There was enough to talk about (what was going to happen next and after that and so on). Anyway the train came at 12 in the night then we got on, said bye to our parents and eagerly waited for the train to start. It was hard to sleep with the excitement but I finally did in the end.................

Next day morning, i had to get up in a hurry and be ready at the train door and all of us had to be quick because it was like 2 minutes for 24 of us and baggage to get of a train! Anyway so we managed to get off at Kiratpur and got into the car for a 8-10 hour journey up into the mountains. The ride was very nice but long!!!!!!

When we reached Tirthan valley at around 4:00 and soon settled into our tents. After tea everyone was walking around the river that was next door but it was already starting to get cold. We had dinner and then took a small trek in the dark. When i came back I got into my tent and sleeping bag and went to sleep. It was cold in the night at a lowest 1.3 C. I was shivering ...................

Next day we had breakfast and the cars took our bags and we trekked 4 kilometres toCamp Himalayan

This was our final destination where we would stay the next 3 nights. We met Sumit uncle , the co-owner of Camp Himalayan.

The rest of the day we settled into our cottages, had lunch and they also had a small lounge so we were playing monopoly the whole time. In the night we had a bonfire and had soup and played atlas till dinner time. Dinner was really really yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The next morning we went to JALORI PASS !!!!! On the way to Jalori pass we stopped at a place called Gyaghi and saw Sumit uncles house and also played with his huge Alsatian dog Badshah. Then after that we got into the cars and carried on to Jalori pass.

We did see snow over there but the snow wouldn't compact into a snowball but it was a slope so it was fun sliding down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So the same day after 1 hour of playing we got into the cars and went to Banjara Retreat to have lunch.....

After lunch we went to a rock that was 10 metres high and we did rappelling there. Rappelling was fun and quite cool. In the evening we went back to Camp Himalayan. We had dinner and went to sleep......................

The next day we again went to Jalori pass but this time we trekked higher to 11,000 ft & there we found knee deep snow and it was amazing and somehow this snow we could compact and make into SNOW BALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were playing snowball fights like you couldn't imagine. It was awesome!!!!

We trekked back and had lunch at a dhaba at Jalori pass & then returned to Camp Himalayan. Later in the night we had a party.

First we had to write any question and answer. Then we had to write about our trip & then came the best part we divided ourselves into bands with chits and then we had to act as if we were in a concert with music playing behind us and the theme was the song Socha Hai from Rock On !!!!!!

It was real awesome fun and then for dinner there was yummy Chinese food. Then later after dinner we went to the lounge and had a fun activity. You remember we had to write any question and answer; well now we were randomly given the papers and we and it was like this..... One person said the question in his paper and the other said the answer written whatever it maybe it was really funny & anyway after that we went to sleep..........................

The next morning we had breakfast and sadly we had to leave.

So finally we left and after a rather long journey we reached Anandpur Sahib were we went to the huge Gurudwara and then went shopping then we left and went to Nangal Dam Railway Station and got onto Himachal Express to Delhi. We had a nice sleep and finally back to DELHI!!!!!

THE END..............

Christmas in Sultanpur & the Black Shouldered Kite

When we reached Sultanpur on Christmas day morning it was covered with thick fog, in almost complete whiteout conditions, for the first one hour ( & it was really chill) we began by walking along the wooded area and birding more with ears than the eyes.

Though this pair of Grey Horn Bills kept us entertained.

As the light improved it was the Black-shouldered Kite which made an appearance. We were infact very close to it, but it was hardly bothered about our presence, it was busy preening itself once in a while gave us the looks but mostly ignored our presence.

Then we saw a flock of Small Minivets & a flock of Scarlet Minivets

Then came this Roller Bird which was flashing its brilliant feathers against the sun

Then the visibility slowly improved, there were many small birds which i could not identify. Then we reached the lake for viewing the waterbirds. There were atleast 2-3 thousand water birds with Common Teals, Pintails, Gadwalls, Shovelers, Greylag Geese, Water Hens & many which i could not identify.

The Painted Storks colony was like a market area. We did see three Aquila Eagles, but were too far away to identify. One may have been a Booted Eagle.

Though i was disappointed not been able to identify many birds, i was happy on one count............. i handled a camera, a Canon SX 10 Digital on my own !!

We also had to quickly come back home 'cos i had invited some of my friends over to my place to celebrate Christmas. We had got a small Christmas tree (actually a pine tree), made a few decorations, got some lights et al, my maasi baked an awesome cake with strawberries on it, my mother also baked a cake, generally we had a blast.

Tomorrow night i go for my school trip, we travel to Himachal Pradesh to Shoja for our expedition in the snow................

Aikido Kyu test

I passed my first tests in Aikido

I managed to do all the techniques Sensei asked me to execute as well as to do against my partner & friend Jyotirmoy. The only technique which i (we) messed up was Morete dori Kokyu ho. After the tests Sensei told me, there is much more scope for improvement especially on my Kamae (stance) & my Mai Ukemi (front rolls).

My father told me he was very impressed that i was very relaxed during the test.

Yippee !!!

I am thrilled with myself.

New Delhi Aikido Dojo

Let it be.............

I will be playing the chords & singing along this song by The Beatles when we sing Christmas carols in school


Let It Be (Beatles)



When I find myself in times of trouble,
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom,
let it be

And in my hour of darkness,
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom,
Let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom,
Let it be
And when the broken hearted people,
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer,
let it be
But though they may be parted,
There is still a chance that they may see
There will be an answer,
let it be

CHORUS: Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer,
let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom,
let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom,
let it be

And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine on till tomorrow,
let it be
I wake up to the sound of music,
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom,
let it be

CHORUS

Pradip Krishen visits Mirambika...........

Our project on trees got a major fillip when the author of Trees of Delhi, Mr Pradip Krishen visited our school.

He was really nice & patient. We went for a walk with him on our campus, he was able to identify all the trees. Infact with one of the trees he had his doubts & all of us appreciated his honesty, when he said he will get back to us with all the details.

Now we are trying to work on making the database we have created of all the trees/ flora in the campus into a compilation. That will be done after the holidays.

As of now i would like to thank Pradip Krishen to have come to our school & spend time with us. It was really wonderful & useful. Also i got him to autograph on my copy of the book Trees of Delhi !!

Thank you...... sir !!

A very interesting three part interview with Pradip Krishen can be read here, here & here

The quest for Clues

I went to see this play with my friends called The quest for Clues.

The story was something like this ..................

Kim & Maya hates the idea of going to India for holidays it s the same boring routine. But when they reaches their grandparents sleepy farm, strange things happen. Kim discovers that somebody is out to kill her grandfather. In an attempt to rescue her grandfather they get caught in a trap that transports them back into time. Maya, her pesky sister refuses to be left behind. Will they come back? Will they find clues to help them solve the mystery? Or will they helplessly watch their grandfather die? Go back into time with Kim and Maya and find out.

The Splashing Osprey

This is my portrayal of one of my favourite birds............. The Osprey. On this painting i really had to work very hard, especially on the feathers

New Delhi Aikido

This article appeared in a national newspaper about my Aikido class

In an Aikido class Nandini Nair finds that martial arts can be about harmony
Photos: Shanker Chakravarty.

“Because of Aikido I was able to defend myself from an attack,” says Yulia Pal. Aikido helped in saving her when violently attacked while taking a walk in the city’s Jahapanah park. Paritos Kar, fourth Dan of Aikido Aikikai Foundation of India, who has learnt this art from Japan, has been teaching this non-combative art form for four years in Delhi.

Aikido is different from other marital arts because it is not competitive. With Aikido meaning “harmony” it is little surprise that this form is more about a philosophy than competition. But make no mistake, it’s not a soft spot at all as it provides a complete workout and can disarm attackers. Kar says, “Aikido helps in self defence, fitness, confidence and discipline.”

There are only four members in today’s dojo with the festive season keeping most of the others away. But there’s an unusual dignity and serenity about this class located near Lady Shri Ram College. Everyone speaks in hushed tones and addresses each other with a gentle bow. The members are dressed in the traditional white pants and angrakha-like shirts called keikogi. The seniors and Kar himself wear a hakama, a black drape that is tied waist down.

The class begins with a brief meditation. We sit on our knees, with legs folded back and feet touching each other. This is to clear the mind and help in concentration. While Aikido originated more than 100 years ago in Japan, it has no religious leanings. And the meditation is more about clearing one’s mind than about praying to any force.

Next come the gentle warm up exercises. They include punching the air with one’s fist and drawing back. Then there are body rotations. This is followed by stretches. The stretches are performed standing upright and some other lying on the floor. While standing, the knees are bent gently and rotated. In the floor exercises, one holds the back of ones knees and rolls back and forth like a baby. Then the feet are gently pounded with the hands, followed by a quick and efficient rubbing of the ears and neck. These series of exercises lasts for only about 10 minutes and helps to get the joints lubricated and make the body supple.

With Aikido being mainly about throws, students first pay attention to rolling and falling. Because of the throws, it is practised indoors and with partners. Rolling requires technique and is not about just barrelling down the floor.

I stare open mouthed as students adroitly roll down the 30 feet of padded mat. First they do so silently, and then with a sonorous thud. This is for the experts, and I decide it’s time to roll out of the class.

(For more information: http://www.aikikaiindia.org/, call: 9899822

Mirambika campus is more diverse than Yamuna Biodiversity Park

....................But the only thing missing in our campus is a waterbody, but there are more variety of trees in our campus, than YBP.

We started doing a project on trees & i am kind of smitten by it. We are using Trees of Delhi, A field Guide by Pradip Kishen to do our work. Today morning my father was telling me your school bag is getting heavy. Apart from the Trees of Delhi book, it had Asterisk & a couple of novels, apart from the usual note books. We do not have any textbooks in Mirambika.

Using this field guide we are making a list of trees in the Mirambika campus, which by the look of things is much more diverse than the Yamuna biodiversity park which we visited recently as part of our project work.

At the Yamuna biodiversity Park i learned to identify some butterflies like Brown Awl, Grass Yellow, Forget me Not, Striped Tiger, Plain Tiger, Blue Pansy, Yellow Pansy & Peacock Pansy.

Maan Singh, Bharatpur, Birding guide par excellence

The first time i went to Bharatpur was 3 years back. I was new to birds & birding. Infact we were doing a project in school on birds. Priyanka didi & Manish bhaiyya got me really interested in birds, they got me hooked, it was one of the best projects i had done in school. Then my parents got for me the "Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by Richard Grimmett" which is like a bible for birds & id's etc. I used to read it for hours, sleep with it, wake up with, walk with it etc.

My school (mirambika) also has a lovely campus, i started to identify birds. Then there is a park in front of my house, there also i started to identify birds. Once we went for a walk with Priyankadidi & Manishbhaiyya, then he thought us how to identify the birds by their call. While we were doing the project i got a chance to visit Bharatpur (Keoladeo Ghana National Park)

We were quite tentative about how to go about birding in the park since it was our first time. We asked for a guide et al, then we needed to hire a cycle rickshaw to go inside the park since it is a long walk. Then this person with a cycle rickshaw walked up to us & told us he will take us in. That was my first meeting with Maan Singh.

Within 5 minutes we realised that he was much better guide than the actual birding guide that we had hired. That day evening while walking back from the park Maan Singh actually spotted an Osprey, it was unbelievable for me to be able to see an Osprey & we realised the guide had not even spotted it.

So the next day morning when we were going back to the park we decided we do not need a guide, Maan Singh himself is a super birding guide. So that is how i came to know Maan Singh. Since then whenever we go to Bharatpur we go into the park with only Maan Singh. He obviously is a much respected person, his skills in identifying birds are just fantastic, his eyes are so sharp, he knows their calls, he knows the behaviour of the birds very well, he has a feel for them, plus he is also very relaxed as a person & great company to be cycling with, when he regales us with stories about birding, about the state of the park, how it is been run etc.

Maan Singh, age 47, Rickshaw No. 5, has been in Bharatpur since 1981. In 1981, Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary was given the status of National Park. He was trained by Dr Salim Ali when he used to come to Bharatpur, he also has attended many seminars & workshops with Dr Salim Ali

Maan Singh earns about Rs 5,000/- a month on an average. He is also very environmentally conscious & gets appalled with visitors who come into the park & litter, he also has a lot to say about the kind of vegetation which was there in the park, which is more mono culture than bio diverse, he is happy with the changes which are taking place to replace the awful "ganda babul" trees.

Water in the park is critical, he throws his hands up in despair when he explains the politics behind the water distribution. His life is also dependent on it, if there is no water in the park, then there will be no birds, if there are no birds, then there will be be no visitors, if there are no visitors to the park, then he will have no work & no earnings.

Maan Singh

14, Madhav Galli,

Near Ganga Mandir

Bharatpur. 321 001

Bharatpur Rocks ! Oct 2008......... & The Dusky Eagle Owl

Expectations were running high in me when I heard from my parents that we are going to Bharatpur during the Diwali break. We reached Bharatpur in around 4 hours, checked in to the hotel, had lunch…………. It all seemed to take too long & I was getting restless. I just wanted to head into the Keoladeo Ghana National Park !!

But there was one problem; we could not find Maan Singh. We had called his contact telephone number & requested them to pass on the message to Maan Singh. But obviously he had not got the message. Maan Singh has always been an integral part of my trips to Bharatpur. Birding is so enjoyable with him, he has so much insight into birds, plus he knows the park inside out, plus he knows my favourite birds, plus he knows the likely places where they might be !!

We looked out for him trying in vain to locate his whereabouts. With disappointment writ large on our faces we boarded another cycle rickshaw, but I was hoping to bump into Maan Singh somewhere in the park. But luck was with us & lo behold, we saw him very soon & I was happy to hop into his rickshaw though I did feel sorry for the other rickshaw driver. However, my father compensated him for his time so at least he did not lose any earnings.

The high for the first day was to see the Dusky Eagle Owl, the call of it was just awesome. Imagine listening to the call on a dark moon less night alone!!! That surely will give me the goose bums !!

We did a quick round of the park. Scopps Owl was simply a treat to watch.........

So was also the peace in which the Night Jar was sleeping on a branch.



The next day we spent about 4hrs in the park in the morning, The high point was the Saurus Cranes, one of them was sitting on a nest, the Pheasant Tailed Jacanas & the Bronze Winged Jacanas, we looked hard to see the floating nests, but couldn’t see any.

We went again to the park after a quick lunch. Had great views of a couple of Eurasian Hobby’s. A first time view of a Lagger Falcon. Then we had a close look at the Heronary. It was amazing to see the Painted Storks, the Cormorants, the Spoon Bills & the Darters share the same nesting spaces. Maan Singh showed us how the adults of Painted Storks would protect the chicks of the other species. Also how the adults protect the chicks from the sun by spreading out the wings etc. We also saw chicks which were just a week old.

The concentration which is writ large on the face of the Purple Heron, or the Night Heron, or the little Green Heron, or the Grey heron, just sitting quietly in wait for prolonged periods of time, without moving even a bit, alert & agile, & when they spot a prey, in one amazing striking elongation of the neck they catch the fish. And if it is a big fish then it flips it in the air & takes it in head first. I was privileged to see a Purple Heron do just that.

It was almost sunset when we were coming out of the park. We heard a jackal call, suddenly Maan singh jumped out from the rickshaw & said It is a Hyena !! Our eyes closed in on the Hyena. It was huge. Bigger than a German Sheperd dog, it crossed the path right behind us. I could not believe my eyes, I could not believe what I saw………. a Hyena. It was a truly awesome moment. By the time my mother got out of the rickshaw & adjusted the camera the Hyena was gone. But the picture will always remain in my mind………. A Hyena been barked at & chased by Jackals, & it crossing the path just 15 ft away from me. Truly a rocker moment !!

The next day we were in the park by sunrise. This time Maan singh took us through a different path. I was dying/ hoping to see an Osprey, I did see something which I thought was an Osprey, but it was too far away to even identify. Then we were cycling along quietly, then we saw a Greater Spotted Eagle. Actually it was only a dress rehearsal of things to come.

Just a few metres ahead, my eyes popped out in wonder when I saw a Steppe Eagle…………… (Correction, by Ramit: It is a Bonneli's Eagle)

It was so close, it was unbelievable, to see this beautiful bird sitting just a few metres away. I enjoyed the couple of minutes in its company, before it flew away. We cycled ahead, not believing my luck , I was still in daze thinking of the Steppe Eagle. (Sorry, actually Bonneli's Eagle)

Suddenly Maan Singh again stopped & pointed to my right, there again on my right hand side was one of my all time favourite birds : The Crested Serpent Eagle.

It was sitting in the sun, obviously 'had a dive in the water, so was sitting with the feathers spread out. I have never seen an Eagle so, so relaxed & did look at us many times, but was not bothered about our presence, he continued to sit where he was . We eyed him for about 20 minutes, till we decided to say good bye.

So that was it !!

After two & a half days of intensive birding, it was finally time to leave. Bharatpur rocks, it just rocks. I used to wonder the last two years when I used to hear that there is no water in the park, i used to worry & feel helpless. But i felt so humble to see nature rejuvenate itself to offer a nesting & a breeding place for all these species who come in sometimes all the way from Europe & Mongolia.

I hope to go back in December or January (hopefully with some of my friends) when all the birds arrive & when Bharatpur is at its best.

As of now here is the list of birds i saw :

1. Magpie Robin
2. Bank Mynah
3. Common Myna
4. Brahminy Myna
5. Pied Myna
6. Drongo
7. Laughing Dove
8. Green Pigeon
9. Jungle Babbler
10. Peacocks/hens
11. Hoopoe
12. Chestnut Shouldered Petronia
13. Rose Ringed Parakeets
14. Yellow Vented Bulbul
15. Coucal
16. Large Green Barbet
17. Coppersmith
18. Green Bee-eater
19. Indian Roller Bird
20. Golden Oriole
21. Pygmy Woodpecker
22. Flame Back
23. Red Wattled Lapwing
24. White Breasted King Fisher
25. Small Blue King Fisher
26. Rufous Tree pie
27. Pied Bush Chat
28. Clamorous Reed Warbler
29. Brain fever Bird/ Common Hawk Cuckoo
30. Koel
31. Pied Crested Cuckoo
32. Grey Partridge/ Francolin
33. Red Throated Fly Catcher
34. Grey Headed Canary Fly Catcher
35. Grey Night Jar
36. Painted Storks
37. Great Egret
38. Little Egret
39. Pond Heron/ Paddy Bird
40. Little Heron
41. Night Heron
42. Purple Heron
43. Darter/ Snake Bird
44. Great Cormorant
45. Little Cormorant
46. Indian Shag
47. White Ibis
48. Glossy Ibis
49. Spoon Bill
50. Saurus Crane
51. Common Moorhen
52. Purple Moorhen
53. Bronzed Winged Jacana
54. Pheasant Tailed Jacana
55. Black Red Start
56. Lesser White Throat
57. Long Tailed Shrike
58. Scopps Owl
59. Spotted Owlets
60. Dusky Eagle Owl
61. Spot billed Duck
62. Lesser Whistling Ducks
63. Coots
64. Comb Duck
65. Common Teal/ Pygmy Goose
66. Crested Serpent Eagle
67. Marsh Harrier
68. Black Shouldered Kite
69. Shikra
70. Lagger Falcon
71. Eurasian Hobby
72. Greater Spotted Eagle
73. Oriental Honey Buzzard
74. Bonneli's Eagle

Finally as i leave; i hope to , i just hope to...........see the Siberian Cranes coming back sometime !!

Aikido techniques for 5th Kyu

The Aikido Techniques that i am learning for my 5th Kyu are the following :

1. Shomen uchi dai Ikkyo (Omute/ Ura, Tachi/ Suwari)
2. Shomen uchi dai Nikkyo (Omute/ Ura, Tachi/ Suwari)
3. Shomen uchi Iriminage (Tachi/ Suwari)

4. Katate dori Shihonage (Omute/ Ura)
5. Katate dori dai Ikkyo (Omute/ Ura, Tachi)
6. Katate dori dai Nikkyo (Omute/ Ura, Tachi)
7. Katate dori Kaitennage
8. Katate dori Iriminage (Tachi)

9. Kata dori dai Ikkyo (Omute/ Ura, Tachi/ Suwari)
10. Kata dori dai Nikkyo (Omute/ Ura, Tachi/ Suwari)

11. Kosa dori Iriminage (Tachi)
12. Kosa dori Shihonage (Tachi)
13. Kosa dori dai Ikkyo (Omute/ Ura, Tachi)
14. Kosa dori dai Nikkyo (Omute/ Ura, Tachi)

15. Yokomen uchi Shihonage (Omute/ Ura, Tachi)

16. Tai no Henko

17. Zagi Kokyu Ho

Birding at Sonapani..... The Asian Barred Owl & The Eurasian Hobby

During Dushera break we went to Sonapani.

This is the closest i came to the Himalayan peaks, the views were breathtaking, it was awesome, especially on a clear morning.

We went for long walks in the forests nearby, we saw many Tree creepers, Velvet Fronted Nut Hatches, Spangled Drongos, Whistling Thrush's, Streaked Whistling Thrush's, Canary Fly Catcher's, Scarlet Minivets, Black Throated Tits, Great Barbets, Flame Backs, Red billed Blue Magpies, Black Headed Jay's & a Crested Serpent Eagle.

One day early in the morning we walked up dew dropped hill. Far, far way on a single Pine Tree we spotted a raptor, my mother forgot all her breathlessness, i was imagining some bear is going to come out & attack us, i forgot that also, in a jiffy, panting, panting we scrambled up on top of the hill & really close to the tree were this bird was sitting.

Then it flew to another tree, first i thought it was a Falcon, it was a really beautiful bird, but when i checked the ID, i found it it was an Eurasian Hobby.

So here is is my first time view of an Eurasian Hobby

Then one day late in the evening we were having coffee, suddenly on a nearby tree, we saw something. I ran up to see what it was, first i thought it was a raptor, but it was not, it was an Owl. We saw it swoop down on to bush & catch something. I was not sure what Owl it was.

Next day again at the same time in the evening we went in search of it. we could not find it, then we were returning disappointed. While walking back my mother told me to stand near my father so that she could take a snap of both of us, at that particular moment..............yippee , the same Owl was again in front of us. It was particularly agile & gave us really awesome looks. After studying the ID i realised it is the Asian Barred Owl
So it was another first timer for me.

.

The nights were chill. I love sitting around the fire, just looking into the burning wood apart from warming ourselves & sometimes strumming my guitar. Ashish uncle & Deepa aunty looked after us very well. The food was yum.

As usual I was very upset when it was time to leave !!

Winter visitors are coming................Sultanpur, Oct 2008. The Pied King Fisher & the Avadavat !!

I am so happy when winter is approaching, that is the time when a lot of birds fly in from thousands of miles away. I went to Sultanpur to check out the scene. A Pied King fisher really gave us a treat, diving into the water many times in front of us

The water hole was rather full of waterfowl; including Shovellers, Garganey, Gadwall, Common Teals, Comb Ducks, Spot-billed Ducks and a few Common Moorhens. The islands held large numbers of Black Headed Ibis and Painted Storks and a lone Asian Open bill. Also present were Purple and Grey Herons,Median and Great Egrets, Black Crowned Night Herons, the abundant Pond Herons, and all 3 species of Cormorants. On one of the trees on the island,there was quite a large raptor right at the top, but the distance was far too great for any of us to identify it. A Pied Cuckoo was also present on one of the Keekar trees next to the lake. We also saw Black Rumped Flamebacks, both species of Barbets, and a Common Stonechat.

But the colours of this Avadavat really caught my imagination.

As the day became warmer we got out of the park, but surely will be going again after a month or so to pay my respects to all the winter visitors.

We ended the morning with a round of some lovely sandwiches & a cake which was baked by my maasi.