Friday, 21 August 2015

Birding in Hyderabad: Jul-Aug 2015

It was a Monday morning when I came to know that I might have to go to Hyderabad for work and stay there for a month or so. Being a north Indian - I always look forward to birding in the South and I started working at the earnest making a list of the birds that I desired to see. Ofcourse all the birds were not on the lifer list - but then there are some birds that one would not mind any day at all. That apart there was one bird that had eluded me in the past and that was the ‘Blue-faced Malkoha’. I was hell bent that this should be part of my 'would be' bird. After these thoughts and going over the two three books that I refer for birding I was sure that I was going to have one hell of a time.
Preparing to go to a new city and birding also has some disadvantages...
Firstly, you are not aware of the hotspots that span so many seasons - you just have to be at the right place at the right time to make sure that you have good sightings. This one point does get mitigated to a point by the fact that if you do put in some hard work about the sightings on various groups and social media you will get a fair idea - as to what to expect and when and where to expect. eBird is another place that gives wonderful data about hotspots etc. The problem is that as of now the users are not the kind that can generate detailed analysis to rely on alone for birding.
Secondly, mobility is a big issue. I mean its damn bloody difficult to reason out and explain with a cab that you have to drive to so and so place, keep the pace right and when I Shout - “Bird” he has to look out for traffic and park in a manner that I can observe the bird from the vehicle or get down if the bird is of the kind that will allow me to sneak up to it without flying away. Then there are points that a birder only knows - like never drive straight towards the bird, approach it at an angle and look out for the comfort level - I mean if the birds shows signs that you are moving into its ‘personal’ zone - stop, see and decide. It is not only that - the end line is that even my past experience with cabs
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Heart-spotted Woodpecker. This picture was clicked in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, on out way to Kanheri Caves. If you look at the spots you will find them heart shaped. A lifer for me and a great find as I was told not many people have reported seeing them in this park.

is that they make horrible people to go out birding with. Basically the finesse of appreciating and finding birds is lost on them.
I started knowing these disadvantages and started working on to neutralising them. Study and preparation I did meticulously, even to the extend that I started flipping the ‘Birds of Indian Subcontinent’ book and the app on my iPhone, iPad looking for the ranges of birds covering areas around Hyderabad. The list was not really physical - it was more of a brain exercise. Then  I ploughed through sites like Facebook and Indian Nature Watch looking for regulars who posted pictures of birds of Hyderabad online. Next I started searching for groups and clubs for Birding. The data once again was immense. Hyderabad is one of the places where you will find tons of birders. I also asked my friends from Chandigarh bird club if they could point out someone in Hyderabad who could perhaps take me birding there. Well like there have to be million foot-falls in malls to sell a packet of chips - I too know that a vast majority of birders are accepted with jobs and it is extremely difficult to ‘take’ someone out for birding - especially with not previous connect. All I could promise really was a reciprocation if some one came to Chandigarh and wanted to do birding.
It so happened that I was routed through Mumbai and I got a day off there. This meant that I would be able to explore ‘Sanjay Gandhi National park’. I promptly rang up one of my classmates there and asked him to be there for birding. It was a week day but lucky for me he said he will manage. I also came to know that the park opens at 5:30 in the morning. Well I was there at the park gates at 5:20 with camera dangling on my harness read to shoot. The moment I enquired  where I can buy tickets I was told that in the morning only joggers with bonafide passes can enter, visitors have to wait till 7:30. I stood there waiting for my friend also to fetch up at 7:00 AM. he was there dot on time and then we both waited for the gates to open. The gates did open dot at 7:30 and we were one of the first ones to buy a ticket. The weather was overcast and a not so good photography day. All the same I saw a shadow of three birds fly past and settle on a tree a couple of yards away. peered through the binoculars and did not see to much in the thick green cover of the tree. All of a sudden before we moved on the bird decided to hop on to a tree with little less cover. My heart knew no joy, three ‘Heart-spotted woodpeckers’ I got on to clicking a few dozen frames. As expected there were no great keepers but did get good record shots (Pic No 1). We there after moved on till the Kanheri caves stopping on and off looking out for birds, the weather turned even worse with off and on drizzle. The green cover was also too thick. We could hear a lot of birds but hardly any sightings. Next I had a desire to enter one of the core areas, the target species being ‘Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher. We were politely turned back at one a the gates telling that we need permission from none other than the IFS. Off we went to the office and were told that the director arrives at 1030… and the wait again started. The wait was worth it for reason other than birding. I met Mr Vikas Gupta (IFS), Chief Conservator of Forests and Director of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The fine gentleman he was and perhaps for the first time I met a person holding such a responsible position and rank share his passion for the National Park. When I introduced myself as a retired army officer now birding and deeply into wildlife, it ensured a healthy discussion with Mr Vikas giving his insights how he intends to shape the national park over a period of time to ensure that people do not enter it with a preconceived idea of seeing a leopard - but for enjoying the Real forest as against the concrete one they are so used to seeing and feeling all their lives. I wish and pray that there a million persons like him looking after our forests, wildlife and natural resources. The permission was granted and the walk was nothing but marvellous. too many birds could not be sighted due to extremely thick foliage but like I said the experience itself was so rewarding.
On 10th I reached Hyderabad and sent out messages to whoever would care to listen…. Take me out please. The call was answered by Mr Sumeet Mukherjee to begin with. How I came in touch with his is another interesting story - some other time perhaps. He took me to Narsapur Reserve forest on 12 Jul. The experience was rewarding with 53 species logged in four odd hours with Jerdon’s Leafbird recorded as my lifer. Other than that the notable sightings were One Tickell’s Blue-flycatcher, 7 Yellow-eyed Babblers, 5 White-browed bulbuls, 2 Black-headed Cuckooshrikes, 1 Black-headed Ibis and two breeding pairs of Greater Painted-snipe. The list and the photographs are at the end of the blog.
Next break for birding was on 18 Jul at Bhadrachalam. The visit was cut short as the car that I took out for birding was suddenly recalled for some other errand. All the same the count was 20 species with no real Notable sightings other than seeing Lesser Whistling-ducks roosting on very tall date trees. I observed this for the first time. Once again the list is at the end of the writeup.
I had also posted a post on Hyderabad birds on Facebook requesting for a birder who could take me around. The call was answered by Dr Kamal Syed (Also a Nawab). I must introduce the gentleman also. He is not exactly a birder but a man with a heart for nature and all that is good around him. His company was pleasant and the time spent was great. He took me to Osman Lake near Gandipet on 30th Jul 15. This is one of the lakes built by Nizam to supply fresh water to Hyderabad. The state of the lake was bad, lack of monsoons in and around Hyderabad was evident. The lake had perhaps shrunk to one tenth of the erstwhile size, the catchment area around seems to have been up for grabs by farmlands and boards threatening of trespassing sprung around the lake. As far as the birding was concerned it was lesser number of species but more that can be listed as notable sightings. We sighted a total of 24 species. The lifer was Indian Courser. The notable were the numerous Indian Bushlarks, 22 Greater flamingos, 25 Eurasian Spoonbills (listed as rare in this area on eBird), 12 Yellow-wattled Lapwing, 7 Red collared Doves and 3 Pied-cuckoo. The list and the pictures are at the end to this writeup.
The last birding day, on 03 Aug at Hyderabad turned out to be an icing on the cake. My birding partner Capt Yella Rao was on leave in Hyderabad and he organised an otherwise impossible. Birding in ICRISAT Campus. The campus is around 1450 hectares with different vegetation and a few lakes. The campus is under UN so as to how he managed to get passes was nothing short of a miracle. We spent around three and a half hours, logged 45 species with a wonderful sighting of breeding colony of Great Cormorant (counted 39), 50 plus spot-billed ducks, Spot-billed Pelican, Oriental Darter, 8 Painted Francolins and all three varieties of Ibis found in india. 50 plus Baya weavers and Large-grey Babblers.
That wrapped up my Hyderabad visit with hopes of many more to come. I had been targeting some specific birds but unfortunately I could not find them. Those birds, though common and I was assured by whosoever I went birding with that they will definitely show me - did their trick and thus went with my wanted list yet to be ticked. The birds were Blue-faced Malkoha, King Quail and Painted Spurfowl. Well but then I did log some Lifers also so ideally I should be happy and looking forward to the next hunt at Hyderabad.
I would wrap up this blog entry (that has already been long overdue) by a quote I read today by Ashish Ram (The power of One)
One Song can Spark a Moment, One Whisper can Wake a Dream,
One Tree can Start a Forest, One Bird can Herald the Spring….
Do raise your voice for crime against Environment, Do do your bit for the Birds.

I got this great flock of bird at the Osman Sagar. Spot-billed Pelicans, Asian Openbill, Painted Storks, Spot-billed ducks and a lone Red-wattled Lapwing. Hmmm... have I missed anything ??
Red Collared Dove. It is a widespread resident of Indian plains, also called as Red Turtle Dove.

One more picture of a Red-collared Dove - but this time clicked in Osman Lake area.

At Narsapur forest I saw this huge flocks of Asian Openbills. What was more satisfying was seeing almost 60% Juveniles. They were fairly shy and flew off to the opposite bank of the lake as we approached the lake.

This one picture I wanted to include as a trick picture where you should spot the bird. I too saw it by chance only. Presenting the well camouflaged - Greater Painted-snipe.

They were snoozing at a pond and were in great numbers, counted 12 on a single place. Grey Herons

This picture was clicked in the Narsapur forest. Both Sumeet and self when we saw this bird had hopes that it will turn out to be some lifer for us. The bird was very frisky and hardly giving us a chance to study it in detail. It is only when we studied the pictures in the computers that we both realised that we had been looking at Pied Bushchat Juvenile.

One of the beautiful lifer of my visit to Osman Sagar Lake with Dr Kamal Syed. The Indian Courser. Also the birds gave us all the time to photograph them. A memorable lifer moment...
One of the two almost similar looking Sparrow Larks, the Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark is more wide spread in the continent. The Black-crowned Sparrow Lark is found in Western India only in Rajasthan and around only
The common Indian Bushlark, once again clicked in Osman Sagar Lake area.

The first time I saw Lesser Whistling-ducks sitting on such tall trees. These were not the only one however - there were virtually dozens of them on trees all around.

There was this craze pair of Golden Orioles jumping from one branch to another alternatively chasing each other. This picture was clicked on the day I had to abort birding while birding in Bhadrachalam (Telangana)

Always a ready poser this bird is. Common, beautiful, shy and bold all at the same time. As we turned back and started packing up we saw this group chirping around us. This particular bird gave some very good photo opportunity. Only the sun was glaring and shadows were just to strong to do justice to this beauty. Scaly-breasted Munia

Another lifer that I clicked in Narsapur forest. There was this pair of Jerdon's Leafbird that was fighting and warding off a Black-headed cuckooshrike. This picture was not really easy - with the birds perching and hopping every second. The sun too was strong - you can call this a lucky shot where the bird perched out of the thick bush and photoshop balanced the very heavy shadows.
This is the female of a beautiful bird - the small minivet. Seeing this female it would be difficult to guess the bright orange of the male but the male was just not ready to give a picture. Presenting here the Small Minivet

A partial picture that I used to count the no of Spot-billed ducks at Osman lake

When I got down to counting and recording the Eurasian Spoonbills, eBird reported these birds as 'rare'. I do not believe it as a lot of photographs of spoonbills come from Hyderabad area. All the same - presenting here the Eurasian Spoonbill flock. Ah - and yes there is a lone, tall and beautiful Greater Flamingo in the flock.
As I had written above the picture is of a male and a Juvenile Indian Courser. I did have a field day clicking these birds.

A opportunity snap of a Juvenile Yellow-wattled Lapwing.

I did click a lot of pictures of this beautiful bird (erstwhile State bird of Punjab) the Common Hooppoe. I am including this picture because this shows one of its very common acts. After it picks up an insect from the ground it tosses it in the air and gulps it down.
Ahhh our very own beauty - the Indian Peafowl - also our national bird. The beauty and grace of this bird in full plumage is what dreams are made of... I must add a note here - there is another variety of peafowl that India had - 'Green Peafowl' It has not been sighted for a long time and thought to be extinct.

This picture tells you why you should not drive offroad in open spaces and stick to the tracks as most of the times the birds that breed and groom chicks on the ground have chicks that can hardly be noticed and very easy to run or step over. More so their instinct is to lie low when threatened and you are likely to be completely oblivious of the fact that you have killed a budding bird. Do not off road during birding - especially during the season when breeding season is on.

Photographed all over the country practically but still does not stop to amaze. Richard Grimmett's book on Birds of Indian Subcontinent does not include Hyderabad in the range as published in the book but was there everywhere... Scaly-breasted Munia
The most beautiful of the three ibis we have in our country. The Black-headed Ibis in flight.

Purple Heron is a shy bird and not very easy to find. There have been times that I have been looking around for birds and this bird takes off a few feet from me. This particular picture was clicked in ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) a UN research body.

Indian Roller. The revered bird of the country. There are two rollers seen in India - this one pictured here - the Indian Roller and the migratory that visits India in winters - the European Roller

Baya weaver bird males are the hard working one - they build the nests. The girls (as pictured here) see the activity from a distance and then come in to inspect. There is a flurry of activity as the males 'sell' their homes to the home makers. If the nest is rejected - it is torn down and the male goes on to build it all over again.

Common Hawk Cuckoo or the brain fever bird. There are a total of 14 types of cuckoo found in the sub continent. This being by far the most common one.

The Great Indian Cormorant in breeding plumage. What a fine sight it was to see them at their nesting sight. It is the most majestic of all three Cormorants found in India.


Row #,Species,Count,Location,S/P,Date,LocID,SubID
1,Lesser Whistling-Duck,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
2,Cotton Pygmy-Goose (Cotton Teal),11,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
3,Indian Spot-billed Duck,14,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
4,Grey Francolin,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
5,Little Grebe,4,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
6,Asian Openbill,12,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
7,Painted Stork,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
8,Great Cormorant,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
9,Little Cormorant,4,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
10,Grey Heron,6,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
11,Purple Heron,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
12,Great Egret,5,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
13,Indian Pond-Heron,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
14,Black-headed Ibis,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
15,Shikra,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
16,Brahminy Kite,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
17,Black-winged Stilt,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
18,Red-wattled Lapwing,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
19,Greater Painted-Snipe,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
20,Pheasant-tailed Jacana,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
21,Bronze-winged Jacana,6,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
22,River Tern,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
23,Red Collared-Dove (Red Turtle-Dove),3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
24,Spotted Dove,4,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
25,Laughing Dove (Little Brown Dove),1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
26,White-throated Kingfisher,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
27,Pied Kingfisher,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
28,Green Bee-eater,6,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
29,Coppersmith Barbet,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
30,Common Iora,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
31,Small Minivet,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
32,Black-headed Cuckooshrike,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
33,Long-tailed Shrike,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
34,Black Drongo,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
35,Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark),1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
36,Barn Swallow,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
37,Red-vented Bulbul,8,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
38,White-browed Bulbul,5,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
39,Common Tailorbird,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
40,Ashy Prinia,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
41,Plain Prinia,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
42,Yellow-eyed Babbler,7,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
43,Tawny-bellied Babbler,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
44,Jungle Babbler,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
45,Indian Robin,4,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
46,Oriental Magpie-Robin,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
47,Tickell's Blue-Flycatcher,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
48,Pied Bushchat,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
49,Brahminy Starling,1,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
50,Jerdon's Leafbird (Jerdon's Chloropsis),2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
51,Purple-rumped Sunbird,3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
52,Paddyfield Pipit,2,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968  
53,Baya Weaver,4,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
54,Indian Silverbill (White-throated Munia),4,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
55,Scaly-breasted Munia (Spotted Munia),3,Narsapur Reserve Forest,IN-TS,12 Jul 2015,L3202452,S24232968
56,Red-naped Ibis (Indian Black Ibis),1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301  
57,Black-shouldered Kite (Black-winged Kite),1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301
58,White-breasted Waterhen,1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301
59,Pied Cuckoo (Jacobin Cuckoo),1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301  
60,Greater Coucal,1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301
61,Rose-ringed Parakeet,15,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301  
62,Indian Golden Oriole,4,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301
63,House Crow,1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301  
64,Common Myna,1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301  
65,House Sparrow,1,IN-AP-Bhadrachalam-NH221 - 17.6482x80.9225,IN-TS,18 Jul 2015,L3797369,S24299301
66,Indian Peafowl,4,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
67,Greater Flamingo,22,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
68,Spot-billed Pelican,5,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
69,Eurasian Spoonbill,25,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
70,Yellow-wattled Lapwing,12,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
71,Indian Courser,18,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643
72,Eurasian Hoopoe,3,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
73,Indian Bushlark (Red-winged Bushlark),9,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643
74,Yellow-billed Babbler,10,Osman Sagar Lake,IN-TS,30 Jul 2015,L3169524,S24430643  
75,Painted Francolin,5,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
76,Oriental Darter,1,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
77,Eastern/Western Cattle Egret,25,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271
78,Grey-headed Swamphen (Purple Swamphen),1,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271
79,Eurasian Coot,22,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271
80,Common Sandpiper,3,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
81,Eurasian Collared-Dove,3,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
82,Common Hawk-Cuckoo,1,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
83,Blue-tailed Bee-eater,7,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
84,Indian Roller,4,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271  
85,Black-rumped Flameback (Lesser Goldenbacked Woodpecker),2,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271
86,Rufous Treepie,3,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271
87,Red-rumped Swallow,2,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271
88,Large Grey Babbler,3,ICRISAT Campus,IN-TS,03 Aug 2015,L3140635,S24475271

3 comments:

Sangeeta said...

Enjoyed the post and the beautiful images, Sir. Very pertinent points regarding off-roading, too. The city of nawabs did treat you well!

S S Cheema said...

Thank you @Sangeeta I did have a good time at Hyderabad and look forward to more trip there.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Great stuff. In addition to great pictures of a variety of fabulous birds you write a very nice account.