Grey Hypocolius- Hypocolius ampelinus (male)
22nd Jan, 2010: The night was an uneasy one for Swati, she sweated out her fever, but that had the advantage – she was feeling much better in the morning.
We were up at 6:00 and out at 6:30 as planned. It was pretty cold in the Banni Grasslands. The first target species for the day was Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus. A very interesting bird that migrates all the way from Middle East to Kutch, Gujrat to spend the winter. We had to walk about a kilometer into someone’s field to get to the spot. Our guide fro the day Mohammad, Yes – that was his name and he insisted it was just that, told us that just as the sun rises the Hypocolius will also rise to the top branches. We stood there for a while, except for White cheeked bulbuls nothing showed up. Then Mohammad pointed out “There! It is a male.” And we caught the first glimpse of elusive bird. As predicted earlier with improving light the bird also started feeding on upper branches of the Meswak tree which is its favorite. I got a few good shots but taking pictures on a 1000mm focal length that too hand held gets tiring very fast. A little way ahead a female Grey Hypocolius also obliged.
The next stop was some rocks near Kiro Hill. where we were to get the Red tailed Wheatear and sure enough we got that as well as the Variable Wheatear along with the Desert Wheatear. Also took some nice pictures of Crested Lark and Red rumped Swallows.
The driver Jayaram told us about an area where we could find a whole lot of fossilized shells. Aasim was delighted! We reached a place which looked like an old river bed. We spent a good hour and a half there – could manage to find several Ammonite and Mollusc fossils and photographed them all. We came to know later that Kiro Hill is in fact an extinct volcano and the area is very rich in fossils of Late Jurassic and early Crustaceous period. While coming back we caught up with a few Harriers and then Mohammad showed us the Skye’s Nightjars. The camouflage on this bird is so good that you could be standing a couple of feet from it and still not spot it!
The afternoon and evening session was spent spotting a few more lifers, the House Bunting, Grey necked Bunting and the Stoliczka’s Bushchat. While returning we stopped at Chhari Dhand lake and took some pictures of Godwits, some ducks and Sandgrouse. Also learnt that the Common cranes eat the tubers of the Sedge plant.
By the time we headed for home it was almost 8:00pm and we spotted the Chir Batti – ghost lights. They were distant and the best I can describe them is that it looked like a night mirage.
Back at CEDO We had a chance to meet Mr Niranjan Sant and also exchange some stories with Mr Jugal Tiwari.
Grey Hypocolius- Hypocolius ampelinus (female)
White-eared Bulbul - Pycnonotus leucotis
Graceful Prinia - Prinia gracilis
Red-tailed Wheatear - Oenanthe chrysopygia
Red-tailed Wheatear - Oenanthe chrysopygia
Variable Wheatear - Oenanthe picata
Crested Lark - Galerida cristata
Red-rumped Swallow - Hirundo daurica
Ammonite fossil
Mollusk fossil
Sand dollar fossil (?)
Sykes’s Nightjar - Caprimulgus mahrattensis
House Bunting - Emberiza striolata
Grey-necked Bunting - Emberiza buchanani
Stoliczka’s Bushchat - Saxicola macrorhyncha
Stoliczka’s Bushchat - Saxicola macrorhyncha
Eurasian Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus, Hunting for prey
Common Teal - Anas crecca (male)
Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata (male)
Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse - Pterocles exustus (male)
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse - Pterocles exustus (female)
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Well done my friend !
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loved all here
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I’ve always wanted to just see one let alone photograph one
Very special capture
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Excellent shot!
great shot
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Reminds me of my youth digging up fossils on the farm.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/aniket-prantor/4327592268/
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Amazing shots!! I especially like the one of the Common Teal – Anas crecca (male)
Thanks – glad you like it
Mario in Canada.
P.S. I don’t open the computer on a daily basis.
Am an older person & suffer CHRONIC PAIN of both, muscles & joints.
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Superb collection from GRK. Was wondering if you could provide me the guide who organised you trip to GRK.
Regards,
Thanks, Have mentioned in the post I was helped by Mr. Jugal Kishore Tiwari
Thank you in advance! —FBW Admin
Thank you in advance! —FBW Admin