Hi All,
Writing after a long time.......tought of posting the trip report of Uran before the year ends.
Birding in theYear 2004 had been very rewarding, with some great new sightings....The last trip of the year also added some new sightings in my Uran checklist.
Had a great birding with Shashank, Vishal Ohri, Dr.Sameer Mehta, Amit Gupta, Gaurav...and later joined by Venkat (i-flex), his wife Seema and their sweet daughter Arundhati (Probably her first outing) on 26th Dec'04. The weather was cool and clear........
Among the highlights were Rosy / Great white pelican, Red collard Dove & an adult imperial Eagle.
Bird numbers had dropped considerably (particularly the waders), as most of the places have now dried up.None the less the list touched 87 species.
On the way to Uran we got a couple of Caspian terns, Gullbilled terns & Brown headed Gulls. A female Blue throat gave a glimpse along with a female of Indian Robin.....
Around Jasai, The black breasted weavers were seen in flocks in their non-breeding plumage as the Marsh harriers kept their vigil from top.Had good views of 3 species of larks However a sad scene was witnessed..of a Jackal been knocked by some vehicle.
The pond opp. the JNPT Police station was covered with algae with only a lone spotbill duck floating liesurely, however the marsh beyond this, had some waders that included... little stints, wood & common sandpipers & also white ibis,R.W.lapwings, Grey & Pond herons, Little, Cattle & Intermmediate egrets. A flock of Red avadavats feeding on the ground was observed from a distance not more that 7 feet (Imagine the excitement on our faces).......The raptors were in good numbers....at one point we saw about 4..possibly 5 Marsh Harriers together, scanning the area. A shikra was seen at its usual hideout along the treeline. Blackshouldered kites were neumerous amongst the raptors, with some juveniles (c 3) moving around.
Yesterday (25th Dec'04) we (Amit, Dr.Sameer & I) had been to Vihar lake from CEC & had a good sighting of Eurasian collard dove... the bird was seen from scope at close quaters ( Very rare for the region).......Coincidently today we saw yet another rare sighting for the region from the same family...Red collard Dove. This bird ( probably a straggler) was seen moving around with a spotted dove.....The excitment was further flared up with a Hoopoe sight.....
Moving further down the road, a common kestrel was seen gliding... The marsh adjacent to Funde village, suprised us all with a Rosy / Great White Pelican, relaxing amongst c 33 painted storks, Spoonbills & White Ibises. This could probabely be the same Pelican sighted 2 months back ( 22nd Oct'04). I was wondering where this fellow feeds in Uran.The other usual sightings were Blackwinged Stilts, a couple of Pied avocets, Little ringed plovers, Brahminy kites.....
The marsh near the JNPT training centre still had many ducks, and as expected some common teals showed up, the Gargeny teals have just started to shed their eclipse plumage. Also seen were both the species of Jacanas, Coots, L.Whistling Ducks, Spotbills, Purple moorhens, small green bee eaters, Dabchicks, Purple Sunbird, C.Iora, Palm Swifts, Barn & Wiretailed Swallows,....
On the way back, had 2 exciting sightings...one adult Imperial Eagle with its ever so graceful flight. The identification was very easy, with its buff neck & shoulder patch, Massive size, almost straight wings and slightly protruding head. While on the palm beach road, caught a sight of a dimunitive bird sitting on a pole. For few seconds I just lost my senses....but was able to make out a spotted owlet sitting. Everyone had good views of the bird from scope, that seemed very active at this unusual time.
The satisfaction on everbodies face was evident and a proof of how good Uran is, as a birding spot......
BTW....Let me also take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy, Prosperous, Peaceful and A Satisfying New Year.
Regards,
Addi The Birde
