Birding in my Backyard

 

White-rumped Munia flitter in the hedge.

David Attenborough famously said " Everyone likes Birds.  What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world.  As universal as a bird."

This is so true as the lockdown continues in some form, and so my backyard birding goes on. The ‘new normal’ has allowed me to slow down, to literally smell the roses and watch the birds in my own backyard.  Truly I have opened my eyes and ‘see’ much more than before, on a given day I see many species of birds in our garden. Those who will not see are truly blind. This photo-blog chronicles a few of our more interesting interludes with birds that frequent our garden

   

Oriental Magpie Robin contemplates its next tit-bit
 They seem to have got comfortable as they are quite unconcerned with us as they go about their lives... 

                              

Oriental Magpie Robin parent feeds its chick
... infact so comfortable that many of them nest, breed and bring up their chicks at our place. There is this hole in a mango tree near our verandah where generations of these birds have bred.

White-cheeked Barbet feeding its young with a Praying Mantis
A pair of White-cheeked Barbets were apparently nesting in a tree behind the house, because they constantly brought in food, berries, a dragonfly and even a Praying Mantis. Maybe they had chicks in a nest in the tree, because they would bring in something to eat every few moments, perching on the same branch each time.  At different times on this tree I have also seen White-breasted Kingfisher, Babblers, Oriental Magpie Robins and Spotted Doves.

White-throated Kingfisher looking for something to eat
Almost on the same branch on the Gulmohar tree

Female Purple Sunbird industriously gathers nectar from a flower
Next to the verandah there is a creeper on which bright red flowers grow, this plant almost always has sunbird activity.  

Indian Blackbird inspecting its domain
A pair of Indian Blackbirds have migrated to our garden, and make more use of the place than we do.  Bathing in the bird baths, pecking away on the lawn, the Blackbirds are absolutely at home, in fact they often screech at the resident birds.

Amur Falcon on a well frequented rock
Once a family of about 8 Amur Falcons came to Lonavala lake, here they tried to fatten up before their long migration voyage, but they were so hounded by photographers and oglers, that I wonder if they had a chance to feed

Amur Falcon female  contemplating photographers
the male is dark while the female has a speckled breast.  The disturbance to these birds became so much that the forest department and the dam authorities had to stop sightseeing or photography.

Red-vented Bulbul  sings its song before plunging in for a bath
I installed shallow pottery birdbaths near the verandah, and birds have kept coming to it, first in summer and then in all seasons, including the monsoon.

Red-whiskered Bulbul also comes to the bath
These baths are kept on an old stone bench near the verandah and surrounded by greenery. This allows bird photography Though dominated by bulbuls.....

Spotted Dove suns itself in the bath
I have also seen Spotted Doves, Blackbirds,  and Oriental Magpie Robins. The birds get into the water to cool off or get rid of pests in their feathers. 

Oriental Magpie Robin  spreading its wings on the garden lamp
I once saw an Oriental Magpie Robin have a bath and then sit on the garden light with wings spread, to possibly absorb the heat and dry out.

Female Koel gulping water
In the deeper birdbaths, larger birds come, mainly Koels and crows. Many birds come to our lawn which is a bird foodie’s dream place, Scaly Breasted Munias, Oriental Magpie Robins, Doves all pecking away at whatever they eat.  Sometimes Doves dry their feathers on the lawn, sunbathing as it were.

A pair of Spotted Doves in companionship sitting on the fence in a complete sense of safety
 Birds of all types including some jungle birds frequent our garden and this gives me the satisfaction that they feel safe. It is also a great pastime, observing and photographing these lovely feathered creatures.

to quote Lorraine Anderson
“Nature has been for me, for as long as I remember, a source of solace, inspiration, adventure, and delight; a home, a teacher, a companion.”