Mumbai Birdwatchers Club

Programme for 1-15 April

2007-03-26T21:07:00.001-07:00

Sunday, 01 April- TALAWA on the Palm Beach Road, Vashi

Meeting time *- **07:00 AM. *

Other Details - The place is good for larks and many of them would be
displaying and singing in the season. Also expect to see the large flock of
Red Avadvat at this site beginning show their ruby red colours. It will be a
nice chance to wish au revior to the waders and other winter visitors, many
of whom will be dressed by now in their fine breeding plumages.Also expect
some nice seashore birding as the tide will be high by mid-morning.

Location - Talawa is next to TS Chanakya on the Palm Beach Road. While
driving from Mumbai, pass TS Chanakya (on you right) and immediately
thereafter you will see a water body, also on your RIGHT. Please continue
driving and take a U-Turn on the Palm Beach Road and drive back till the
waterbody. Park your vehicle on the main road.

Transportation – – By personal cars or Public transport. We recommend
car-pooling between members, preferably on fuel cost sharing basis. Those
without cars may intimate their requirements to mumbaibirdwatchers@gmail.com
and we will try and coordinate, as far as possible, with others who may
have some spare capacity.

Registration – Required between 27 to 31 March by email to
mumbaibirdwatchers@gmail.com
. It will be nice if those with spare capacity in their cars could pls
intimate.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Saturday, 07 April – SEWRI

Meeting time - 4:00 PM hrs at the Port Trust Jetty, where ship repairs are
undertaken.

Other details – High tide on this day will be at 02:45 PM giving us an
opportunity to enjoy the spectacle of the flamingoes, in the late afternoon
sun. It's also time of the year to watch the waders in their breeding
plumages just before they depart for the breeding grounds in Central Asia
and beyond. Many Terns and Gulls are also showing their breeding plumages.

Registration – Not required.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sunday, 08 April– Karnala Bird Sanctuary.
Meeting time – 07:00 AM at the Ticket booth on the Main Road.

Other Details - Those who attended this month's birding at Karnala will
surely testify to the enjoyable birding to be experienced in this season at
this small sanctuary on the Goa highway. MBC will continue to regularly
visit this site once every month till the onset of the monsoons.

Transportation – – By personal cars or Public transport. We recommend
car-pooling between members, preferably on fuel cost sharing basis. While
confirming participation request also indicate your transportation means,
area of residence and contact telephone. If traveling in your own car,
please do indicate if any spare capacity is available. Members without cars
may also intimate their requirements and we will try and coordinate, as far
as possible, with others who may have spare capacity.

Registration – Required. Between 02-06 April by email to
mumbaibirdwatchers@gmail.com

Siwree 25th march 2007

2007-03-25T21:14:00.000-07:00

The news of flamingoes having arrived at Sewri has created a nice buzz in
the city's birding community and I am sure all have it on their agenda to
treat their world weary eyes to the sea of pink at the earliest. Well, MBC
BirdWatch at Sewri this evening therefore had an eager participation by over
30 members.

Reaching there at a little past 5 PM, we had to face dissappointment
initially since the tide timings were miscalculated and the water was still
quite high. But all waited with tenacity for the tide to recede and with
just about 45 minutes of sunlight remaining, the flamingoes began to put up
appearance - initially in small flocks of a couple of hundreds flying low
over the water searching for suitable place to settle down. With just about
half an hour before dusk, we all rushed to the Colgate Factory where over
1500 Lesser Flamingoes were feeding at the edge of receding tide, barely 50
metres away. There were also many thousands on the farther side.

There's not much one can write about this visual feast. You just have to get
there soon and experience it!

Also of interest was seeing, amongst the usual waders and other
shorebirds, over 50 Black-headed Ibis flying towards their roost and four
species of Terns - Little, Caspian, Gull-billed and Whiskered, with the
latter two in their breeding plumages.

Best wishes
KB
--
Kanwar B Singh

A BirdWalk along Tulsi Road - SGNP

2007-03-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

Hi
The chance to watch birds today in the best two mile stretch of SGNP- Tulsi
Lake - was, I think, as eagerly sought by the birding community of the city
as the tickets to Shakira's concert the same evening! Inspite of a
restriction on numbers nearly 50 birders participated in this morning's MBC
BirdWalk. As already intimated earlier, the desires of many had to be
sadly turned down. However MBC will surely make amends and strive to do this
walk on a more regular basis to enable many others to experience the magic
of birding here.

A detailed report on the birds seen which has been already posted by our
seasoned birder, Sunjoy Monga, is again shown below. Its quite evident that
it was a day of many birding highlights. Everyone went back home today with
a storehouse of very wonderful birding moments experienced.

Best wishes
KB

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sunjoy Monga
Date: Mar 25, 2007 7:51 PM
Subject: [birdsofbombay] A BirdWalk along Tulsi Road - SGNP

Hi there,

Close to 50 people participated in the Tulsi Road BirdWalk today, in sgnp.
Close to 50 was the bird-tally.

An excellent summer day, with bird-song and the appearance of the Spots
Swordtail butterfly, the Forest Calotes male just about acquiring his
show-off hues, the varied moods of the forest, from fresh foliage to
leafless canopy, a carpet of leaf-litter and the vivid blooms of Bonfire
tree (Firmiana) and the millions of flowers of Calycopteris covering the
jungle canopy.

An *amazing number of raptors* included several Crested Serpent Eagle and
Oriental Honey Buzzard, Shikra, a falcon (seen by some), White-eyed Buzzard,
evidently a Common Buzzard (seen by some), Black Kite, Booted Eagle (dark
morph) and an Aquila species.

*Lots of bird-activity*.
Magpie-robin, White-throated Kingfisher, Puff-throated Babbler and Purple
Sunbird were in song.

Others highly vocal included Common Iora, Jungle Owlet, Gold-fronted
Leafbird, Racket-tailed drongo, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Brown-cheeked
Fulvetta, Jungle Babbler, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Brown-headed Barbet, Rufous
Woodpecker, Greater Coucal, Rufous Tree-pie, Chestnut-shouldered Petronia.

A very vocal *early-summer Banded Bay Cuckoo*.

Also heard: Grey Junglefowl

*Seen on nest:* Thick-billed Flowerpecker (Neil Soares located the nest) and
Grey Hornbill.

An army of Racket-tailed drongos, screaming their lungs out, including
several hitherto not heard call-notes that did not sound like imitations of
any known calls.
*Other drongos:* White-bellied, Spangled (seen by some) and a few Ashy
Drongo.

Black-hooded and a wary Golden Oriole.

Heart-spotted Woodpecker.

Sunbirds: Crimson, Purple, Purple-rumped.

Flycatchers seen/heard incl: Paradise, Black-naped Monarch, Tickell's Blue

Warblers: Greenish, Tickell's Leaf, Blyth's Reed, Common Tailorbird

On way back a band of Tawny-bellied Babblers chattering away.

Yellow-footed Green Pigeon (seen by some), Emerald Dove (calling)

Numerous small bands of Common Rosefinches, including a few richly plumaged
males. Feasting for the imminent long flight north to the Himalaya.

Some of us trudged up the rocky overhang off Culvert 52 and were rewarded
with very *distinct calling of a Leopard*, a grating cry that I have heard
on earlier occasions whilst observing this incredible wild-cat. A mob of
Large-billed and House crows was in continual attendance along the overgrown
nullah from where the calls had come.

It was lovely seeing so many enthusiastic people.

Cheers -- Sunjoy Monga

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--
Coordinator,
Mumbai Bird Club

Report - MBwC BirdWalk 07 Jan, Karnala BS

2007-01-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

Over 30 members of the Mumbai BirdWatchers Club began birding in the New Year with a very enjoyable BirdWalk at Karnala this morning.

Thomas Mann may have famously remarked that "Time has no divisions to mark its passage; there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols".

However, to birds' enthusiasts the completion of earth's orbit around the sun and beginning of a new revolution is very apparent. It was also much in evidence at Karnala this morning. After a hiatus, the resident birds are beginning to shed their inhibitions and prepare for the breeding season ahead. Getting ready for challenges of the new cycle of life that's about to begin, there was much frolicking about and singing by the resident birds in the forest; much like us humans, I thought, who too celebrate the arrival of the New Year by burying unpleasant memories into dustbins of time, with hopes of better future and the promises of new beginnings. Please excuse my anthropomorphism, beginning of each new cycle in the natural history of birds also proves to us the triumph of life!

Meeting at the Car Park, we split into two groups – one proceeding along the Harial Trail, while I joined the other half who walked the length of the Mortaka Trial. Later, after over three hours of birding we met each other again and exchanged notes before proceeding our own ways. Both groups were very satisfied with their morning's birding. Each group also chanced upon a couple of nice mixed hunting flocks that provided much excitement.

One mixed hunting flock that we saw close to the aviary had Ashy, Bronzed & Greater Racket-tailed Drongoes, Large Cuckoo-shrikes, Black-rumped Flamebacks, Small & Scarlet Minivets, Golden Orioles, Verditer Flycatcher, Gold-fronted Leafbird, Thick-billed Flowerpeckers, Greenish Warblers et al. An Oriental Honey Flew overhead at the same time. The excitement and looking up into the top canopy for so long a time here also gave a "Warbler Neck" to many of us!

A little earlier, just when we started the walk amongst the morning symphony of Puff-throated Babblers, Crimson-backed Sunbirds and others, we also heard the loud calls of the Malabar Whistling Thrush. Confusing at first, because its seldom heard outside the rainy season, the doubts were set to rest when the bird flew and crossed the road just ahead of us – iridescent blue in its wings shining bright. None of us saw or heard the White-rumped Shama today, but the calls of Greater Racket-tailed Drongoes – the great mimics that they are – reminded us much of the Shama, we felt.

Later, moving along trail we came across a couple of more mixed hunting flocks and Rufous Tree-pie, Paradise Flycatchers, Black-naped Monarchs, Brown-headed Barbets, Black-hooded & Black-naped Orioles, Common Iora, Crested Serpent Eagle, Common Woodshrike, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroats, calls of Indian Scimitar Babblers etc were added to our growing birdlist for the day. The other group had similar sightings including Red-throated & Asian Brown Flycatchers, Sulphur-bellied Warblers etc being the notable additions.

Many of us repaired to the nearby Kamat Restaurant at the outskirts of the park to enjoy an unhurried breakfast before heading back home. My co-passengers in the car – Nitin, Samar & Mohina joined me in appreciating a pair of Aquila eagles, quite likely Steppe, soaring low near Kalimboli. Surely, 'an icing on the cake' of a very well spent and enjoyable Sunday morning!

The above are highlights from my personal experinces of this morning. I am sure others who attended the BirdWalk today would have their own thoughts to share. Please do post them as I am sure we will all enjoy reading them very much

The other programmes of MBwC in January are another forest BirdWalk on 21 January at Tungareshwar and a birding Boat trip to Elephanta Island on 26 Jan. Details have been posted earlier. Please send a mail to mumbaibirdwatchers@gmail.com for registration or for any other queries.

January 2007 programme

2006-12-30T22:55:00.000-08:00

Sunday, 07 Jan 2007
Karnala Bird Sanctuary.

Meeting time - 0700 hrs at the Ticket booth on the Main Road.

Other Details - Depending on the numbers, we will split into small groups of about 5-6 persons, each led by an experienced birder. After birding, we will again assemble at 1030 hrs to exchange notes about the day's sightings. Those keen may also thereafter, proceed together for a contributory breakfast at the newly opened Kamat's Restaurant, at the outskirts of the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, about 02 KMs drive towards Panvel. With the onset of the breeding season for the resident birds, Karnala promises to be nice and MBwC will try and cover this site once every month till the monsoons.

Transportation – – By personal cars. In our endeavour to ensure that maximum birders are able to go out to watch birds at far-flung birding hotspots of the city, we recommend car-pooling between members, preferably on fuel cost sharing basis. While confirming participation request also indicate your transportation means, area of residence and contact telephone. If traveling in your own car, please do indicate if any spare capacity is available. Those without cars may also intimate their requirements and we will try and coordinate, as far as possible, with others who may have spare capacity.

Registration – Required. Between 1-5 Jan by email to mumbaibirdwatchers@gmail.com

Sunday, 14 Jan 2007

Pune BirdRace

The Pune edition of the hugely popular BirdRace is being organized on 14 Jan. MBwC extends full support to the event and encourages Mumbai Birders to participate in large numbers. We will coordinate the teams from Mumbai and those interested in participating may send a mail to mumbaibirdwatchers@gmail.com. We will coordinate team formation of interested birders from Mumbai and intimate them accordingly.

Sunday, 21 Jan 2007

Tungareshwar, from Vajreshwari side – Coordinated by Mandar Khandlikar, MBwC Regional Coordinator, North Mumbai

Meeting– 0700 hrs at Dahisar Check Naka. After assembling here, we will proceed together for Tungareshwar, which is a further drive of 30 KMs from there.

Registration – Required. Between 12 -19 Jan by email to mumbaibirdwatchers@gmail.com

Other Details – Seldom visited by birders in any numbers, the lush moist forests at Tungareshwar are likely to turn up some very nice records for our region. The trip will to finish by afternoon. So please do carry adequate quantities of water, breakfast etc.

Transportation – By personal cars. In our endeavour to ensure that maximum birders are able to go out to watch birds at far-flung birding hotspots of the city, we recommend car-pooling between members, preferably on fuel cost sharing basis. While confirming participation request also indicate your transportation means, area of residence and contact telephone. If traveling in your own car, please do indicate if any spare capacity is available. Those without cars may also intimate their requirements and we will try and coordinate, as far as possible, with others who may have spare capacity.

Friday, 26 Jan 2007
Elephanta Island

Meeting – 0600 hrs in front of Ferry Ticket Counters at the Gateway of India.

We plan to charter a boat for the to/fro journey. Total boat capacity – limited to 40 persons. Boat hire charges will be shared by all @ approx. Rs. 200 per person. Those keen to participate are therefore requested to register in advance and avoid dropping out thereafter.

Other Details – Reaching at about 0700 hrs, we plan to spend about four hours birding at the Elephanta Islands – along the seashore, atop the hills and in the forest patches there. If time permits, we may also see the famous caves. The return trip will start at 1100 hrs in order to be back in town by 1200 hrs. The place is well known for good raptors' sightings in winters. Also, the resident White-bellied Sea-Eagle is regularly seen here. The to/fro boat ride will also give time to enjoy the Gulls & Terns in the harbour and interaction with fellow birders.