There was a very enthusiastic participation for this morning's Mumbai Bird
Club BirdWalk at the campus of Indian Institute of Technology, Powai. Our
passionate birder, Shailaja, led us through the leafy campus and along the
lake for a very enjoyable birding last over three and half hours. It was
also heartening to see so many young children in the group today.

Before arriving at the lake, Shailaja showed us through the campus; the
highlight of this walk being a pair of Oriental Magpie Robins at almost
fifty metres interval numbering to a minimum of over fifteen pairs,
including a few nests, along the length of our walk. They seem to be
extremely successful breeders in the campus here and extremely territorial
presently. The winter migrants have departed but the other beautiful garden
birds - Coppersmith Barbets and Purple-rumped Sunbirds, Rose-ringed &
Alexandrine Parakeets, Redvented & Redwhiskered Bulbuls, Common Tailorbirds,
Common Iora, Ashy Prinia, Greater Coucal, Common Myna, Asian Pied Starlings,
Roc Pigeons etc along with ubiquitous Asian Koel, House Sparrows and House &
Largebilled Crows were abundent. Also many Palm Swifts flying near the
Bottle Palm trees that dot the campus and few Dusky Crag Martins were flying
in the vicinity of the buildings. A Black Drongo sitting on its nest in the
branches of a high Rain Tree was very exciting. Also a flock of Jungle
Babblers and someone in the group managed to get a nice picture of the
Yellow-eyed Babbler too.

The pride of IIT is surely the lake, which is a unique freshwater
ecosystem that support innumerable life forms including birds. Sadly, the
signs of decay of this beautiful makes feel one sad; there's large expanse
of water hyacinth, carelesly thrown garbage all around, development along
its banks and a busy road that skirts it on its southern periphery. However,
atleast today, the birds at the lake were delightful as ever!

Nice view of tens of Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacana in breeding
plumage and a small flock of the latter flying about sporting its long tail.
Purple Heron, a fairly scarce bird around Mumbai that inhabits freshwater
marshes, is easily seen here. Few Black-crowned Night Herons also flew over.
Migrant ducks have all gone though few resident duck - small flocks of
Lesser Whistling and Spot-billed Ducks and few Cotton Pygmy Geese - seem to
have established themselves well. Later, Mayuresh expertly picked out a lone
Common Coot far away in the marshes.

A large scattering of Purple Swamphens are usual as also are the many
White-breasted Waterhens and a few Glossy Ibis. Both Little and Indian
Cormorants and Egret species - Great, Intermediate, Litlle and Cattle, were
quite numerous at the lake. A pair of Common Kingfishers pleased all with
their antics. Long trill of the White-throated Kingfisher resonated through
the campus almost continuously. A few Asian Openbill storks came by at mid
morning and settled on the dried up lake bed. These dry flats in the lake
also showed up a few Paddyfield Pipits. A pair of White-browed Wagtails flew
by and sat on the small wooden boats.

Whiskered Terns, many in breeding plumage an showing black bellies, were
quite numerous and a small flock of Whimberel flew overhead in purpose
northwards flight; perhaps on return to their summer habitats in much higher
northern latitudes. Expectedly, no other migrant waders today though seeing
a lone Barn Swallow, flying over the lake, was a rather surprising for such
late in the season.

White-browed Bulbuls, a shy and wary bird, posed nicely for many birders to
admire it and see its features well. Also a Spotted Dove in the shrubs and
many very vocal Zitting Cisticola. On his return walk, Rajesh Sachdev also
reported that he saw a lone Cinnamon Bittern over the marshes and a
Black-shouldered Kite hovering over the open dry patches along the margins
of the lake.

Over 55 species were seen during the course of a very rewarding walk,
this early morning in summer. It was equally delightful to share the company
of almost as many passionate birders who came for the Mumbai Bird Club's
BirdWalk this morning. Thank you once again Shailaja for coordinating this
memorable BirdWalk for us.

Best wishes and happy birding.

--
Kanwar B Singh
Coordinator,
Mumbai Bird Club


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