Foresting – Birding at Phillaur – Part 2

February was not quite a successful one but I explored many new places which later on proved out to be gifting.

This month birding began on 9th with a visit to the nearby cultivations. I saw only some common species like the Spotted Owlet, Red-naped Ibis and White-tailed Stonechat. But, I could not manage any good photograph.

Ever since, I started photographing birds, I had always wanted to photograph a Eurasian Collared Dove. That opportunity came on a morning on 13th when an individual decided to rest on an Indian Gooseberry (Amla) tree at my home. I rushed inside, took out the camera and took hundreds of shots, experimenting, but the bird didn’t flew away.

When I was satisfied with what I got, I switched the camera off and went inside but the bird didn’t flew until evening.

A few days later, on 16th, I again went to the forest near my home. As always, I was greeted by the loud calls of a Lesser Flameback. I took a couple of shots and left the bird alone. This time I decided to hunt the adjoining forest where one can find hundreds of Flying Foxes, year round.

At first, I heard calls of Hume’s Leaf Warblers, Greenish Warblers and Ashy Prinias. I could not find the Greenish Warbler but I found the Hume’s Leaf Warbler and the Ashy Prinia soon.

I noticed an injured Asian Koel male sitting very close to me. I took one or two shots and left the bird alone by himself. This ended my Feb-foresting for some time.

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/birdingwitharjun/

Foresting – Birding at Phillaur – Part 1

Foresting – Birding at Phillaur – Part 2

Exploring the Riverside – Birding at Phillaur – Part 3 

The Parakeet Rush – Birding at Phillaur – Part 4

Sutlej Diaries – Birding at Phillaur – Part 5

~Arjun Basandrai