ashbirder (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} ashbirder) wrote,@ 2008-05-18 11:47:00 |
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| Entry tags: | birding, botanical gardens, digiscoping, hyderabad |
Botanical Gardens
This windy morning I didn't expect much from the Botanical Gardens, but as usual the place threw up some surprises. An Ashy Woodswallow was the first bird of the day- I think the pylon there is its regular perch. Kingfisher Rock had a Painted Stork, a Grey Heron and a Little Egret enjoying the breeze. I liked their pose :)
Further on, a Rock Agama was sunning itself. A real beauty, this one:
Agama
In the grasses, as many as 6-8 peahens and a couple of peacocks were walking about. Ashy Prinias, Black Drongoes, S.G Bee eaters and a Long tailed Shrike were noted. We went off to explore some of the areas behind one of the artificial ponds. This was a thorny, overgrown patch but a Painted Francolin made up for that. After some wandering here and there we finally reached the main path once more. Decided to do some birding near the Kingfisher Rock once more, where the water had dried up considerably since I saw it last, but the remaining patch of green was a refreshing sight.
A Large Egret, Woolly necked Stork and 6 Pond Herons had taken refuge here among the reeds and a pair of Red Rumped Swallows were flying about near the overhanging rock- perhaps nesting there. We watched as the heron warily eyed an Egyptian Vulture flying overhead. It was getting hot and we decided to turn back and at the last minute thought of looking for the Woolly necked stork near the far end of the pool. Luckily for us, we disturbed a huge orange and black bird- at first we thought it was a raptor but it turned out to be the Rock Eagle Owl. It sat for a few moments on a rock and I had a good look through the scope. As usual, my camera batteries ran out at the crucial moment so I couldn't digiscope it. It was a lovely bird, highlight of the day.
