A new wetland at Dighal, Rohtak on 25th August 2012

Dighal Wetland, Rohtak, Haryana on 25^th August 2012

After getting phone calls from Rakesh about two new species of birds for the state of Haryana, Ruddy Turnstone and Whimbrel from his village wetland, I drove on a cloudy Saturday morning. Intermittent rains.  Smiling at the  happily preening Peacocks perched atop the village houses on way and cursing the modern civilization at the total 6 dogs and perhaps equal number of feathered creatures lying on the road, killed in roadhits on a distance of 50 kms; and in an escapist’s bid to forget these, murmuring ‘sansar ki har shah ka itna hi fasana hai, ek dhundh se aana hai, ek dhundh main jaana hai’ reached the village by 8 AM. Took Rakesh and drove to the wetland. Dense clouds, light drizzle, lightening and thunders overhead as if going  to strike me on the head J - I saw the Ruddy Turnstone.. on the road itself.. kept on feeding there for 20 minutes flying short distances as car reached nearby.. though no sign of Whimbrel.. but lot of Terek Sandpipers..Ruffs, Redshanks – both species and numerous Marsh and Wood Sandpipers.. a few Black-tailed Godwits.. Shovelers, Spot-billed and Comb Ducks; numerous Garganeys.. Clamourous and Blythe’s Reed Warblers (more heard with brief glimpses), Black-breasted and Baya Weavers nesting, a dozen plus Painted Storks, Whikered Terns and several other speices.

Highlights : 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Little Heron, 17 Greater Flamingoes, 2+2 Sarus Cranes,  12+ Painted Storks, several Terek Sandpipers, three species of ibises

Dighal with over 200 acres of submerged fields can be a wonderful birding hotspot during winter.

Regards,

Suresh C Sharma

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The news of Ruddy Turstone at Dighal village wetland, in fact the submerged fields spring me to my legs and I drove to the village, about 12-15 kms from Sampla on Beri road.. Reached there in the rains and took
Rakesh Ahlawat. I was there by 8 AM and was free by 12 noon.

Car drive along the canal dirt track was not easy as the freshly laid soil was damp.. with pits here and there.. Was rewarded with the Ruddy Turnstone on the road.. itself passing between the flooded fields..

The bird spread its wing.. to give me a better view... :)

 One pair of Sarus Crane quite close to the road, across the railway line was a treat to the eyes.. our tallest flying bird...

Flooded fields hold promise for a birdful winter ahead..

W]]

Rakesh Ahlawat.. the local birder..he spotted Ruddy Turnstone and  Whimbrel from his village wetland..

Little Heron was a good surprise...

Dighal will be interesting to monitor during the winter..