Spotted Creeper (by S.S. Poonia)

This photograph of a very uncommon bird Spotted Creeper was taken by Ch. Surat Singh Poonia, a wildlife officer posted at Tal Chhapar, Rajasthan. He spotted the Spotted Creeper inside the Tal Chhapar sanctuary on 5th Nov 09. Pooniaji is a passionate birdwatcher and highly motivated officer. I am all admires for him. Within a short span of 3 months, he has spotted, photographed and informed the world about some rarities like Yellow-eyed Pigeons, Great Indian Bustard, Caspitan Plover, White-browed Bushchats etc from Tal Chhapar.

Brown Fish Owl - one more rarity in Haryana

While walking along the largish canal near Gohana town, a big owl flying to and fro in the eucalyptus trees, feeling uncomfortable with me in his territory, eventually got settled in his perch across the canal. It was April 2007. This was not an uncommon owl till early 80s in suitable habitat in my countryside, always along the various branches of Western Yamuna Canal and Drain Number 8. I had seen this owl species nesting in Bhindwas Lake also. But in the last 20 years or so, this is the only sighting; perhaps in the entire Delhi region.

Tawny Eagle - extinct in the Delhi region and Haryana

This is the Tawny Eagle which I had photographed in January 2007 in the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer. This resident eagle, was not uncommon in the Delhi/Haryana region till 70s, but today, it is extinct in these parts of the country.

Countryside this morning (25 Oct 09)

Indian Roller's population is declining due to habitat loss and massive use of chemicals in the farming sector. Nice to see this one perched on electric wire.

This Rufous-tailed Shrike, was sitting next to the Indian Roller and when I was going to click, it emitted this tiny bomb. Sure, not out of fear of man.

White-tailed Lapwing, probably a pair, is a wintering migrant to my countryside.

Olive-backed Pipit, though could identify with certainty as it was perched high on the wire.

Two spiders in my house. Caught one in my camera. Don't know its name, though.

My village pond - Diwali morning

Flowery heads of the tall grasses (Kaans) alluring the weavers and the sparrows.

Some kind of wild rice nourishing Black-headed Munias.

National Bird - looking sad at the noise pollusion on the Diwali.

Woolly-necked Stork - does not trust the mankind.

These are Great Cormorants flying southwards from the North.

My village pond this morning

I spent about 2 hours this morning scanning my village pond at Fatehpur village. Water has subsided substantially, water lilies are at their obliging best. Was delighted to see 2 Black-necked Storks, 2 Painted, a few Woolly-necked also, but Openbill were absent. Cormorants were drying their wings, lot of herons. On the peepal tree, I did see a Siberian Chiffchaff, vociferous Clamourous Reed Warblers, Lesser Whitethroats, a few Little Grebes enjoying their 'dive and show up' behaviour. Surprisingly, no tern. Flying Oriental Skylarks pouring melodies from the heavens.

Many weavers were making noise in the tall grasses. By the end of the months, their clouds will be very conspicuous, flying here and there feeding on the flowery heads of these grasses.

Water Lily, small lotus, was the dominant flower of the pond.

This Little Grebe was quite confiding and allowed me to take many a photograph.

Black-necked Stork, a local rarity - there were two of them.

Forgot the name of this butterfly - Peacock Pansy?

This Long-tailed Shrike was quite noisy.

Sarus Cranes in Sonepat

Sarus Cranes in flight.