A Morning at Hoskote Lake

I went to Hoskote Lake two weeks ago to see birds. I couldn't share the photos last week because I was busy, but here they are now!

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The sun had just risen when I reached the lake.

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As the sun came up, I waited for birds to fly by. Soon, a group of ibises flew across the sky.

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Breaking the dawn's silence, the first bird to grace my sight was the Common Kingfisher.

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I saw some egrets and herons gathered in the distance. I walked over to take a closer look.

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As I walked deeper into the marshy expanse, I inadvertently startled a trio of Grey-headed Swamphens.

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Unfazed by my presence, a Paddyfield Pipit continued its rhythmic foraging.

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Barn Swallows and wires seem to have an innate connection. I watched them as they flitted and perched on the wires.

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I saw a Brahminy Kite perched in the distance.

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Here's the nearest my lens could take me.

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A Black Drongo.

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As I cautiously approached the flock of egrets, I noticed a few individuals breaking formation and taking flight.

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On a withered palm frond, a pair of Jerdon's Bushlarks perched.

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Advancing with hushed steps, I walked through the marshy terrain, intent on gaining a closer view of the egret flock. However, my mission was complicated by the ever-vigilant Red-wattled Lapwings, who patrolled the marsh like feathered sentinels. The slightest provocation would send them into a frenzy, their shrill cries echoing through the air, "Pity you do it... Pity you do it..."

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After dodging the Lapwings, I finally reached the egret flock, a mix of Little, Great, and Intermediate Egrets, along with Pond and Grey Herons.

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A magnificent Great Egret stood tall, flanked by two Pond Herons.

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A Grey Heron, alongside a Pond Heron, skulked together.

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The Little Egret, however, preferred to hunt alone, catching small fry with remarkable frequency.

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Success came for a Great Egret, and I observed its ritual of securing a safe spot to devour its fish, away from potential snatchers.

 

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The grey heron was relentless in its skulking.

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A spotted dove appeared.

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Then I caught a glimpse of a migrant Rosy Starling.

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A Red-vented Bulbul.

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Then a flock of Rosy Starlings foraging on the ground.

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Long-tailed shrike.

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Then I spotted a black kite striking this interesting pose.

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Three varieties of kingfishers graced the scene, the first being a pied kingfisher proudly clutching a freshly caught fish.

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The second kingfisher to appear was a white-throated kingfisher.

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Rounding out the trio was a common kingfisher.

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An Indian Silverbill emerged next.

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A Pied Bushchat couple. Male.

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Female.

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A white-browed wagtail, a symphony of black and white, flitted past.

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A fleeting glimpse of a migrant warbler. The bill makes me guess it might be a Sykes's Warbler.

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A Purple Heron in flight.

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And a Black kite in flight was the last sighting.

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I called it a day at 9:30 a.m. The sky looked awesome.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts on this post. Feel free to leave a comment below.

Linked with Mosaic Monday