A Rewarding Hoskote Visit

Last Sunday, I had a long-distance birding trip on the cards, but fate had other plans as a bout of illness forced me to cancel. Fortunately, by morning, I was feeling much better and the urge to get outdoors was too strong to ignore. So I grabbed my gear and set off on a solo visit to Hoskote Lake.

In just two hours, the lake rewarded me with some interesting sightings. Here are the highlights from the morning, captured through my lens.

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The day began with a shimmering surprise. Hanging acrobatically from a cluster of Calotropis flowers, this tiny Purple Sunbird was busy sipping nectar, oblivious to my excitement.

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The wetlands erupted into chaos as a Western Marsh Harrier swooped down with its wings spread wide and talons poised. Skimming the water’s surface, it moved with relentless precision, a striking display of raw power in the wild.

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Perched on a weathered branch, a Black Kite surveyed its surroundings with quiet authority. 

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A Common Hawk-Cuckoo sat still, striking a perfect pose with its piercing yellow eyes and barred tail. Often heard before it's seen, this elusive bird finally graced the camera with a portrait-worthy moment!

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Perched with intent, a White-throated Kingfisher was poised for action. With its electric blue wings and dagger-like beak, it was only a matter of time before it dived into the hunt!

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A congregation of Painted Storks stood gracefully in the shallow waters, their pink hues blending with the rippling reflections. A peaceful scene but I knew I would return later. Who knows what new drama might unfold in their world?

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The Greater Coucal perched watchfully, its red eyes and chestnut wings blending into the wild.

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The bamboo canopy looked like a perfect nature tunnel! A great spot to walk through.

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A Pied Buch Chat watching over its little patch of the world.

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Baya Weavers on the corn tassels!

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The Common Myna has something important to say.

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Spotted this elusive Asian Koel playing hide-and-seek in the dry thickets, but that fiery red eye gave him away!

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Perched amidst the thorny branches, this Black Drongo sat like a lone warrior, surveying its kingdom.

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This Common Hawk-Cuckoo looked every bit like its raptor doppelgänger. Those piercing yellow eyes and barred plumage give it the air of a small hawk, a clever disguise that often fools other birds. Its loud, repetitive call—earning it the nickname "Brain Fever Bird".

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I returned to the painted stork congregation and found this dynamic duo striking gold—twice over! Each with a fresh catch.

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Another one hooks a tilapia with precision. Looks like the lake is serving up fresh catches today!

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With the morning sun rising higher, it was time to wrap up another rewarding birding session. Hope you enjoyed this journey as much as I did. Drop a comment and let me know your favorite shot!