Chasing Ducks and Missing Bucks

When my friend CR received a tip about a rare sighting of Knob-billed Ducks at Bethamangala Lake, about 100 km away, we couldn’t resist the call of the wild. The bird had been spotted by a policeman who’s also an avid birdwatcher, and the photos he shared were too impressive to ignore. He also mentioned a blackbuck sanctuary nearby, adding more excitement to the plan. Soon, another friend, AK, decided to join us and our Sunday morning road trip was on.

Though rain had driven the ducks away from the original sighting spot, we managed to get a few record shots. By the time we reached the blackbuck area, the sun was high and most of the animals had retreated into the shade. Still, the day offered its own rewards with some lovely bird sightings that made the trip memorable.

Here are some snapshots from the day.

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We hit the road at 4:15 in the morning, still half-asleep but excited for the day ahead. Somewhere along the way, we put a little too much faith in Google Maps and ended up missing the expressway. That added a few extra bumps and turns to the ride, but it also gave us a perfect excuse to pull over around 6 am and soak in this beautiful sunrise. Not a bad trade-off.

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The location pin shared by the birding cop turned out to be a great spot. It led us to an area buzzing with bird activity. We spotted Cattle Egrets, a stunning Paradise Flycatcher, a Coucal, a Jacobin Cuckoo, and a very vocal Rufous Treepie. I missed a few birds while taking my time to set up the camera, but it was still a fantastic start to the day. Here's a bit of dash cam footage from the area to give you a feel of the place.

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Spotted a Jacobin Cuckoo, a harbinger of rain, with its striking black-and-white plumage—an early sign of the season ahead!

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Next up, we spotted a very vocal Rufous Treepie.

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A Red-whiskered Bulbul got so close, I could practically count its whiskers.

I got so caught up with the Red-whiskered Bulbul that I missed the Paradise Flycatcher, but I’m sure my cobirders got a shot!

We also spotted a Cattle Egret sporting its stunning breeding plumage.

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We almost forgot we had a mission—to spot the Knob-billed Ducks. The image shared by the birding cop still lingered in our minds, urging us on.

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At the lake shore, we couldn’t spot the ducks at first—until AK’s binoculars picked them out far in the distance. It looked like quite a walk. CR decided to skip it, but AK and I set off to get a closer look at the elusive Knob-billed Ducks.

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The lake had a lovely variety of birds—from Cormorants and Indian Spot-billed Ducks to Lesser Whistling Ducks, Coots, and graceful Stilts—all adding to the charm of the place.

All of them seemed to be playing it safe, keeping their distance. The Spot-billed Ducks didn’t waste a second—they took off the moment they sensed us, clearly not in the mood for visitors!

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We finally caught sight of the Knob-billed Ducks—but of course, the lighting was all wrong. And just as we tried to get a better view, they took off too, joining the morning exodus!

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A Great Egret, however, stood perfectly still—unbothered and regal, as if posing just for us while the others made their dramatic exits.

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Next it was the turn of the Lesser Whistling Ducks to take off, lifting in a neat flock and leaving behind only ripples and a bit of envy.

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A quick check of our photos confirmed what we already knew—these were definitely record shots, not magazine covers. But the thrill of tracking down a rare bird, even from a distance, was reward enough.

A Black-winged Stilt that had stayed put longer than the others suddenly turned a bit cranky, letting out sharp calls and pacing around. We guessed it wasn’t too thrilled about us lingering near what was probably its nesting area. We took the hint and backed off—no photo is worth stressing a bird, especially one guarding future generations.

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CR snapped a photo of us trudging back, looking thoroughly dejected. Expressions that screamed so close yet so far. It perfectly captured the classic birder mood, equal parts disappointment and quiet satisfaction. Even without a perfect shot, the chase itself had been worth it.

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After the terrible luck with the duck, we tried to salvage the outing with the blackbuck. But there too, the blazing sun had sent most of them into hiding. Here's the lone male I managed to capture—standing tall with those elegant corkscrew horns, looking equal parts majestic and mildly annoyed at the heat. Not the herd we hoped for, but a striking sight nonetheless.

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As we wrapped up the trip, it was clear that nature had played hard to get that day. The Knob-billed Ducks kept their distance, the blackbucks mostly stayed out of sight, and the lighting gods weren’t exactly on our side. But as any birder will tell you, it’s not always about the perfect photo or the longest species list. Sometimes, it’s the journey, the banter, the unexpected detours, and the quiet moments in wild places that make the day.

We returned with shoes caked in clay, tired smiles, and just enough sightings to keep the spark alive for the next trip.

Have you had a birding or wildlife outing where things didn’t go to plan but still left you with good memories? Share your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear them!