A Cuckoo Morning at Varthur Lake

 All these years of birding I have mostly been happy to take whatever the morning offers, even if it is a species I have photographed many times. Yes, there have been the rare occasions when I went looking specifically for something like the red avadavat or the Black naped Monarch, but those were rare moments of ambition. For the most part I have never been a deliberate target chaser. But in the past few weeks with this season bringing a run of lifers I suppose I got a bit carried away.

So this week I headed to Varthur Lake with a very clear goal. A friend mentioned that a plaintive cuckoo had been seen there and that it was worth trying for. I thought why not, let me also chase a lifer like all the serious people. And in the bargain I ended up with another one, the large hawk cuckoo, which was an unexpected and very welcome surprise.

There were a few other interesting sightings too. And how could I forget the way the morning began, with a brief spell of rain followed by a perfect double rainbow.

Here are the photos.

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It started raining the moment I reached the parking area. My friend decided to wait it out from his place so I sat in the car playing chess for about half an hour. When it finally stopped, the rainbow was waiting right outside as if saying welcome please continue.

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A closer look at the double rainbow.

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The rain cleared and the trail lit up with this vibrant arc right in front of us.

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Fresh rain on the mile a minute vine made the morning colours pop.

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Not the cuckoo I was looking for but the Jacobin was everywhere.

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Still walking toward the plaintive cuckoo’s spot and the large hawk cuckoo decided to show up first.

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A few interesting things about this lifer. Its name comes from its hawk like appearance. The barred chest, long tail and sharp posture often fool smaller birds into thinking a raptor has arrived. Like many cuckoos it is a brood parasite and usually lays its eggs in the nests of babblers. The chick grows quickly and often pushes out the host’s chicks to get all the attention.

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I finally reached the thicket where the plaintive cuckoo had been seen earlier and started scanning every branch.

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The benefit of having other birders around came through when one of them spotted the plaintive cuckoo and like a good Samaritan pointed it out to everyone.

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A few interesting things about the plaintive cuckoo. It is a brood parasite and often lays its eggs in the nests of prinias and tailorbirds. The chick hatches quickly and usually outcompetes the host’s own young. Despite being a cuckoo it is surprisingly small and slim and is usually heard before it is seen because of its clear plaintive call that rises at the end. It also has a habit of sitting quietly in the open for long moments which is how many of us get lucky with sightings like this.

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This is its plaintive call.

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A common tailorbird was hopping around nearby completely unaware that it might be hosting somebody else’s child very soon.

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While waiting for more shots of the cuckoo a Ruddy breasted Crake suddenly scurried past and gave me some of the clearest views I have had of this usually shy bird.

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After some more waiting I got lucky again and managed another sighting of the plaintive cuckoo.

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A female Asian Koel doing its best to stay hidden in the foliage.

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From the same perch the plaintive cuckoo had used earlier, this cuckoo flew down onto the hyacinths. At first glance it looked like a Grey bellied Cuckoo but after checking a few features and circumstances it seems to be another plaintive.

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We walked around the thicket hoping to see the plaintive cuckoo from the other side but instead we were treated to an Indian Golden Oriole.

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And then a Western Marsh Harrier appeared in the distance and glided past.

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A Brown Shrike stepped into the frame quiet and alert among the thorns.

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A Common Sandpiper working the shoreline.

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We could see a Common Cuckoo along the middle pathway but I did not venture in because there are often nests hidden in those patches and I did not want to play the villain in somebody’s family drama.

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This is caterpillar season and the cuckoos are having an all you can eat buffet. No wonder so many species turn up here.

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A Jacobin Cuckoo grabbed a caterpillar right in front of us as if to demonstrate correct usage of the season.

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The sky began to turn dramatic with those wispy streaks.

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More Jacobins turning up everywhere. This really was their morning.

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Before heading back we were greeted by Mr and Mrs Pied Bushchat holding their usual lookout posts.

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So after all that planning, scanning, and pretending to be a serious target chaser, the plaintive cuckoo finally showed up. But of course, the morning did not stop there. Varthur decided to throw in a double rainbow, a bonus lifer, a buffet of cuckoos, and a parade of other birds, just to make sure I could not complain. And that is exactly why these little adventures are always worth it.

Would love to hear what you think in the comments below.