A Watercock Lifer at Varthur Lake

Varthur Lake has been buzzing lately with reports of increased bird activity, with one sighting standing above the rest: the rare Watercock. Having never seen one before, I couldn't resist the chance to chase this lifer. The trip rewarded me not only with the elusive Watercock but also with a wonderful variety of wetland birds, making it a morning to remember. 

Here are the pictures.

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The overnight rain left the trail to the lake covered in sticky clay that clung stubbornly to my shoes with every step. By the time I stopped to capture this beautiful sunrise, clumps of mud had already been shaken loose onto the path.

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Textured clouds filtered the sun's rays.

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One of the first birds to greet me on the lake was a pair of Indian Spot-billed Ducks.

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A Common Hawk-Cuckoo sat quietly on a berry-laden branch, offering an unusually prolonged view.

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A Paddyfield Pipit walked confidently along the open trail.

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Perfectly blending into the marshy vegetation, a Greater Painted-Snipe stood motionless, relying on its remarkable camouflage to remain hidden.

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With the vast expanse of reeds, floating vegetation, and open water stretching ahead, finding a single Watercock felt like searching for a needle in a haystack. Every movement in the marsh demanded a closer look as I patiently scanned the habitat, hoping for a glimpse of my long-awaited lifer.

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As I searched the marsh for any sign of the elusive Watercock, a scattered group of Pheasant-tailed Jacanas emerged from the floating vegetation instead. They busily picked their way across the aquatic plants, providing a welcome distraction while the search continued.

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The Pheasant-tailed Jacana is graceful on the water, but it is in flight that it truly shines.

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Every takeoff was a sight to behold.

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After patiently scanning the vast marsh, the moment I'd been waiting for finally arrived. A male Watercock stepped out into the open.

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While not a migratory species, Watercocks are known for local seasonal movements, appearing in suitable wetlands as water levels and habitat conditions change.

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Every now and then, a Eurasian Coot, with its dark plumage resembling a Watercock at a distance, would emerge from the vegetation, raising my hopes before proving to be a false alarm.

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Soon, the male Watercock began pursuing the female across the marsh, repeatedly spreading his wings in display. She stayed just out of reach, turning the encounter into an entertaining game of chase.

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With my target finally achieved, I continued along the trail to see what else Varthur had to offer. The beautiful weather and thriving wetland promised there were still plenty of surprises waiting ahead.

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A Brahminy Kite perched atop a palm, enjoying its morning meal.

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A Ruddy-breasted Crake emerged briefly from the dense water hyacinths before disappearing back into cover. Secretive and seldom seen, these shy rails are among the most rewarding birds to encounter in the wetlands.

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A Pied Bushchat perched patiently on a bare branch.

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A Grey-headed Swamphen stepped into view, while a greyish juvenile peeked curiously from behind, watching me from the safety of the reeds.

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An Alexandrine Parakeet paused on a coconut palm, feasting on the tender fruits while keeping a watchful eye on its surroundings.

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The vibrant Red Avadavat added a splash of colour to the reeds, and I was delighted to find a pair together, the brilliant crimson male beside his more subtly dressed mate.

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A flock of Baya Weavers caught my attention, prompting me to walk towards their bustling nesting colony.

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A Brahminy Kite soared gracefully overhead before settling on a nearby tree, offering another close look.

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A carpet of blooming water hyacinths added a splash of purple to the wetlands, a reminder that even an invasive plant can briefly transform the lake into a striking canvas.

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A lone Asian Green Bee-eater paused on a bare twig, patiently scanning its surroundings before darting out in pursuit of its next insect meal.

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The hanging nests revealed why the colony was so lively. Male Baya Weavers busily inspected, repaired, and displayed their intricately woven homes, hoping to attract a mate.

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Behind the Baya Weaver colony, a small group of Lesser Whistling Ducks drifted quietly through the calm waters.

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One last portrait of the handsome male Baya Weaver before I wrapped up an eventful morning at Varthur Lake.

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From a long-awaited lifer to countless bonus sightings, Varthur Lake delivered another memorable morning in the field.

What's your most recent lifer? Let me know in the comments below!

Fishing Lessons at Byatarayana Doddi

Byatarayana Doddi had been on the radar of my birding buddies AK, CA, and me for quite some time, and after several rounds of planning and rescheduling, the trip finally came together. Unfortunately, CA had to drop out at the last minute, leaving AK and me to carry the plan forward.

The name itself is interesting—Doddi in Kannada refers to a small hamlet or settlement, and Byatarayana Doddi is much more than just a village. It turned out to be a wonderfully diverse habitat, offering a serene lake, grassy hillocks, scattered boulders, and lush vegetation. Such varied landscapes make for excellent birding, and the area did not disappoint.

What made the outing especially memorable was the sheer amount of bird activity. From kingfishers and waterbirds to grassland species and butterflies, there was always something happening around us. 

Through these photographs, I hope to share some of the excitement and beauty that made our first visit to Byatarayana Doddi such a memorable experience.

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The weather forecast had us a bit worried, and we weren't sure if rain would cut short our birding plans. Still, we decided to take our chances and reached Byatarayana Doddi around 6 a.m., fingers crossed. Dark clouds hung over the lake and surrounding hills, but fortunately the rain stayed away. As the landscape slowly came alive, it became clear that the early start had been well worth it.

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Our first sighting of the morning was an Indian Pond Heron in breeding plumage. Usually dismissed as a rather drab bird, it looked stunning in its breeding attire, and we were fortunate to watch it successfully catch a fish soon after.

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Nearby, a White-throated Kingfisher kept a watchful eye on the vegetation-covered lake, scanning for any movement beneath the floating greenery.

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Without warning, it would launch itself from its perch in a lightning-fast dash towards its target.

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One such dash ended in success, with the kingfisher returning to its perch carrying a small fish.

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The monsoon had clearly arrived. Fresh mushrooms had begun appearing along the damp trails around the lake.

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Great Egrets and Little Egrets added a touch of elegance to the morning, patiently fishing along the lake's edge, their pristine white plumage standing out beautifully against the lush monsoon greenery.

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Talking of elegance, the Black-winged Stilts had little competition. Their long pink legs and graceful foraging style made them one of the most striking birds around the lake.

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Around this time, AK's lens chose the worst possible moment to malfunction, leaving her no option but to continue with binocular birding. Thankfully, her sharp eyes were still working perfectly, and she soon drew my attention to a group of handsome Tricolored Munias foraging nearby.

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Among the grasses were tiny Dwarf Morning Glory flowers, easy to miss but rewarding anyone who paused to look a little closer.

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A male Crimson Tip butterfly provided a colourful distraction from the birds, resting among dew-laden grasses and showing off its striking wing tips.

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The little butterfly made for a cooperative subject and proved that a smartphone can be a handy backup when a camera lens decides to call it a day.

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A tiny Lady's Slipper added a splash of pink to the rain-soaked grassland.

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Next we watched a Common Kingfisher making repeated sorties from its perch, each dive a flash of blue over the water. 

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Patience paid off when it finally returned with a fish clasped neatly in its bill.

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A Little Grebe cruised past, unconcerned by our presence, adding another species to an already rewarding morning.

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A Common leopard butterfly briefly stole the show.

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We wandered around the grassy slopes and rocky edges of the wetland, hoping for a glimpse of an elusive crake or a well-camouflaged snipe, but the landscape kept its secrets.

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The soft red mud was crisscrossed with bird footprints, revealing a busy avian thoroughfare hidden from sight.

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A Red-vented Bulbul with a wild date in its bill inspired a suitably corny "wild date" joke.

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The Red-vented Bulbul perched obligingly on a rock, as if waiting for its portrait to be taken.

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A Plain Prinia briefly revealed itself, perched on a tangle of stems before vanishing back into the grassland.

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The prinia's perch did not stay empty for long. A Yellow-eyed Babbler soon arrived to inspect the same lookout.

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A Jerdon's Bush Lark stepped through the dew-laden grass.

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The blister beetle was in no mood for a photo shoot, repeatedly disappearing into the grass before reluctantly stepping into view.

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One of the ever-active Red-rumped Swallows finally settled on a perch.

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Great Cormorants lined the shoreline, taking turns between drying their wings and taking flight.

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A Long-tailed Shrike struck a pose, then vanished as quickly as it appeared.

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The Common Gull butterfly kept a low profile, tucked beneath a leaf between flights.

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Not every plunge brought breakfast. This young White-throated Kingfisher was still learning the art of fishing, launching itself at the water with enthusiasm and returning empty-billed more often than not.

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After a string of unsuccessful dives, the young White-throated Kingfisher finally succeeded.

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The prize was tiny, almost comically so, but to a bird still learning the trade, it was a catch worth celebrating.

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As the young kingfisher practised dive after dive, an adult kept watch from a leafy perch, seemingly unimpressed by the day's small triumphs.

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The lesson was over for the moment. The youngster settled beside the adult, looking up as if to say, "Mum, I'm hungry." The day's fishing practice had brought more splashes than success, and patience was wearing thin.

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Mum dived.

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One clean dive through the floating vegetation, one effortless strike, and she was back in the air with a fish.

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No hesitation. No second attempt. No wasted energy.

The youngster could only watch.

"That's how it's done."

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The adult didn't simply show how it was done; it made sure the youngster didn't go hungry while learning.

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Every master was once a beginner. Every beginner still needs lunch.

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The fish was swallowed, and the youngster was finally satisfied.

The youngster learned an important truth of life that day:

When hunting lessons aren't going well, Mum is still the best provider.

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As the two kingfishers settled down and the excitement faded, we packed up our cameras, smiled at the unexpected family drama we had been privileged to witness, and turned to a far more pressing question of our own:

"Now then... where do we go for breakfast?"

The youngster had finally been fed. It was our turn.

And on that note, our morning birding session came to a satisfying end.

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.