Raptors, Rollers & Winter Visitors

Back to Hoskote for yet another birding adventure! This time, my focus was on the visiting raptors, but the morning had plenty of other surprises in store.

European and Indian Rollers added vibrant splashes of colour, shrikes made their presence felt, and a beautiful Bluethroat was the icing on the cake. Another memorable trip to this ever-rewarding birding destination!

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I reached the lake to a dreamy dawn.

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A pair of Black Drongos caught my eye, perched quietly on a thorny shrub.

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European Rollers have been a regular sight at several Bangalore birding hotspots this season. Hoskote, however, seems to have one of the largest congregations, with around ten spotted during this visit.

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Amidst all the birding excitement, these delicate Venice Mallows caught my eye.

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The European Rollers weren't just sitting pretty for photographs! Every now and then, one would take off in a flash of brilliant blue, offering wonderful opportunities to capture them in flight.

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The misty grasslands were dotted with fellow birders, each spread out in search of their prized sightings. I decided to venture deeper into the fields rather than crowd around a single spot, hoping to observe the birds without disturbing them.

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A female Pied Bushchat offered a lovely change of pace from the colourful European Rollers.

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The Paddyfield Pipit has a curious way of keeping you company. It hops a safe distance ahead along your path, pauses, looks back, and almost seems to pose for you before hopping away again.

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A pair of Ashy Woodswallows taking a quiet break atop a grassy mound.

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After my encounter with the European Roller, it was lovely to meet its Indian cousin. This individual, with its slightly muted and ruffled plumage, appeared to be a young bird, though I'm not entirely sure.

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After scanning the open fields for raptors, I was thrilled to spot this gorgeous female Common Kestrel!

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The Common Kestrel sighting had only whetted my appetite. Encouraged, I ventured deeper into the grass, now tall and soggy with morning dew. With every step, the excitement of what might turn up grew, though I couldn't help hoping I wouldn't surprise a snake along the way!

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As I explored the grassland, a Black Kite took off with its catch from barely a foot away! The suddenness of it caught me completely off guard. For a moment, I was too startled to do anything but watch. Thankfully, the camera was ready to capture the action!

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A lifer! I was thrilled to encounter this Isabelline Shrike, even if it offered only a fleeting glimpse as it took off.

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The tiny Zitting Cisticola may be easy to overlook, but not when it appears with a green insect in its beak. I loved watching this little one go about its business, seemingly oblivious to my presence.

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And then, a peafowl appeared, striking an almost artistic pose.

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The Bluethroat is one of the most sought-after winter visitors, and I wasn't expecting to run into one that morning. What a delightful surprise to find this little beauty going about its business, its brilliant blue throat immediately catching my eye!

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Two Red-wattled Lapwings, keeping a watchful eye on their world. These little guardians are always alert.

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Another resident raptor, and one I never tire of seeing. The Black-winged Kite, with its striking eyes and effortless elegance, makes even an ordinary perch look special.

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The Black-winged Kite had company nearby: a Jacobin Cuckoo, dressed in almost the same black-and-white palette.

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A little Siberian Stonechat, pausing on a weathered perch. A quiet moment of beauty from a winter visitor.

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A beautiful Long-tailed Shrike, perched among the delicate, leafless branches.

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It was almost a near miss! At first glance, I dismissed it as a cuckoo and nearly let the moment pass. Something about its flight caught my attention, though, and I took a second look. To my delight, it turned out to be a Red-necked Falcon! What followed was a brief but rewarding opportunity to photograph this beautiful raptor in flight.

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The Indian Roller is an understated beauty when perched, but an absolute showstopper in flight. Those brilliant shades of blue are simply magical!

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Black Drongos put on quite a show, swooping, darting and twisting through the air as they chased flying insects.

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The cattle flicked their tails to dislodge and shoo away flies.

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The drongos took advantage of the commotion, catching insects on the wing.

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Between sorties, one would settle comfortably on a cow's back, waiting for the next opportunity.

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I spotted this Brown Shrike perched quietly among the thorny branches of an Acacia tree. Its striking eye mask and watchful demeanour made me pause for a closer look. I waited for a moment to take in its presence and capture this lovely little encounter.

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The last sighting of the day was this beautiful European Roller, busy foraging in the grass. I was lucky to capture the moment it picked up its prey.

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Hope you enjoyed this little glimpse of my Hoskote birding adventure! Do leave a comment and share your thoughts. I'd love to hear from you!