Third Sunday Nature Trail-September 2011-Shivanahalli

As expected the turnout for the Third Sunday Trail around Shivanahalli forests was 60+. Morning weather was good with clear sky throughout the trail.Tea served by the Ramakrishna Mission School pepped us all for the long trail inside the forest. Many of us got scattered into small groups.The trail passed through different terrains and we got to experience the real forest so close to the city. Of course few of us lost our way and were literally rescued .For many in the group the highlight of the day was spotting Grey-breasted Prinia and couple of raptors,one of which is still to be id.ed and of course Eurasian Eagle Owl spotted by few in the group.

It was nice to see many youngsters taking part in the trail.It was also nice to see MBK joining us. Its always very enriching to spend time with experts like him, as even on a brief meeting one can learn so much.

Someone in the group had also spotted a woodpecker and had the picture for the same.Its a request to pl. confirm that id .

I am ever thankful to Swami Vishnumayanadanji for letting us all enjoy the beautiful forest he has created around the mission school and beyond and also thank him for his hospitality as almost all of us could relish the hot cup of tea, lovely breakfast and few of us could even enjoy the tasty lunch.

List of birds spotted : ( Names as per the field guide ,Birds of India by Krys Kazmierczak)

Little Cormorant
Oriental Honey Buzzard
Black Kite
Brahminy Kite
Short-toed Snake Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle ( Saw it while on our way back at Kaleshwari)
Red-wattled Lapwing
Rock Pigeon
Spotted Dove
Laughing Dove
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Blue-faced Malkoha
Greater Coucal
Eurasian Eagle Owl
White-throated Kingfisher
Common Kingfisher
Green Bee-eater
White-cheeked Barbet
Coppersmith Barbet
Common Iora
Black-hooded Oriole
Rufous-tailed Lark
Black Drongo
White-bellied Drongo
Bay-backed Shrike
Common Myna
Rufous Treepie
House Crow
Large-billed Crow
Asian Koel
Black-headed Cuckooshrike
Small Minivet
Red-vented Bulbul
Jungle Babbler
Yellow-billed Babbler
Grey-breasted Prinia
Ashy Prinia
Plain Prinia
Common Tailorbird
Oriental Magpie Robin
Indian Robin
Pied Bushchat
White-browed Wagtail
Oriental White-eye
Purple-rumped Sunbird
Loten's Sunbird
Purple Sunbird
Pale-billed Flowerpecker
Scaly-breasted Munia
Black-headed Munia
House Sparrow
Baya Weaver

Sumeet Moghe's link for the photographs are here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ciphertux/sets/72157627705334598/

And here is the link to few awesome pictures by Vaibhav
http://bangalorecaptured.com/2011/09/19/rama-krishna-mission-birding-at-back/

Thomas's photographs can be found in this link.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71936641@N00/sets/72157627718010106/

Bhavita Toliyas link for some of the photographs are at
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150316407668774.363291.672768773&type=1

Ajit's link
https://picasaweb.google.com/100394483534785559733/ShivanahalliTrail?authuser=0&feat=directlink