Friday, March 22, 2013

Third Sunday Trail-17th March 2013 - Bird List

Here is the list as prepared by Kishan and Sheshadri
Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis)
Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus)
White-cheeked Barbet (Megalaima viridis)
Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala)
Small Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)
Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)
Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)
White-browed Bulbul (Pycnonotus luteolus)
Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata)
Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis)
Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)
Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)
Little Brown Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis)
Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus)
Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus)
White-bellied Drongo (Dicrurus caerulescens)
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker (Dinopium benghalense)
Tickell's Flowerpecker (Dicaeum erythrorhynchos)
Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)
Pariah Kite (Milvus migrans)
Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea)
Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)
Jerdon's Chloropsis (Chloropsis cochinchinensis)
Black-throated Munia (Lonchura kelaarti)
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)
Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis)
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Nectarinia zeylonica)
Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica)
Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)
Shikra (Accipiter badius)
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
Blyth's Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum)
Booted Warbler (Hippolais caligata)
Greenish Leaf-Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides)
Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus)
Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)
Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)
Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)
Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus)
Black-naped Monarch Flycatcher (Hypothymis azurea)
Asian Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae)
Small Minivet (Pericrocotus cinnamomeus)
Blue-headed Rock Thrush (Monticola cinclorhynchus)
White-throated Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrina cyanotus)
Small Green-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus viridirostris)
Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) ?
Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina melanoptera)
Indian Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus horsfieldii) Call
Unid Nightjar
Unid Pipit
Pasting herewith the observation noted by Sheshadri which is copied from his post on bngbirds@yahoo.com
"Thanks Kishan for the list.I thoroughly enjoyed the trip! Apart from seeing several birds up close,
met up people who I hadnt for quite some time! ( Of course meeting several new as well!)
Some additions/Corrections to the list.Some of us saw a big brownnish colored raptor fly by at quite a height and I thought it to be a booted eagle going by the white 'engine bars' near its neck. On checking with photographs, it turns out to be most likely a Tawny Eagle.

The munia seen were the white rumped munia L. striata and not the black throated! .The chloropsis was most probably a Gold fronted

There was also a bird, the size of a female blue capped rock thrush and pale brown to tawny color sighted by Ullas, TS Shrinivasa and several students from MCC. The bird was shot when it was preening itself and the head is not clearly visible in the photograph. Will post the details of this once it becomes clear what it was.

A pair of oriental Honey buzzards (OHB) were seen on a Eucalyptus tree with a nest. One bird was an adult and the other a Juv. Both birds took off on seeing some of us approach the tree to get a better look. Geetanjali
pointed out that the juv looked like a changable hawk eagle (spizaetus genus) however, by seeing them for about 10 mins we concluded it was indeed a OHB.

While editing a wiki article on this bird, I noticed that there is indeed and entry which says the Juv of OHB is known to appear like that of a larger spizaetus Juv in order to avoid being predated! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crested_Honey_Buzzard

Several trees were flowering and had attracted several birds! They broke the monotony of the dry parched landscape.
Regards
seshadri "

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Third Sunday Trail-Shivanahalli-17th March 2013

Its time again to reconnect with nature and enjoy the flora / fauna around Bannerghatta. This month's Third Sunday Trail will be held on 17th March 2013.The meeting point is Ramakrishna Mission School ,Shivanahalli at 6.30 am.


Wikimapia coordinates : 12°43'21"N 77°34'18"E

Trail route is Ramakrishna Mission School to Ashram Farm Patch behind the school campus.

Comfortable clothing,good walking shoes, cap, water bottle,binocular ( if you have), a camera ( if you like to shoot) ,rain wear and snacks ( if you don't mind sharing with others..:-))is what you need to carry during the trail.The trail is free and open to all ages who can walk till around noon.

How to reach Shivanahalli ? Take the Bannerghatta Road from the Bangalore City. Cross the Bannerghatta circle - the road curves to the left at that junction near the Bannerghatta Police Station. Proceed further towards Jigani Industrial township. Halfway, on the right hand side at Raagi Halli Bus Stop, you will see the Ramakrishna Mission, Shivanahalli hoarding. (You will also notice a Swamy Ayyappa temple hoarding). Take a right turn there and drive for about 10 kms. Do not take any side roads (rare and few) that you will come along . Travelling through the Bannerghatta National Park reserved forest, you will have to cross the Ragihalli village to come over to Shivanahalli. The Ramakrishna Mission School is located at the entrance of the Shivanahalli village.

We recommend car-pooling between participants. 

In case you find it difficult to reach the venue , pl call at 9845383882 for direction.

NOTE : 
We are grateful to Swami Vishnumayanandji, for letting us use the Ramakrishna mission campus,Shivanahalli to organize our trails.Many of the participants have been donating pooled money to the mission which is used for the community and conservation work around the school/village and the park. Swamiji has requested that whosoever would like to donate, pl donate individually and directly to him, so that he can meet each of them, howsoever small the amount may be.

IMPORTANT NOTE : 
We as organizers shall not be responsible for any delays & alterations in the program or expenses incurred - directly or indirectly - due to natural hazards,weather,injury or any untoward incident that may happen during the trail.Hence, request you all to follow and be with the Ashram's resource person for the day and not to stray towards beyond the set trail.


Happy Birding!

Geetanjali

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Code of Ethics for Birders

As per the text from the American Birders' Association Code of Ethics

Code of Birding Ethics


1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.

1(a) Support the protection of important bird habitat.
1(b) To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming.

Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern, or is rare in your local area;

Keep well back from nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display areas, and important feeding sites. In such sensitive areas, if there is a need for extended observation, photography, filming, or recording, try to use a blind or hide, and take advantage of natural cover.

Use artificial light sparingly for filming or photography, especially for close-ups.

1(c) Before advertising the presence of a rare bird, evaluate the potential for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other people in the area, and proceed only if access can be controlled, disturbance minimized, and permission has been obtained from private land-owners. The sites of rare nesting birds should be divulged only to the proper conservation authorities.

1(d) Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep habitat disturbance to a minimum.

2. Respect the law, and the rights of others.

2(a) Do not enter private property without the owner's explicit permission.

2(b) Follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing use of roads and public areas, both at home and abroad.

2(c) Practice common courtesy in contacts with other people. Your exemplary behavior will generate goodwill with birders and non-birders alike.

3. Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other artificial bird environments are safe.

3(a) Keep dispensers, water, and food clean, and free of decay or disease. It is important to feed birds continually during harsh weather.

3(b) Maintain and clean nest structures regularly.

3(c) If you are attracting birds to an area, ensure the birds are not exposed to predation from cats and other domestic animals, or dangers posed by artificial hazards.

4. Group birding, whether organized or impromptu, requires special care.

Each individual in the group, in addition to the obligations spelled out in Items #1 and #2, has responsibilities as a Group Member.

4(a) Respect the interests, rights, and skills of fellow birders, as well as people participating in other legitimate outdoor activities. Freely share your knowledge and experience, except where code 1(c) applies. Be especially helpful to beginning birders.

4(b) If you witness unethical birding behavior, assess the situation, and intervene if you think it prudent. When interceding, inform the person(s) of the inappropriate action, and attempt, within reason, to have it stopped. If the behavior continues, document it, and notify appropriate individuals or organizations.

Group Leader Responsibilities [amateur and professional trips and tours].
4(c) Be an exemplary ethical role model for the group. Teach through word and example.

4(d) Keep groups to a size that limits impact on the environment, and does not interfere with others using the same area.

4(e) Ensure everyone in the group knows of and practices this code.

4(f) Learn and inform the group of any special circumstances applicable to the areas being visited (e.g. no tape recorders allowed).

4(g) Acknowledge that professional tour companies bear a special responsibility to place the welfare of birds and the benefits of public knowledge ahead of the company's commercial interests. Ideally, leaders should keep track of tour sightings, document unusual occurrences, and submit records to appropriate organizations.