Hi Everyone,

In the chill pre-dawn,

a group of us met up at Shoppers’ Stop, and after the MCS (Mandatory Chai Stop) at Bannerghatta Circle, where we introduced ourselves, we proceeded to Hulimangala.

Even before looking for the birds, the majestic trees of the avenue there had their usual awe-inspiring efffect on us. We looked up to see the many nests of the Parakeets, the Mynahs and other birds.

The Lantana and Eupatorium weeds yielded Prinias and a Booted Warbler, but of course, when the Mottled Wood Owl made its dramatic appearance,being mobbed by a group of Drongos,

there were “ooohs” and “aahs” from everyone, with craned necks and pointing fingers!

After a while, we moved to the water body on the other side, which also yielded many species of waterfowl. It was also thrilling to see some raptors. An excellent sighting was that of Geetanjali and Subir Dhar who, in the middle of pressing family business, came to see how we were doing! I was very happy to see Soham and Chinmayi ...we must have more children in our groups! Birders...do bring along your children and introduce them to the wonderful world of birds and nature. Plain Tiger caterpillar: Plain Tiger: Blue Tiger on the rain-drenched grass: We all came back to our cars, shared some delicious snacks, and dispersed. Some of us had breakfast at Upahara Banashree. Gayatri and I went with Arun to see the Nagareshwara (Pancha linga) temple at Begur, and here, the lake nearby delighted us with 2o+ Spot-billed Pelicans as well as other waterfowl. My list on eBird is at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20577592 Here's the physical list, please add/correct as necessary: Babbler, Jungle Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, White-cheeked Bee-eater, Small Green Bulbul, Red-vented Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bushchat, Pied Bushlark, Jerdon's Coot, Common Coucal, Greater Crow, House Crow, Jungle Dove, Laughing Dove, Spotted Drongo, Ashy Drongo, Black Drongo, White-belled Eagle, Booted Egret, Cattle Egret, Little Fantail, White-browed Flowerpecker, Pale-billed Francolin, Grey Grebe, Little Heron, Grey Heron, Indian Pond Honey-buzzard, Oriental Hoopoe, Common Kestrel, Common Kingfisher, White-throated Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Koel, Asian Lapwing, Red-wattled Myna, Common Myna, Jungle Oriole, Eurasian Golden Owl, Mottled Wood Owlet, Spotted Parakeet, Rose-ringed Pelican, Spot-billed (Begur) Pigeon, Blue Rock Pipit, Paddyfield Prinia, Ashy Robin, Indian Roller, Indian Sandpiper, Wood (?) Silverbill, Indian Sparrow, House Starling, Rosy Sunbird, Purple-rumped Swallow, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swamphen, Purple (Begur) Swift, Asian Palm (Begur) Tailorbird, Common Treepie, Rufous Wagtail, White-browed Warbler, Booted Weaver, Baya

I’ve put up my photos on my FB album at

https://www.facebook.com/deemopahan/media_set?set=a.10152578344283878.1073742295.587058877&type=3

I’d like to see the others’ photos, too, could you send us all the links?

Apologies to those who are getting this in duplicate :(

Thank you to each person who added to my enjoyment of the morning.It was a great time for both birding and bonding!