My Encounter with the Winter Birds

 

As the cold settles here around the end of October, the environment loses its sparkle when most of the trees lose their leaves, flowers and become bare. So does the grass and few weeds which wither and turn brown. The peafowls are less heard in this season since their call becomes scratchy due to the foggy climate.  However, most of the birds do not lose their sparkle and are remain active during this very season. Several birds migrate here from various places.

Two species of Munias are common here. Indian Silverbills and Scaly-breasted Munia. They come in small flocks of 6-10 and forage the fields and meadows around the layout for seeds. They are often seen in groups on the wires around the early mornings of late October. Once I woke up to the low sound of someone plucking grass nearby. I went out to the terrace to check and sighted the tiny birds of sparrow size making a nest with long grass between the wall and 6 running pipes to the 3^rd floor on the terrace. The nest is well hidden from humans until one notices the pipes very keenly. They often use fresh green grass to build a nest. 

Sometimes I have seen the nest on the windowsills of the 2^nd floor. But, somehow discouraged them to have nests in this place. Their nesting place is shared by Indian Robins in a different seasons. I have seen both the species ie Silverbills and Scaly-breasted munia gather together and breed together.

Green Bee-eater: As winter sets in, these small, colorful beautiful birds are often seen perched on the wires soon after sunrise with a twee twee call. They are also found on the ground foraging and I have seen them catch dew drops fall from some leaves into their beaks. It is such a pleasure to watch this scene. They are frequent visitors till the end of summer and less seen during monsoon time.

Red Rumped Swallow – Like the Green Bee Eater, these birds are often seen mostly in pairs perched on wires or on construction rods during the winter to the spring season. They are known to build a nest made from mud. But haven't seen any of their nest. They are also known to catch insects in the air while flying.  Perhaps they find some interesting invertebrates in our backyard and hence visit frequently during winter.

Ashy Drongos: I have noticed these medium-sized slender black birds with a fork-shaped tail around the time of winter sunset. They come out to our backyard during late evenings at the time of shimmering sunset. They go frenzy and keep springing from one column to another. Once I have seen one go and disturb some insects or ants on a branch of a small tree. Sometimes, they imitate Shikra's calls pee pee though it is often low-pitched.