Since the city parks closed today and mandatory mask wearing started I decided to go somewhere away from humans. Ha! I particularly enjoyed the Whiskered and White-winged Terns feeding in a frenzy at some of the fish ponds. The birds are stocking up on fuel for their flight to breeding grounds and will leave shortly. Especially White-winged goes through an amazing transformation (moulting into breeding plumage) and is rather elegant this time of year.
Asian Golden Weavers are nesting all over. Almost at arms length in places. They seem oblivious to man's efforts of restricting their preferred habitat, reed beds, and make use of just about any patch of reeds they can find. The male is the weaver but the female does supply materials and inspects the nest.
Two Slaty-breasted Rails dared to show themselves in the open. But they are oh so shy. Will need to try a different approach for better pix another time.
Several Jacanas were seen but a bit far off. These birds flourish during the wet season when they also breed.
I did add 2 new birds for my year list: Cinnamon Bittern and Indian Pond Heron. The Heron is impossible to ID in winter but now all 3 of the Pond Herons are assuming breeding plumage. The Indian is by far the hardest to come by.
There are still a few warblers around and now they are singing full songs as they are about to leave.
The morning ended with a sumptous plate of papaya salad, cabbage and sticky rice. A real favorite of mine!
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