Wings Through Time: My Birding Journey of 2025
As the countdown to 2026 begins, it feels only natural to pause, reflect, and look back at the year that is about to pass. For someone like me, who has been into birding for the last six years, 2025 stands out as a truly memorable and rewarding…
Winter’s Winged Symphony
There would hardly be anyone in the tricity who loves birding and hasn’t heard of Mote Majra. This quiet village in the Mohali district of Punjab transforms into a vibrant paradise every winter, when avian guests arrive from far-off lands to spend the season here. Birders from…
A Dream in feathers
Birding is like an emotional Roller coaster – patience, persistence, disappointment, hope, and finally, joy. When you are into birding, one thing is certain — anything can happen at any time. All you need is optimism and patience. For the past three years, the Tricolored Munia had…
Wildbuzz | Autumn fall of leaves call of geese
The sighting of Greylag goose at Sukhna Lake was beautifully covered and published by renowned journalist and columnist Vikramjit Singh in Sunday Wildbuzz, Hindustan Times, Chandigarh, of November 3, 2024
Wildbuzz | Great news for tricity birders
The sighting of Barnacle Geese was beautifully covered and published by renowned journalist and columnist Vikramjit Singh in the 630th Sunday Wildbuzz, Hindustan Times, Chandigarh, of March 31, 2024
Wildbuzz | Winter tales of Sukhna
The sighting of Grey Heron catching a fish was beautifully covered and published by renowned journalist and columnist Vikramjit Singh in the 671st Sunday Wildbuzz, Hindustan Times, Chandigarh, of January 12, 2025
Wildbuzz | It is time to say good bye
The sighting of Common Red Shanks at Sukhna Lake was beautifully covered and published by renowned journalist and columnist Vikramjit Singh in the 680th Sunday Wildbuzz, Hindustan Times, Chandigarh, of March 16, 2025
Wildbuzz | A golden surprise at dawn
The sighting of Golden fronted Leafbird was beautifully covered and published by renowned journalist and columnist Vikramjit Singh in the 707th Sunday Wildbuzz column, Hindustan Times, Chandigarh edition, of Sept. 21, 2025
Exciting Birding Season: Two Rarities in Chandigarh
As the scorching summer gradually fades and cooler winds knock on the door, excitement builds in the birding community of Chandigarh. For birders, the arrival of winter migrants is one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the year. Each season carries its own suspense—will it be…
The Joy of Photographing Large Birds
The Joy of Photographing Large Birds Over the past few years, bird photography has become more than just a hobby for me—it has become a passion. In these more than three years, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph a wide range of bird species, from the tiny…
An addition to the Avifauna of South Asia – The Barnacle Goose
My sighting of Barnacle Goose at Mote Mazra on 27th January 2024 was published in the Indian Birds Journal Volume 19 No. 6 published on 27th March 2024
The Jewel of Thapli
Every year, as the winter migrants begin their long journey back to their native habitats and the summer heat dulls the activity of our resident birds, birders across the Tri-city find themselves looking forward to the arrival of one dazzling visitor—the Indian Pitta. For birders like me,…
Winter Birding at Sukhna Lake: A Season to Remember
As the chill of winter sets in, Sukhna Lake transforms into a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Each year, this serene waterbody welcomes a plethora of migratory birds, turning it into a bustling hub of avian activity. The winter season of 2024-25 was undoubtedly better than the previous…
Birding at Chandu Wetland: A Dream Fulfilled
Birding has been my passion for over three years. Living in Chandigarh, my birding adventures have mostly been confined to the city and its surrounding areas. With nearly 290 species documented, adding new lifers to my list has become increasingly challenging. Every time I see my fellow…
FLYING COLOURS
The phrase “flying colours” originally comes from the naval tradition. In historical times, ships returning from battle with their flags (or colours) flying high symbolized a victorious outcome. The term itself evokes a sense of triumph, of soaring through challenges and emerging on the other side, not…
A tale of two hunters – II
The next day, the air was just as crisp and the lake just as serene. After my morning walk, I returned to the same spot with my camera, hoping for yet another spectacular moment. To my delight, the Grey Heron from the previous day returned, gliding above…
A tale of two hunters
It was a picture-perfect morning at Sukhna Lake, where nature seemed to hold its breath in the embrace of tranquility. I was scanning the tranquil waters and the skies above, hoping for a memorable birding shot, when a Grey Heron entered my frame. It was flying at…
The Art of Living
India, with its diverse landscapes and climates, is home to an incredible array of bird species, including both resident and migratory birds that traverse vast distances to reach its shores. Birds have fascinated humanity for centuries with their graceful flight, colorful plumage, and unique behaviors. Beyond their…
Where there’s a will, there’s is a bird
The caption of the blog is strange, but surprisingly true at least for bird watchers. This phrase embodies the belief that strong determination and perseverance can lead to remarkable and fulfilling rewarding experiences, The Dhanauri Wetlands and birdwatching area, nestled in Dhanauri village, Uttar Pradesh, about 15…
WINGS OF FREEDOM
When we think of independence, the image of a bird soaring freely through the sky often comes to mind. Birds, with their ability to navigate the vast expanse of the skies, are living symbols of freedom and autonomy. Their lives, behaviors, and even their migrations can offer…
Hidden Treasures of Thapli
Nestled in the serene and picturesque region of Haryana, Village Thapli, located in the Morni Block of Panchkula district, offers a unique and enriching experience for birding enthusiasts. A 30-minute drive from Chandigarh, Thapli has become a preferred destination for bird watchers during the summer season. Its…
The Majestic Indian Peafowl
The Indian Peafowl is a bird that has fascinated humans for centuries with its stunning beauty and elegant display. Commonly referred to as the peacock (with males called peacocks and females called peahens), this bird is not just a national symbol of India but also a creature…
Kaleidoscope of Colors
When I was young, I used to gaze at beautiful, colorful pictures of small birds and marvel at their stunning hues. Yet, I couldn’t help but wonder if these images were merely products of an artist’s imagination. How could such vibrant, tiny creatures exist in reality? It…
BEYOND BORDERS
Winter season is almost over. Along with this, the migratory birds, which started coming from the months of October and November, and were here for the last 3 months, have started going back. In this winter season, more than 50 migrant birds were seen in Chandigarh and…
Oriental Darter – Snakebird
Now a days, if you had been to Sukhna Lake, particularly near the Regulator End, you must have noticed Photographers with their long lenses waiting for someone to land or come out of the water. Sometimes the wait continues for more than half an hour but it…
Majestic Monochrome – Oriental Pied Hornbill
Charismatic, enigmatic, rare; call them what you may, hornbills are truly some of the most captivating avians on the planet. Their distinct calls, disproportionately large beaks, long eyelashes, prominent casques, unique courtship rituals and the striking colours that some hornbill species exhibit make them a birdwatcher’s delight.…
Summer Sojourners
With the month of September coming to end, we are migrating from Summer Season to Winter Season. Let’s have a quick recap of the Summer Migrants who visited the Inter-State Chandigarh Region during this summer. About 29 bird species migrate to this region in the summer season. …
The Shikra – Beauty, Brain & Brawn
Sharing my encounter with a bird with beautiful eyes, flying skills and great courage. During Corona period, I saw a pair of Shikra building a small nest with sticks, on a high fork of a eucalyptus tree in the Green Belt behind my house. I kept on watching…
The Chakki Mor Files
Chakki Mor is a small village in Solan District of Himachal Pardesh. It is a beautiful place for Nature Lovers and particularly bird watchers. I don’t think anyone who is living in tricity and love bird watching would have missed visiting the road from Chakki Mor to…
Red-billed Leiothrix – the lipstick bird
March 2023 – Chakki Morh Bhoj Nagar Road A small but strikingly beautiful bird known for its vibrant plumage, melodious song and active social behavior. The Red-billed Leiothrix, also known as the lipstick bird due to its distinctive striking red bill. It is usually found in small…
Best of Birds
Alexandrine Parakeet, May 2023, Chakki Mor – Bhoj Nagar Road Ashy Drongo, November 2019, City Forest, Chandigarh Ashy Prinia, June 2021 Asian Brown Flycatcher – July 2020 Asian Koel Female Asian Green Bee – eater Asian Openbill Asian Wooly – necked Stork Bar-headed Goose – Mote Mazra…
Indian Coral Tree – An Open Aviary
The Indian Coral Tree is undoubtedly one of the most colorful indigenous trees of India and captivating sights one might see in March and April. With bright crimson flowers, the tree appears to wear a magnificent ruby crown and puts on a spectacular show. The rich, red…
Sukhna Wetland – Lifestyle for Environment
Northern Pintails, Gadwalls, Common Pochards, Red Crested Pochards, Northern Shovelers, Black-headed Gull, Ferruginous Ducks, Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Coots at Sukhna Lake – March 2023 India took over the presidency of G20 Summit 2023 and among over 50 cities across India, Chandigarh has been picked to host two…
World Sparrow Day – Celebrating the small but Mighty Birds
World Sparrow Day is celebrated annually on March 20th to raise awareness about the plight of sparrows and to encourage people to take action to protect and conserve these precious birds. These small, brown birds are known for their cheerful chirping and can often be seen hopping…
Mote Majra Wetland- A perfect homestay for winged guests
Mote Majra village is situated on the Chandigarh Patiala Road in SAS Nagar Mohali, just 30 km from Chandigarh. At the entrance to the village is a small pond about 20 acres in size. But despite its small size, it is popular for the winged guests which…
Nature Walk 2022
The calendar year 2022 is going to say goodbye but not before leaving several beautiful memories. The year 2022 has been a roller coaster ride for people as we breathe in almost a Covid-free world after facing 2 years of restrictions. If I turn the pages of…
Heron – A Patient Hunter
Herons are often seen standing as still as a statue on their long thin legs in shallow waters of ponds and lakes patiently waiting for their next meal to swim by. The heron’s endless patience reminds us of the importance of waiting for opportunities to appear. Timing…
Kingfisher – A Birder’s Delight
Kingfishers are generally brightly colored beautiful birds and one of the most fascinating subjects of wildlife photography. Taking inspiration from the kingfisher, which dives nose first into water to catch fish and barely makes a splash, Japanese engineers redesigned the high-speed train and gave the train a 50-foot steel…
Ladakh, a journey, not a destination
Traveling to Ladakh is all about filling your diaries with chapters full of experiences. Beautiful beyond imagination, Ladakh is mostly known for its Landscapes, Lakes, Monasteries, Sand Dunes ,Nubra Valley and high mountain passes. But there is one other corner which sometimes remain unfocussed is the flora…
Lights, Camera, Action
With good light and much more time to see birds due to longer days, and your camera in hand, you have lot of action to capture, that’s what Summer Birding is all about. Spend some time with nature, in the early hours of the summer season, you…
Sukhna Lake Reserve Forest
Surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of towering mountains on one side and Sukhna Lake on the other, Lake Reserve Forest has a rich variety of Flora and Fauna. The park is open from 6 am to 6 pm daily, and entry is free for all visitors. It…
Indian Pitta – The Summer Rainbow
The Indian Pitta has always been a dream bird for me since I started birding three years ago. I spotted this beautiful colorful summer migrant, first time in the month of May 2022 at Thapli , since then every year in the month of May, I eagerly…
Common hawk-cuckoo – the brainfever bird
The Common hawk-cuckoo , popularly known as the brainfever bird, is a medium-sized cuckoo resident in the Indian subcontinent. This brainfever bird is a brood parasite, that is, it lays eggs in the nests of other birds and relies on the hosts to take care of its chicks. Hence, the chicks are taken…
Beat the Heat
As summer unfurls its scorching embrace, the air quivers with heat, and life seeks respite under the generous canopy of shade. In these relentless days, as we reach for cool drinks and shady spots, let us not forget our feathered companions, whose thirst knows no tap or…
“Winter is not a season it’s a Celebration”
Sukhna Lake | November 2021 The best time to visit Chandigarh is during the winter season, which begins in the mid of November and extends till the mid of March. Weather is pleasant here during this season and the city receives maximum tourist footfall. January is the…
Winter Visitor- Eurasian Coot
Next in the list of Winter Visitors is Eurasian Coot. It can be easily spotted at both the lakes in Chandigarh i.e. Sukhna Lake as well as Dhanas Lake. Notable for its slaty black plumage and a lustrous white frontal shield and bill, this bird species is…
Winter Visitors – Green-winged Teal, Mallard & Gadwall
The journey which had started from the month of October 2021 is near completion, as the summer season has already started taking over the charge from the Winter. In this blog, I would like to share some pictures and other information about three other species Green-winged Teal,…
Painted Stork
This year also, Stork with bright pink feathers, did not disappoint me and I was able to spot the same at Sukhna Lake in the last week of January 2022. I am happy that Painted Stork is now a part of my list for the Winter Visitor…
Purple Heron
The twelfth in the series of Winter Visitor to the city is Purple Heron. Similar in appearance to the grey heron but slightly smaller, more slender and has darker reddish brown plumage. It has a narrower yellow bill, which is brighter in breeding adults. It is also…
Grey Heron
The Grey Heron is an easily recognized bird with tall legs, a long bill, black, white and grey plumage, a long, white neck, bright yellow bill. A stripe of black elongated feathers begins from the base of the bill, runs above its eye, and extends up to…
Black-crowned Night-Heron
The next in my series of Winged Visitors to City Beautiful, Chandigarh is Black-crowned Night Heron. The Black-crowned Night-Heron is a black, white and grey bird, identified by its black cap and back, white neck and grey wings, stocky build and with neck usually tucked in. In…
Northern Shoveler
The next in the list of Winter Visitors to the City Beautiful is Northern Shoveler. The name of the Northern Shoveler is derived from its highly specialized spoon shaped bill that is used to forage for aquatic invertebrates. I spotted Northern Shoveler at Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh in…
Northern Pintail
The latest to wing its way to the Sukhna Lake at Chandigarh is the Northern pintail (Anas acuta), an elegant medium-sized dabbling duck with a slim profile, long narrow neck and pointed tail, that is native to the northern areas of Europe. The male’s long central tail…
Winged Odyssey – Bar-headed Goose
They don’t train or acclimatize. They could walk on the top of Everest and have no problem at all. They achieve physiological feats that seem impossible – flying at extreme altitude, where there is less than 10% the oxygen found at sea level. They never stop flapping…
Tufted Duck
The next in the list of Winter Migrants to the City Beautiful is Tufted Duck. Like every year, this year also Tufted Ducks started arriving in the month of October 2021 and likely to stay here till March 2022. I had spotted Tufted Duck at Dhanas Lake…
Little Grebe
Next in the list of Winter Visitors to City Beautiful is the Little Grebe. We can spot little grebes, fishing and enjoying winter season at Dhanas Lake. The little grebe also known as dab chick, is a smaller dark brown bird with white under parts, only six…
Common Pochard
The next winter visitor, which has already arrived at the water bodies of City Beautiful this winter and can be easily spotted is Common Pochard. We can easily spot Common Pochards either at Sukhna Lake or more closely at Dhanas Lake. These are likely to stay here…
Red-billed Blue-Magpie
The red-billed blue magpie is a colourful bird known for having one of the longest tails in birds. They were named magpies primarily for the fact that they consume almost everything – they are omnivores. Red-billed blue magpie have already arrived at Chandigarh in this winter season…
Ruddy shelduck ( Brahminy Duck )
The Ruddy shelduck, known in India as the Brahminy duck, is a winter visitor to Chandigarh. These ducks have already arrived at Sukhna Lake. It has orange-brown body plumage with a paler head, while the tail and the flight feathers in the wings are black, contrasting with…
Great Cormorant
The Great cormorant is a large, long-necked, beautiful black waterbird with an oily Plumage which is usually black with an iridescent sheen. It is often seen with its wings spread for drying after it had been diving for fish. After fishing, cormorants go ashore and are frequently seen…
Winter Visitors – Chandigarh
Painted Stork | Sukhna Lake | February 2021 Every year, with the Change in weather and the start of winter, winged visitors from far-off places like Siberia, Central Asia, China, Afghanistan, and also from Upper Himalayas start arriving at Water Bodies in and around Chandigarh. I have…
Indian Robin
The Indian robin is a small black bird, frequently seen in our gardens and woods. It will often be hopping or flitting about on or near the ground. It will often hold its tail up, revealing the rusty red “vent” under the tail. The “vent” is an…
Eurasian wryneck
Eurasian wrynecks are part of the woodpecker family, yet they don’t peck wood. They nest in holes already made by other animals. When threatened, the Eurasian wryneck bends and twists its head as if placing under a spell. These birds were once thought to wield magical powers…
Indian Spot – billed Duck
The Indian spot-billed duck is a large duck, which feed mainly at the surface water rather than by diving. The duck is a non-migratory breeding duck throughout freshwater wetlands in the Indian subcontinent. The name is derived from the red spot at the base of the bill…
Cattle Egret
The cattle egret is a medium sized bird. The egret has a hunched posture. The non breeding birds have complete white plumage with yellow bill and yellow-grey legs. In the breeding season, the feathers on the head, breast, crown and back turn an orange-red. The bill, irises…
Black Drongo – Kotwal of Birds
Black drongo is a beautiful Indian bird. It is a wholly black bird with a distinctive forked tail. They are aggressive and fearless in nature. Adults usually have a small white spot at the base of the gape and the iris is dark brown in color. The…
Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur – My date with Nature
In the last week of July 2021, I had to go near Bharatpur road for some official work. I was aware that Keoladeo National Park is there at Bharatpur, which is also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Though I came to know from google that there in…
Mystery bird: Pheasant-tailed jacana
This lovely south-east Asian mystery bird is unique because it is the only Jacana to have different plumages for the breeding and non-breeding seasons — unique in its taxonomic family. Jacana is also called a lily-trotter or lotus bird. The seven or eight species of the genus…
Oriental Magpie Robin
The Oriental Magpie-Robin is the national bird of Bangladesh, where it is known as Doyel/doel and appears on their currency notes as well. The Oriental Magpie-Robin is a medium-sized robin (19-20 cm) with a broad white wing-bar running from the shoulder to the tip of the wing,…
White – throated Kingfisher
A brilliant turquoise blue Kingfisher with deep chocolate brown head, neck and under parts, a conspicuous white ‘shirt front’ and long heavy , pointed red bill. A white wing patch is noticeable in flight. It is perhaps the most familiar of our kingfishers and also known as…
Indian Roller – An auspicious bird
Indian roller also popularly known as Blue Jay, is one of the most colourful birds of India whose colours are visible during flight. Found across the plains in India, it is the state bird of three Indian States, Telangana, Karnataka and Odisha. The bird gets its name…
Ashy Prinia – The Ashy Wren Warbler
Eleven species of Prinia are found in India, but this write-up focuses on the species most commonly found in cities and human-dominated habitats , Ashy Prinia. It is a common inhabitant of gardens and backyards. The Ashy Prinia is a small sociable bird that’s easy to spot. …
Purple Sunbird – The tiniest bird in ours garden
The Purple sunbird is a small bird and one of the common and most beautiful birds in our gardens. Its name, purple sunbird, comes from the male, some of whose feathers acquire a metallic purple shade under soft sunlight. In harsh sunlight, it appears to be a…
The Spotted Owlet
Do you know, a group of owls is called a Parliament. This could be because owls are typically considered to be quite intelligent and wise. In ancient Greek mythology, the owl was seen to accompany or represent Athena, the goddess of wisdom. In Hindu mythology the owl is…
Harbingers of Monsoon – Pied Cuckoo
As the countdown to monsoon arrival starts, so starts the scouting for Pied Crested Cuckoo by birders. I was also looking for this bird for the last two weeks, and today I was lucky to spot at least two of them and click some shots. A bird…
The Flying Architect – Baya Weaver
Baya Weaver is a small sparrow-sized bird known for its amazing nesting skills. It is monsoon again, and bayas (or the weaver birds) are back using their artistic skills in building nests and bringing up families. We can easily notice helmet shaped nests hanging from the Palm…
Indian Grey Hornbill – State bird of Chandigarh
The Indian Grey Hornbill, as its name suggests, the bird has a unique casque (or horn) on its grey-coloured bill. Apart from being the State Bird of Chandigarh, it is common across the city these days, especially in areas where there are large and contiguous tracts of…
The Shikra – A bird with Brain & Brawn
During Corona period, I saw a pair of Shikra building a relatively nest with sticks, on a high fork of a eucalyptus tree in the Green Belt behind my house. I kept on watching this bird with beautiful eyes and the bird also obliged me by giving various…
Black Kite
The Black Kite is a medium-sized bird of prey. Unlike others of the group, they are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend a lot of time soaring and gliding in thermals in search of food. Their angled wing and distinctive forked tail make…
Bespectacled Bird – Indian White-eye
Much like human beings, Oriental White-eyes are social birds. You’ll see them congregating in flocks as small as 10 or much larger, everywhere — even in your backyard. You’ll even see them in mixed flocks, with birds from other species. These are small birds with green to…
Woodpeckers – Black-rumped Flameback
A common, “small-billed” golden-backed woodpecker with four toes. It is one of the few woodpeckers that are seen in urban areas. It has an undulating flight and characteristic rattling-whinnying call “ki-ki-ki-ki-ki,” which steadily increases in pace and ends in a trill. Propped against the side of a…
Bird with a beard – Brown-headed Barbet
A large headed, beautiful bird with dark green feathers present in most residential areas of the city and very easy to locate in these days in the backyard. Its name is derived from the Latin work barba, meaning beard ( also the root of the word “barber”…
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