Bird diary--2

We all read a lot about the rapidly decreasing number of the little chirpy sparrows.There was a time not very long back when this bird practically lived with us in our homes.Early in the morning their flock picking on the grains in the open courtyard used to be a common site but now they appear to be on the verge of extinction.
We are aware of the problem and we want to bring them back in our lives, in our homes. Thought provoking sessions, discussions are being conducted at various levels to determine the reasons of the sparrows flying away from our lives, our vicinities. I think the two very obvious reasons are ---shrinking of the open spaces in our homes and  non availability of large quantity of the whole grains in our homes.
From my childhood I remember sparrows in large number landing in the open area in home and picking on the grains .These grains were not specially sprinkled  to feed them but were scattered there the previous day during the various activities of cleaning, washing and drying of the wheat, pulses and grams extra. They were never awry of human presence around them and used to leave after eating their share. During day time also few of them were seen flitting in and out but specially those who had their eggs/kids in the nests on near by trees. The co-existence was mutually fulfilling.'aangan me gauraiya' birds in the courtyard was considered a good omen indicating that the house has enough storage of grains for the family members as well as the guests. Now due to our changed life style, we lead a shuttered existence, living in boxes and eating out of packets does not leave much scope for our winged friends entering our lives and homes. The climatic changes, pollution, changing sky lines of ever increasing cityscape, receding greenery.....there are many reasons for the sparrows to fly away in search of a better and more open place for themselves.
Number of sparrows visiting our terrace has also gone down considerably. A few months back there came about 10 to 15 sparrows together to eat the millet kept for them.while three or four sat on the pot eating others perched on the railing of terrace in a queue as if waiting for there turn but for last few days only a pair visit us in the morning.Where have all of them gone? I feel the disturbance caused due to white washing and painting might have compelled them to fly away. Did they miss the usual quiet and peace? have they sensed the unfamiliar presence? Whatever may be the reason we sorely miss their chorus of chirping. Besides that sparrows have a way to be part of your life.We usually put the grains in the pot quite early in the morning but if at all we missed it or were late in getting up, they used to sit on the wire in a row and started calling with such insistence that we have to rush out to cater to their rightful demand.
Today 22.05.12 no birds came except this pair of sparrow. Is it the pair who now a days frequents the nest in the open space in front of our kitchen.? can't say .But at least it's presence keeps the hope alive.

 The pair of sparrow......our regular visitor......

Our Birds diary--1

                                          Bulbul pair on electric wires in front of terrace

                                         One of them flew down to have breakfast

                                        Laiya is visible in the beak of Bulbul

Date--21.05.12,Lucknow.Our terrace.We have our morning tea on the steps of terrace.At the front end of terrace are two pillars on which are placed pots of water and grain.Sparrows and doves visit us daily but sometimes we are blessed with the glimpse of other birds as well.
On this particular morning, a pair of Bulbul came to our terrace at around 6 A.M.They first landed on the telephone wire running parallel and quite near to our terrace.One thing, I have noticed about Bulbuls, they always come flying in pairs. After a careful watch, they landed near the pot of grains albeit one at a time. In the mean time, the other one was, as if keeping the vigil. Today the pot has two varieties of food--one the usual millet and other Laiya.We saw that Bulbul preferred Laiya while we have observed that sparrows invariably love to feed on millets.
Today morning we had other visitors also.We were not able to click the pics of all the varieties of birds but the morning was filled with different kinds of notes and was musically vibrant.
There was this tiny dark chocolate coloured bird. Midst the crisscross running mesh of electric and telephone wires, this little one would have been almost invisible if not for it's shrill yet sweet call. She came late, around 7.30 A.M. In fact I was not even out on the terrace but was reading newspaper inside. Her call made me come out. At first I was not able to locate it but later on was able to track it near the electric pole midst the wires. She sat there for few minutes as if calling and waiting for someone then flew away spreading it's tiny feathers. At a distance she was just like a dot but her voice reverberated through the area for quite a long time.
Early in the morning also came the birds with white and black feathers. I feel they have made their nest inside the tin box installed on the pole by T.V. cable suppliers. Mynas and these white and black birds have some issue of proprietorship over this box or the birds have their little ones in the box and Mynas try to harm them ,is not very clear to us but we often see them fighting near that box. Today also, as a pair of Mynas came and sat on the wire near the box, these birds came flying and tried to attack  them in an effort to move them away from the place.We did not have our camera ready at that time hence could not shoot the scene. The surprising part is that neither that bird nor Mynas regularly come to that place. May be they have some other issues to settle or the birds have zeroed in on that box as their nesting place.We have observed that these birds choose box kind of structure for laying their eggs.Once earlier also, last year when the ground floor of our home was not occupied, a pair of this bird made their home for laying the eggs in the main electric meter box. On other occasions also we have observed these birds frequenting in and out of the boxes of cables on the electric poles.
I have to search for the names of these birds. Today almost every variety which we see in our locality was seen near our home. These winged creatures fill our days with melodies and colours and what an inexplicable joy is to watch them engaged in different activities.They too have their own world full of all kinds of emotions, actions, needs and responsibilities.

White Browed Wagtail.....this perhaps is the name of the bird I refer here as black and white bird .While searching on net I found one picture of the bird similar to the bird I talked about and the blog writer referred it by this name. But we shall try to click the bird and then confirm it's name.

All the pics by Sunder Iyer.