Wagtails

There are several species of the wagtails, which are migratory visitors to our country. The Large Pied Wagtail is the largest amongst them and is as big as the bulbul (slightly larger than the sparrow). It has a white and black plumage with a long white and black tail, which is constantly wagging in an up and down motion. Of course, that’s why it is called pied (white and black in simple terms) wagtail. 

 

Its black head has a distinct white streak over the eyes, in the form of white eye-brows. White abdomen and lower parts are its other identifying features. 

 

Habits

It is often found singly, on open grassy surfaces and marshy regions near wetlands and feeds by running around in search of insects, making good use of its long slender legs on all types of surfaces. Tolerant of human presence, it may be seen in close proximity of farming activity.

 

 

Yellow Wagtail

 

Another species commonly seen alongside the pied wagtail is the smaller, Yellow Wagtail. 

Its habits are similar to that of pied wagtail; however, it keeps its distance from humans. It can be identified by its black head, olive green upper body and yellow under parts.

 

 

Location: Varca, Goa

Redwattled Lapwing

Its call is definitely its most easily identifiable feature, a clear and loud tee-tee-teeew..tee-tee-teeew; a call which many of us would have heard quite often, but may find difficult to visually identify the bird.

The lapwing has jet black upper head and a black patch over its throat and upper chest, with white abdomen. A white band connects the abdomen to the head behind its black eyes. The wings are brownish-grey and extend into black tail. A fleshy red wattle is present on its slender red bill. 

Its long stalk-like yellow legs allow easy movement on open grassy or sandy, wet surfaces near wetlands. It is observed singly or in pairs. 

It feeds by constantly running around, using its bill very effectively to pick up food. 

It is quick on its feet; extremely alert at all times and swiftly takes flight at the slightest hint of any alarm. While flying, it appears overall white and black.

Photograph location: Varca, Goa

Name	Redwattled Lapwing
Alternate name(s)	Titeeri (Hindi), Titwi (Marathi)
Size	Crow
Occurrence	May be spotted on open grassy or sandy, wet surfaces near wetlands
Status	Fairly common
Distinct features	Overall white & black bird with white abdomen and brownish-grey body, long yellow legs and slender red bill
Male/Female	Alike

 

Environment degradation

Are we (Indians) doing enough for the environment? The answer is no.

Look at the nearby shop / mall. Feel the urge to buy some snacks? For your child, maybe?
What do we do after the packet is empty? 

The normal Indian throws the waste (cigarette or chips packets / chocolate wrappers / gutka or supari sachets / plastics water and tea cups / tetrapacks and water bottles / thermocol plates) on the road: the best way to "get rid of waste". Some of us dump religious offerings into our rivers - wrapped in plastic bags. But pause and think for a moment whether you have really got rid of the waste? 

It is still there, still on Planet Earth.
Well, who cares? The truth is, almost no one. Is there anything to care, though? The answer depends upon how you see the environment. Everyone learns in school that you must not litter any place. But no one adheres to this. But during discussions, the (empty) words come out:
We must protect the environment.
We must not litter our Earth.
We should carry any waste with us while traveling.
We should not throw plastic in (the) sea.
We should support car pooling.

Why this superficial-ness? Why do people not practise what they preach?
The answer lies in the education of people about the environment. They know what will happen if they don't protect the environment. Yet they won't protect. Confucius? was right when he said, "The fear of a thing is lost due to familiarity." You may harbour fear for a person walking towards you with a gun in hand. But, a member of the Rapid Action Force will not feel afraid if he were in your place. [No comparisons intended] That is because the forces are used to seeing weapons in hands of people in front of them.

Same case: children have become so familiar with the results of our actions that they no longer feel afraid about what will happen.

Why protect the environment?
Okay, why should we protect the environment? Why should we not litter the roads? Why should we not throw waste into the sea? Why should we support car pooling? Why should we protect Planet Earth?
Global warming. To speak briefly, it is the absorption of solar heat by carbon-dioxide, leading to rising temperatures and permanent worldwide flooding due to the melting of polar ice caps. Well, everyone knows that. It happens thanks to pollution. So support car pooling.

Littering. Non-biodegradable wastes will never decompose. They will lie on Earth for decades. Or maybe until science brings about a breakthrough. Animals may eat them and die. Non-biodegradables like plastic and rubber will release poisonous gases when burnt. They may cause soil pollution. Or, water pollution if thrown into seas. In addition to sea-quakes that cause tsunamis, these monster waves may also form because of blockages due to such wastes.Enough reasons to stop littering.
 

Biodegradable wastes will decompose, but release some really foul smelling gases. Eighty-five percent of plant compost may be released as gas. If you can use them as compost, why throw them around? You can just bury it into soil near plants.

Environmental degradation. Humans are sustained by the Environment. Environment with a capital E. Changing it too much can affect humans and all living things. This will affect biological diversity (or just biodiversity) and make living things more vulnerable to extinction. So, protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

Earth is the only planet (only? well, the only known planet) to sustain life. If we do not sustain Earth, we will not be sustained by Earth. I am sure Earth does not want to lose this status. If Nature can sustain humans, why cannot we sustain Earth? - nature's gift to us?

Well actually, we can and we must - before Nature strikes back. 

Lets stop destroying the environment. I wish all of us the Best of Luck.  
The force is with us.

Ruff

Different wader species may be categorized on the basis of the depth of water in which they feed, which in turn depends on the length of their legs and bills.  

One of the common wader species is the Ruff. It can be spotted on mudflats near seashore or banks of rivers and other wetlands. It feeds on aquatic invertebrates during low tide, when the banks are exposed.

It is a gregarious bird. Large numbers may be observed in the mudflats of Bhandup, alongside the creek.

Name	Ruff
Alternate name(s)	Reeve (female)
Size	Pigeon
Occurrence	Observed mudflats or near banks of rivers or inland water bodies
Status	Fairly common
Distinct features	Overall brown & white scaly pattern on upper body, grey patch on head; slim with long yellow legs
Male/Female	Alike; female is much smaller than male

Booted Warbler

The Booted Warbler is fairly common in this region. It is a small dull-brown colored bird, largely unnoticed as it perfectly blends into the background growth. It moves through the undergrowth solitairily, feeding mainly on insects and worms and can be identified by its call, a deep chuck, chuck…  

It is one of the several species of warblers, which are quite difficult to identify.

The small, brown birds which normally remain inconspicuous, are quite easily spotted just before the spring season, when the trees are still bare and without new green foliage.

Photograph location: Kalwa

 

 

Name	Booted Warbler
Alternate name(s)	Not known
Size	Common sparrow
Occurrence	Observed in dry undergrowth singly or in pairs
Status	Fairly common
Distinct features	Overall dull-brown appearance, has a white streak over its eyes, slimly-built, with a slim dark brown tail
Male/Female	Alike