Tickell's Blue Flycatcher

One of the several species of flycatchers, the Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher is a blue and white bird, of the size of common sparrow.

It is fairly common throughout this region in lightly forested areas and can be spotted in shady, isolated thickets. It is identified by its blue head, upper body and wing portions, with rusty-brown throat and white abdomen parts. Sexes are similar, but the female is duller with lightly colored throat. 

Photograph location: Mumbra Hill

One of the locations to spot the flycatcher is the forest along the foothills of Mumbra, which is a good place to visit during the monsoon months. There are a large variety of birds one can spot and the view of the Kalwa creek from atop is great.

Name	Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher
Alternate name(s)	Not known
Size	Common sparrow
Occurrence	Lightly forested areas, prefers wooded foothills
Status	Fairly common
Distinct features	Deep blue head, upper body and wing parts; rusty-brown throat and white abdomen.
Sexes	Alike, but female much duller in comparison

Laughing Dove

The Laughing Dove is smaller than the common pigeon and is much slimmer. Its head, neck and upper breast portions are pinkish-brown, with white abdomen parts. 

It is often mistaken for the more common Spotted Dove. A black and brown checker-board pattern on its throat differentiates it from the Spotted Dove, which has a distinctive black and white checker-board on the neck.(See post: Spotted Dove).

The other key identifying features are bluish-gray wing patches and black wing tips. Sexes are alike. 

It is difficult to spot and is quite uncommon.

Name	Laughing Dove
Alternate name(s)	Little Brown Dove
Size	Spotted Dove
Occurrence	Lightly forested, dry shrublands
Status	Uncommon
Distinct features	Pinkish-brown head neck, upper throat and breast parts; white abdomen, bluish-gray wing patches and black wing tips. A distinctive black and brown checker-board pattern on its throat differentiates it from the Spotted Dove.
Sexes	Alike

Masai Mara

The very word brings to mind images of vast African plains, and with it, the seemingly countless number of wild animals that inhabit them. The Masai Mara literally translates into “spotted” land of the Masai people in the Masai language. Mara (spotted) refers to clumps of trees and bushes that dot the plains, which form a continuous part of the Serengeti National Park.

At the outset, let me state that I have not had the opportunity and privilege to witness some of nature’s most magnificent creations. The pictures uploaded are courtesy of Mr Sunil Gauri, well known builder of Kalwa and avid birdwatcher, who kindly consented to pictures from his trip to Kenya being uploaded on this blogspot. He says, “It is an experience of a life time. Anyone who has seen the plains can never forget the sight of wild animals in close proximity especially prides of lions, elephants and the spectacle of thousands and thousands of migrating wildebeests, zebras and other animals, moving together in the Great Migration.

“The entire region has a high density of animals and vast herds of hippopotamus, giraffe, big cats (lions, leopards, cheetahs) as well as hyena, and smaller antelope are very common. We also spotted vultures, lilac-breasted rollers, ostriches, guinea fowl and doves”.

Until one actually makes the trip, one can always enjoy the pictures.

Pune Butterfly Garden

The Pune Municipal Corporation maintains a butterfly garden in Sahakar Nagar. 

Not many people in Pune city are aware of its location as it is not well publicized. After asking several people, we were ultimately able to locate it. We expected it to be quite large and spacious. However, it is a small garden with two walk-in enclosures. The enclosures are covered with wire-mesh to prevent the butterflies from escaping. 

The open garden is quite small and there was no knowledgeable person around to guide us around the site and help identify the various species.

Over a period, one hopes that the trees and flowering plants will grow and be able to support a larger variety of species.