Journey to 1000 bird species

     During my journey from Chennai to ATX, the first stop was Dubai airport. I saw a large dove with a black collar while boarding through the jet bridge. It looked good for Eurasian Collared Dove which I've seen in Chennai and US (introduced). I checked online to note that African Collared Dove does not occur at UAE. The next stop was Milan,Italy and I checked a couple of green patches while walking between gates. Nothing. When I started boarding through the jet bridge I saw a crow move around. I'm not familiar with birds of this part of the world, but I've seen a Jackdaw, Rook and Carrion Crow at UK. This one was different, and if I remembered right Hooded Crow was the only crow in this area that I've not seen. Since the bird was close, but the lighting was bad, I was able to get id'able photos. I checked online to confirm it as Hooded Crow for bird 938 !  Hooded Crow I ebirded it:  https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S43113232 Photos contained in: ...

     I have been wanting to go to Sirudhavur during the last couple of visits to India and never got the chance. Once again I took a call taxi to do this. I did an afternoon session of birding which is not something I normally do. The reason being I had an appointment the next day morning and I was leaving India that night. First stop was Vivanta by Taj, followed by Kovalam-Kelambakkam bridge, both being unbirdy.  Checklists: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S43033613 https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S43033811 One photo from Kelambakkam: https://www.flickr.com/photos/57507254@N04/39538461385 Chestnut Shouldered Petronia - male      When I was heading to Sirudhavur through a dirt road I saw a nice Small Blue Kingfisher close by after a long time. During previous visits they have been far away. I walked at a few places along the east shores of Sirudhavur Lake. I found the north-east portion to be the most productive. I saw a good ...

     I took a call taxi starting from my home at 5:30 am and headed to Pulicat Lake, a place I've been wanting to bird for a long time. The first spot was Sulurpet-Sriharikota Road. A reedy marsh had interesting bird activity in the morning, and on driving further towards Sriharikota the place became dry with some waders here and there in a handful of water bodies. On the way back I checked ducks which were heavily back-lit earlier in the morning. I picked Eurasian Wigeons for bird 933 . Apart from that, the place was a disappointment due to low water levels.  Checklist:  https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S43016340      Next was Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, which I wanted to see out of curiosity. Initial section of scrubs had Ioras and Red-whiskered Bulbuls. I walked towards the lake and got to see distant Lesser Whistling-Ducks for bird 934 , and got better looks further down the trail. I saw a huge number of Spot-billed Pelicans which is w...

       Using jetlag and availability of my mother's scooter to my advantage, I headed to TNHB colony at Shozhinganallur before sunrise and looked at various reedy water bodies for any Crakes/Rails. I have a strong feeling these will disappear to buildings. White-breasted Waterhens are the only rails I saw here. I saw a good number of bird species and in good numbers too at various ponds in the area.             Next, I headed to nearby Perumbakkam marsh and was rewarded with good looks at a good variety of bird species. I would count this as one of the best visits I've had of this place. I saw a lot of photographers along the road, and was wondering why there were little birders. I was pleasantly surprised by an office going youngster who asked me questions with interest. I headed to the spot that I always spend most time at - the mud road perpendicular to the main road at the end of the lake. I parked the scooter and walke...