Sirudhavur gives me 937

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     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:

One photo from Kelambakkam:

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 diversity of birds, but few birds. I had good looks at Yellow-wattled Lapwings after a long time. In fact, I saw all three possible Lapwing species. After spending good time in the Lake, we drove around the village a little when a small sparrow-like bird interested me. It was backlit and I took poor photos. On hitting a dead-end, we drove back, and I stopped at the sparrow-like bird location again. The bird luckily flew to an abandoned house which was closer and gave me better looks. Yellow-throat, finch-like bill - Chestnut-shouldered Petronia was bird 937. I looked at the wings for chestnut but could see that only on zooming the photo.


     I decided to head home and when we crossed SSN, I got an idea to explore Thayur Lake. The lake had no proper access, and I walked on wet fields and through thorn-scrubs to the banks. I flushed a Snipe and saw a noisy Rosy Starling flock. I saw a huge number of Ducks when I went to the banks - Pintails, Shovellors and Eurasian Wigeons. I saw even more further away and wanted a closer look. After driving west we could find no access, and so I chose a random spot to try my luck. I walked through dry-srub and kept ticking brids. Then wet fields again! I decided to walk and hoped that I dont encounter a snake or something that bites. I struggled through and walked on sticky marsh with ankle deep water, loosing my slippers a few times, and it became fun after my legs were messed up! I got to the other side of the fields and kept exploring for an opening to the banks of the lake. I found a relatively easy access and climbed up to look at the lake. I saw the ducks, and they were the same set that I saw on the other side. Eurasian Coots and Little Grebes were the additions. Four Great Cormorants were a good sighting for me, as this was the first time I saw them in India. On starting to walk back I saw a snipe land in the fields, but could not locate it. I ended up flushing it, along with two others that were hidden. A Pipit called and flew away, which I missed on the ground. One of Blyth's, Tawny or Richard's. I should learn the calls and be prepared next time! Pied Cuckoo, Grey Francolins and Bushlarks kept me entertained. The evening was pleasant and I was satisfied with the adventure. My legs and shorts were covered with dark mud! I finished off with tea at a roadside place at Kelambakkam which was pathetic! I'm thinking I need to visit Sirudhavur once more and in the morning during my next visit if it happens to be in the winter.

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