Threatened wetlands in Chennai give me three more

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       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 walked. A few places had the land dug-up, and had water in them. I carefully crossed them or walked around them until I hit a one where I could do neither. Worrying sign... this part too will disappear after a while! I saw Booted Warbler after a long time. I scanned the pond towards the south for anything unusual with my binocs, when I caught a still Snipe. It was difficult to see without binocs, and I was lucky to have got it. Common Snipe, Swinhoe's Snipe, and Pin-tailed Snipe occur here in the winter. On spending time on my book and internet, I concluded it to be Common Snipe for bird 930. I saw around 20 Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, and never remember seeing these many at once here.


Red-necked Falcon
     My next and final stop was Pallikaranai marsh. I wanted to see the usual shorebirds, and wasn't disappointed. A fast flying falcon landed on one of the huge electric poles. When I put binocs, I could see a brownish neck. Red-necked Falcon was bird 931. I saw Terns, the size of Whiskered Terns. I had what I suspected were White-winged Terns and took photos. I saw close to 80 Greater Flamingos, which seem to have made Pallikarani a home during the winters. I once again went past the Terns area, and was pretty confident I had White-winged Terns for bird 932. This visit to Pallikaranai too was one of the best I've had.


     I never went with expectations of finding new birds or any birds in general. I was surprised with one of the best birding trips to these parts where I saw a good number of bird species in good numbers. I had good looks at all of them. Three lifers were a bonus.

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