Jhalana Birds Watching

Jaipur city got an opportunity to god that is Jhalana forest. Now temperature goes very high, everyone required more water. In the Jhalana Eco-tourism Park plenty water holes for wild animals. Wild animal’s tendency used to come on water holes in dark. But birds have no this kind of restrictions they used to come on water hole or water point in day time. There are some exceptions like sandgroose; night jar etc. they used come on water point after sun set.

I noticed whole day on a water point activity of birds. I notice that indedual bird has different pattern for water drinking. On 27th April.2008 I spend three hours on a water point at the peak time that is 2pm to 4.30 pm .That day temperature in between mentioned time vary in between 42°C to 44°C. So many Red-vented bulbul and yellow throated sparrow dinking water. They can drink water together ,Some time Indian silver bill also accompany with them .They are come in flocks ,But Great tit always come one or two may be due to few in number. But Red vented bulbul & yellow throated Sparrow regular visitor in good number.

Red vented Bulbul most time open there mouth due to more heat, Some birds after drinking water go on Senegal bush where their courtship display is most fascinating to watch as the cock bird flutters there wings droopingly and spreads his tail downward..2pm to 3pm mainly Red vented Bulbul, yellow throated Sparrow, and Indian silver Bill were using water point occasionally laughing dove & green bee-eater. After 3pm some special bird also comes on water point with some special habits. Common wood shrike drinks water in flying condition and then sits on the Senegal tree. Common wood shrike repeated this activity two or three time. Common wood shrike never sits on the water point. Brahimini myna comes in two or three in number and they use to take bath also with singing style. They easily & comfortly drink water and spend more time at water point in compare to other birds except Redwattled Lapwing. Redwattled Lapwing nowadays doing nesting on ground in open area there temperature very high ,So Redwattled Lapwing come on water point and sit in water to wet their lower part, Redwattled Lapwing repeat so many time so that more and more water absorbed in feathers.

Redwattled Lapwing then backed to nest and sit on the eggs and maintained temperature with caring water in featers. There is a myth that the nesting position of nest decided intensity of monsoon .If there is sufficient height from then monsoon also sufficient. Crested Bunting male & female both are shy birds first they come on adjoining tree and watch position for some time then come on water point and after that if they noticed any disturbance then again fly on the tree. It is a very beautiful bird they come in summer, both are crested.

Common drongo also drink water in flying mode .Common drongo known as “KOTWAL” but White bellied drongo never drink water like Common drongo.It calmly sit on water point then take water patiently .This bird has very red eyes.