Two birds at the lake

The dead tree which our volunteers had placed on the lake bed in June this year has always had some bird or the other perching on it. 

Volunteers helped shift the dead tree to the lakebed (June 2013)

Today it was the turn of a Little Cormorant. The sight of these cormorants is heartening since they are predominantly fish eaters. From June to now, it is not only the birds that are new to the lake but also the water level as you can see around the dead tree in the photographs.  

Little Cormorant

Another lovely bird spotted today was a Pheasant-tailed Jacana in breeding plumage. They typically breed in the monsoon, laying eggs in floating nests. We didn't spot any nest today but will be on the lookout for them. 

Pheasant-tailed Jacana

What is more conspicuous, indeed at several places in the lake are the nests of the Common Coot. The coots are hatching or swimming with chicks of various sizes everywhere. They are converting the lake into a veritable nursery! 

Usha

Nesting waters, blooming gardens

With the heavy rains, it is a delight to see how much water has entered the lake this monsoon and how quickly it has become a nesting haven for birds. The weeds are being removed from the lake by a dedicated workforce but stray little weed patches here and there, that have birds' nests in them have been left untouched. The bigger 'islands' have been retained deliberately for birds to shelter from overhead predators. 

The gardens of the lake and the trees have also been well fed by the rains. The blooming flowers are bustling with butterflies and other creatures. 

Pics: taken today, Usha Rajagopalan