Ajaysekher.net » Eco Watch

Monkey Puzzle: A Photoem

Ajay — Sun, 20 May 2012 08:38:05 +0000

A Monkey Puzzle in our home garden in Gandhinagar, Kottayam. Early May 2012

Head or Tail! It is a puzzle for the predators

A Blue Tiger nearby

Shorebirds of Chavakad and Ponnani

Ajay — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:44:39 +0000

Eurasian Oystercatchers, Chavakad Puthan Kadapuram, 11 Feb 2012

Puthan Kadapuram is becoming a new found bird-beach north of Chavakad coast in Thrissur district of Kerala. It is a calm fishing beach that lures shorebirds and birders.

Common Green Shank, Puthan Kadapuram, 11 Feb 2012

Plenty of migrant birds from all over the world are coming here. Today (11 Feb 2012) I could see Oystercatchers, Grey Plovers, Kentish Plovers, Lesser Sand Plovers, Sanderlings, Green Shanks and plenty of Gulls there.

Grey Plovers, Chavakad beach, 11 Feb 2012

Brown-headed Gull, Chavakad Puthan Kadapuram, 11 Feb 2012

In the after noon I moved north to Ponnani. As the Ponnani estuary has lost sand flats due to dredging for the new fishing harbor migrants are shifting to southern shores now.

Lesser Sand Plovers, Ponnani beach, 11 Feb 2012

Black and Brown-headed Gulls, Puthan Kadapuram, Chavakad

Gulls are even going upstream to Kutipuram bridge and beyond to rest on sandy banks. The plastic menace is not yet a problem in Puthan Kadapuram and it is considerably clean in terms of waste. Plenty of crabs and other life forms are also vibrant here. I also found a dead turtle on the shore.

Sanderlings, Chavakad beach, 11 Feb 2012

At Ponnani estuary I was astonished to watch a White-bellied Sea Eagle just above the port being chased by Brahminy Kites. This threatened bird in Malabar coast was recently reported from Chavakad beach as well.

Heuglin's Gulls (Immature) at Ponnani beach, 11 Feb 2012

Little Stints, Chavakad beach, 11 Feb 2012

It is clear that this magnificent bird is straying south in search of survival and sea food. It is not found normally south of Mahe. The loss of Purathur estuary could be another fatal blow to the survival of such innumerable endemic and migrant birds and millions of other life forms for ever.

White-belllied Sea Eagle, Ponnani estuary, 11 Feb 2012

Heuglin's Gulls, Ponnani beach, 11 Feb 2012

Lesser Black-backed Gull (left), Ponnani beach, 11 Feb 2012

Oystercatcher, Chavakad beach, 11 Feb 2012

Grey Plovers, Chavakad 11 Feb 2012

Aquilas of Vembanad

Ajay — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:21:18 +0000

Greater Spotted Eagle, Cheepunkal, Kumarakam 22 Jan 2012

Oriental Turtle Dove, Kumarakam 22 Jan 2012

During the 2012 Vembanad waterfowl count I surveyed Kaipuzhamuttu and Cheepunkal areas with Adv Sureshbabu Thomas, Manu and other friends. The highlight was a pair of Greater Spotted Eagles combing Cheepunkal fields. We also spotted an Oriental Turtle Dove there which is a second sighting in the region. A Chestnut Bittern was also seen.

Greater Spotted Eagle, Cheepunkal, Kumarakam 22 Jan 2012

Paradise Flycatcher, Kumarakam 22 Jan 2012

Flight of Gr Spotted Eagle

Spotted Owlet, Kumarakam

Gr Spotted Eagle at Kumarakam 22 Jan 2012

Greater Spotted Eagle in action, Kumarakam 22 Jan 2012

Oriental Turtle Dove, Kumarakam 22 Jan 2012

Birds of Kol Wetland and Birder’s Meet 2012

Ajay — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:36:58 +0000

Plain Prinia, Adat Kol. 8 Jan 2012

As part of the Kol bird count 2012 I explored the Adat-Ambakad Kol fields with Vivek Chandran and other friends from College of Forestry on the morning of January 8, 2o12.

Open-bill Storks, Near Pullazhi Kol

We saw plenty of Small Pratincoles, Whiskered Terns, Cormorants, Barn Swallows, Bee-eaters, Munias, Sandpipers, Marsh Harriers, Storks, Egrets, Coots etc.

Brown Shrike, Kol 8 Jan 2012

A Peregrine Falcon and a small group of Little Stints were the highlights of the day. The birder”s meet at Sahitya Akademi at noon was also interesting.

Vivek Chandran and team in Adat Kol, 8 Jan 2012

Baya Weavers in Kol

Clamerous Reed Warbler, Kol 8 Jan 2012

Spotted or Scaly-breasted Munia, Kol 8 Jan 2012

Little Stints, Kol 8 Jan 2012

Small Pratincole in flight, Kol 8 Jan 2012

Barn Swallow, Kol 8 Jan 2012

Marsh Harrier (female), Adat Kol 8 Jan 2012

Peregrine Falcon, Adat Kol, 8 Jan 2012

Birder's Meet, Sahitya Akademi, Thrissur. 8 Jan 2012. Nameer, Sasikumar, Prasad, Basheer...

Christmas Birding in Kumarakam

Ajay — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:46:26 +0000

Black-shouldered Kite, Kumarakam paddyfields near Chengalam. 25-11-2011

I could also see a snipe, plenty of waders, egrets, cormorants, raptors, teals and much much more. It was a bright, blue sunny day and the new designed Kumarakam corridor is a delight to ride.

Green groves and paddyfields of Kumarakam

Peacock Pansy, Kumarakam. 25-12-2011

Spotted or Wood Sandpiper, Kumarakam

Brown Shrike at Kumarakam

Purple Heron, Kumarakam

Black-headed Munia, Kumarakam

Blue-tailed Beeeater, Kumarakam. 25-12-11

Bees swarming to Thumba blossoms in Kumarakam

Black-shouldered Kite, Kumarakam

Booted Eagles in Kol Wetland

Ajay — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:21:59 +0000

A Booted Eagle soaring above Enamavu Kol wetland, Thrissur. Oct 8, 2011

Birds of prey hunting Egrets in Kol

Booted Eagles on a mid-air encounter at least 500 m above Enamavu Kol, Thrissur. Oct 8, 2011

Booted Eagle showing white spots on either sides of the head. It is called 'Spotlights'. Enamavu Kol wetland, Thrissur, Oct 8, 2011

A raptor eating its prey near Adat Kol, Thrissur. Oct 8, 2011

Small Blue Kingfisher in Kol wetland, Thrissur. Oct 8, 2011

View of Thrissur city (in horizon) from Adat Kol wetland

A raptor at Kol. Oct 8, 2011

Globe Skimmer or Wandering Glider in flight. The migration of Thula Thumby started before the month of Thulam in Thrissur. Oct 8, 2011. Enamavu Kol, Thrissur

Asian Openbill Storks soaring high above Puzhakal Kol. View from Enamavu Kol. Oct 8, 2011.

Globe Skimmers amidst their migration in Kol

Glossy Ibises in Enamavu Kol. Oct 8, 2011

Riding inside Kol is a unique experience; the long and winding bunds take you to unknown locations, where nature is at its theatrically best.

Nature’s Magical Canvas: Sunset on Vilangan Hills

Ajay — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 07:43:53 +0000

Sunset from the top of Vilangan hills, Thrissur. 29 Sept. 2011

I re-visited the Vilangan Hills a few days ago after a long gap of four years. It is a delight to ride to the top of this ancient laterite hill that rises to almost 300m from sea level, from the Kol fields of Thrissur in the suburbs of the city towards north west.

City of Thrissur from the Vilangan hills; Sobha city rising in the left

The red-soiled hillock is covered in green vegetation after the long monsoon this year. Bamboo groves and Bonsai shrubs and scrubs are also doting the hillside with charm. We can also get a panoramic view around. The view of Thrissur city, the new emerging Sobha city(!) and the breathtaking view o the Kol fields towards the west are really challenging and inspiring for the visually inclined.

View of Kol fields and wetlands towards the west of Thrissur city; from Vilangan hills

There are plenty of visitors. School girls and local boys, families and lonely travelers are plenty on the top. We also met a film crew from Trivandrum looking for ideal locations to shoot a Prithviraj starer. The cinematographers in the crew were hooked up the beautiful sunset and its rare colors on the western firmament like me.

Jaime atop Vilangan; Kol fields in the backdrop below

They also tried to capture those incredible moments in camera like me. Some of them borrowed my Lumix FZ 28 for a while to admire the unique canvas of nature at that unforgettable moment. It was a soothing and emancipating visual moment for all of us: nature lovers, photographers, artists and sensitive human beings atop the marvelous hillock.

Incredible sunset: Riding upto the summit of Vilangan hills; Photo: Anish Tvm

Colors and textures of nature: Sunset on Vilangan

Melting hues of the eve: Sunset from Vilangan

Returning after the sojourn in Vilangan in the backdrop of a polyphonic sunset. Photo: Anish Tvm

Ode to Flight: A Poem in Photographic Images

Ajay — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:13:51 +0000

Spreading the wings of imagination: The great White-bellied Sea Eagle of north Malabar at Manjeswaram, Kasaragod, early 2011

Awesome and moving: White-bellied Sea Eagle takingoff, Bekal, Kasaragod, early 2011

Dive and fall in flight: Sea Eagle at Bekal, Kasaragod, early 2011

Agile and dashing: Osprey above Chempallikund near Ezhimala, Kannur, early 2011

As if still and hovering: Booted Eagle soaring above Chempallikund, Kannur, early 2011

Fast and dynamic: White-bellied Sea Eagle at Manjeswaram, Kasaragod, early 2011

Flight and fight: A mid-air encounter between Brahmany Kite and Sea Eagle at Manjeswaram, Kasaragod, early 2011

Incredible and sensational: The undulating flight of Eurasian Marsh Harrier above Kannur Kaipad wetland, early 2011

Massive in mid-air: W B Sea Eagle at Manjeswaram, early 2011

Flight and freedom: Survival of the sea eagle in Kerala

Migratory Birds in Kasaragod: Season 2011

Ajay — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:53:37 +0000

Terek Sandpiper and Sand Plover, Manjeswar river mouth, March 2011

Kasaragod the northernmost district of Kerala is endowed with beautiful beaches and estuaries that host a range of winged visitors from far and wide. Manjeswaram, Kumbala and Thalangara/Chandragiri form the major estuarine habitats of Tulunadu that welcome the migratory birds from all over the world in large numbers.

Sand Plovers at Manjeswar beach, March 2011

Since I am currently teaching at Govt. College Kasaragod I am able to observe the biodiversity and ecological importance of rivers and estuarine wetlands in the Kasaragod coast that lure the shorebirds from thousands of miles afar.

Paradise Flycatcher, Vidyanagar, Kasaragod, Feb 2011

My isolated evenings and weekends in the margin of Kerala were cheerfully blessed and environmentally sensitized by these feathered friends from alien shores. Thanks to these ancient navigators and globe trotters I learn many things from them.

Waders and shorebirds near Manjeswar river mouth, March 2011

Now that we have got rid of the agent of end and it requires years for the cleaning up of rivers and wetlands, I repeat my earlier idea for conserving these unique environmental treasures by declaring them as community reserves at least after the success story of Kadalundy where the numbers have dwindled this season.

Red Shank and Green Shank, Manjeswar beach, March 2011

As the migratory season is coming to a close and the world is observing Migratory Bird Day on 14 and 15 May 2011 let me present my snaps of shore birds, waders and migratory birds that I encountered on the beaches, wetlands, estuaries and woodlands of Kasaragod.

Migratory shore birds near the mouth of river Chandragiri, Kasaragod, Feb 2011

I salute their instinct for survival against all the pressures of development, pollution, urbanization, reclamation and increased human encroachment and alteration in their natural habitat and wetland ecology.

Sanderlings and Curlew Sandpipers, Thalangara estuary, Kasaragod, Jan 2011

Let us salute the enduring spirit of life that transcends continents and let us uphold the ethics and politics of conservation for the endangered and for all of us. Let us protect these little ones and protect our future and the future of our planet.

Black and Brown headed Gulls in Kumbala estuary, Jan 2011

Western Reef Egret, Thalangara/Chandragiri estuary, Jan 2011

Kentish Plovers, Kasaragod beach, Feb 2011

Gulls, waders and shore birds at Chandragiri river mouth, March 2011

Dunlins and Sanderlings, Kumbala beach, Feb 2011

Waders mostly shanks, Punjavi beach, Kanjangad, Feb 2011

Pallas' Gull, Thalangara/Chandragiri estuary, March 2011

Eurasian Curlews, Thalangara estuary, Jan 2011

Sunset in Thalangara/Chandragiri estuary, Kasaragod, Jan 2011

Marsh Harrier Wintering in Kannur Kaipad Wetlands

Ajay — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 06:34:04 +0000

Eurasian Marsh Harrier wintering in Odayammadam Kaipad, Cherukunnu, Kannur, Early March 2011

I revisited the old rented house that my family occupied during the early 1980s in Odayammadam near Cherukunnu in Kannur on March 5, 2011.

Cultivation near Kaipad wetlands near Odayamadam, Kannur

I began my journey down the memory lane from Kasaragod on bike and reached Pallychal, the bus stop for Odayammadam only in the afternoon riding continuously for more than 100 km in a go.

Kaipad wetland and the laterite hills around

After a short stroll around the old house, school and temple ground and after taking a few snaps of the temple pond in which I learned swimming I went straight to the ancient Pulayarkottam or the shrine of the Pulayas towards the west on the banks of the unique wetland ecosystem called Kaipad in Kannur.

Upside down: Incredible flight formations of MH at Kaipad, Kannur, March 2011

Here once I watched Pottan, Gulikan, Chamundi and Valiyambrati Theyyams as a child; at the edge of the wetland called Kaipad which is actually a backwater like formation of river Kuppam connected to Pazhayangadi estuarine ecosystem.

A breeding adult male Marsh Harrier winterig in Kaipad, Cherukunnu, Kannur, March 2011

As I am revisiting the place after almost three decades I could see the changes in natural and cultural ecology. The Kaipad was traditionally used as cultivating land for paddy. But now Odayammadam Kaipad is not cultivated and is engulfed by wild grass. Navigation, shrimp culture and wetland birds have also diminished.

Pulayarkottam shrine at the edge of Kaipad wetland, Odayammadam, Kannur

A local crab-hunter told me that even crustaceans have shrunk in the wetland. I could see a few Common and Spotted Sandpipers here and there. To my delight a Eurasian Marsh Harrier appeared from behind the mangroves.

Undulating and amzing in flight: Marsh Harrier at Kannur Kaipad wetland, March 2011

It displayed its undulating flight formations skimming the canopies of tall mangroves in the Kaipad. This hunter of the air is wintering in Malabar miles away from his European or North African home.

The beauty of Kaipad wetland, Kannur

I was happy to see this swift and agile bird of prey which was a breeding adult male in its prime. After a few hours in the wetland I started my return journey to Kasaragod on bike.

Awsome flight of Marsh Harrier above the mangroves of Kaipad wetland, Kannur

In between I also climbed up the laterite hillocks rising from the sea level wetlands and admired the breathtaking view of Kaipad and surrounding backwaters of Kuppam river from atop in the yellow light of evening.

Aerial view of Kaipad from atop the hill

As a boy it was a real passion to get to the top of these hillocks and watch the widening wetlands, the horizon and the blue line of the sea to the west, especially at dusk when it turns golden.

Pierrot on the hillside

I often escaped to the hills as I escaped to the Theyyams and drums at night, slipping and scooting away from home under the cover of darkness. But it was getting darker and I had to ride the 100 km back to Kasaragod and do nothing but to pull the throttle.

Odayamadam temple pond, Pallychal, Kannur. The gate of our old rented house towards right

Odayamadam primary school near temple. Green room of Theyyam towards right

Pipals still before the temple in Odayamadam

Thara junction, Cherukunnu, Kannur

Wild blossoms on the hillock near Kaipad wetland, Kannur

Whiskered Tern in flight above Kaipad

Spotted or Wood Sandpiper in Kannur Kaipad wetland

Summer vegetable cultivation in paddy fields, Odayamadam,Kannur

Mangrove blossoms in Kannur Kaipad wetland