Varier D, Birds of Thakurli Creek

8 BUCEROS Vol. 15, No. 1, April-July (2010) ARTICLE Ithasalwaysbeenapleasurebeingpartofnaturetrailsandiftheyinvolvebirdingitisevenmore fun. IbecamemoreinterestedinbirdingwhenIjoinedtheEnvironmentalInformationSystems(ENVIS) CentreonAvianEcologyatBNHS.... More

8 BUCEROS Vol. 15, No. 1, April-July (2010) ARTICLE Ithasalwaysbeenapleasurebeingpartofnaturetrailsandiftheyinvolvebirdingitisevenmore fun. IbecamemoreinterestedinbirdingwhenIjoinedtheEnvironmentalInformationSystems(ENVIS) CentreonAvianEcologyatBNHS. Ononesuchbirdingtrip,IhadbeentothecreeknearThakurlirailway station,DistrictThane,Maharashtraon19thFebruary2010. Thistripwasconsideredasawarm-uptothe annualMumbai‘Bird-race’,whichmybirderfriendshadactivelyparticipatedin. Birds of Thakurli Creek DivyaVarier Research Officer, ENVIS Centre, BNHS However, most of the ducks could be identified even without the binoculars. The very beautiful Northern Pintail Anas acuta was the first to be identified. The male bird is characterized by the presence of a pointed tail feather and the white coloration of the breast running up as a small strip from behind the curve of its neck. They were present in a flock of 10-12. Our excitement grew even more on spotting a flockofNorthernShovelersAnasclypeata. Less