On the way, early morning weather though not a good indicator varied from good to poor. But upon arrival to the dedicated road to the hill station, we could sum the weather as nothing but bad. Heavy mist shrouded most of the way. In the many spots, the mist was not a hindrance but the thick clouds were. Surroundings were dull and uninspiring.

We did our quota of walking to satisfy ourselves of the efforts and investment pumped in for the trip. My experiences in watching the environment paid off. I am the only person who encountered not one but 2 bird waves.

Adding to it. The mood for that day was the need to clear our record that we indeed had made efforts to do some birding and outing. That was the mood when we saw our first bird, the "Yellow-face" or Crested Serpent Eagle. It was a good start as teh bird allowed us the time and walk around to get pictures of him from various angles.  

The mood was put slightly on the upbeat.   It was confirmed just seconds later when we saw this Coucal basking in the morning rays.

Oh! There were more Big ones and smaller birds. Munia or Weaver - we asked and peeped.

Nope! Stop and see. Couldn't make out anything. But something else? The mate of the earlier Lesser Coucal some 50 meters away. What a pose - So alike and co-incidental! It was quiet and cool. They needed the sun rays and we were happy to be clicking away.

The rest of the journey over this torturous winding stretch was uneventful. Not even a beak from the Grey Wagtails which would have normally scattered along this lone stretch of mountain roads. None, not that ambitious to think of passing by some Forktails.

The road up was equally uneventful. Only interrupted momentarily by the meeting up with fellow birders Family Tings. they had spend the night before up in the hills.

Just wondering the reason as to why the left the more lucrative spots in the hill Station and opted for this lonely and winding road

Despite of the depressing looks of dull weather, we were still on look out for that elusive Red-bearded Bee-eater. Spotted by me some time back and confirmed by other to frequent trees along the road.

We headed for the our usual haunt - the Telecom Loop.! Both George & Stephen went ahead and I had a haunch upon hearing some calls coming from the ravine. Then a small bird wave. Mainly of Mountain Fulvetta as I could see and one odd bird! From the grey head and presence of yellow both top and under, I would put that as the female of the Black-throated Sunbird.

Well, one more picture of the Fulvetta won't hurt this report.

The calls I heard earlier coming from the ravine turned into a reality. This time the earliest to make their appearances were the Golden Babbler and Mountain Tailorbirds. I chased their jumping monster for a while with no rewards. then again I noticed lots of shadows moving quietly. There were larger birds. And - Caught one! A Lesser Yellownape.

As for highlight in this trip. I would rate the time we spent practicing our photographic skills on this model.

I am meeting my quota of good pictures on this bird. But each time seeing him perched there and usually within reach of my camera's focus is also so inviting.

Perhaps now you could understand. The depressing mood and the dull weather negates the purpose of studying the environment under which the birds was seen I mean recording situation like - the weather or which type of trees were flowering or fruiting.