The best thing about going birding with someone new to it is watching the list matter more than it should. Every lifer lands like a small emergency. The binoculars go up fast, the ID comes slow, and the satisfaction is completely disproportionate to the bird. I had forgotten how good that feels from the outside.
This morning was a long time coming. I hadn’t been out in a while, and going with an enthusiastic teenager fixed that faster than any personal motivation would have.
We were somewhere that clearly hadn’t gotten the memo about peafowls being common. Fifty-plus individuals across the morning, at a conservative count. The hornbills showed up too, and both made for some not-great shots and some very good memories.
Here’s the full list from the outing:
Red-whiskered Bulbul, Red-vented Bulbul, White-browed Bulbul, Coppersmith Barbet, Ashy Prinia, Green Bee-eater, Indian Grey Hornbill, Indian Peafowl, Red-rumped Swallow, Blue-faced Malkoha, Black Kite, Black-winged Kite, Brahminy Kite, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Yellow-billed Babbler, Red-naped Ibis, Baya Weaver, Black Drongo, White-throated Kingfisher, Asian Koel, Common Myna, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Red-wattled Lapwing, Cattle Egret, Spotted Dove, Rock Pigeon, Large-billed Crow, Indian Robin.
28 species. Several lifers for her. A decent morning by any measure.
