How to get there ?
Migrating Amurs reported being spotted around Lonavala and many pics showed up on the net. A staging halt before the Amurs crossed the ocean into Africa. For the full migration details>> Amur Falcon migration
Chai first.
We reached the location by 0700 and already there were some nine cars waiting for the Amur action to start.
The birds were least bothered by our presence and continued to feed while we kept a low profile and took a gazillion of the exact same shots !
I dont care about my pants, but need my shot :-)) An intense photographer with sliding pants & red chaddi 😉
Amur Falcon Male
Amur Falcon Female
In the small patch with water I also saw Painted storks & spoon bills.
There was also a Lesser Kestrel and that was cooperative too! Being early morning it was not yet in hunting mode, so allowed for good pics. Lesser kestrel area, where we found it was, to the left after you enter the area.
By afternoon the activity waned and the kestrels took to the air to hover and hunt. We grabbed a lunch of “thepla” and omlette at a nearby “tapri” and decided to snooze the afternoon under a clump of trees. This was indeed the best part of the day. Mild warm sunlight and a cool breeze, with a rock for a pillow, absolute heaven !!
Up in the sky. I spotted a Bonelli’s eagle and also a White Eyed buzzard flying high and many Kestrels, both Lesser & common Kestrels.
White Eyed Buzzard
The evening was quite similar, and we waited to spot the Eurasian Sparrowhawk. This shows up late evening (1730h and later) towards the dam side. It gave us a brief glimpse and took off. By then the light was going down and we decided to call it for the day.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Day end chai & vada pav !
A fab day of birding primarily raptors ! Pratik, Suraj and Doc, thanks for a brilliant day !
Photo notes:
Get any 200-500 mm lens. No need for 600mm ! The birds are pretty close average 10-15 feet distance. No need for tripod. Bring a bean bag. You will have to keep up with the birds as they feed so there is going to continuous movement. Easier to crawl & move with a bean bag.
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Excellent report We know how to reach the spot precisely
How long these Amur falcons stay in that area?
Very nicely put !! That’s exactly how it is 🙂 Great write up, great pictures.