Steve Happ Photography Ramblings and dissertations

Hampi North Side

This morning I took off over the other side of the river again. There were not many birds about but I did get to photograph some nice Black-headed Munia.

Black-headed Munia (Lonchura malacca) breeding male

And some juveniles were in the flock as well. Actually there were mostly juveniles with about one or two breeding males.

Black-headed Munia (Lonchura malacca) juvenile

I could only pick out the juvenile Black-headed Munias because they were with the breeding male.

Streak-throated Swallow (Petrochelidon fluvicola)

I found another heap of Streak-throated Swallow nests under a rock. They were flying into the nests, then coming out and roosting on top of a nearby boulder.

Indian Jungle Crow (Corvus culminatus)

I noticed that this crow has the tip of its top bill curving over a bit.

White-browed Bulbul

I keep seeing these all the time now.

Baya Weaver nest

There were two trees with Baya Weaver nests scattered around them. The old ones did not have the extension entrance like this one.

Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus)

This is a breeding male. Yellow on top and the front and sides.

Hampi bird list

Black-headed Munia (Lonchura malacca)
Streak-throated Swallow (Petrochelidon fluvicola)
Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus)
Red-vented Bulbul
Indian Pond Heron
Long-tailed Shrike
Asian Koel
White-browed Bulbul
Scaly-breasted Munia

Hampi River Birding.

This afternoon I went across the river to the northern side. I had to catch a boat over. There is no bridge. It was quite a productive afternoon. I expected nothing and was rewarded with a couple of ticks.

Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava)

The Red Avadavat breeding male is mostly red with random white spots. Their habitat is grass and low bushes, often near water.

Streaked Weaver (Ploceus manyar)

The Streaked Weaver breeding male has a yellow crown, dark brown side of the head and throat, with a heavily streaked breast and sides.

Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata) female

Note the reddish rump on the female.

Streak-throated Swallow (Petrochelidon fluvicola)

Streak-throated Swallows nesting under a boulder in the middle of the river.

Fat lizard

Hampi bird list

Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava)
Streaked Weaver (Ploceus manyar)
Streak-throated Swallow (Petrochelidon fluvicola)
Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata) female
Black Drongo
White-rumped Munia
Grey Heron
Purple-rumped Sunbird

Hampi – Karnataka.

I arrived at Hampi from Goa at 6am, had a cup of chai and then went to my room at my guest house for a kip. After a little while, I realised that it was still early morning so I got up and went birding. doh!

Yellow-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthlaemus)

The main targets for Hampi were the Yellow-throated Bulbul and the Painted Spurfowl. One down, one to go.

Streak-throated Swallow (Petrochelidon fluvicola)

I cannot remember if I have seen these in India before. The wifi is down so I cannot check.

Indian Jungle Crow (Corvus culminatus)

I think these were split from the Large-billed Crow. It is very confusing.

Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata) male

I have been seeing females for ages, so now I get to photograph a male. woot!

Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaina haemacephala )

Yellow-billed Babbler (Turdoides affinis)

I must be getting south to see these.

lizard

This one had very good camouflage on the rocks. And two yellow stripes on his back.

Black and yellow lizard

Indian Palm Squirrel

This guy looked like he was spoiling for a fight. So I left him alone.

Hampi bird list

Yellow-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthlaemus)
Streak-throated Swallow (Petrochelidon fluvicola)
Yellow-billed Babbler (Turdoides affinis)
Indian Jungle Crow (Corvus culminatus)
Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaina haemacephala )
White-browed Bulbul
Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata)
Brahminy Starling
Common Myna
Laughing Dove
Red-vented Bulbul
House Crow
Large-billed Crow
Scaly-breasted Munia
Green Bee-eater
Feral Pigeon
Purple Sunbird
White-browed Wagtail
Common Tailorbird
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Indian Robin
Indian Silverbill

Others

Indian Palm Squirrel
Bonnet Macaque
Various lizards.
Big millipede