I knew that Kumarakom is sanctuary specialized in water birds, such as Cormorants, Herons, etc. But I wanted to view mostly the birds of forest, perhaps because last two weeks I watched birds in open areas. I want the tropical forest. So I have that I want. Yes it's true, but I want the large number of birds inside the tropical forest. Today birds were a bit.

I think I was the first visitor of the day. Staff told me about off season. Why off season? Three weeks ago in Thattekaad staff told me about start of season, it's really true, the season of birds activity in Thattekaad is December-February. But in Kumarakom main season is summer. So today I have the number and diversity of birds that I can to have in off season. I saw about two tens of species during 5 hours. Most numerous bird was the Indian Paradise Flycatcher which I view always near channels. Totally I view six Paradise Flycatchers, including one female and one male of white morph. The last one is so beauty, I never seen the white Paradise Flycatcher before today. When you take the photo of Paradise Flycatcher, you take photo either Flycatcher or Tail of Flycatcher, because when you take photo of tail the Flycatcher is invisible. When I today photographed white male I choose the Flycatcher not the tail. But Tail was photographed too in the end of session.

Sometime when you have lifer you know what you see, but sometimes you have lifer, also you know you never seen this bird before this one, but you don't know what you see. The significance of your lifer became when you know what you see. The Paradise Flycatcher of white morph was like a lifer which I know when I see. I was out of breath, my adrenaline increased. But when I had opportunity to take photo of the little blue bird in the top of tree, I didn't know what I see. I thought it may be one of the bluish Flycatchers which are much in India. Only when I open field guide I understand I saw Black-naped Monarch.

All the rest species are common, should be note the couple of Black-rumped Flamebacks looking so beauty in light green jungle, and the numerous Drongos, I saw three species of Drongos but common Black Drongo is off list. Along the channel I some times noticed Kingfishers (Stork-billed and White-throated), but local Kingfisher are very shy, also hard to take photos when the plants are so dense. Threfore, in the start of excursion I switch the lens to the “2-10m” mode.

Close to lunch time the number of visitors of Sanctuary was increased. Most of visitors were not birders, but young couples, or large families, only one young couple had a camera and could to tell about birds. Also I saw the older couple of foreigners with camera when I was leaving park, but theay came at about 1.30 pm, so I think they are not birders. Most of local visitors use the Bird Sanctuary as the common park. Three times I saw large Monitors, local visitors no afraid this large lizzards too much, even the young girls.

In the end should to say it's really great when I can reach the Birding Sanctury by the local bus after 30 minutes.

1. Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi). male red morph