Backwaters of Pallathuruthy.

Twice I visited backwaters area near Pallathuruthy. I planned mostly explore the paddy fields. Some of fields I saw are stubble. I attempted to deep to territory by the narrow wall between two fields. Attempt was not successfully, I found only Prinias and Barn Swallows, but my legs became wet. Here there are no so brad and comfortable roads between fields as in Puzhakkal river area. From a far I saw the flying Marsh Harrier, means it can to find any prey in stubble fields, more likely waders than rodents. Also I saw 4(!) Eagles, three Booted Eagles of different morphs and one Greater Spotted Eagle. I need to say too much people in this area. The numerous of humans and absence of roads inside the fields make uncomfortable birding in fileds, you should to watch birds either directly in the village or near village, both of modes mean a lot of people. One large field was water covered, rice growers reconstructed the walls between fields, of the birds I saw only Indian Pond Herons and Little Egrets. May be a bit of birds because not only of season in fields but also of the proximity of large lakes and rivers. I saw flying large flocks of Ointails and Glossy Ibises, and single or small groups of Cormorants and Black-headed Ibises. Birds were flying in different directions, I think there are many spots where they can to feed. It was interesting to me to view Yellow Wagtails in winter molting from grey plumage to bright yellow. We never seen this transformation.

Backwaters of this area are the same one of Kumarakom. Off season. Should to visit this area in March-April to view a lot birds, now I see Cormorants, Herons, Kites but in small number. I planned to stay two or three hours in the coast of river or lake and watch birds above the water. But too much people. The river coast in this area is the base of touristic organizations, mostly of boating trips services. I found the little reed thicket with the Yellow Bitterns, Blyth's and Clamorous Reed Warblers, and White-rumped Munias inside, but it was very uncomfortable to watch birds because reeds are bordered by the home. Home owner is very smiley man, but I think the guy with big lens camera is not nice neighbor when he take morning private procedures. So my birding in Pallathuruthy area was slightly short but quite productive. As I said, I saw four Eagles, the Yellow Bitterns and Baya Weavers are the first records in Kerala to me. Hope once I will visit these lakes in right season, and will see a lot of birds, promising by advertising.

1. Boating is popular service

2. Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)

3. Fileds are stubble

4. Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

5. Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)

6. Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

7. Booted Eagle (Aquila pennata)

8. Black-Tailed Godwits (Limosa limosa)

9. Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus)

10. Lizzard with pearl face

11. Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) in moulting

12. Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus)

13. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)

14. Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)

15. Black-Hooded Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus)

16. Purple-Rumped Sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica)

17. Flowers of backwaters

18. Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)

19. Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus)

20. Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis)

21. Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis)

22. Clamorous Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus)

23. Blyth's Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum)

24. Northern Pintails (Anas acuta)

25. Black-Rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense)

26. Lesser Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna javanica)

27. Chestnut-Tailed Starling (Sturnia malabarica)