Continuing from the eventful evening at Jakkur Lake, we headed out to Valley School, considered to be the paradise of the Asian Paradise Flycatchers (APFCs). We started a little late thanks to a little do at Aravind’s the previous evening. So battling a hangover and lack of sleep, we started at 5:45 from Sahakarnagar to Valley School. Ma Nature was kind and she held back the light a bit so we don’t feel too bad about getting up late.
We made it to Valley School by 6:45 and having signed in at the entry (there were four cars already before us), we headed up the path to glimpse the elusive APFCs - we had made up our mind to see tons of them. That doesn’t always work. Going forward, we plan to enjoy every single bird out there and give them all the attention they rightfully deserve. Enroute, Aravind took the path less trodden and was gifted with a Goshawk (lifer) while I stayed on the path and shot some Red-whiskered Bulbuls. Nothing against them. They sing so well and they aren’t too shy either. I like them. So here’s a mugshot of the colorful and beautiful Red-Whiskered Bulbul.
Valley School seemed to be devoid of birds from there till the abandoned house. Not even the babblers were interested to come out and annoy us. Just before taking the turn to the house, we saw some activity on the tree leading to the house. A few warblers, an Ashy Prinia and a newbie hanging out having a nice time gorging on the berries. Another lifer for me. A Black-headed Cuckooshrike.
The area after the house was again devoid of APFCs. Just the swallows going about their business making multiple trips to their nests on the roof of the abandoned house. We hung around that spot before deciding to move along a path that we hadn’t ventured before. It was a winding road that took us down to the bamboo grove and since that path was not too frequented by others (I am assuming) the ground was covered in dried bamboo leaves making the entire path yellow. It was surreal to look at. It was also a little scary as it was just the three of us - Oh! we were joined by a fellow birder and surgeon. If it was up to lazy me, I would have turned around and come back empty-handed. Thankfully I decided to follow Aravind moving ahead and dove deep into the bamboo forest. We hit what must have been a large stream. Only it was completely dried up and covered in, you guessed it right, dried bamboo leaves. Aravind piqued our interest by spotting a female APFC. There were even places where the water might have fallen as tiny waterfalls once. One area was completely burnt up making the ground black. It was such a contrast to the yellow of the leaves on the other side. While Aravind and the surgeon started climbing up a path on the other side of the stream, I hung around walking down the stream and chanced upon a Puff-throated Babbler (lifer) creating a beautiful composition. Go ahead… see if you can spot him in the pic below.
While the Puff-throated was doing his thing, the most beautiful thing happened. An APFC (rufous morph) and a male at that with the longest tail I’ve ever seen came flitting down and settled on a branch just a few feet from me. I was too stunned to even lift the camera to my eyes lest he fly away. Lost a few precious seconds before I got to my senses and lifted the camera and managed a measly two shots!!! It was the most beautiful setting with the background so ethereal and the elusive and beautiful bird right in front of you. It all happened in a few seconds and he vanished after hopping a couple of trees. Sigh.
I joined the others after this and went up the path only to spot another lifer - a Short Toed Snake Eagle soaring above us in the clearing. Now I took the lead and started running after him, trying to catch another glimpse and shot of the beauty. In the chase, we ventured too far and eventually lost our way, shot a few sunbirds and after some trudging along, we thankfully saw some sign of human life. Back to humanity and completely drained and hungry, we closed the day at Valley School. Hey, hey, while we were done for the day, the day was not done with us yet. Just before the end of the path back to the car, we spotted a Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher who was sportingly posing for us in a rather dark undergrowth. A few tired shots before the last few steps back to the car. Until the next time, here are some more images from the day.
Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher