Birds News by Subhojit Chakladar
The Uiwang reservoir and some of the adjoining channels were frozen. Waterfowl in the unfrozen parts included the usual Spot-Billed Ducks and Mallards. There were also a group of Rooks on the frozen part of the reservoir. There is a construction project going on in the South-East part of the reservoir but in the adjoining rice fields there were about 200~300 Bean Geese. Also present in the rice stubble, were several flocks of Skylarks (Northern or Japanese?) and Oriental Turtle Doves.
A Great Egret was flying around. There were also 2 Mongolian Gulls.
Other highlights of the couple of hours spent there in late afternoon included a playful Marsh Tit (along with several Great Tits), a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Common Kestrel and a Dusky Thrush. The observations were from the North and North-western corner of the reservoir.
A question regarding the best way to observe birds like Pipits (or Snipes) that feed in the rice stubble:
When observing from level ground, what is the most effective way to approach without flushing them?
What is a reasonable distance to observe them with a good pair of binoculars?