Bird Watching in Bijapur

One of my fellow birders went to Bijapur and did some casual birding in and around the Gol Gumbaj area. Incidently, I was excited to see the Red-breasted Flycactehr Male amongst his shots. This one has always been eluding me for a very long time, although the female was quite obliging everywhere. Since Bijapur isn't very far from Hyderabad, I immediately planned a trip to the location. Booked a stay at Hotel Mayura (Karnataka State Tourism) for one night and decided to drive down in my car.

Target was only one - THE RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER MALE. It took me 6 hours to reach Bijapur from Hyderabad, including rest, relaxation and fueling breaks. The road condition is decent enough, although be ready to cross atleast 200 speed breakers on the way, each way, For some reason, the road leading to Bijapur (even though a national highway) has speed bumps every few odd kilometers. Driving is definitely not enjoyable in such situations.

However birding definitely was very enjoyabale. My luck wasn't on my side even this time around, with the red-breasted flycatcher nowhere to be seen. Got the female again with no sighting of the male. But then again, birding activity in general was good and I had no regrets of making this trip.

Here is the video and all the other pics that I clicked.

Red-breasted Flycatcher Female

The most taken-for-granted bird in India is the national bird, I guess. Although in this shot even the female is also looking beautiful.

Indian Peacock Female

Gol Gumbaz is a parakeet destination no doubt, every possible location in the premises is dominated by them.

Rose-ringed Parakeet Female

Rufous-tailed Lark

Indian Grey Hornbill

Indian Robin Female

Common Hoopoe

Green Bee-eater

Lesser Whitethroat

Small Minivet Male

Small Minivet Female

Spotted Owlet

Early morning 7-00 AM and sunrise still struggling to be out. Somehow got two indivuals of these starlings perched on top of a tall tree.

Chestnut-tailed Starling

Coppersmith Barbet

Great Tit

Asian Koel Male

Asian Koel Female

Brahminy Starling

Purple Sunbird Female

Purple Sunbird Male

Red-rumped Swallow

I just love the 7D Mark II, those special settings to track birds-in-flight got me a chance to click these most difficult birds to ever capture through the viewfinder.

Little Swift

Black Kite

Gol Gumbaz