1. On the occasion of #WetlandDay, here is a #thread on Reeds(varieties of tall aquatic grass) that grow in wetlands or marshy grounds. Reedbeds support a large variety of birds sp. eg, the Bitterns
2. Reeds are also home to some elusive species like the crakes & the rails (Family: Rallidae). Commonly seen Grey-headed Swamphen and Common moorhen are also belong to the same family.
3. Reedbeds are favorite among the herons. The Purple herons are always there along with their cousin Pond herons. Egrets and Cormorants are also found throughout the year around the reeds.
4. Little grebes nest here and find it safe to protect their chicks from the #birdsOfPrey. So are the weaver birds & some of the munias. These small birds use the grass blades to make nests
5. The reedbeds also attract a lot of migratory birds. During winters in NCR, one can find the Bluethroats & Stoncechats around the reeds. Occasionally, one can even spot the Penduline Tits
6. Warblers feed on insects that live in the reeds. Clamorous reed warbler for example. Mustache Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler, Blyth Reed Warbler are some other species that one can see.
7. Prinias, although not a wetland bird, love the reeds. One may not see but surely hear the call of Yellow-bellied Prinia from a bed of reeds. Babblers & grassbirds also frequent the reeds
8. All these birds attract the harriers. Marsh harrier for example. On a lucky day, you will see a falcon or shikra hunting around a reedbed. Long-tailed shrikes are also seen regularly
9. I've shared enough to say why reeds are important. I have shared it from what I've observed in Delhi/NCR. You might see more birds around the reeds from different areas. Pl feel free to share your observations
But on some other days(should I call them bad days?) they are quite far. Like this Grey-headed fish eagle from Okhla & the Short-toed snake eagle from Mangar.
I have photographed (shared earlier here) a pair of Asian barred owlet earlier last month which I found in the backyard of my home in Assam in my recent visit in April.
Today, my bother called me in the morning and told me that he found a chick at the bottom of a tree with a large hole. I ID the bird and he managed a bamboo 🪜 to place the chick in the hole. He noticed 2 more chicks there.
While doing so he was attacked by one the parents. The hole was little wide at its mouth so we concluded that the chick came out of its own while crawling inside the hole.