ODKF trip report

Hello friends, hope you are safe and doing fine, day by day with unlocking mode we should be more cautious about our safety. Now it seems COVID has become part of the routine and it is upon us how cautious we can be in keeping a safe distance from the virus. With a given scenario somewhere we have to get back to our routine with safety measures and hence I opted to start with a small trip and to see how things are around and to get settled with a new routine.

For the first time after the lock-down, somehow I convinced myself to go out, the big factor to take a decision was this colorful bird, this bird is close to my heart and amongst the top five favorite birds. it is a very exciting moment because at least I got the chance to go for a trip and I can't wait for more to update you on the wonderful experience with this bird.

The Report card

The trip was planned because of Tosh and Raje sir so let me first thank both of them for offering me to join them for this trip. This is a time to visit ODKF due to breeding season, we thought we will miss the same this time because travel to Chiplun is not possible. Tosh/Raje Sir came up with details of Panvel Kalhe village where Samadhan Bahu has a couple of sights where ODKF has placed its nesting. Without a second thought, I agreed to join them and the rest is history.

We reached the exact place at around 8am and before we settle down ODKF took a surprise visit. We got the mood of the bird and quickly managed readiness for the next round. You will not believe the round continued for around 8 times. We were feeling like in 7^th heaven because after such a long time this opportunity came and that is with such a close encounter and with multiple visits. Crabs, skinks butterflies were just a bonus added to ODKF sighting. This was part one of the trip reports, now let me open up the next section which is full of exciting details about this little champ.

Colorful Facts

The sequence followed by a cute little bird is just amazing, how God has set such a cycle in this bird is outstanding. ODKF both male and female are active participants in the upbringing of chicks. First, they find out a place where they can keep their chicks safe. The flat I mean the nest is finalized somewhere horizontal tunnel up to a meter in length. Breeding starts in June and ends around September. The clutch of four or five eggs hatches in 17 days with both the male and female incubating. The birds fledge after 20 days and a second brood may be raised if the first fails.

They have to feed chicks for around 15 days and then they can take flight and get trained for a few more days before they get separated from parents. The same cycle continues at the same place in the next year. Even after migration, they come back to the same place after a year.

Now let me update you on the unique pattern of feeding, the style of feeding the chick is the USP of this bird. It catches insects, lizards, frogs, shrimps, skinks, fish, etc. for the chicks, but before feeding, it uses the perch or similar place to keep the kill in the right position to ensure that it is comfortable for them to feed the young ones, once they are comfortable it reaches the nest to feed the chicks. Pictures will help you to understand this behavior better. This continues for the whole day to ensure they feed all chicks appropriately. The uniqueness of pattern and color combination is such that it attracts the photographers the most.

After unique patterns let me update you on colors, the crown of the Oriental dwarf kingfisher is colored lilac-rufous. The tail is short and the tip is orange. The bill is long & broad and colored reddish-orange. The irises are black and the bare skin around the eye is dark gray. The legs and feet are reddish-orange and the underparts are yellow with glowing bluish-black upperparts. Apart from the above, the colorful patches such as blue and white patches on the side of the neck and lilac-pink rump are like finishing touch on the body part. Isn’t it amazing, DSLR section will help you understand this cycle better. Last year Chiplun and this year Panvel, ODKF never disappoints.

Caution alert

Before I end the blog let me also update you on the precaution part, apart from COVID related precaution, you need to understand that in Panvel the area where this lovely bird arrives is at distance from parking. It is around 2.5 KM and involves a bit of hiking, if you are not comfortable with hiking due to any reason you should not visit, it may impact your health with breathing or a sunstroke. Also, people who are comfortable with hiking should keep at least 2 water bottles, this is not easy to walk across with a heavy camera and other luggage and hence ensure you are prepared and keep sufficient water while visiting there.

You need to be sure of your capacity of walking and breathing issues and please insist on exact details of location and amount of trekking involved before visiting there.

I hope you liked this blog, keep blessing and keep motivating me to deliver unique stuff, do let me know your feedback on btwildart@gmail.om

Learning of the day

Difference between male and female ODKF