What looked like a regular bird watching expedition, turned out to be remarkable and miraculous for the team of eight of Environment Conversation Group (ECG) members, who ventured into the Boluvampatti forest range. ECG is a city-based group of environmental enthusiasts who regularly venture on bird watching expeditions in and around the city. This time, the team was more than lucky, as they caught a glimpse of the Black Baza and this team claims that this is the first time that this migratory bird is sported in Coimbatore.
The bird watching trip was unfolding as planned. The team of eight members armed with their cameras and binoculars ventured on their bird watching expedition, yesterday. “We obtained necessary permission from Dinesh, Forest Officer and ventured into the Boluvampatti forest range. One of our members Shakeer caught a glimpse of this bird. He however, was unable to identify it and when he described what he saw, I knew for a fact that it has to be the Black Baza.” R Mohammed Saleem, President, ECG says.
This team patiently waited, hoping that this bird would return and it all proved to be wait the worth as not one or two but at least a flock of ten of these birds (Black Baza) returned. “Shakeer confirmed that it was the same bird he saw. We were so excited and we captured images of this flock of birds.” Saleem says. Sharing details of this bird, Saleem adds that the Black Baza is easy to identify and it is difficult to find as it is counted as one of the not so common migratory birds.
This raptor bird (Black Baza) has short and small feet and strong talons. This characteristically hued bird measures just 30 to 35 cm in length, feeds mainly on insects. A species of the Black Baza is found in parts of South Asia. In the past, during winter, a species of Black Baza has been reported sported near the Guindy National Park in Chenna and also near to Trivandrum.
As evidence, the team of bird watchers from ECG have presented photographs of the Black Baza that they captured yesterday thus confirming Coimbatore’s debut date with the Black Baza.