Chhari Dhand Wetland Reserve Part XI: Birds III: Crested Lark and Yellow Wagtail

   Chhari Dhand is a seasonal marshy wetland in Banni grasslands (see the intro post explaining about Banni and Chhari Dhand here) on the southern edge of the Great Rann of Kutch. The seasonal lake is home to a large number of birds in winter (See previous posts on Great White Pelicans, Common Cranes, Water Birds, II, Cormorants, Oriental Darter, Painted Stork and other birds (तीतर and बटेर), II). This post contains pics of Crested Larks and Yellow Wagtails.

Crested Lark:

"The Crested Lark has a conspicuous crest, typically streaked and sandy brown with a short tail and rust-tinged underwings that are obvious in flight. It is a common species and found throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe. The Crested Lark encompasses a large complex with dozens of subspecies that display much variation in plumage coloration that match local soil types." (Quoted text courtesy Birds of the World )

 

Crested Lark displaying its Crest at Chhari Dhand

Gear: Nikon D7200 with AF-S Nikkor 200 - 500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Exif: 500mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 280

DoP: Nov 22

Loc: Chhari Dhand, Kutch, Gujarat, India

A Crested Lark searching for insects in the dung of Banni Buffalos

at Chhari Dhand

Gear: Nikon D7200 with AF-S Nikkor 200 - 500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Exif: 450mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec, ISO 500

DoP: Nov 22

Loc: Chhari Dhand, Kutch, Gujarat, India

A Crested Lark flying away from its perch on a thorny Banni bush showing off its rust-tinged underwings

Gear: Nikon D7200 with AF-S Nikkor 200 - 500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Exif: 450mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 280

DoP: Nov 22

Loc: Chhari Dhand, Kutch, Gujarat, India

    Yellow Wagtail:   The Yellow Wagtail is classified into two species; eastern and western. Further, the Western Yellow Wagtail is sub-classified into many confusing sub-species. The subspecies thunbergi (Motacilla flava thunbergi), commonly called as dark-headed wagtail or grey-headed wagtail winters in Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and eastern Africa while it breeds in central and northern Scandinavia east to north-west Siberia.

Western Yellow Wagtail (dark-headed / grey-headed; M.f. thunbergi) at Chhari Dhand

Gear: Nikon D7200 with AF-S Nikkor 200 - 500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Exif: 460mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec, ISO 200

DoP: Nov 22

Loc: Chhari Dhand, Kutch, Gujarat, India

A Western Yellow Wagtail shaking clean its cloak

Gear: Nikon D7200 with AF-S Nikkor 200 - 500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Exif: 480mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec, ISO 100

DoP: Nov 22

Loc: Chhari Dhand, Kutch, Gujarat, India

That's all folks in this post, stay tuned for more...