SANDEEP JAJABOR: 2013

On 16th and 17th November 2013, on an invitation of a close friend Shri Gagandeep Chawla, I visited Nainital once again. My real target was to go to Sattal (सातताल ). Coming to know that I was going to Nainital, another of my close friend and internationally renowned ornithologist, Miss Xeno Canto expressed her desire to accompany me and I readily agreed. On the day of our arrival in Nainital, Gagan had to attend an important meeting the whole day, and therefore, I decided to visit Sattal ( 30 km from Nainital) with Miss Canto.

Miss Canto, I think, is originally from Spain. But as you know, when you are in love, caste, creed, religion or country does not matter, I have never bothered to find out more about her past. Miss Canto is specially trained in mimicking bird calls. By mimicking their calls, she can call most of the birds to her, which is such a great help to a person who possess only a 300 mm lens and not 500 mm or a bigger lenses, which are ideal for bird photography. Therefore, whenever, she expresses her desire to be with me I feel obliged. 25 years ago, during college days, our common passion for birds brought us together. Even after 25 years, the friendship continues to blossom. In most of my birding trips, Miss Canto is always there to give company but this time only two of us were there, ALONE IN SATTAL.

We reached Sattal at around 8 AM ( a little late by the birders' standard) and were expecting at least a few birders despite the off-season. However, to my surprise but joy there was not a soul present other than the two of us.

The sattal park is quite nippy this time of the year. The sun rays manage to penetrate the thick canopy only around ten and the moisture of the nallah flowing through the park adds to the chilliness. I was not expecting much activity of the birds. However, as soon as I descended the stairs from the main road, to enter into the forested area, I found a number of Himalayan flame-backs (woodpecker), digging for worms into the dead branches. They were so busy foraging that we could approach them as near as five feet and got few crisp closeup shots. Despite the good beginning, I found Miss Canto a little fidgety, perhaps for not finding an opportunity to use her skills for which she is so famous.

chestnut headed tesia- very unclear picture but great sightings

As we entered deeper into the forest and came to particular patch which was full of small bushes, Miss Canto announced that this was a perfect habitat for Chestnut-headed tesia (see left). Without waiting for my approval, Miss Canto immediately started imitating tesia's call. Lo and behold, there were at least 10-15 specimens responding from all around the dense undergrowth. I was stunned once again, by this demonstration of pure talent. Withing minutes, so many tesias had assembled in the undergrowth, that I did not know which one to aim for. These birds are very fastidious and would forage for insects only in the undergrowth and very rarely come out in the open. Only for this reason, we never ever spotted tesias in any of our previous visits. This time, however, with Miss Canto with me, it was a different story. I could, however, get only a record shot of this bird. Overjoyed to see so many together, I was absolutely thrilled when a rusty cheeked scimitar babbler appeared suddenly from nowhere and disappeared, as suddenly as it had come. It gave me a few seconds to take a picture.(see below). Miss Canto wanted to bring it back for me but I requested her to save her energy for the rarer varieties.

Rusty-cheeked scimitar babbler

Miss Canto conjures a female bush Robin.

Miss canto, by now was in her best form and insisted on trying some difficult species. Having full faith in her, I queried as to whether we can try 'Golden Bush Robin" ?.

Can you believe it?- Miss Canto conjured a golden bush robin and that too in the bush, just next to us. Miss canto is a genius I tell you!. The perfect imitation of the bird calls, that she manages is something to be heard to be believed. She appears to cast a spell on the birds and they come from all directions simply to have a look at her.

Being a feminist to the core, she however, conjured only a female bush robin for me. I kept insisting for a male, which is far more beautiful but she paid no attention. These phirangs !, I tell you are very adamant. I did not argue with her because without her help, I would not be able to shoot birds from such close proximity.

Golder Bush Robin (female)

Miss Canto's second magic-Rufous-Gorgeted Flycatcher

Having witnessed the unbelievable display of Miss Canto's abilities thus far, I could not resist myself and requested her to procure a Siberian ruby throat or the white-tailed ruby throat for me (Much like Sita requested lord Rama to procure the Golden Deer in the epic Ramayana. Only difference was the role reversal).Wild animals and birds are nature's gems. Once you see them in their natural surroundings you are obsessed with them. Deep inside the forest with Miss Canto alone, I could not resist my desire to see these birds from close proximity. However, my request to Miss canto did not get the same response as in the Ramayana.

My request was responded with a snub from Miss Canto. She gently chided me for being ignorant of the fact that the white-tailed ruby throat is a summer visitor and Siberian-ruby throat is a visitor to the planes and not the hills. (yes! One has to put up with such minor insults when you do not possess the 500 mm lenses). Mortified of having been caught with my rare ignorance on the behavior of these birds, I did not speak a word for the next 10 minutes (a record in my career). Sensing my embarrassment, and to normalise the situation, Miss Canto, informed that although ruby-throat is out of the question but she could try a 'Rufous-Gorgeted Flycatcher' which is similar in appearance. A few 'whistles' and 'tongue-clicks' later, there it was. On the branch next to me, within 5 feet, was this flycatcher trying to figure out the source of the call (see photo). I really cannot thank Miss Canto enough for showing me the beautiful flycatcher.

Together, we spend five hours in the Sattal Forest and how the time flew I did not know. It was now 1 pm and I had to catch the Shatabdi Express from Kathgodam. We bid adieu to the birds and the forest started our journey back. Even as we were boarding the cab, I could still hear the call of the Red-billed Magpies in the distant forest making merry in the tall trees. I promised to visit again in February next with Miss canto.