Captivating Congregations

A brown headed gull spreads its wings above the glittering sea

On 22 Dec 2018 when we set out on a road trip to Coastal Karnataka, little did we know what was in store for us. As a family we are nature and wildlife lovers, spending most of our vacations in national parks and Ghats. Having planned this one for a change, as the date approached, we indeed wondered if we did the right thing by setting aside more than a week for the trip. After all, how much time can we spend just chilling in the beaches and back waters. We did not have the slightest clue on what a marvelous birding expedition it would transform to be. Now, when we look back, we feel we could do it all over again and yet fall short of time.

Brahminy Kites in Flight

The initial two days of the trip was in Gokarna, witnessing the various hues of sunset and sunrise. We got to click few birds perched on the trees. This slowly kindled our want to explore for more birds. Our daughter eagerly joined the search too, as the thrill was quite contagious. In no time, we were always on the lookout for them. Being an avid photographer, my husband soon started filling up the SD cards with feathery images. 

Indian Black Kite

White Bellied Sea Eagle

Mating pair of Indian Black Kites

On the fourth day of our trip, when were in a rather quiet and private Kaup shore side, we decided to drive to Udupi town center for lunch. We were driving along the beautiful Malpe Padukare road crossing the Mattu area with the picturesque shore line to our left. It must have been a little past noon, a pleasant afternoon along the quite road and I was looking at the map in my mobile phone for directions. Suddenly my husband and daughter exclaimed in excitement urging me to look at the beach.

A distant view of the glorious congregation of innumerable sea birds

There it was, to our incredible amusement, thousands of birds quietly lined up on the shore!! It took us a couple of seconds to actually believe what we saw!! Deciding to have this magical moment recorded, we parked our car slowly, got down without making much noise and went as close yet as far away from the birds as possible to have few pictures clicked without disturbing them. There were innumerable gulls mostly Brown headed with few Yellow legged gulls, couple of Pallas’ gulls, few Lesser black backed gulls along with many Common terns, Western reef herons, Whimbrels and a couple of Marsh sandpipers as well. This was our first practical introduction to such large congregation of marine birds, one that turned out to be a magnum opus of sorts by them. The scene also ignited a huge interest in all three of us for bird identification.

Numerous brown headed gulls and few large sized lesser black backed gulls

 Kalirajan sat down with his camera gear in a convenient spot on the scorching after noon beach sand and started clicking. After all, those were not just some pictures he was clicking but fondest memories that would be cherished for years to come. 

A Closer up click of the brown headed gulls

Few Common Terns in front of many Gulls

These pelagic birds, usually congregate in their search for food. They can also be seen flying in groups around fish boats. At the time of this congregation too, there were a couple of fishing boats in the sea and all these birds were eagerly looking at them. It was utterly amusing to observe the way they had lined up in order, birds of almost the same type grouping together, without much chaos except at the time of take-off. After witnessing this spectacle for about an hour, we moved on for lunch. Later that evening, we decided to return to the same spot the next day as well. So, the next day we returned, only this time after lunch, so that we could watch the birds as long as possible. After returning home, when we studied the pictures closely, we discovered that multiple types of gulls and terns were present within the same congregation. 

Gulls take off with a Whimbrel on top

Brown headed gulls, Common terns and Pallas' gull in flight

Beneath all the chaos, a Pallas' gull and a yellow legged gull gaze each other. A Whimbrel and Western reef heron also seen

 Congregation of Brown headed gulls, Gull billed terns, Western Reef Herons and Whimbrels giving a perspective of the actual size of each family

Whimbrels waiting patiently behind the gulls

Whimbrels in focus, a marsh sandpiper, a western reef heron and few other gulls are also seen

 Marsh Sandpipers

Above are the images of the Padukare Congregation, if we may call it so, for you to visualize and enjoy. Along with this, there are few images of congregations of egrets, herons, plovers as well. It was absolutely exciting to see congregations of all sizes and types along the shores and banks almost everywhere in this region. Only downside is, plastic bags and glass bottles were strewn along many of the beaches. People were often dumping garbage bags in the back waters too. If this aspect can be better taken care of, this ecosystem is sure to flourish. The Padukare congregation would be few of life's priceless moments, nature bestowed upon us. We only hope and commit to preserve and pass such treasures on, for generations to come.

Congregation of the Greater Sand plovers, Little Egrets and a Western Reef Heron

 Congregation of Egrets and Herons

Greater Sand plovers and Whimbrels

A tiny common sandpiper clicked with mobile phone. Zoom for better view

PC: Kalirajan Subramanian