3
A meeting with friends
We all went in one by one, to take pictures. Though it flew away, we found another Great Orange-tip (Female) sun basking at a
little higher branch. Then, we moved on the lane to find Three-ring, Five-ring, White Four-rings, Lascar, Glad-eye Bushbrowns.
We found birds like Coppersmith Barbets and Marlabar Parakeets and a Malabar Giant Squirrel. We observed Lime butterfly
mating, Tiny and Pale Grass blues. Around the bridge, we saw Common Lineblue and a Sailer. We expected elephants on
hearing firecracker busts, but were disappointed to find that it was for monkeys eating mangustan.
Near the gate, happy to see the Asian Fairy Bluebird and Drongos. It was disappointing to find no skippers in the usual place,
outside the Garden gate, as we were late for them. Walking inside the Fruit Garden, we found Common Crow, Chocolate
Pansy, Lime Blue, a few dragonflies. We were distracted for a while photographing fruits and flowers when Rustic fluttered in,
we were pulled back to butterflies. We found more Blue Mormons, Great Orange-tips and Common Banded Peacocks. We
enjoyed biscuits with perfect view of Hill Mynas, Flowerpeckers and Vernal Hanging Parrots. We found more butterflies like
Common Evening Brown, Lime Blue, Banded Blue Pierrot, Angled Pierrot, and saw Pale Grass blue mating.
On reaching the fountain area, we were thrilled to see the congregation of Emigrants & Great Orange-tips on Bottlebrush
plants. There were a very few butterflies in mudpuddling including one each of Albatross, Bluebottle, Tailed and Common Jay.
Then, watched a whole load of monkeys with the alpha male screaming and driving others away.
On the way back rushing, we found Plain and Striped Tigers. At the gate, miraculously a Club Beak appeared and thankfully a
Small Salmon Arab gave pose, both giving a lifer to all. Near the gate itself we found the
Common Pierrots, Plains Cupid, Grass Jewel, and more Grass Yellows. The hunt was on to
find all 4 Grass Yellows, found Two-spot and Three-spot only. At the bridge area again,
Monkey Puzzle gave a surprise. There were many Bushbrowns (Glad-eye & Common) on
the way back along with more White Four-rings, Psyche, Common Hedge Blue, Common
Mormons and Dark Blue Tigers. Almost 20 feet from reaching the bus stop there was a
Common Silverline to end the butterfly walk with a silver lining as an unseen benefit.
In a first time all girl team for me, it was a day to remember, at a location that never
disappoints for nature observers.
Date: 26/06/2018 Timing: 09:30AM - 03:00PM
Team Members: Ms. Monika G, Ms. Indira S and Ms. Devika M
PATTAMPOOCHI
A TNBS MAGAZINE
WINGS 2 VEINS 4
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