Jungle Buddies hosted another tour to Matheran on 1st January. Joined by 5 like-minded buddies who had decided on celebrating their new year in style with the birds.

The first sighting of the day was an immature Shikra perched quietly, after a few clicks and enough observation through the bins we moved ahead. We could hear Small Sunbirds, White Checked Barbets and Grey Headed Canary Flycatchers, and a Brown Breasted Flycatcher was busily sallying behind its prey.
The Warblers starting the frenzy were joined by Red Breasted Flycatcher, Blue Capped Rock Thrush, and Verditer Flycatcher. The warbler army included Greenish Warbler, Sulphur Bellied/ Tytlers/Blyth’s Reed/ Yellow Browed and Humes Warblers. The Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Ashy Drongos and Red Whiskered Bulbulbs could be seen all over the place.

A surprise sighting was a Banded Bay Cuckoo perched high up in the canopy on a faraway tree. After a couple of hours, we headed back and managed to see Grey Wagtail, Malabar Whistling Thrush and some Flycatchers again.

The tour ended with a fruitful birding session and happy memories.

Ebird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S125067465