LT COL NOEL ELLIS 12/VII/2025 “Wire Tailed Swallows” have become my favourites. There was a time when I had never seen or heard about this bird. Then one day I saw a huge flock sitting on a high-tension wire across the river nearby. I caught about a hundred in one frame. They were scanning the river for insects. While exploring, I stepped onto the river bank slush. It was a tough walk through the sludge. I almost lost one shoe that day. The effort paid off. I saw a few of them sitting on the far bank eating something. On the next visit they posed for me. I wished they took me to their nest and that is what happened. I spotted mud sticking inside a huge cement pipe. Birds were collecting dirt from the bank to stick it inside the pipe which housed numerous swallow nests. Some stood guard, while the others constructed. The year changed and the route to the river was blocked as stray cattle were becoming a menace. It was disappointing but when you m...
LT COL NOEL ELLIS 10/VII/2025 There could be no better way to start your day than meeting your birdy friends. They hang around, meet, and greet you through their tweets, chirps, and songs. They sing in happiness and bring joy to you. This is what happened after my morning walk. My friends Ms and Mr Robin usually meet me round the bend where the boundary wall had fallen a few weeks back. Last time they revealed to me that they were feeding their chicks. I had wished to see their nest. My wish came true today. Generally, I step on the retaining wall of the boundary wall to peep into the adjoining plot to spot something new. Last time, a mongoose came out of its hole. I reckon, with the churning of mud by the JCB to remove all the foliage had ‘stirred’ its borough. On top of that, the rains must have filled it up, for it to move to a new abode. It is my usual place and Robins come extremely close. I did not reali...