Where Migrants Pause: A Day at Banas Dam.
Certain places become a part of your yearly rhythm, and for me, West Banas Dam in the foothills is one of them. This year, it almost didn’t happen. For a while, I thought I would have to miss out on my favourite birding spot—but thanks to a bit of family support, the tradition stayed alive.
My elder niece, Janice, stepped in to stay with my better half, while Cres—my ever-reliable birding companion—joined me for the trip. Along with our good friend Mohan, we set out early on the morning of March 21, hopeful for a rewarding day in the field.
Our original plan was to explore the back of the dam. However, the rain from the previous day had other ideas. The ground was slushy and difficult, forcing us to abandon that route. Instead, we turned back and made our way to the marshes behind the main embankment—a decision that proved to be a blessing in disguise.
Despite the stillness, the wetlands pulsed with an abundance of life. Reeds and shallow waters created the perfect habitat, and the morning light added a gentle glow to the landscape. This time of year is special—many migratory birds are preparing to leave, and each sighting feels like catching a moment just before it disappears.
We spent the morning working through the area, watching, listening, and photographing whatever we could. There’s a quiet satisfaction in birding during this season—knowing that these encounters are fleeting makes them even more meaningful.
The weather stayed pleasant, allowing us to bird until noon. By then, with a fulfilling morning behind us, we began our journey back to Abu Road—tired but content.
What follows is a selection of the birds we were fortunate enough to observe and photograph that day—snapshots from the closing chapter of this season’s migration.
Bird of the day
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| Asian Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis at the entrance leading to its nest. |
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| Asian Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis courtship display |
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| Asian Openbill - Anastomus oscitans |
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| Asian Openbill - Anastomus oscitans |
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| Asian Openbill - Anastomus oscitans |
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| Asian Openbill - Anastomus oscitans |
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| Bank Myna -Acridotheres ginginianus |
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| Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus |
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| Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus |
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| Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus |
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| Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus |
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| Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus |
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| Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa |
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| Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa |
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| Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus |
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| Bluethroat Luscinia svecica |
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| Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum |
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| Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum |
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| Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum |
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| Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum |
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| Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola |
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| Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola |
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| Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola |
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| Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola |
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| Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia |
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| Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops |
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| Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops |
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| Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus |
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| Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus |
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| Gray Heron Ardea cinerea |
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| Gray-headed Swamphen - Porphyrio poliocephalus |
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| Gray-headed Swamphen - Porphyrio poliocephalus |
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| Gray-headed Swamphen - Porphyrio poliocephalus |
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| Great Egret Ardea alba |
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| Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis |
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| Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus |
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| Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus |
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| Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus |
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| Indian Pied Starling - Gracupica contra |
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| Indian Pied Starling - Gracupica contra |
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| Indian Pied Starling - Gracupica contra |
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| Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus |
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| Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha |
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| Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha |
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| Medium Egret Ardea intermedia |
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| Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica |
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| Little Egret Egretta garzetta |
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| Little Egret Egretta garzetta |
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| Little Egret Egretta garzetta |
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| Marsh Sandpiper - Tringa stagnatilis |
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| Marsh Sandpiper - Tringa stagnatilis |
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| Marsh Sandpiper - Tringa stagnatilis |
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| Paddyfield Warbler - Acrocephalus agricola |
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| Paddyfield Warbler - Acrocephalus agricola |
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| Paddyfield Warbler - Acrocephalus agricola |
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| Painted Stork - Mycteria leucocephala |
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| Pheasant-tailed Jacana - Hydrophasianus chirurgus |
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| Plain Prinia Prinia inornata |
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| Plain Prinia Prinia inornata |
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| Purple Heron Ardea purpurea |
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| Red Collared-Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica |
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| Red Collared-Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica |
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| Short-toed Snake-Eagle Circaetus gallicus |
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| Short-toed Snake-Eagle Circaetus gallicus |
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| Short-toed Snake-Eagle Circaetus gallicus |
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| Sirkeer Malkoha - Taccocua leschenaultii |
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| Sirkeer Malkoha - Taccocua leschenaultii |
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| Sirkeer Malkoha - Taccocua leschenaultii |
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| Sirkeer Malkoha - Taccocua leschenaultii |
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| Streak-throated Swallow Petrochelidon |
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| Streak-throated Swallow Petrochelidon |
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| Streak-throated Swallow Petrochelidon |
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| Streak-throated Swallow Petrochelidon |
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| Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis |
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| Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis |
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| Western Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus |
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| Western Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus |
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| Western Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus |
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| Western Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus |
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| Western Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus |
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| Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava |
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| Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava |
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| Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava |
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| Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava |
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| Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola |
Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava West Banas Dam 21 March 2026.mp4
"As I wrap up this birding trip blog, I want to wish all my viewers a very Happy Easter. May your season be filled with warmth, the joy of nature, and beautiful new beginnings."
