Red-wattled Lapwing, 'Did-you-do-it.' Mount Abu.

Folklore and myth of the Red-wattled lapwing Rajasthan.

People think that if the Red-wattled Lapwing lays its eggs in low-lying places, the monsoon season will be normal or less than average. Villagers in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan watch for the Red-wattled lapwing nest to count the number of eggs laid shortly before the monsoon season begins to predict the sort of monsoon season to come. If just two eggs are deposited, it indicates a parched monsoon; if four eggs are placed, it indicates a rich rainy season.

For many years, I have been witnessing the Did-you-do-it phenomenon in my distant neighbourhood. This year, I planned to document their movements. In early March, I discovered a couple had placed four eggs at the side of the stream. My observation and the myth took a wild ride. We'll have to wait and see what the weatherman says about the low-lying area and four eggs.

Chicks waiting in the enclosure of its eggs, promise a miracle of life.

Red-wattled Lapwing   -  at the nest 

Red-wattled lapwing keeping an eye on the snake.

Daman or the Rat snake 

Red-wattled Lapwing   - Adult with chick 27 March 2018

The Chicks awaken and look around in awe of its bleak surroundings, but that does not perturb them as they immediately look around to see what they can forage.

The Red-wattled Lapwing is one of the most zealous defenders of its territorial rights. The eggs hatched on March 27, 2018. With one minor hiccup, it was a fantastic day. Only three chicks hatched. The pair attacked everything that came even remotely close to the chicks during the following three days.  Dogs, the Shikra, the Daman snake, jungle crows, mongooses, and even the White-breasted Kingfisher were driven away by the onslaught of these birds. As well as the Coucal

Large-billed Crow

Shikra

White Throated Kingfisher

Indian Grey Mongoose

On the attack

I left Abu on 6 April 2018 for Gujarat. I was sceptical that these little fellows would survive given the odds stacked up against them. I knew that if they survived a fortnight, they would live to be adults. I came back to Abu on the 20 of May. The next day, I was on the lookout for the three musketeers. Imagine my surprise and elation of seeing these juvenile Did-you-do it, posing for a snap and letting me know they are survivors.   

Red-wattled Lapwing    - Immature  21 May 2018 

Survivors