Fascinating Mannar

My trip to Mannar taught me a lot of things about birds, nature, and the environment. What I saw made me both happy and sad at the same time.

I was sad to see garbage lying around everywhere, including face masks. All these face masks did not have their straps cut, which is dangerous for birds. I saw some Grey Francolins looking for food in garbage dumps and a pair of Black Kites with garbage in their mouths. I also saw many photographers not behaving right around the Greater Flamingos. They wore brightly colored clothes and were annoying and disturbing the birds just to get a good photograph.

Even with all of this, I had one of the most extraordinary birding trips ever. It was incredible to see so many birds – especially migrants and waders – in one place. I also loved seeing the adorable donkeys of Mannar and watching the amazing sunsets.

I have two important messages for other kids like me. First, do not go searching for just “famous” birds, appreciate and enjoy all birdlife and nature. Second, remember that we are young conservationists first and photographers second.

I hope you enjoy these pictures!

A pair of Indian Spot-Billed Ducks (Highly Scarce Resident/Scarce Migrant) spotting something over their shoulders!

A family of Lesser Whistling-Ducks (Resident) all in a row!

A female Garganey (Migrant) gliding across the water.

Northern Pintails (Migrant) feeding.

A lone Black-Tailed Godwit (Migrant).

Ruff (Uncommon Migrant) looking for a meal.

Eurasian Curlew (Uncommon Migrant) wading.

Black-Winged Stilt (Common Resident/Migrant) posing.

Eurasian Spoonbill (Uncommon Resident) deep in thought.

Intermediate Egret (Common Resident) after a successful fishing trip!

Little Egrets (Common Resident) marching along.

Little Stint (Common Migrant).

Little Ringed Plover (Uncommon Migrant/Uncommon Resident).

These are mostly Lesser Sand Plovers (Migrant), with a few Greater Sand Plovers (Scarce Migrant), and Little Stints (Common Migrant).

Common Redshank (Common Migrant) gazing over the water.

Common Sandpiper (Migrant).

Wood Sandpipers (Migrant) staring each other down!

Check out this short clip for the Wood Sandpipers' (Migrant) dueling match!

Thoughtful Marsh Sandpiper (Common Migrant).

Whiskered Tern (Common Migrant).

Caspian Terns (Scarce Resident/Migrant) at dusk.

This Glossy Ibis (Scarce Migrant) was tough to spot and photograph. So I tried to take a video instead. I'm lucky to have got a glimpse of it feeding.

Slideshow of some graceful Greater Flamingos (Migrant).

This video clip of the Greater Flamingos (Migrant) shows how calmly they behave.

Eurasian Collared-Dove (Uncommon Resident).

Black Drongo (Uncommon Endemic).

Jerdon's Bushlark (Resident).

Sri Lanka Swallow (Endemic).

Brown Shrike (Common Migrant).

Grey Francolin (Uncommon Resident).

Brahminy Kite (Resident).

Slide show of a majestic Black Kite (Scarce Resident/Migrant).

Spot the "Ole Man" Purple-faced Leaf Monkey (Northern subspecies).

Donkey trio.

Amazing Mannar!