Hyderabad wins ‘World Green City award’ at South Korea Hyderabad is the only Indian city that was selected and it is a matter of pride for Telangana and India that has won not only the category award but the overall ‘World Green City 2022' award, the best across all 6 categories, according to an official release.

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/hyderabad/hyderabad-world-green-city-award-2022-8209711/

The hatchlings of bulbuls.

Unfortunately only one surivived. One was taken away by a bird of prey and one lost its life while trying to fly.

Three

One more egg...

The bulbul seems to be adjusting to our routine. It is not seen near the nest early in the morning when we go there and is seen during noon time hatching. Again it leaves the place in the evenings and comes back after 6pm. The whole night it is undisturbed. We removed everything around the nest that could propel a cat into it and elevated the swing for further safety.

Red Vented Bulbul egg

Nest 2022

I have written about nests around my home in this blog. Link given below. https://soniajohn.blogspot.com/2021/10/the-nest-fallen-nest-nest-not-place-to.html Last year it was a Purple Sunbird(മഞ്ഞത്തേൻകിളി) which built its hanging nest on our clothes line. It seems hardly bothered about our presence there and confidently laid, hatched and flew away with its chick.

This year a Red-Vented Bulbul (നാട്ടുബുൾബുൾ) went further by choosing our swing chair as its preferred spot.

The very chair in which every morning and evening someone or the other of my family members relax. It is really surprising as it is open and at arm’s reach. The construction is in progress now. Yesterday evening, I went up the terrace. Since the bird was not there I sat on the couch near the swing and was listening to music when suddenly something dashed against my leg and bounced. It was the bird with a small twig in its mouth. It perched on the chair and stared at me, then flew to the nearby potted plant and perched on it again watching me. I got up and walked away to the other end of the terrace. It flew back to the chair and continued its work. Its partner too flew in. The bird already has a nest in a tree in our compound.

Every year it lays egg there. We realised that it is the presence of three naughty kittens downstairs that prompted the birds to shift. The kittens climbed the tree and disturbed its nest. Anyways it is a pleasure to watch the bird confidently building its abode.

Unwind with Nature

A visit to Kerala in December after two years was really worth the wait. Though short it was exciting with trips to natural attractions. A picture speaks more than words. Hence here is a pictorial description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Illickal Kallu (Kottayam District)

This rock is a monolith standing prominently at 3400 feet above sea level. A 1 km hike to reach the top is a thrilling experience. Jeep service is there for those who don't want to walk. The hill top offers a breath taking view of surrounding nature.

Next we headed to... Marmala Waterfalls (Kottayam District)

A forty meter high waterfall, tucked inside a private estate is located enroute Vagammon Hill Station. To reach the spot, one has to hike through a rocky terrain with huge boulders.

Vennimala (Kottayam District) Vennimala is famous for Sri Rama-Lakshmana Swamy temple (https://templesinindiainfo.com/vennimala-sri-rama-lakshmana-swamy-temple/). A cave where Kapila the Vedic sage meditated is located here.