Rare find in our backyard! First-ever ultramarine flycatcher sighting in Lahore

10th October, 2022
Lahore 
All photos are taken by me in this article 

Our house is situated in the proximity of the famous Shalimar Garden in Lahore, only a short walk away. We feel fortunate to have a large lawn in our yard, and my father has been planting trees there for many years. Some of these trees are quite old, with some being around 40 years old.

One particular tree that stands out in our yard is a majestic Jamen tree, which is situated at the very heart of our lawn. Its broad, sprawling branches provide a safe haven for numerous birds that seek refuge in its shade. One balmy afternoon in October 2022, while lounging in the yard, I spotted a small bird perched on one of the tree's branches. At first, I assumed it was just another red-breasted flycatcher, a common sight in our yard every year. Without delay, I dashed back to my room to retrieve my camera equipment and managed to capture a few shots of the bird.

To my utter amazement, upon closer inspection, I realized that it was not the usual red-breasted flycatcher, but a female ultramarine flycatcher! A quick search on E-bird confirmed that it was the first recorded sighting of the species in Lahore city. It was a truly unforgettable and extraordinary moment for me!

Sighting a Grayleg Goose from Lahore's Suburbs

25-02-2024

I went on a day-long adventure through the borderlands of Lahore, in pursuit of the elusive Red-napped ibis. I started from Wagha village, riding my trusty motorbike through marshes and birding spots, one after the other. Passing through Sahanke, Chandher, Qila Jiwan Singh, Jattanwali, Maujoke Lallo, Ghurki, and eventually reaching Padhna village, memories of my days exploring Qila Jiwan Singh in 2014 on my old bicycle came flooding back.

Finally, I arrived at Padhna village, which marked the end of the road. Near the Indo-Pakistan border, I stumbled upon a hidden gem—a marshy pond surrounded by army foxholes that lies less than 600 feet from the Indo-Pak border. But that wasn't all. Across the border in India, peeking through the horizon, stood a Sikh gurdwara, adding an unexpected touch of spirituality to the scene. It was Gurdwara Jallan Singh, located in the Indian side village of Naushahra.

However, the real magic happened right there in the pond. Amongst the usual suspects of northern shovelers and pintails, a solitary Grayleg goose gracefully was gliding across the water and stole the show for me. It was a rare sight, and a first-ever record in Lahore, according to the birding database, ebird. Yet, my local birding buddy assured me it wasn't as uncommon as the records suggested.

I would like to give special thanks to the ranger personnel who allowed me to take some shots in this sensitive area. This sighting reminds me of the rich diversity Lahore once had, which is now threatened by urban sprawl. Spotting that goose was a glimmer of hope for the city's natural beauty amidst the chaos of development. And with that, I left Padhna village, my heart full of wonder and my camera full of memories.

Nothern Shovlers