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.
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| Nothern Shovlers |
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