March has been a month of recollection, reflection, realization, learning, empathy, and focus. The COVID 19 virus became a global issue that led to all my assignments being canceled and the home became the safest place until further notice. Many countries along with Nepal went into lockdowns so that the spread of the virus could be controlled.

Chitwan National Park was on the agenda for my first week of March, before that I had the solo exhibition planned and both didn’t happen, but what materialized was a hike to Ichangu on the third day of the month with fellow birder Prakash Chettri. Ichangu has been a good place for wildlife photography as it is near the buffer zone of Sivapuri Nagarjun National Park. A perfect morning with beautiful weather unlike the other times I was there. The day coincided with World Wildlife Day, a day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. The slow walk uphill gave me a chance to spot Crimson Sunbirds busy feeding on nectar while a Warbler jumped from one branch to the other on a nearby Utis (Alnus nepalensis ) tree. It was a great day to learn and spot the birds and also try and identify the calls. As the morning slowly passed by I could spot some Minivets, Grey treepie, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Flycatchers, Redstarts. With all these sightings I was still not able to document them as some were very far and others were too fast. The movement of people started to increase so did the noise level therefore it was time for me to leave and try my luck next time. As we started walking down the trail around one of the corners was a Maroon Oriole on a tree. First time seeing this bird up close, I didn’t want to miss the chance of documenting it. I was excited to see it and was able to take a picture of it, the day became worthwhile so we headed further down only to find out that there were more birds to be discovered. As we walked down there on top of an Utis tree was a Verditer Flycatcher. A beautiful bird with a hue of copper-sulfate blue plumage sitting on the branch that was growing some fresh new leaves which gave out a beautiful vibe. We watched it hop from one branch to another stopping for calls with a faint voice saying chwe…. chwe. Along the way, we sighted a flock of Large Cuckooshrikes as well so with a grin on the face by the last three sightings it was finally time to head home.

Another trip I made was to Dhapakhel for a walk around the fields before they were claimed for housing developments. The morning breeze with the view of the Himalayan ranges on the northern side and the trail following the terraced fields was mesmerizing. A Steppe Eagle and a hawk soaring up in the sky, while down below a Long-tailed Shrike was perched on a branch of a tree watching for insects in the field. Up ahead in the mustard fields were flies trying to swarm around the bright yellow flowers but their flight was dictated by the direction of the breeze. As the walk ended a Black Kite swooped down to its nest and started scanning the horizon for some prey while on the other side of the field three cattle egrets touched down into a field where wheat was planted.