On a sunny morning on 14 May, 2024, at Kargil Beach (21.571°N, 88.201°E), Bakkhali, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, I set out with hopes of capturing some striking photographs of waders in their breeding plumage, such as the Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres, Tibetan Sand-Plover A. atrifrons, and Greater SandPlover A. leschenaulti, among others.

Species: Black Baza (Aviceda leuphotes)
Date & Time: 29th Nov 2020
Location: Bakkhali Sea Beach, WB, India

However in 2018 Shikara Boating was started in Saheb Bandh by the local authorities and all the above birds disappeared from the water body except the Black-crowned Night-Heron, Little Grebe, Common Moorhen and Little Cormorant. But their count got much reduced. In 2019 and 2020 to the scenario remained the same, i.e., no migratory birds in Saheb Bandh.

Observer: Sanchita Dey
Species: Grey-sided Bush Warbler (Cettia brunnifrons)
Date & Time: April 27, 2015
Location: Gairibas, on Sandakphu trek route, WB, India

Observer: Arnab Raychoudhury
Species: Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus)
Date & Time: April 26, 2020
Location: (Rooftop) Kolkata, WB, India

Observer: Pampa Mistri
Species: Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus)
Date & Time: Sept 22, 2019
Location: Baruipur, WB, India

Observer: Sanchita Dey
Species: Chestnut-tailed Minla (Actinodura strigula)
Date & Time: April 27, 2015
Location: Gairibas, on Sandakphu trek route, WB, India

Perches quietly on branch overhanging water and sits vertically, with bill inclined, watching for prey and occasionally bobbing head or wagging tail. Main food is marine and freshwater fish, crabs and other crustaceans, but also takes frogs, lizards, rodents, young birds, also insects and insect larvae.

Observer: Pampa Mistri
Species: Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Date & Time: May 24, 2020
Location: Kolkata, WB, India