
The Year’s Last Lifer: An Unexpected Lesser Adjutant in Diara
Diara, situated in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, is a well-known gem for bird watching in Eastern India. During the winter, it transforms into a paradise for migratory birds. One can find everything from Eagles to Harriers, wagtails to Pipit, and egret to stork. While every season has different charms, the winter arrival is truly something special. The Unexpected Surprise On 24th December 2025, I arrived at Diara at 10:00 AM on a fine, chilly morning with the temperature sitting at 16°C. I had no idea what surprise was awaiting me. After entering the place, I decided to do some searching in the agricultural fields for pipits—especially the Richard’s Pipit, which I didn’t have a photo of. ...