As India and Australia battled it out on the third day of the Test match at the Chinnaswamy stadium, there were a few unexpected spectators in the ground.
BANGALORE: As India and Australia battled it out on the third day of the Test match at the Chinnaswamy stadium, there were a few unexpected spectators in the ground. These cricket admirers weren't the usual kinds sitting in the stands; they were seen hovering over players' heads almost all through the day: kites.
The huge birds have been spotted in large numbers over the ground right since the first day of the Test. It has been a spectacle to watch, as at most other Indian grounds one would usually get to see only crows and pigeons. Even some of the Australian players seemed amused by the presence of the birds in such numbers on an Indian ground. It's a sight the Australians must be very familiar with, as grounds like Sydney and Adelaide have seagulls flying all over. Shane Watson and Brett Lee were even seen pointing at the birds in jest, and trying to shoo them away while fielding.
So what is it that attracts these kites to the Chinnaswamy stadium?
DNA spoke to bird experts to find out the answer. R Sharat Babu, a BBMP Wild Life Volunteer was of the opinion that kites are 'garbage managers' and they clean the remains of animals and garbage waste. He felt the stadium's surroundings are one reason for the presence of kites. "Since the stadium is close to Shivajinagar, where animal slaughter is done in the open, kites are present in large numbers," he told DNA. "Besides, Cubbon Park is also close to the stadium. These kites nest there. Hence, this place becomes a good habitat for these birds and we can find them hovering around the ground."
Dr Justus Jeshua, an ornithologist, had a different opinion. "One probable reason why the kites hover around Chinnaswamy stadium is that they know they would get food there. People who come to watch cricket would throw food material and other garbage around, and that attracts the kites to the ground," Jeshua told DNA. "Another reason is that the kites get their prey like grasshoppers also on the ground."
With the kites having the best view of the proceedings, and with the match evenly poised, the kites are sure to have a good time.
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