Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Birding in November: Post-Diwali Departure

 Birding in November: Post-Diwali Delights

The second week of November brought a delightful variety of migratory birds to Mount Abu, despite the town still buzzing with Diwali holiday crowds. While the popular tourist spots remained lively, the hillside offered some rewarding birding moments for those willing to brave the rush. 

Among the notable sightings this week were the Common Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Drongos, and a charming array of warblers, pipits, and wagtails. These avian visitors added vibrant life to the cooling landscape, offering glimpses of the winter spectacle unfolding. 

For birders planning a visit to Mount Abu this winter, be prepared for frosty mornings and biting cold. The temperature has been dropping, inching closer to the zero-degree mark—a hallmark of Abu’s winter charm. 

As the week progressed, the festive crowds thinned out, making way for quieter trails and less congested viewpoints. However, weekends remain busy, as the hill station continues to draw its share of visitors escaping the plains. 

By the end of the second week, migratory ducks became more apparent, though their numbers are still growing. It’s always a joy to witness these seasonal visitors gracing our waters, a testament to nature’s rhythms in the face of changing climates. 

I’ve curated select bird photographs captured during this period to showcase the beauty of November birding in Mount Abu. Stay tuned as we delve into the birding highlights of the third week of November!

Bird of the week

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita 

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita 

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Eurasian Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Eurasian Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides

Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei 

Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii 

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach 

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach 

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Rufous Treepie - Dendrocitta vagabunda

Western House-Martin Delichon urbicum

Western House-Martin Delichon urbicum

Western House-Martin Delichon urbicum

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis





Thursday, November 14, 2024

Birding in November: A Quiet Start Amid the Diwali Rush

  A Challenging Start to the Season: Birding in November


The first week of November brought a rather muted start to birding this year. With Diwali in full swing, Mount Abu was teeming with tourists. The bustling holiday crowds, while beneficial to local businesses, made it challenging to reach my favourite birding areas. This chaotic holiday rush stretches for about two weeks, so my birding efforts must be restrained.
One thing I look forward to each November is migratory ducks. Sadly, their numbers seem lower than in previous years. While there are a few early birds, the large numbers from ten years ago are gone, showing a worrying shift. I’m optimistic that their numbers will increase throughout the season.
Raptors, another highlight of winter birding, have also been harder to spot this year. I’ve photographed and documented a handful, though they too seem fewer. Although I haven’t had many chances to see them, I’ve gathered my observations of our winter guests and can’t wait to update my list in the coming weeks.
As for the climate, winter has set in with a sharp drop in temperatures—last night, the mercury dipped to 5 degrees. The crisp winter air stirs anticipation for the plentiful birdwatching opportunities ahead. I’ll be following the arrivals and updating you as the season progresses, including what I discover in the second week of November.
Bird of the Week.
"Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros perched on garden floor,displaying dark plumage with contrasting orange-red tail feathers. Winter common migrant to Mount Abu."
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros Winter visitor

"Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), a winter visitor, soaring in the blue sky. Large raptor with brown plumage, broad wings, and a distinctive, fan-shaped tail. Gliding gracefully overhead, the buzzard displays its impressive wingspan against the clear Spring sky."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo Winter visitor

"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, circling each other , like two boxers in a ring."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo,In a mid-air duel, asserting territorial dominance."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo,In a mid-air duel, asserting territorial dominance."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

"Perched on a branch is the common chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), a winter visitor. Little olive-green bird with faint yellow tints and a characteristic eye stripe. observing and photographing this winter-migratory songbird."
Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita Winter visitor

"Perched on a branch is the common chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), a winter visitor. Little olive-green bird with faint yellow tints and a characteristic eye stripe. observing and photographing this winter-migratory songbird."
Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita

"Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita, taking off with its wings spread open."
Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita

"Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii, perched atop a dry branch with it's neck stretched upwards."
Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii

“This is a small species the Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca,with a grey back, whitish underparts, a grey head with a darker "bandit mask" through the eyes and a white throat.A common winter migrant.”
Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

“This is a small species the Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca,with a grey back, whitish underparts, a grey head with a darker "bandit mask" through the eyes and a white throat.A common winter migrant.”
Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

"Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach, perched on the garden fence with grub in its beak."
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

"Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus, perched atop the radio tower."
Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus resident

"Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus, parched on a branch ."
Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri, parched on a babul bush with a wild fruit in its beak."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri, perched atip a mulberrt tree."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri, taking off from its perched position."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

"Shikra - Accipiter badius, in flight with its wings outstretched."
Shikra - Accipiter badius resident

"Shikra - Accipiter badius, perched on a branch ."
Shikra - Accipiter badius

"Western House-Martin Delichon urbicum, winter visitor."
Western House-Martin Delichon urbicum

"Western House-Martin Delichon urbicumm winter visitor gracing the Abu sky."
Western House-Martin Delichon urbicum



Birding in November: Post-Diwali Departure

 Birding in November: Post-Diwali Delights The second week of November brought a delightful variety of migratory birds to Mount Abu, despite...