Saturday, November 19, 2022

Birding in November 2022 Mount Abu.

Recording the Migratory birds in the Second week of November 2022.

My birding in the second week of November was so-so because I had not fully recovered from my illness. There are fewer raptors than usual. Here is a compilation of my observations. The Booted Warbler, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler, and Sykes's Warbler are yet to be documented. Thanks for taking the time to look at my collection of photographs and slide shows. I hope you enjoy them.

8 Nov 2022.

"Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen), stretching it's wings atop the radio tower."

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

The Shaheen Falcon is an uncommon resident. I have focused almost exclusively on these birds for many years. I have been observing and recording this species for many years now, as you can see from my posts. Based on the mating sequences and juveniles/subadults I have observed at Mount Abu, this species breeds here.

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Nov 2022.mp4

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo winter visitor?

There is no record of this species by Butler (1875). For years, I have observed and photographed this species. I'm not sure what its status is. My observations indicate it is a winter visitor to Mount Abu.

Eurasian Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris winter visitor

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus winter visitor

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Red-breasted Flycatcher - winter visitor

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva winter visitor common

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva

Yellow-throated Sparrow - Gymnoris xanthocollis

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

9 Nov 2022.

"Black Redstart - winter visitor common"

Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros winter visitor common

Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros

Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca resident

"Long-tailed Shrike - resident, sitting on a cable."

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

"Long-tailed Shrike, perched on a wire fence."

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

"Oriental Magpie-Robin resident, perched on a Babool tree."

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis resident

"Red-rumped Swallow - resident, flying above."

Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica They breed in June and July

"White-breasted Waterhen, on the bank of the stream."

White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus juvenile

"White-throated Kingfisher, diving for prey."

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

"White-throated Kingfisher, landing on a date palm tree."

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

"Yellow-throated Sparrow - resident, perched on a branch."

Yellow-throated Sparrow - Gymnoris xanthocollis resident

10 Nov 2022.

"Black-rumped Flameback, sitting on a parapet."

Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense

Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides Common winter/passage migrant. Arrives as early post monsoons.

"Greenish Warbler, perched on a branch."

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides

"Laughing Dove resident common, sitting on a rock."

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis resident common

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis resident

11 Nov 2022.

Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea. winter visitor

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata feeding young

I have been observing the jungle babblers since they began building their nests in my garden. They are ever so vigilant now that the chicks are feeding and protecting this area like Fort Knox. This area around the nest is off-limits to preying birds. Several times I've seen them mob the Rufus tree pie, the Jungle crows, and even the Shikra. Also, I've seen a cat run helter-skelter when 15 babblers attack it. With a team of babblers feeding them constantly, these chicks are sure to grow twice as fast. Being able to observe these birds in the wild has been a truly amazing experience. I wonder how many chicks are there in the nest?