MOUNT ABU BIRDS MY PERSONAL COLLECTION

As a nature lover, bird watching has always fascinated me. I’ve been taking pictures of birds since I was in school in Mount Abu, where I learned about the local birds and their nesting habits. I learned to identify birds chiefly by their calls. I’ve been taking pictures in the wild for several years."Explore the diverse bird life of Mt.Abu with my detailed blog post: See the rare species in their NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. Experience the ecosystem of this INCREDIBLE MONTAINOUS region" Welcome to Abu.

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Mount Abu's Avian Symphony

Mount Abu’s Avian Symphony will continue until April.

Birding in the third week of November 2023.

Time seemed to go by quickly in the third week of November, leaving behind the echoes of Diwali celebrations that had filled Mount Abu with the laughter and talk of travellers. The Diwali holiday exodus saw many Gujarati tourists wave farewell to this peaceful hill town, attracted back home to watch India’s enticing game with Australia in Ahmedabad. A gentle stillness fell over Mount Abu with their departure, giving a welcome break for passionate birdwatchers anxious to explore the region’s avian delights.

Mount Abu’s declining visitor presence provides the ideal setting for bird enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the symphony of winged animals. Even as the third week progressed, the birding experience and the weather appeared to lack the passion that usually accompanies this time of year. Clouds periodically obscured the sky, throwing a shadow across the hillsides. Undaunted by the gloomy weather, I embarked on a daily expedition to photograph the various species of birds that visited Mount Abu. Every day offered fresh interactions with avian inhabitants and migratory guests.

The bird inhabitants of Mount Abu continued to weave a lovely plot against the backdrop of its elegant settings, from the superb flight of buzzards to the harmonious melodies of warblers. Here’s a sneak peek at the avian tapestry I photographed in the third week of November. The Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen), the ultimate hunter, has returned, buzzards are abundant, and the long-legged grace the Abu skies in search of prey, while the stunning sparrowhawk and shikra are busy all day. In the morning and evening, we may see swallows in the sky.

Mount Abu implied the promise of colder days ahead as the lovely chill of winter appeared. The actual cold, I recalled, would certainly make an appearance by the end of the month. I waited for a moment of relief from the lingering tourist bustle, anxious to investigate Abu's few bodies of water.

November unfurled like a chapter in the continuous bird symphony, with every flutter and chirp contributing to the rich tale of the region’s biodiversity. The promise of colder days only strengthened the excitement of what lies ahead in the avian refuge of Mount Abu as winter prepared to reveal its full splendour.

16 Nov 2023.

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

17 Nov 2023.

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinu

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus Mt Abu Nov 2023.mp4

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica

18 Nov 2023.

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

19 Nov 2023.

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus hovering 19 Nov 2023.mp4

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

20 Nov 2023.

The Taiga Flycatcher is a passage, as well as winter, migrant to Mount Abu. It's rare in this part of the world.

Taiga Flycatcher - Ficedula albicilla

"The Taiga Flycatcher is a passage, as well as winter, migrant to Mount Abu. It's rare in this part of the world.,Chirping."

Taiga Flycatcher - Ficedula albicilla

"The Taiga Flycatcher is a passage, as well as winter, migrant to Mount Abu. It's rare in this part of the world.perched on a bomboo shoot."

Taiga Flycatcher - Ficedula albicilla

21 Nov 2023.

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

I expect to see migratory birds in the last week of November

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Mount Abu Birds in the last week of November

Birding in November

I observed migratory and local birds in November 2020.

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Mount Abu's Avian Symphony: A November Continuation

This November, enjoy the ongoing Avian Symphony on Mount Abu.

Birding in the second week of November 2023.

Mount Abu's captivating environment continues to attract birds in the second week of November. During Diwali, hundreds of tourists visited the hill station, creating a lively atmosphere filled with laughter and celebration. The mid-week festivities caused an increase in visitor traffic, so birders had to make changes to their excursions. Despite the rush and bustle, the refuge maintained its attraction, revealing glimpses of feathery beauties amid the Diwali craziness.

As the holiday season winds down, the last week of November provides a peaceful reprieve for anyone wanting a more calm sanctuary experience. The upcoming Rajasthan state elections on November 25 add an intriguing element to the story, with the conclusion cloaked in political uncertainty. The ebb and flow of visitor traffic against the backdrop of election expectations creates a one-of-a-kind environment that adds an element of unpredictability to this birding paradise.

This winter season presents an encouraging surprise in the bird realm: an increase in the presence of uncommon raptors. I accomplished a personal record by observing and photographing three Common Buzzards at the same time, an impressive effort for Mount Abu. The lens also recorded the majestic Bonelli's Eagle, the royal Eurasian Sparrow-hawk, and the awe-inspiring Steppe Eagle flying across the heavens. But the avian show doesn't stop there. The camera lens was trained on the secretive Eurasian Hoopoe, a rare encounter, while the rare Oriental Turtle-Dove graced the picture, adding to the thrill. The Shaheen Falcon, Rufus Tree Pie, and the harmonising duos of Laughing and Spotted Doves were among the resident species, providing a symphony of diverse avian life.

As November comes to a close, plans are being made for local area birding trips to capitalise on the quiet that follows the departure of visitors. Stay tuned for further updates on Mount Abu's avian story, and enjoy the chosen collection of birds photographed during the bright second week of November. Each frame offers a tale about nature's rich tapestry, reminding us that Mount Abu is more than simply a hill station; it's a sanctuary where every winged guest adds to the continuous drama of life in the wild.

8 Nov 2023.