Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Embracing November's Avian Spectacle: Mount Abu is a Birder's Paradise

Mount Abu is a birder's paradise, especially in November.

 November brings a spectacular moment for birding enthusiasts as the icy grip of winter falls on Mount Abu. The steady drop in temperature, which begins at the end of October, sets the setting for a stunning bird extravaganza. This time of year, the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, nestled inside the scenic limits of the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, reveals a treasure trove for birds that trek to this heavenly "Abode of Gods."

The sanctuary's lush expanse teems with activity in November when the sky is crisply bright. The thick vegetation, trickling streams, and mild chill in the air create an enticing atmosphere that lifts the spirits of everyone who walks the jungle pathways in search of bird encounters.

Migrating birds is one of the most intriguing parts of this season. The sanctuary serves as a temporary home for a wide variety of flying visitors, including raptors, wild ducks, and a few rare species. Their presence enhances the sanctuary's already thriving resident bird population, bringing an additional layer to the sanctuary's biodiversity.

During the first week of November, I ventured into the forest for short birding excursions in my immediate surroundings. The brilliant colours of visiting species—Eurasian Sparrow-hawks, Red-breasted Flycatchers, Eurasian Crag-Martins, Greenish Warblers, Hume's Warblers, Common Buzzards, and Grey Wagtails—brought the surroundings to life.

I saw a significant rise in the number of migrating birds from my observations made in October.

Around 80 of these exquisite birds decorated the Duck Pond, and with the prospect of lowering water levels and more abundant food supplies, I foresee this number will increase by December.

The changing seasons alter the terrain, resulting in an ever-changing tapestry of bird life. As November approaches, the refuge draws both seasoned birders and beginners, providing a fascinating sight of nature's wonders.

For birders, Mount Abu in November is a monument to the harmony between the shifting seasons and the mesmerising ballet of migratory birds. Nature's canvas is being painted with colourful strokes of life, calling everybody to experience and treasure this transient yet exquisite avian symphony.

Enjoy my collection of birds spotted and recorded on an everyday basis during the first week of November 2023.

1 Nov 2023.

"Black Eagle - Ictinaetus malaiensis, uncommon, rare soaring in the Abu sky."
Black Eagle - Ictinaetus malaiensis

"Black Eagle - Ictinaetus malaiensis, uncommon, rare soaring in the Abu sky."
Black Eagle - Ictinaetus malaiensis

"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, winter visitor gracing Mount Abu sky."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo


Common Buzzard aerial combat Mount Abu 1 Nov 2023.m4v


"Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica, uncommon winter visitor flying above."
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica

"Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea, winter visitor perched on a cable."
Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

"Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea, winter visitor perched on a cable."
Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

"Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos, calling on a date palm tree resident."
Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos 

"Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus, in action plucking a spider of the cable."
Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

2 Nov 2023.
"Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops , uncommon perched atop a rock."
Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops 

"Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops , uncommon perched atop a rock."
Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops 

"Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus,winter visitor by no means common scanning for prey."
Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis, peering from a cable resident."
Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

"Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus,landing on the tower with prey."
Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus with prey

"Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus, feeding on prey on the radio tower."
Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

3 Nov 2023.
"Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata,scanning for prey."
Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata

"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, winter visitor descending."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo 

"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, descending atop a tree winter visitor."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo 

"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, winter visitor ready to land on a tree."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo 

"Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea, perched on a rock overlooking the stream winter visitor."
Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

"Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus, resident perched on a branch looking upwards."

"Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus, perched on abranch."
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

"Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus, resident perched on garden fence."
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

"Taiga Flycatcher - Ficedula albicilla, rare uncommon winter visitor perched on a branch."
Taiga Flycatcher - Ficedula albicilla

4 Nov 2023.
"Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei, winter visitor ready to take off."
Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei 

"Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis, perched on a babul bush."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis 

"White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis, perched on a wire cable."
White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

5 Nov 2023.
"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, winter visitor soaring Abu skies."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo 

"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, winter visitor gracing Abu sky."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo 

"Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea, winter visitor sitting on a cable."
Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

|Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea, sitting on an iron cable winter visitor."
Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

I'll upload some of the water migrants tomorrow; in the meantime, enjoy and appreciate the selection I've provided above.

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