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, winter visitor scanning for prey."
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

"Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus, winter visitor scanning for prey."
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

"Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus,resident perched datepalm tree."
Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

"White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis, resident stretching its wings."
White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

"White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis, resident stretching its neck."
White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

"White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis, in flight."
White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

17 Nov 2023.
"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, winter visitor in flight above."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

"Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinu winter visitor scanning for prey."
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinu


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

"Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica, resident perched on a twig with green background."
Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica

18 Nov 2023.
"Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach, perched on a cable."
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach 

19 Nov 2023.
"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, winter visitor scanning for prey from above."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

"Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus, winter visitor scannong for prey."
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus


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

"Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach, perched on a cable."
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis,resident common in yhe garden looking elegant."
Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

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

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

"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 bamboo shoot."
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. 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,Perched on a cable with a faded background."

"Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach, taking off illuminated."
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach 

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

"Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus, diving for pry."
Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus 

"Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus, diving for prey ion the fading sunlight."
Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus 

"Shikra - Accipiter badius. perched on the radio tower."
Shikra - Accipiter badius 

"Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca, winter visitor common in a babool bush."
Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca 

"Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus, saoring in the fading light."
Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus 

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