Thursday, December 21, 2023

Exploring Avian Delights:Birding in December in Mount Abu.

Birding Adventures in the second week of December at Mount Abu


 Winter Wings: A Glimpse into December’s Avian Gala

In the cool embrace of December’s second week, the nighttime temperatures dip to zero, setting the stage for a captivating birding experience. Amazingly, the avian scene has welcomed an influx of winter visitors, including the Green-winged Teal, Pochard, Eurasian Coot, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Tufted Duck, and the elusive Common Sandpiper.

Observing their numbers rise is a source of delight, adding anticipation to each outing with the hope of even more arrivals by mid-January. The small water bodies come alive with vibrant plumage and graceful flights, turning the landscape into a bustling hub of avian activity. As December unfolds, the chilly nights and brisk birding sessions offer a unique connection with nature. Beyond species spotting, it’s a journey into the seasonal swings, where each migratory bird contributes to a grand story.

With cameras in hand, join me in enjoying the avian symphony playing out in the crisp air of December second week—a run-up to a winter filled with enchanting encounters and the timeless beauty of migratory journeys.

Bird of the week.

"Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops,uncommon only a few sightings recorded here in Mount Abu."
Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops
8 Dec 2023.
"Close-up of a Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) standing in a field, with its white plumage and yellow beak. The egret has a compact posture,and blends with it's surroundings."
Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis

""Female Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) perched on a mulberry twig, showcasing subtle plumage with earthy tones. A passage migrant."
Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri,resident taking off."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri female

"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri, taking off."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri male

9 Dec 2023.
"Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) perched on a rock, displaying dark plumage with contrasting orange-red tail feathers. Winter common migrant to Mount Abu."
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros

10 Dec 2023.

"In flight, a Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)winter visitor. Small raptor with a striking gray-brown coloration, short wings, and a long tail. The standout characteristics are the hooked, pointed beak and yellow eyes."
Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

"Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus, winter visitor gracing the Mount ABu sky."
Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

"Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) , winter visitor with broad wings soaring the Mount Abu sky."
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

"Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus,gracing the Mount Abu sky. Is a winter visitor. The bird has a rufous-brown plumage and long legs."
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

"White-bellied Drongo - Dicrurus caerulescens,reident perched on a wire with a bee in its beak."
White-bellied Drongo - Dicrurus caerulescens

"White-bellied Drongo (Dicrurus caerulescens) perched on cable. The bird has a distinctive forked tail and a slender, curved bill. Has a glossy black plumage and a striking white underbelly."
White-bellied Drongo - Dicrurus caerulescens

11 Dec 2023.

Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops Mount Abu Dec 2023.mp4

"Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) in flight, exhibiting distinctive black shoulder patches and white plumage. Soaring through Mount Abu sky.”
Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus

"House Sparrow - Passer domesticus,resident pwrched on a curved bark of a tree with building material in its beak."
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

12 Dec 2023.
Discover Mount Abu's very own Duck Pond, which is concealed in front of Mahadeva Temple. I visited this calm refuge on December 12th to photograph the winter visitors: Green-winged Teals, Pochards, Eurasian Coots, Gadwalls, Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, Tufted Ducks, and Raptors. Scroll through photographs of this avian extravaganza, a tiny Bharatpur in which nature's magnificence is seen in every feathery detail. Join me on a pictorial journey to the tranquil shores of Mount Abu's Duck Pond.

"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, winter visitor soaring above the Duck Pond enroute to Achalgarh."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo 

"Common Pochard - Aythya ferina Mt Abu Dec 2023. A picture collage."
Common Pochard - Aythya ferina Mt Abu Dec 2023

"Close-up of a Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) with its distinctive black plumage, white frontal shield, and vibrant red eyes.Feed on weed from the calm duck pond Mount Abu."
Eurasian Coot - Fulica atra

"Eurasian Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus, resident not commonly seen."
Eurasian Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus

"Eurasian Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus, sub-adult gracing the waters of the Duck Pond."
Eurasian Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus

"Gadwall - Mareca strepera, female winter visitor duck pond it's winter refuge."
Gadwall - Mareca strepera

"Gadwall - Mareca strepera, winter visitors a pair swimming in the Duck Pond Mount Abu."
Gadwall - Mareca strepera

"Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca, winter visitors a pair swimming in the Duck Pond."
Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca

'Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca, male swimming in the Duck pond,"
Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca

"The Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) is a beautiful black waterbird with a thin neck and beak that sits on the water's edge. Known across Asia for its adept diving and fishing in freshwater settings. In this natural setting, its gleaming plumage adds to its beauty."
Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) 

"The Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger), a sleek black waterbird, perched on the water's edge on a rock with a slender neck and beak. Known for its diving skills."
Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) 

"The Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger), a sleek black waterbird, perched on the water's edge on a rock with a slender neck and beak. Known for its diving skills."
Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) 

"Little Grebe - Tachybaptus ruficollis, resident common found at all water bodies throughout Mount ABu."
Little Grebe - Tachybaptus ruficollis

"Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach, resident foraging in the weeds."
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

"Northern Pintail - Anas acuta, winter visitors stay the winters in the refuge of the Duck Pond."
Northern Pintail - Anas acuta

"Northern Shoveler - Spatula clypeata, winter visitor . Spends the winter foraging from the Duck Pond."
Northern Shoveler - Spatula clypeata

"Northern Shoveler - Spatula clypeata, a close up snap of the visitor."
Northern Shoveler - Spatula clypeata

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis. resident sitting on a tree stump."
Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis
"Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) resident common perched on a cable."
Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

"Siberian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus, common perched on a rock."
Siberian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus

13 Dec 2023.
"Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus, winter visitor perched on a branch of mulberry tree."
Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

"Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus, passage migrant preched on a branch flame of the forest."
Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

"In flight, a Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)winter visitor. Small raptor with a striking gray-brown coloration, short wings, and a long tail. The standout characteristics are the hooked, pointed beak and yellow eyes."
Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

"In flight, a Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)winter visitor. Small raptor with a striking gray-brown coloration, short wings, and a long tail. The standout characteristics are the hooked, pointed beak and yellow eyes."
Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

"Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) , winter visitor with broad wings soaring the Mount Abu sky."
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

"Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus, winter visitor circling each other above inn the clear blue sky."
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

"Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva, common winter visitor, perched on a branch after a dip in the water."
Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva

"Shikra - Accipiter badius , resident perched on the radieo tower."
Shikra - Accipiter badius 

"White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis, resident diving for prey in the stream below."
White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

"White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis, perched on a cable with prey in its beak."
White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

14 Dec 2023.
"Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus , winter visitor soaring through the sky with its wings spread open."
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus 

"Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus.resident alighting on a date palm tree."
Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus.











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Location: Mount Abu, Rajasthan 307501, India

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