Saturday, December 23, 2023

Exploring Avian Delights:Birding in December in Mount Abu

Birding Adventures in the third week of December at Mount Abu


 Winter Wings Unveiled: Narratives of Birding in Mount Abu's December Delight

The bird residents and winter migrants take the front stage in a spectacular exhibition as December unveils its frigid curtains in the tranquil refuge of Mount Abu. Join me on an adventure during the third week of December—an episode in the aerial extravaganza that graces the sky with wonder-filled wings.

The end of the week delivered a bleak prediction, but the winter frost remained elusive, with nighttime temperatures hovering around zero. On December 15, 2023, I went to the Duck Pond with my niece, Crescentia, and trusted companion, Mohan, restless to capture the season's spirit.

The sandpipers, those striking migrants, had yet to make their appearance, and even the lively wagtails were absent. Perhaps the impending mid-January water level drop, as farmers prepare to irrigate their crops, will reveal fresh bird arrivals, giving captivating close-quarter shooting prospects.

The desire to catch these untamed treasures in their native surroundings grows as I travel the beauty of Mount Abu with my camera in hand. The feathered tapestry that emerges against Mount Abu's calm backdrop provides a visual feast for birding enthusiasts.

Join me in celebrating the avian moments I've collected, a glimpse of the exciting third week of December—an introduction to the enthralling experiences that await as winter tightens its grip on our scenic hill station. Winter wings are in full flight, and the avian extravaganza is still unfolding, promising stories etched in feathers and sky adorned with the beauty of December's bird joy.

"Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) perched on garden gate, displaying dark plumage with contrasting orange-red tail feathers. Winter common migrant to Mount Abu."
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros

"Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros Mt Abu Dec 2023, Picture colage."
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros Mt Abu Dec 2023

"Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus,perched on dry bhang tree ,sleek bird with red eyes and forked tail."
Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

"Acolage of the Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus Mt Abu  Dec 2023,winter visitor."
Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus Mt Abu  Dec 2023

"Image of a Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus), a graceful raptor with predominantly white plumage and striking black wingtips, hovering against a clear sky."
Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus

"A flock of 10 birds heading for the neaqrest water body , In Mount Abu."
Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus

"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, winter visitor ,soaring overhead."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo 

"A winter visitor,Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo ,uncommon for his area."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo 

"winter visitors,Common Pochard - Aythya ferina ,a collage of the birds gracing Mount Abu Duck Pond."
Common Pochard - Aythya ferina Mt Abu Dec

"Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra), Medium-sized waterbirds with dark plumage and distinctive white frontal shield. Gracefully navigating the water of Mount Abu Duck Pond."
Eurasian Coot - Fulica atra winter visitor.

"Eurasian Crag-Martin- Ptyonoprogne rupestris, A large, compact, and powerful martin, gray-brown above, with contrasting dark "armpits."winter visitor to Mount Abu."
Eurasian Crag-Martin- Ptyonoprogne rupestris winter visitor 

"Eurasian Crag-Martin- Ptyonoprogne rupestris, A large, compact, and powerful martin, gray-brown above, with contrasting dark "armpits."winter visitor to Mount Abu."
Eurasian Crag-Martin- Ptyonoprogne rupestris winter visitor

"Eurasian Crag-Martin- Ptyonoprogne rupestris, A large, compact, and powerful martin, gray-brown above, with contrasting dark "armpits."winter visitor to Mount Abu."
Eurasian Crag-Martin- Ptyonoprogne rupestris winter visitor

"Eurasian Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus,resident not common, swimming in the Duck Pond enroute Achalgarh."
Eurasian Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus

"Eurasian Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus,resident not common, swimming in the Duck Pond enroute Achalgarh."
Eurasian Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus

"Gadwall - Mareca strepera, a pair winter visitor to Mount Abu gracing the Duck Pond enroute to Achalgrh."
Gadwall - Mareca strepera 

"Gadwall - Mareca strepera, male,winter visitor to Mount Abu gracing the Duck Pond enroute to Achalgrh."
Gadwall - Mareca strepera 

"Common Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus, found throughout Mount Abu, resident, sitting on garden fence."
Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus 

"Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata feeding sub-adult,resident common."
Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata feeding sub-adult

Little Cormorant - Microcarbo niger flying above the duck pond, in front of the mahdev ashram."
Little Cormorant - Microcarbo niger flying 

"The Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) is a beautiful black waterbird with a thin neck and beak that sits on rock at the water's edge. In this natural setting, its gleaming plumage adds to its beauty."
Little Cormorant - Microcarbo niger  Mt Abu Dec 

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

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

"Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach, a close up snap of this sharp eyed ground and aerial  preditor."
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

"Majestic Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) perched on the garden ground, displaying its distinctive black mask and long, elegant tail, with a background of the garden patch."
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach


"Graceful Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) in Mount Abu Duck Pond, a slender and elegant duck with a distinctively long tail, floating on calm water surrounded by wetland weeds."
Northern Pintail - Anas acuta 

"Graceful Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) in Mount Abu Duck Pond, a slender and elegant duck with a distinctively long tail, floating on calm water surrounded by wetland weeds."
Northern Pintail - Anas acuta 

"An agile and swift preditor Shikra - Accipiter badius, resident scanning for prey."
Shikra - Accipiter badius

"Rare, very few recordings for Mount Abu, Asian Koel - Eudynamys scolopaceus ."
Asian Koel - Eudynamys scolopaceus 

"Rare, very few recordings for Mount Abu, Asian Koel - Eudynamys scolopaceus ."
Asian Koel - Eudynamys scolopaceus 

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

"Front facing view, Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis), common Mount Abu resident."
Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

"Back view of the Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis), common resident perched on a cable."
Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)
 
As the holiday season approaches, I extend my warmest greetings for a wonderful and Merry Christmas to all of my fans and supporters. Best wishes for a joyful holiday season!From the Abode of the Gods!Cheers.To Life Cheers!






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