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.

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Birding During the Last Week of November 2024

Birding During the Last Week of November 2024: A Quiet Affair

In Mount Abu’s peaceful hills, the last week of November sees increased bird activity from migrating species travelling south. In contrast to previous years, this year’s experience was low-key. While I had hoped to encounter a diverse array of warblers, raptors, buntings, and pipits, the numbers fell short of expectations.

A Week of Contrasts

The weather couldn’t have been more inviting. Clear skies, mild temperatures, and golden sunlight bathing the hills filled the day. Nighttime lows ranged from 0°C to 5°C, signalling winter’s approach. With the festive Diwali rush fading, Mount Abu embraced a tranquil lull, broken only by the usual weekend crowds every hill station welcomes.

Birding Highlights

Despite their scarcity, I captured a delightful, albeit small, selection of birds. These feathered companions offered solace, proving that even a quieter week can yield moments of joy for a patient birder.

Looking Ahead

I hope to see water birds, raptors, and a few elusive buntings as December rolls in. The exciting prospect of the coming weeks is the expected influx of winter visitors to the now-replenished lakes and streams.

For the time being, take pleasure in the photographs of this serene birding week. Every sighting, after all, is a story waiting to be told—and sometimes, nature’s silence speaks volumes.

Bird of the week.

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach Mt Abu Nov 2024.m4v

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo Winter visitor Mt Abu Dec 2024.mp4

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica winter visitor

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis

Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus Mt Abu Nov 2024.m4v

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus Mt Abu Nov 202

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

Rufous Treepie - Dendrocitta vagabunda

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Birding in the Third Week of November 2024 .

Birding During the Third Week of November 2024

Mount Abu experienced a cold snap in the third week of November 2024, with temperatures hovering around zero degrees as winter set in. Winter has arrived early this year, but the daytime weather has been delightful—clear blue skies and warm, golden afternoon sun, perfect for birding adventures.

Mount Abu is once again home to the magnificent raptors. This week’s sightings included the Common Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Black Eagle, and Spotted Eagle, each a thrilling sight in the skies. Joining them are the smaller but captivating visitors—flycatchers, pipits, warblers, and buntings, filling the landscape with life and movement.

The hills are calm again, as the Diwali crowds have dispersed. The streets, once vibrant with traffic and music, are now quiet and serene. Mount Abu feels like itself again—a tranquil sanctuary, perfect for both birds and birders.

This serene backdrop sets the stage for an unforgettable birding experience. For those lucky enough to visit during this time, the hills promise a spectacular avian extravaganza. As a passionate birder, I’ve captured a modest selection of feathered visitors during the third week of November. I hope you enjoy these glimpses of Mount Abu’s vibrant bird life.

Winter birding here is magical—don’t miss the chance to explore this incredible haven during the season!

Bird of the week

Eurasian Wryneck - Jynx torquilla

Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis

Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo November 2024 Mt Abu.m4v

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita

Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

Eurasian Wryneck - Jynx torquilla

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

ID Please anyone

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus Nov 2024 Mt Abu

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticu

Rock Pigeon - Columba livia Territorial dispute Nt Abu.mp4

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Birding in November: Post-Diwali Departure

Birding in November: Post-Diwali Delights

The second week of November brought a delightful variety of migratory birds to Mount Abu, despite the town still buzzing with Diwali holiday crowds. While the popular tourist spots remained lively, the hillside offered some rewarding birding moments for those willing to brave the rush.

Among the notable sightings this week were the Common Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Drongos, and a charming array of warblers, pipits, and wagtails. These avian visitors added vibrant life to the cooling landscape, offering glimpses of the winter spectacle unfolding.

For birders planning a visit to Mount Abu this winter, be prepared for frosty mornings and biting cold. The temperature has been dropping, inching closer to the zero-degree mark—a hallmark of Abu’s winter charm.

As the week progressed, the festive crowds thinned out, making way for quieter trails and less congested viewpoints. However, weekends remain busy, as the hill station continues to draw its share of visitors escaping the plains.

By the end of the second week, migratory ducks became more apparent, though their numbers are still growing. It’s always a joy to witness these seasonal visitors gracing our waters, a testament to nature’s rhythms in the face of changing climates.

I’ve curated select bird photographs captured during this period to showcase the beauty of November birding in Mount Abu. Stay tuned as we delve into the birding highlights of the third week of November!

Bird of the week