Monday, February 26, 2024

February Birdwatching Adventure: Exploring Mount Abu in 2024

 February Birding in the Abode of Gods: 

A Photographic Journey

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February goes, leaving a tapestry of avian wonders at the Abode of Gods. Surrounded by stunning scenery, this month offers a stunning spectacle for those who love birdwatching. Throughout the third week of February, I was blessed with many sightings that showcased nature's brilliant palette.

 February, noted for its moderate weather, provides an excellent opportunity to see birds in their breeding plumage. Fluttering around, you may see sunbirds, robins, sparrows, herons, and a variety of other birds, each dressed to the hilt.

 One noteworthy observation around this time is the return of certain resident birds after a brief absence. The Spot-breasted Fantail, Green Munia, Indian Silverbill, Indian Yellow Tit, and Scaly-breasted Munia go on a seasonal migration, but they always come back to us in January to their original habitats.

Capturing these bird interactions is not a mere pastime, but a passion that runs deep within me. In February's third week, I set off on a trek, armed with my camera, to capture the fleeting beauty of birds. The wonders of nature never ceased to amaze me, as each day presented fresh surprises and joys, from the magnificent wings of raptors to the complex plumage of songbirds.

Feast your eyes on the breathtaking avian wonders I photographed during this lovely time:

Bird of the week

"A big raptor soaring in the sky is the Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata). It is distinguished by its dark plumage, robust body, and striking white patterns on the wings and tail. Capturing the spirit of this beautiful bird of prey in flight with outstanding aerial prowess."
Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata winter visitor?

15 Feb 2024.
"Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) perched on garden fence, displaying dark plumage with contrasting orange-red tail feathers. Winter common migrant to Mount Abu."
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros. Common winter visitor.

"Brown Rock Chat (Oenanthe fusca) perched on a rock. Small, brown bird with a pale throat and distinctive markings on its wings."
Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, soaring high above winter visitor."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo winter visitor

"Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor, An overall dark brown Martin with paler underparts. It has a square tail with a white spot on each tail feather, making a white speckled band of sorts.Flying above.""Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor, An overall dark brown Martin with paler underparts. It has a square tail with a white spot on each tail feather, making a white speckled band of sorts.Flying above."
Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

"Indian Yellow Tit (Machlolophus aplonotus) is a tiny but colourful songbird. Bright yellow plumage with contrasting black markings distinguishes this species. Perched atop a stump, displaying its bright plumage and energetic personality."
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus 

"A tiny and agile passerine bird, the Spot-breasted Fantail (Rhipidura albogularis). The plumage is distinctively black and white, with a large patch on the breast.Returned from a seasonal migration , perched on a branch."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis.

16 Feb 2024.
"Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica,winter visitor, flting overhead the All India Radio tower."
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica winter visitor

"Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros perched on garden floor,displaying dark plumage with contrasting orange-red tail feathers. Winter common migrant to Mount Abu.A picture collage."
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros winter visitor

"Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca, resident a pair perches aop a large rock."
Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

"Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus, resident perched on a cable with a prey in its beak."
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus 

"A tiny and agile passerine bird, the Spot-breasted Fantail (Rhipidura albogularis). The plumage is distinctively black and white, with a large patch on the breast.Returned from a seasonal migration , perched on a cable"
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis.

"A lively Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) perched on a stump, displaying its yellow throat and complex plumage patterns."
Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

A lively Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) perched on a stump, displaying its yellow throat and complex plumage patterns."
Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

17 Feb 2024.
"A big raptor soaring in the sky is the Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata). It is distinguished by its dark plumage, robust body, and striking white patterns on the wings and tail. Capturing the spirit of this beautiful bird of prey in flight with outstanding aerial prowess."
Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata  winter visitor


Bonelli's Eagle  Feb 2024 Mount Abu.m4v

"Male Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) mating plumage. Small songbird with purple and black iridescent feathers, a long curved beak, and a shiny green cap. Is perches on a a cluster of flowers, drawing nectar and displaying its vibrant colours."
Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

18 Feb 2024.
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros 

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus 

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus 

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

"Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis), perched on a bamboom shoot displaying its yellow throat."
Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

19 Feb2024.
“The Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus) is a sleek, medium-sized bird with mostly black plumage that is distinguished by its forked tail and white vent feathers. This Ashy Drongo, taking off from winter ravaged mulberry tree branch."on a branch against a lush background, illustrates its nimble and acrobatic character in its native habitat.”
Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus winter visitor

"A Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) perches on a cable above a running stream,displaying its unique grey plumage and graceful posture."
Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea winter visitor

"Indian Silverbill (Euodice malabarica) The resident, common, has a conical silver-grey beak, buff-brown upper body, white underbody, buffy flanks, and dark wings. The tail is black, and the wings are dark, contrasting with the white rump."
Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica 

"Soaring Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) has big wings and a unique feathered pattern on its underbelly. The bird's coloration is rufous-brown, and it has lengthy legs. The background is a wide sky, suggesting its flying habitat."
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus winter visitor


Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus Feb 2024 Mt ABu.mp4

20 Feb 2024.

"Brown Rock Chat (Oenanthe fusca) perched on a cable. Small, brown bird with a pale throat and distinctive markings on its wings."
Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

"Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo, a collage with different flying postures."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo winter visitor

"Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) in flight. Compact raptor with short wings and a long tail, displaying distinctive gray-brown plumage. Yellow eyes and sharp, hooked beak are prominent features."
Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus 

"Indian Yellow Tit (Machlolophus aplonotus) is a tiny but colourful songbird. Bright yellow plumage with contrasting black markings distinguishes this species. Perched atop a cable, displaying its bright plumage and energetic personality."
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus  

"Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach, apicture collage of the shrike perched on a thorny branch."
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

"Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis, perched on a mulberry branch."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

"Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) A collage with different postures."
Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) 

21 Feb 2024.

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

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

"Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea, with ruffled feathers perched on a cable."
Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

"Great Egret - Ardea alba, rare probably vagrant seen in winter. Flying gracefully in the Abu sky."
Great Egret - Ardea alba

“This is a small species the Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca,with a grey back, whitish underparts, a grey head with a darker "bandit mask" through the eyes and a white throat.A common winter migrant.”
Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca, common winter visitor

"Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach,perched on a branch peering at the camera lens."
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis., perched on a watering bowl in the garden."
Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis.

"Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) perched sideways on a thin branch."
Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) 

As another February draws to a close, it serves as a reminder of how short-lived these moments are. However, via the lens of my camera, I’ve captured a moment in time, a witness to the breathtaking beauty that surrounds us in the Abode of Gods. Every birdwatcher who visits these sacred grounds will hold onto these memories until the birds return in February.


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