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.

Monday, March 4, 2024

Birding in February: Mount Abu 2024.

February Birdwatching Adventure: Exploring Mount Abu in 2024.

As February comes to a close, the bird world awakens in a frenzy of activity in the peaceful highlands of Mount Abu. Nestled in Rajasthan, this serene hill station serves as a refuge for birdwatchers eager to see migrating birds return to their nesting areas.

Despite the joy of birding, amateurs know the importance of precise recording. It’s distressing to see bloated and incorrect bird lists spreading online, confusing novice and experienced birders. Some people, acting as birders, use similar strategies to entice visitors, but it helps to lower expectations.

To address this, birders must perform extensive research on recognised platforms such as eBird, confirming the accuracy of their observations and providing significant data to the scientific community. Birdwatchers can better grasp Mount Abu’s avian richness and enjoy its natural beauty by relying on reputable sources.

As winter ends, some of our favourite winter guests have already left for other regions. Despite the shift, there is still a lot to see. Crested and white-capped buntings adorn the landscape, and the duck pond becomes a centre of activity as birds feast before departing on their long journey home.

I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude as I look back on the abundance of riches that the last week of February brought. As we await spring in the first week of March, let us preserve our memories and look forward to the delights that await us in Mount Abu’s ever-changing tapestry of avian paradise.

Bird of the week

"The White-capped Bunting (Emberiza stewarti) is a tiny passerine bird widespread across Asia. It has a striking white crown on its head, which contrasts with its olive-brown body. This bird perched atop Flame of the forest tree."

White-capped Bunting - Emberiza stewarti winter visitor

22 Feb 2024.

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis,perched on a stump,as can be seen the male has black upperparts, head and throat apart from a white shoulder patch."

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis resident

"Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus, flying overhead giving a warning call."

Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus

"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri , sitting on a branch feeding of a pod of the Babool bush tree."

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

"White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis, sitting on a branch overlooking a stream below with a prey in its beak."

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

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

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

23 Feb 2024.

"Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca, sitting in the warm natural light on a concrete wall."

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

"Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca, a pair sitting on a wall."

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

"Common Pochard - Aythya ferina, patiently abiding their time on the placid pond for their long journey back home."

Common Pochard - Aythya ferina winter visitor

"Common Pochard - Aythya ferina, patiently abiding their time on the placid pond for their long journey back home."

Common Pochard - Aythya ferina winter visitor

"Crested Bunting - Emberiza lathami Mt Abu Feb 2024. collage of birds feeding in a field."

Crested Bunting - Emberiza lathami Mt Abu Feb 2024

"A close-up of a Eurasian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) wading in shallow water, showing off its characteristic black plumage and red beak."

Eurasian Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus

"Gadwall (Mareca strepera)A pair gliding gently on calm water, displaying their delicate plumage with subtle grey and brown tones."

Gadwall - Mareca strepera winter visitor

"Great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor) sitting on a barbed wire fence."

Great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor)

"Northern Pintail - Anas acuta, winter visitor a flock gathered together feeding on the placid duck pond Mount Abu."

Northern Pintail - Anas acuta

"Oriental Turtle-Dove - Streptopelia orientalis , feeding in the field in the golden hour of the day."

Oriental Turtle-Dove - Streptopelia orientalis

"Oriental Turtle-Dove - Streptopelia orientalis , feeding in the field in the golden hour of the day."

Oriental Turtle-Dove - Streptopelia orientalis

"Male Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) mating plumage. Small songbird with purple and black iridescent feathers, a long curved beak, and a shiny green cap. During the mating season, it perches on a branch, displaying its vibrant colours."

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus resident

"Red Spurfowl - Galloperdix spadicea Overall reddish-brown, this large partridge-like bird has a somewhat long tail. The upper parts are brown with dark barring while the face and neck are more grey in the male. The underside is rufous with dark markings and both sexes have a red facial skin patch and red legs with one or two spurs.Found commonly in Mount Abu'sJungle."

Red Spurfowl - Galloperdix spadicea resident

"Siberian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus,sitting on a stump with a date palm in the background."

Siberian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus

"Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensi. Brown overall with a rosy breast and a unique white-spotted black nape patch. Found commonly in fields, parks and gardens. The one in the snap is in a filed snapped during the golden hour,"

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis

White-capped Bunting - Emberiza stewarti Mt Abu Feb 2024.mp4

24 Feb 2024.

Brown-headed Barbet - Psilopogon zeylanicus Feb 2024 Mt Abu.mp4

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus Feb 2024 Mt Abu.mp4

25 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

"A medium-sized songbird with a striking look, the Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus). Its brownish plumage, red patch behind the eye, and pronounced red whisker markings distinguish it. Perched on a branch."

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

26 Feb 2024.

"Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros, winter visitor common, perched in the garden."

Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros winter visitor

"Soaring in the azure sky comes the winter visitor, the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). Huge raptor with large wings, fan-shaped tail, and brown plumage. The buzzard soars overhead, showcasing its remarkable wingspan against the pristine winter sky."

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

27 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

"Brown-headed Barbet - Psilopogon zeylanicus. "Brown-headed Barbet, portrait shot, a bird of medium size with a robust bill, a striking brown head, and brilliant green plumage."

Brown-headed Barbet - Psilopogon zeylanicus.

28 Feb 2024.

"Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), a small and lively songbird. Distinctive yellow-green plumage with a white eye-ring. Foraging on a jacaranda tree without any leaves."."

Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

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

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

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

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

"Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), a medium-sized songbird with a distinctive appearance. Recognizable by its brownish plumage, red patch behind the eye, and prominent red whisker marks. Perched on a curved branch."

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

29 Feb 2024.

The bonus day of the year 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-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleu, This long-winged raptor is mostly grey or white, with black shoulder patches, wing tips, and eye stripes. When perched, the bird's long falcon-like wings extend beyond its tail."

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleu

"Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleu, This long-winged raptor is mostly grey or white, with black shoulder patches, wing tips, and eye stripes. When perched, the bird's long falcon-like wings extend beyond its tail."

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleu

"Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleu, This long-winged raptor is mostly grey or white, with black shoulder patches, wing tips, and eye stripes. When perched, the bird's long falcon-like wings extend beyond its tail."

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleu

"Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca, perched on a rock scanning for insects."

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

"Soaring in the azure sky comes the winter visitor, the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). Huge raptor with large wings, fan-shaped tail, and brown plumage. The buzzard soars overhead, showcasing its remarkable wingspan against the pristine winter sky."

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

"Soaring in the azure sky comes the winter visitor, the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). Huge raptor with large wings, fan-shaped tail, and brown plumage. The buzzard soars overhead, showcasing its remarkable wingspan against the pristine winter sky."

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

"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

"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

"Shikra: Accipiter badius.The shikra is a tiny raptor with short rounded wings and a slender, fairly long tail. Adults have a whitish underside with tiny rufous streaks, and grey upperparts. The lower tummy is less barred, and the thighs are white. Males have a red iris, while females have a yellowish orange iris.he bird in the picture is with outstretched wings pointing to the heavens."

Shikra - Accipiter badius common resident

Stay tuned for more stories from the field in March, and until next time, keep your eyes on the skies and your hearts open to nature's marvels!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)