Monday, March 11, 2024

Birding in March Mount Abu 2024.

 Embracing the Unexpected: Birding Adventures in March 2024

 March’s erratic weather patterns keep birdwatchers on their toes. As the month of 2024 progressed, nature had a surprise for us we were not expecting. Just when we believed spring was about to emerge at the end of February, March arrived with an incredible rainstorm and piercing icy winds. On Sunday night, the temperature dropped to a startling -3 degrees Celsius, making it one of the coldest days Abu has seen at the end of winter.

 Despite the sudden chill, the avian occupants of this area were unconcerned. In fact, they looked to be embracing the shifting seasons. As the week proceeded, wisps of cirrus clouds appeared in the bright sky, creating a magnificent backdrop for the birds to display their mating plumages. It was a sight to behold—a symphony of colours and songs as they engaged in nesting and courting behaviours, signalling the start of their nesting season.

Armed with my camera, I captured the diverse array of winged beauties adorned the hillside. Each encounter expressed these species ' beauty and endurance, from majestic raptors soaring high above to secretive warblers fluttering among the bushes. Then there were the migrating ducks, gathered in small groups, their departure date approaching as they prepared for the long and exhausting voyage home.

Despite the cold weather, the first week of March proved to be an outstanding period for birding. Each sighting served as a reminder of nature’s delicate dance, in which each species contributes to the magnificent fabric of life. Gratitude overwhelms me as I contemplate the privilege. I had to witness the magnificence of the avian world through my lens. Until the next time, happy birding!

Bird of the Week.

"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 winter visitor
Common winter visitors will be migrating back shortly 

1 March 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 winter visitor

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


Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata   March 2024 Mt Abu.mp4

"Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum,potrait shot,boasts a stunning appearance. With its lustrous blue-black head, neck, and upper body,a yellow beak, with blue at the base."
Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum resident

"Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)Mostly green with a bluish throat, a thin black eye mask and throat band, a rufous or somewhat rusty crown and rear of the neck, and central tail streamers."
Green Bee-eater - Merops orientalis status? resident?

"Green Bee-eater - Merops orientalis, picture collage."
Green Bee-eater - Merops orientalis. March 2024 Mt Abu

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

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

"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 scanning for prey."
Shikra - Accipiter badius  resident

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

2 March 25024.
"Indian Yellow Tit (Machlolophus aplonotus) is a tiny but colourful songbird. Bright yellow plumage with contrasting black markings distinguishes this species. Perched atop a brach, displaying its bright plumage and energetic personality."
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus  resident

3 March 2024.
"Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros, perched on the garden floor winter visitor."
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros winter visitor

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita  


Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita  March 2024 Mt Abu.mp4

Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

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

4 March 2024.

"Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros, perched on the garden floor winter visitor."
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros 

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fu

"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 winter visitor

"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

"A female Indian Robin (Copsychus fulicatus) with brown plumage perched on curved branch, displaying its distinctive features."
Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

"Male Indian Robin (Copsychus fulicatus) are primarily black with chestnut bottom feathers, Males also have a white shoulder patch and a relatively long tail.Perched on a rock attired in mating plumage feathers."
Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus  male

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

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

"White-bellied Drongo (Dicrurus caerulescens) perched on a tree branch, featuring glossy black plumage and striking white underbelly. The bird has a distinctive forked tail and a slender, curved bill. The background showcases lush green foliage, indicating a wooded habitat."Has a glossy black plumage and a striking white underbelly."
White-bellied Drongo - Dicrurus caerulescens  resident

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

5 March 2024.
"Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros, perched on the garden floor winter visitor."
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros winter visitor

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

"Grey heron - Ardea cinerea vagrant? Plumage is predominantly grey, with a whiter neck; adults have a white head, black brows, and a black shoulder patch. Flies, like other herons and egrets, have their necks drawn in to produce a bulge."
Gray Heron - Ardea cinerea vagrant?

The Grey Heron is not commonly seen, has been recorded here in Mount Abu during the winter.

"Great Egret - Ardea alba A large, lanky, long-necked white heron. Size and black legs aid to differentiate from other egrets."Seen gracing the Abu sky"
Great Egret - Ardea alba  rare only a few recorded here vagrant?

"Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus resident pair, courtship behaviour male feeding the female."
Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus resident pair

"Indian Yellow Tit (Machlolophus aplonotus) is a tiny but colourful songbird. Bright yellow plumage with contrasting black markings distinguishes this species. Perched atop a thorny stump,displaying its bright plumage."
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. The snap depicts a portrait shot of the bird."
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus resident

"Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach, a collage of the bird in different poses."
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach  March 2024 Mt Abu.

"Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), as seen in the portrait, has a gorgeous black crown on their head and a red facial patch that forms attractive cherry cheeks, with a white patch on lower ear-coverts bordered below by a black moustachial stripe. Endemic to Mount Abu."
Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

"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 the garden floor, looking for grub."
Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri, taking off, exposing its underwings of vibrant green colour."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

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

6 March 2024.
"A Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) stands at the water's edge. This bird stands gracefully in its native environment, with its long, thin legs and unique black wings."
Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus

"Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), a winter visitor, soaring in the blue sky. Large raptor with brown plumage, broad wings, and a distinctive, fan-shaped tail. Gliding gracefully overhead, the buzzard displays its impressive wingspan against the clear Spring sky."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo winter visitor

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita

"Majestic Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) photographed in its natural habitat, showcasing bright plumage in a tranquil Pond backdrop."
Common Pochard - Aythya ferina

"Close-up image of a Eurasian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) feeding amongst the weeds in shallow water, displaying its distinctive black plumage and red bill."
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

"Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus, feeding amongst the weed at the waters edge."
Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus

"Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus, feeding amongst the weed at the waters edge."
Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus

"Green-winged Teal - Anas Crecca, Tiny duck with a small, thin beak. Males have a brown head with a large green swatch behind the eye, a creamy speckled breast, and a mainly grey body. Swimming gently across the water."
Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca


Little Cormorant March 2024 Mount Abu..m4v

Little Grebe - Tachybaptus ruficollis

"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

"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

"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

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula winter visitor

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula winter visitor

"White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensi, with a struggling crab in its beak, at the waters edge."
White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnens 

"Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis), also known as the Crow Pheasant. Large, crow-sized bird with black plumage, a distinctive long tail, and red eyes. Seen perched on a tree branch in a natural setting."
Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis

7 March 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 winter visitor

"Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata, flying at at a graet height and distance."
Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata

"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 , winter visitor not so common

"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 , winter visitor not so common


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Location: Mount Abu, Rajasthan 307501, India

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