Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Birding in March Mount Abu 2024.

 Explore the Avian Wonders of Mount Abu: A March to Remember.

As the third week of March begins, Mount Abu welcomes a wonderful weather phenomenon in which gloomy sky and chilly temperatures defy conventional March predictions. This unusual weather creates a wonderful encounter, as nature lovers and birdwatchers come to this charming refuge in the Aravalli Range.

With summer, Mount Abu transforms into a shelter for diverse bird species seeking refuge in its lush surroundings. Against this magnificent setting, the resident birds display their mating plumage, creating a dazzling tapestry of colours that captivates those who see it.

For keen birdwatchers like myself, the third week of March is significant, as it marks the yearly celebration of St. Patrick’s Day at the Abu duck pond. Amidst the peaceful waters, nature treats us to a display of its greatest creations, as the last of the migratory ducks bid farewell before embarking on their journey homeward. Among the various species adorning the pond are the exquisite Green-winged Teal, the brilliant Common Pochard, and the graceful Northern Pintails, joined by the bustling activity of coots, Moorhens, Black-winged Stilts, and Red-wattled Lapwings around the banks.

Recording these fleeting moments with our cameras, Mohan and I have the privilege of witnessing the majestic flight of the Crested Serpent Eagle and the dignified presence of the Common Buzzard, as we capture the beauty and elegance of these beautiful creatures in each photo.

Meanwhile, amid the hustle and bustle of nesting season, the air is alive with the musical sounds of birds engaged in mating rituals, nest building, and the never-ending chore of feeding their offspring. Despite the beauty, predators such as the nimble Shikra, the fearsome Great Coucal, and the opportunistic Large-billed crows remain a constant menace, reminding us of the fragile balance of life in the wilderness.

As I close this piece, I wish everyone an overdue Happy Holi and a joyful anticipation of the Easter celebrations. May this season of regeneration and rebirth bring you joy and make your weekends full of wonder. Until the next time, good birding, and may the beauties of nature continue to inspire us.

Bird of the week

"Jungle Bush Quail - Perdicula asiatica Adult males have a dull brown mantle, back, scapulars, and wings with buff streaks and blackish-brown patches. The breasts, sides, and upper belly are whitish with short black bars, whilst the lower belly and undertail coverts are reddish-buff. The forehead, lores, and supercilium are dark reddish-brown, with the supercilium becoming buffy-white behind the eye and towards the back of the neck. Resident to Abu, uncommon rare."
Jungle Bush-Quail - Perdicula asiatica resident uncommon/ rare

15 March 2024.

"Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis, peerched atop a cable calling for its mate."
Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis

"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 will be gone in a day or so.

"Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops. The species is highly distinctive, with a long, thin tapering bill that is black with a fawn base. The strengthened musculature of the head allows the bill to be opened when probing inside the soil. The hoopoe has broad and rounded wings capable of strong flight, uncommon and rare for Abu here seen foraging near bushes."
Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops uncommon rare

"Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchu, This bird of prey in this snap is seen soaring overhead. It is easy to identify, even in flight, on account of its long pigeon like head and neck, and broader black-and-white bands on its tail. The bird is also called the crested honey buzzard, but its stunted crest is hardly ever visible, a resident Abu."
Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus 

"Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchu, This bird of prey in this snap is seen soaring overhead. It is easy to identify, even in flight, on account of its long pigeon like head and neck, and broader black-and-white bands on its tail. The bird is also called the crested honey buzzard, but its stunted crest is hardly ever visible, a resident Abu."
Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus 

"Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus,The breeding male is a metallic blue and purple overall with maroon feathers on the breast. Perched on a tree trunk displaying its plumage."
Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus male in breeding plumage

16 March 2024.

"Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros, perched on garden gate displaying its black and orange red plumage".
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros winter visitor

"Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea, winter visitor sitting a concrete slab overlooking the stream below."
Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

"Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus March 2024 Mt Abu, a picyure collage."
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus  March 2024 Mt Abu

"Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca, common wonter visitor perched on a babul branch."
Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

"Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer,juvenile perched on a branch"
Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer 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)

"Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii ,perched on a rocky embankment,displaying its breeding plumage."
Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii 

17 March 2024.

"Black-winged Stilt: Himantopus himantopus has a long, relatively narrow black bill and long, pink legs. In the image, the bird is landing. Typically, birds are black above and white below, with a white head and neck."
Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus

"Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus.in the syill water reflecting its image upon the calm awter."
Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus


Common Buzzard March 2024 Mt Abu..m4v

"Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius, perched on a syump displaying vivid plumage."
Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

"Spilornis cheela, the Crested Serpent-Eagle The broad, paddle-shaped wings are held in a shallow V while the bird is in a soaring flight (above Duck Pond in Achalgarh). The flying feathers' undersides and tail are both black with wide white bars."
Crested Serpent-Eagle - Spilornis cheela 

"Eurasian Coot - Fulica atra winter visitor, It is largely black except for the white bill and frontal shield,foursome gliding gracefully in the placid Duck Pond of Mount Abu."
Eurasian Coot - Fulica atra

"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 adult

Eurasian Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus

"Eurasian Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus juvenile scanning for grub on the placid water of the pond."
Eurasian Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus juvenile

"A Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) captured perched along the streams edge, showcasing its mottled brown plumage with a white underbelly. Its slender body and long bill are characteristic of this elegant wading bird."
Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus

18 March 2024.

"Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca, taking off from atop of a rock, showing its brown underbelly and its outstretched wings."
Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

"Female Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus. perched atop a bare branch with its back towards the lens,"
Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus female

"House Sparrow - Passer domesticus,perched on a branch with nest building material in its beak."
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus female

"Indian Yellow Tit (Machlolophus aplonotus) is a tiny but colourful songbird. Bright yellow plumage with contrasting black markings distinguishes this species.Perched on the garden fence."
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Jungle Bush-Quail  March  2024 Mt Abu.m4v


""Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos Indian Jungle Crow, common resident of Mount Abu,flying overhead."
Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos

"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. male 

"Rose-colored The parakeet, or Psittacula krameri. Brightly coloured parakeet with a long, thin tail and a bright red bill. It takes off from a thin twig and spreads its wings."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

19 March 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

"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

"Male Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) perched on a branch, displaying vibrant plumage with shades of red and pink. The small bird has a distinctive cone-shaped beak, with its beak filled with mulberries perched on a mulberry tree."
Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus male

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis., male perched on a little stump in the garden."
Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis.

"Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus, a close up of male perched on a dry stump."
Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

"Rose-colored The parakeet, or Psittacula krameri. Brightly coloured parakeet with a long, thin tail and a bright red bill. Perched atop a thin bare branch."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri 

20 March 2024.

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

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

"House Sparrow - Passer domesticus, perched on a mulberry tree with a feather in its beak,male showcasing its breeding plumage."
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus male

"A raptor with unusual plumage is the Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus). Adults have a combination of brown and rufous colours, whilst youngsters are more mottled. Soaring over the air, with big wings and a hooked beak."
Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus

"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 

21 March 2024.

"Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus, perched on a branch preening itself.".
Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus male preening

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis. "Spot-breasted Fantail (Rhipidura albogularis), a small and agile passerine bird. Features distinctive black and white plumage with a prominent spot on the breast. Perched on a branch, displaying its fan-shaped tail and engaging in characteristic tail flicking behavior."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis 




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Location: Mount Abu, Rajasthan 307501, India

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