Friday, August 2, 2024

Birding in July 2024 Mount Abu.

 Birding in the Last Two Weeks of July

The last two weeks of July have flown by in a whirlwind of misty mornings and overcast afternoons. Unfortunately, the rain-gods have bypassed Mount Abu this year, and the much-anticipated monsoon showers have been scarce. The hillsides drape themselves in a mantle of mist, and the air carries the scent of impending rain, but the actual downpour has disappointed us. With Abu relying on the monsoon for its water supply, we can only hope for our quota of rain in the coming months.

For birders, the monsoon season in Mount Abu is a challenging yet rewarding time. Damp conditions and low light levels can test patience and skill. Protecting equipment from the elements is crucial, as the humidity can cause mildew on cameras if one is not careful.

Despite these challenges, the promise of photographing some of Mount Abu’s most captivating avian residents keeps my spirits high. With its striking black and white plumage, the Pied Cuckoo remains elusive but highly expected. Its presence is a harbinger of the monsoon, a symbol of hope for better rains. The Indian Blackbird, known for its melodious song, brings a serenity to the lush landscape. At the same time, the vibrant Indian Golden Oriole, whose numbers have dwindled, is always a joy to spot. I haven’t snapped a photo of one in a while, and I await the opportunity. The elusive Brain-Fever Bird and the elegant Indian Paradise Flycatcher are also on my watch list, their presence adding to the magic of birding during this season.

Here’s to hoping for a bountiful monsoon that brings life and vibrancy to Mount Abu, enriching the habitat for its beautiful avian inhabitants and offering birders like me the perfect conditions to capture their splendour.

Bird of the Fortnight

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis: Females are greyish black above and greyish white under.are common birds in urban gardens as well as forests.Basking in the sun."
Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis July Mt Abu.mp4

"Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata), a majestic raptor with brown plumage, soaring in the sky. Recognizable by its distinctive white markings on wings and tail, showcasing the powerful and elegant flight of this magnificent bird of prey."
Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata 

"Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata), a majestic raptor with brown plumage, soaring in the sky. Recognizable by its distinctive white markings on wings and tail, showcasing the powerful and elegant flight of this magnificent bird of prey."
Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata 

"Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius, warblerlike bird with a green back, a reddish crown, and a long bill. It gets its name from the way in which it builds its nest by stitching leaves together.Here seen perched on a branch calling."
Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

"The green avadavat, known as the green munia (Amandava formosa), is an Estrildid finch with a green and yellow body, a vivid red beak, and black "zebra stripes" on its sides. They are indigenous to Mount Abu.The photograph depicts a bird on a cable."
Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus

"The green avadavat, known as the green munia (Amandava formosa), is an Estrildid finch with a green and yellow body, a vivid red beak, and black "zebra stripes" on its sides. They are indigenous to Mount Abu.The photograph depicts a pair on a cable."
Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus

"Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), a small and lively songbird. Distinctive yellow-green plumage with a white eye-ring. Perched on a leafy branch."
Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus.

"Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus,a collage."
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 on the garden floor with a tit-bit in its beak, 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 on the garden floor, 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 the garden fence, displaying its bright plumage and energetic personality."
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

"Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata,on the garden floor with a prey in its beak."
Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

"Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata, perched on an iron rod with a prey."
Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

"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 raren crossing a road,"
Jungle Bush-Quail - Perdicula asiatica

"Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos,resident, taking off."
Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos

"Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos, resident, perched on a cable."
Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos

"Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus, two perched on dry twigs."
Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

"Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo Daurica A brightly coloured swallow with a deep forked tail, pale orangish rump, black squared-off undertail coverts, and an unfinished orange colla. perched on a cables above."
Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica

"Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo Daurica A brightly coloured swallow with a deep forked tail, pale orangish rump, black squared-off undertail coverts, and an unfinished orange colla. perched on a cables above."
Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica

"Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), as seen in the snap, 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. Endamic to Mount Abu."
Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus 

"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. Perched on a branch preening itsrlf."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

"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. Perched on a cable."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

"White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis.The plumage is a striking blue and white, with a noticeable white neck.Sitting on a cable above a stream with a prey in it's beak."
White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

"White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis.The plumage is a striking blue and white, with a noticeable white neck.Sitting on a cable above a stream ."
White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis



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Location: Mount Abu, Rajasthan 307501, India

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