Monday, August 19, 2024

Explore the misty bird-life of Mount Abu in August.

 Birdwatching during the first fortnight of August.

Mount Abu, known for its serene landscapes and rich biodiversity, offered a unique birding experience during the first half of August. With its overcast skies and sporadic showers, July had already set the stage, amounting to a modest 20 inches of rain. But as August rolled in, the weather turned even more challenging, with dull, misty conditions and only light drizzles to break the monotony. Our dams and Nakki Lake still await the heavy downpours needed to fill them to the brim.

August is a tough time for birding enthusiasts in Mount Abu. The cloudy skies and limited light make it a challenge to spot and photograph the region’s avian residents. However, the misty atmosphere also brings a certain charm, revealing a variety of birds that are hidden or shy during brighter days.

Despite the conditions, I continued my daily birding routine, taking my camera. The rewards were worth the wait. During these two weeks, I photographed an impressive array of birds, each bringing its own splash of colour to the otherwise muted landscape.

Among the birds captured were the vibrant Indian Yellow Tit and the elusive Green Avadavat, whose emerald hues stood out against the mist. The energetic Spot-breasted Fantail flitted through the underbrush, while the elegant Brahminy Starling displayed its characteristic crest. By the water’s edge, the White-breasted Waterhen prowled, and the ever-familiar Indian Robin added its cheerful presence.

Other highlights included the sociable Indian Silverbill and the stealthy Common Hawk Cuckoo. The Oriental Magpie Robin, with its melodious calls, the Red-vented Bulbul with its striking plumage, and the patterned Scaly-breasted Munia rounded out my sightings, making each moment spent in the field worthwhile.

Despite the challenges, Mount Abu’s Misty August provides its own set of rewards for birding enthusiasts who are patient and persistent.

Bird of the Fortnight

"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 floor , displaying its fan-shaped tail and engaging in characteristic tail flicking behavior."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

"Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleu, This long-winged raptor is mostly grey or white, with black shoulder patches, wing tips, and eye stripes. Seen here gracing the misty clouds."
Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus 

"Brown-headed Barbet, a bird of medium size with a robust bill, a striking brown head, and brilliant green plumage. perched on a cable, showing off its distinctive look and vibrant characteristics."
Brown-headed Barbet - Psilopogon zeylanicus

Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis. alt "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 garden gate in a natural setting."
Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis

"I.D requester, a raptor photographed flying over."
I. D requested? 
It's probably the Booted Eagle

"Indian Robin (Copsychus fulicatus), a small passerine bird. The female displays striking brown plumage with a distinctive red vent.Perched on the garden floor,the bird exhibits characteristic tail-cocking behavior."
Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus 

"Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), a small and lively songbird. Distinctive yellow-green plumage with a white eye-ring. Perched on a leafy branch. raindrops can be seen in the background."
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 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 large rock, 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 curved brach, displaying its bright plumage and energetic personality."
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

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

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis: Females are greyish black above and greyish white under.are common birds in urban gardens as well as forests.Perched on dried bamboo."
Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis 

"A medium-sized passerine bird is the red-rumped swallow (Cecropis daurica). Its steel-blue upperparts and rusty-red rump set it apart.Perched on a cable in the light mist."
Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica 

"Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata. The adult's brown upperparts and dark brown head are characteristic of grain-eating birds, as is its short, dark bill. The underparts have dark scale marks on a white background. The genders are comparable. The bird is preening itself in this picture as it perches on a dry limb."
Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata

"Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata. The adult's brown upperparts and dark brown head are characteristic of grain-eating birds, as is its short, dark bill. The underparts have dark scale marks on a white background. The genders are comparable. The bird is preening itself in this picture as it perches on a dry limb."
Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata

"Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata. The adult's brown upperparts and dark brown head are characteristic of grain-eating birds, as is its short, dark bill. The underparts have dark scale marks on a white background. The genders are comparable. The birperched on dry branch."
Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata

"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 braving the misty drizzle."
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 floor , displaying its fan-shaped tail and engaging in characteristic tail flicking behavior."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

"Tickell's Blue Flycatcher - Cyornis tickelliae medium-sized flycatcher, attractive with blue upperparts and orange-and-white underparts, with the most orange on the chest and the throat. Male is more intensely-colored overall than the female. Perched on the garden fence."
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher - Cyornis tickelliae

"Tickell's Blue Flycatcher - Cyornis tickelliae medium-sized flycatcher, attractive with blue upperparts and orange-and-white underparts, with the most orange on the chest and the throat. Male is more intensely-colored overall than the female. Perched on the garden fence."
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher - Cyornis tickelliae

In India,today is Raksha Bandhan, a unique celebration. Raksha Bandhan is all about the strong sibling bond. Wishing you a Raksha Bandhan brimming with love, joy, and a deepening bond with your loved ones. I really hope that your relationship lasts a lifetime!


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Location: Mount Abu, Rajasthan 307501, India

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