Sunday, August 24, 2025

Birds of August 2025–Mount Abu

 August Birding in Mount Abu: A Tale of Skies, Rain, and Wings.

 The third week of August in Mount Abu felt like stepping into a blast from the past, reminding me of the 1960s and 1970s. As expected, the weather delivered the typical experiences of the season: gentle drizzles, intermittent showers, and a magical mist draping the hills like a soft, white veil. Early mornings and late evenings brought foggy horizons, reducing visibility but amplifying the charm of the forest trails.

 Meteorologists predict that the last week of August will see heavy rainfall, which is no surprise. Mount Abu’s wettest month, August, provides ample rainfall, sustaining its landscapes.

 Despite these weather quirks, birding this month has been anything but disappointing. I have captured some delightful moments in rain-washed forests and meadows that seem alive with activity. The highlight? Our first winter migrant—the Grey Wagtail  — announces the seasonal transition that lies ahead.

 Here’s a curated glimpse of the feathered beauties spotted and photographed during the week. The tale of flourishing life between the showers and sunshine in Mount Abu is told every August, from residents to early migrants.
Bird of the week.
Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

The Grey Wagtail, a common winter visitor to Rajasthan, typically arrives in the state around late September to early October. This wagtail made its appearance on August 17, 2025. Seeing one arrive so early surprised and elated me. Are we in for a cold winter this year?
Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea Mount Abu Aug 2025

Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis 

Black Kite - Milvus migrans is not commonly seen here.

Black Kite - Milvus migrans

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus


Indian Yellow Tit Mount Abu Aug 2025.m4v

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis basking.

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis basking

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus. Looking for spiders.

Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata


Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata Mount Abu Aug 2025.mp4

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus 

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)




Tuesday, August 19, 2025

August Birding–Mount Abu 2025

 Mount Abu–Where Every Week Tells a New Story.

The second week of August 2025 continued to offer birders excellent conditions—comfortable weather, open skies, and a vibrant forest. This is an ideal time to experience Mount Abu’s birdlife at a relaxed pace.

Key Resident Species to Watch:

Green Avadavat (Green Munia): Endangered and sought-after, Abu remains one of its last strongholds. They often forage in flocks and are active.

Barbets: The Brown-headed Barbet is especially vocal in August, its calls making it easy to locate.

Flycatchers: Look for the Oriental Magpie-Robin and the agile Spot-breasted Fantail, both active in the monsoon greenery.

Munias: The Green Munia, the Scaly-breasted Munia, and the Indian Silverbill are also busy with nesting activities.

Why August Is Special:

This isn’t the season for winter migrants, but that makes it unique—birding here in August is about slowing down and watching resident species in their natural cycle of courtship, nesting, and feeding.

Mount Abu in August reminds birders that bird watching is not always about filling checklists, but about immersing oneself in the life and rhythm of the forest.

Bird of the week.
Yellow-eyed Babbler - Chrysomma sinense 


Yellow-eyed Babbler - Chrysomma sinense August 2025 Mt Abu..mp4

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum Aug 2025 Mt Abu

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis 

Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii

Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica


Indian Silverbill My Abu Aug 2025.m4v

Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus 


Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus  Aug 2025 Mt Abu

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis

Little Cormorant - Microcarbo niger

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis 

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis 

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrins

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

Red Spurfowl - Galloperdix spadicea

Red Spurfowl - Galloperdix spadicea

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher - Cyornis tickelliae

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher - Cyornis tickelliae

White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus

White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis 


Saturday, August 9, 2025

Birding in the First Week of August 2025–Mount Abu

 Birding Between the Raindrops

From Green Avadavats to flitting flycatchers, August in Mount Abu is alive, rain or shine.

Following the misty, rain-soaked charm of July, August in Mount Abu has opened with a refreshing twist. This week brought a welcome break in my 2025 birding schedule, as the monsoon took a pause, clearing the air.

 The first week of August 2025 brought clearer skies and more comfortable weather, a rare and welcome gift in the heart of the monsoon season. The heavy fog lifted, sunlight spilt through the clouds, and the air took on that clean, rain-washed scent that makes every step outdoors feel rejuvenating. For birders, this meant better visibility, gentler breezes, and endless opportunities to spot and photograph the rich diversity of species that call Abu home.

 Movement filled the hills, with flashes, songs, and fledglings. The forest rewards your patience tenfold when the weather breaks, even though the monsoon may hide birds in misty veils.

 As we step into the second week of August, the forecast suggests a return to form: thick clouds, frequent rain, and thunderstorms. Temperatures will remain in the pleasant low-to-high 20s, though the humidity will rise. For birders, this means shifting strategies: keeping equipment dry, working with softer light, and letting the forest’s rhythm guide you.

 And there is much to look forward to. The monsoon is a time of renewal — fledglings finding their voice, juveniles exploring their surroundings, and the forest thick with life. Keep your eyes peeled for Mount Abu’s iconic Green Avadavat, as well as busy munias, calling barbets, and graceful flycatchers. These damp days might demand patience, but they also deliver moments of magic — the kind that keep us coming back, season after season.

 August has only just begun, and if the first week is any sign, the rest of the month promises a captivating mix of challenges and rewards. Stay tuned for my second-half-of-August notes, when the monsoon reaches its full, dramatic glory — and the hills of Mount Abu hum with life
Bird of the Week.
Tawny-bellied Babbler - Dumetia hyperythra


Tawny-bellied Babbler Mt Abu, August 2025.m4v

Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense


Black-rumped Flameback. Mt Abu Aug 2025.m4v

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Brown-headed Barbet - Psilopogon zeylanicus

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus 

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus 

Little Cormorant - Microcarbo niger

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica 

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Jungle Bush-Quail - Perdicula asiatica


Jungle Bush-Quail - Perdicula asiatica  Mt Abu Aug 2025.mp4

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis


Laughing Dove  Mt Abu August 2025.m4v
I recently observed a fascinating mating ritual between a pair of laughing doves. The male initiated the display with a series of soft, rhythmic cooing sounds while puffing out his chest and strutting around the female. The female's response was what I found most interesting. She began what looked like a "kissing" motion, gently touching her beak to his. Following this display of affection, she crouched low, a clear signal that she was ready to mate

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis Mt Abu  Aug 2025

Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafe

Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafe

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata

Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis



Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis Mt Abu Aug 2025.mp4


White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis


Birds of August 2025–Mount Abu

 August Birding in Mount Abu: A Tale of Skies, Rain, and Wings.  The third week of August in Mount Abu felt like stepping into a blast from ...