A Late February Adventure
My Mount Abu birding in late February 2025 proved somewhat disappointing. The higher altitudes had fewer migratory visitors, and I ventured back to the plains between February 25th and 28th. Abu Road’s hidden charm lies in its diverse bird life, a haven for migratory species that sometimes avoid the higher reaches of Mount Abu, a region often overlooked by birdwatchers.
Bird observations from Abu Road in late February.
Accompanied by Cresu, my birding companion, we explored the landscapes of Abu Road during these last few days of February. The experience was spectacular, and our birding trips exceeded expectations. March’s first week became my extended stay because of the diverse bird life. And what a week it turned out to be! Stay tuned for more posts as I share the remarkable bird sightings from my extended adventure.
For now, here are some birds we spotted in this charming area. With these photos, I hope to offer you a small view into the rich avian diversity of Abu Road and its neighboring regions.
Discover Rajasthan’s birds; you’re invited!
The Abu Road region, including the nearby hills and plains, is rich in bird life. Even in the quieter months, Rajasthan’s birding spots continue to captivate with their richness and diversity. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting your birdwatching journey, these areas are sure to leave you awestruck.
I hope this post inspires fellow birders to explore the natural beauty and avian diversity that Rajasthan offers. And as always, keep an eye out for more birding updates—my next post will share the birding highlights from the plains and foothills of Mount Abu!
Stay tuned, and happy birding!
25 Feb 2025.
Bird of the Day
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| Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros winter visitor. Time to say adios till next winter. |
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| Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca |
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| Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita |
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| Gray-breasted Prinia - Prinia hodgsonii |
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| Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus |
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| Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei. Snapped on the way down to Abu Road. |
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| Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica |
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| Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosu. Snapped at Abu Road. |
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| Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos. Snapped on the way down to Abu Road. |
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| Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca |
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| Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis |
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| Spotted Owlet - Athene brama |
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| Spotted Owlet - Athene brama |
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| Yellow-eyed Babbler - Chrysomma sinense Snapped at Abu Road. |
26 Feb 2025.
A Morning at West Banas Dam–Birding Bliss on 26 February 2025
On the crisp morning of 26 February 2025, we set off early for the West Banas Dam, a quiet yet promising birding destination tucked away in southern Rajasthan. The lingering winter air made for ideal exploring conditions. As the water levels had receded this season, we navigated toward the rear end of the dam, where a vast expanse of exposed shoreline awaited.
The weather was perfect — cool and clear — allowing us to cover an impressive stretch along the water’s edge. And what a morning it turned out to be! During a few-hour period, we spotted 90+ species of birds. Many of them posed for the camera, adding to our growing photo archive of Rajasthan’s avian winter visitors.
The array of birds, from soaring raptors to wading shorebirds, was exceptional. I’ve submitted a checklist to eBird, and I believe this record will not only contribute to ongoing data collection but also highlight West Banas Dam as a must-visit location for birders, both local and international.
Here are today's best photos showcasing Rajasthan's winter birdlife. I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as we enjoyed capturing them. If you find this post inspiring, do share it with fellow birders and nature lovers. Let’s put West Banas Dam on the global birding map
Bird of the day
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| Small Pratincole - Glareola lactea |
Small Pratincole - Glareola lactea Banas Dam 26 Feb 2025.m4v
%20-%20Eremopterix%20griseus%20%200F4A9058%202.jpg "Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark) - Eremopterix griseus") |
| Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark) - Eremopterix griseus |
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| Asian Openbill - Anastomus oscitans |
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| Bar-headed Goose = Anser indicus |
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| Bar-headed Goose = Anser indicus |
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| Bar-headed Goose = Anser indicus |
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| Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus |
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| Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola |
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| Common Greenshank - Tringa nebularia |
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| Common Greenshank - Tringa nebularia |
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| Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos |
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| Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos |
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| Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago |
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| Dalmatian Pelican - Pelecanus crispus |
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| Dalmatian Pelican - Pelecanus crispus |
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| Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops |
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| Eurasian Spoonbill - Platalea leucorodia |
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| Gadwall - Mareca strepera |
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| Glossy Ibis - Plegadis fal cinellusIMG |
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| Gray Heron - Ardea cinerea |
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| Gray Heron - Ardea cinerea |
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| Gray Heron - Ardea cinerea |
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| Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo |
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| Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo |
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| Great White Pelican - Pelecanus onocrotalus |
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| Greater Flamingo- Phoenicopterus roseus |
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| Greater Spotted Eagle - Clanga clanga |
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| Greater Spotted Eagle - Clanga clanga |
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| Greater Spotted Eagle - Clanga clanga |
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| Greater Spotted Eagle - Clanga clanga |
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| Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus |
%20-%20Gracupica%20contra%20IMG_9787.jpg "Indian Pied Starling (Pied Myna) - Gracupica contra") |
| Indian Pied Starling (Pied Myna) - Gracupica contra |
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| Indian Spot-billed Duck - Anas poecilorhyncha |
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| Indian Spot-billed Duck - Anas poecilorhyncha |
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| Indian Thick-knee |
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| Lesser Whistling-Duck - Dendrocygna javanica |
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| Little Cormorant - Microcarbo niger |
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| Little Egret - Egretta garzetta |
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| Little Egret - Egretta garzetta |
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| Little Ringed Plover - Charadrius dubius |
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| Oriental Darter - Anhinga melanogaste |
Oriental Skylark - Alauda gulgula Banas Dam 26 Feb 2025.mp4
Osprey - Pandion haliaetus 26 Feb 2025 Banas Dam.m4v
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| Paddyfield Pipit - Anthus rufulus Banas Dan 26 Feb 2025 |
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| Pallas's Gull - Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus |
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| Pallas's Gull - Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus |
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| Pallas's Gull - Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus |
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| Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus |
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| Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus |
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| Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus |
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| Plum-headed Parakeet - Psittacula cyanocephala |
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| Purple Heron - Ardea purpureaIMG_ |
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| Purple Heron - Ardea purpureaIMG_ |
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| Purple Heron - Ardea purpureaIMG_ |
%20-%20Pseudibis%20papillosa%20%20IMG_9685.jpg "Red-naped Ibis (Indian Black Ibis) - Pseudibis papillos") |
| Red-naped Ibis (Indian Black Ibis) - Pseudibis papillos |
River Tern - Sterna aurantia Banas Dam 26 Feb 2025.m4v
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| Ruff - Calidris pugnax |
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| Ruff - Calidris pugnax |
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| Siberian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus |
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| Small Pratincole - Glareola lactea |
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| Spotted Redshank - Tringa erythropus |
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| Spotted Redshank - Tringa erythropus |
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| Streak-throated Swallow - Petrochelidon fluvicola |
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| Sykes's Warbler - Iduna rama |
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| Temminck's Stint - Calidris temminckii |
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| Temminck's Stint - Calidris temminckii |
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| Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis |
Western Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus Banas Dam 26 Feb 2025..m4v
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| Western Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus |
White Wagtail - Motacilla alba Banas Dam 26 Heb 2025.mp4
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| White-browed Wagtail - Motacilla maderaspatensis |
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Wood Sandpiper - Tringa glareola
27 Feb 2025. Fatehpura,sirohi,raj,IN Bird of the day
Grey Francolin - Francolinus pondicerianus
Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochrop
rey Francolin - Francolinus pondicerianu
rey Francolin - Francolinus pondicerianu
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach
Sulphur-bellied Warbler - Phylloscopus griseolus
Tawny Pipit - Anthus campestris
Variable Wheatear - Oenanthe picata
Variable Wheatear - Oenanthe picata
Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon - Treron phoenicopterus
Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon - Treron phoenicopterus
To view my contribution on eBird, click the link below
Await my next few posts showcasing yet anotherher array of birds from the foothills of Abu.
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%20-%20Eremopterix%20griseus%20%200F4A9058%202.jpg "Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark) - Eremopterix griseus")
%20-%20Gracupica%20contra%20IMG_9787.jpg "Indian Pied Starling (Pied Myna) - Gracupica contra")
%20-%20Pseudibis%20papillosa%20%20IMG_9685.jpg "Red-naped Ibis (Indian Black Ibis) - Pseudibis papillos")
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