Monday, July 28, 2025

Birding in July 2025:

 Moments in Mount Abu: Mist and Monsoon.

July is one of the wettest months in Mount Abu, and this year was no exception. The skies remained overcast, with dense clouds hanging low over the hills. The landscape vanished beneath layers of mist and fog, transforming Abu into a scene straight out of a monsoon fairytale—but making bird photography a real challenge.

Mount Abu is famed for its rhythmic pitter-patter rain during the monsoon season. Intense downpours often interrupt the light showers, rumbling thunderstorms, and sudden gusts of wind. For birders and photographers, it means playing the waiting game—watching the skies, seeking those brief windows of calm when the rain relents and the light softens just enough to allow a clear shot.

During this monsoon season, I’ve faced variable light, muddy trails, and damp air. Protecting gear and being ready at a moment’s notice was all part of the routine. While some images from this season may not be perfect because of the tough conditions, they capture the essence of the moment—a soaked perch, a bird fluffing its feathers after a shower, or the mystery of a silhouette in the mist.

I invite you to explore the selection I’ve put together—captured with patience and perseverance, and more importantly, with a deep love for Mount Abu’s avian life. Each photograph is not just a visual treat, but a piece of this season’s story—a record of the bird life that thrives even through clouds and storms.

Stay dry, stay tuned, and enjoy the monsoon magic of Mount Abu’s feathered friends.

Bird of the fortnight.

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis


White-throated Kingfisher MT ABU July 2025.m4v

Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis 

Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis Mt Abu July

Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense

Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense

Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata

Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum 


Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum MT ABU July 2025.mp4

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Coppersmith Barbet - Psilopogon haemacephalus

Coppersmith Barbet - Psilopogon haemacephalus

Eastern Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica

Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus

Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus 

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis


Oriental Magpie-Robin MT July 2025.m4v

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata

Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata Mt Abu July 2025

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis 


Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis MT ABU July 2025.mp4


 

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Birding in June 2025: From Overcast Skies to Misty Hills

Mount Abu Birding–The Last Two Weeks of June.


At the end of June 2025, Mount Abu transitioned into a monsoon environment, characterised by cloudy skies, mist over the hills, and rain, followed by brief, golden light. The weather during the second half of the month was unpredictable, with thunder echoing in the valleys sometimes.

Birding during this time was both challenging and rewarding. Due to the cloudy weather and damp conditions, extra care was required to protect fragile camera equipment from the persistent dampness. For any birder or wildlife photographer, the monsoon isn’t just about the birds; it’s about patience, preparedness, and the occasional dance with nature’s moods.

 Despite the hurdles, I photographed a vibrant selection of species, many of them juveniles and sub-adults. This is the season when the forest comes alive with new life — fledglings taking their first flights, young birds testing their calls, and parents foraging under dripping canopies.

 Here’s a curated selection of my sightings from this lush and elusive window of time. I hope these images capture the essence of June in Mount Abu — moody, misty, and full of monsoon magic.

As for what lies ahead, birding from July through September usually slows down. The rains often dictate the pace, and many trails become inaccessible. But for those who don’t mind the rain and the fog, there’s always something special waiting to be discovered.

 Stay tuned, and happy birding — rain or shine!

Bird of the fortnight.
Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus 

Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus JUNE 2025 MT ABU

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Brown-headed Barbet - Psilopogon zeylanicus

Common Myna - Acridotheres tristis

Common Myna - Acridotheres tristis

Common Myna - Acridotheres tristis

Common Myna - Acridotheres tristis

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus Mount Abu June 2025

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis

Little Swift - Apus affinis

Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus  Mobbed by Shikra


Oriental Honey-buzzard MOBBED BHY SHIKRA Mt Abu  June 2025.m4v

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis

Yellow-eyed Babbler - Chrysomma sinense 


 

Birding in July 2025:

 Moments in Mount Abu: Mist and Monsoon. July is one of the wettest months in Mount Abu, and this year was no exception. The skies remained ...