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

 

Birding in June 2025

 From Misty Hills to Blistering Plains.

What’s up with the weather?

After an unseasonal and rain-soaked May, June 2025 brought another surprise—an early onset of the monsoon! The first week started with extreme heat, especially impacting the Mount Abu foothills under the summer sun’s glare. The long-awaited monsoon season finally began in mid-June, transforming the landscape and invigorating bird activity.

As all birders know, come rain or shine—be it summer, winter, spring, or monsoon—our passion keeps us going. There’s no “off-season” for birding.

In early June, I birded around Mount Abu, my cherished hometown in the Aravalli Hills. The usual suspects were out, along with a few surprises brought in by the changing weather. On June 7th, I braved the intense heat of the plains and made my way down to **West Banas Dam**—a rewarding visit that, despite the soaring temperatures, yielded some exciting sightings.

A special mention goes to my niece, **Crescentia**, for her keen eye and excellent birding around the West Banas Dam. Her contributions added depth to our collective birding records for the month.

I’ve compiled a collection of bird photos and sightings from Mount Abu and the dam area, which is shown below. I hope you appreciate this brief look at June’s diverse bird life.

Stay tuned—as the monsoon deepens, I’ll be sharing more posts soon, covering the backlog of June’s birding adventures. Much more is yet to come!

Bird Of the Week

Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata 

Bonelli's Eagle  June 2025 Mt Abu.m4v

Indian Paradise-Flycatcher - Terpsiphone paradisi 

Indian Paradise-Flycatcher - Terpsiphone paradisi 

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus 

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus 

Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

Little Cormorant - Microcarbo nige

Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus 

Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus 

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher - Cyornis tickelliae

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

If you’ve enjoyed this curated glimpse into the avian wonders of Mount Abu, you’re in for another treat.

Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll take you on a birding journey to the West Banas Dam in Sirohi, Rajasthan—a lesser-known gem teeming with bird life. From waterfowl to raptors, the diversity here is truly remarkable.

Come back tomorrow and feast your eyes on the feathered beauties of Sirohi!