Showing posts with label #Coppersmith Barbet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Coppersmith Barbet. Show all posts

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


 

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Birding on the Foothills of Mount Abu: 13 February 2025

Abu Road and Environs 

Early morning preparations set the tone for an exciting day as we embarked on a birding adventure to the Banas Dam. Our ambitious goal was to explore the Dhanari area extensively. But before diving into our primary destination, let me share some wonderful sightings that made the start of our journey delightful.
The day began on a high note with the Purple-rumped Sunbird, Coppersmith Barbet, and Yellow-throated Sparrow gracing our lenses. These vibrant species added a splash of beauty to the crisp morning air.

On our way to Banas Dam, we took a detour to a lesser-known area called Patumburi. This charming spot turned out to be a treasure trove of avian activity. Here, we captured several fascinating species, including:

Pied Kingfisher

Common Sandpiper

Great Cormorant

Little Egret

Great Egret

Purple Heron

Shikra

Following a rewarding birdwatching experience near Patumburi, we continued our trip towards the Banas Dam. The landscape here brought back memories of my trips to Kheda in Gujarat. The wetlands by the dam provided a superb haven for wintering birds, including many migratory ducks and waders. With Bird, life teemed in the picturesque setting created by the receding dam waters.

Having visited this location before, we wasted no time in setting up our gear and capturing the magnificent migratory birds in their natural habitat. The result was a fantastic collection of photographs that showcase the rich diversity of avian species in this region.

Special thanks to Cres, whose dedication and skill contributed to this collection. Our friend Mohan also came on this wonderful trip with us. Our efforts aim to celebrate and share the avian wonders of Dhanari with fellow birding enthusiasts.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore this remarkable area. Your encouragement means the world to us, so don’t forget to give us a thumbs-up!

Bird of the Day.
Coppersmith Barbet - Psilopogon haemacephalus

Purple-rumped Sunbird - Leptocoma zeylonica 

Purple-rumped Sunbird - Leptocoma zeylonica.Record observation for Sirohi.

RECORDS OF PURPLE-RUMPED SUNBIRD NECTARINIA ZEYLONICA IN Sirohi, Rajasthan, India.

Purple-rumped Sunbird - Leptocoma zeylonic Feb 2025 Abu Riad .mp4

Coppersmith Barbet - Psilopogon haemacephalus

Coppersmith Barbet - Psilopogon haemacephalus

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis 

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)


Birds photographed in  Patumburi.

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus

Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos 

Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos 

Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax

Great Egret - Ardea alba

Little Egret - Egretta garzetta


Pied Kingfisher - Ceryle rudis121 13 Feb .mp4

Purple Heron - Ardea purpurea

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Welcome to the avian wonders of Dhanari, Banas Dam.

BIRD OF THE DAY.
Spotted Crake - Porzana porzana. FIRST RECORD FOR Sirohi

RECORDS OF Spotted Crake - Porzana porzana. FIRST RECORD FOR SIROHI IN SIROHI, Rajasthan, India; A "LIFER" FOR ME.

Black Drongo - Dicrurus macrocercus 

Bluethroat - Luscinia svecica 

Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola 

Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola 

Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis

Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis

Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos 

Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos 

Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos 

Crested Lark - Galerida cristata

Crested Lark - Galerida cristata 13 Feb 2025 Banas Dam

Eurasian Wryneck - Jynx torquilla

Eurasian Wryneck - Jynx torquilla

Glossy Ibis - Plegadis falcinellus 

Gray Heron - Ardea cinerea 

Gray-headed Swamphen - Porphyrio poliocephalus 

Great Egret - Ardea alba 

Great White Pelican - Pelecanus onocrotalus

Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus 

Indian Pied Starling - Gracupica contra 

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica 

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica 

Indian Spot-billed Duck - Anas poecilorhyncha 

Indian Thick-knee - Burhinus indicus

Large Grey Babbler- Argya malcolmi 

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca 0

Little Cormorant - Microcarbo nige

Little Cormorant - Microcarbo nige

Pied Bushchat - Saxicola caprata

Pied Bushchat - Saxicola caprata

Pied Bushchat - Saxicola caprata

Pied Kingfisher - Ceryle rudis

Plum-headed Parakeet - Psittacula cyanocephala

Plum-headed Parakeet - Psittacula cyanocephala

Purple Heron - Ardea purpurea

Red-naped Ibis - Pseudibis papillosa

Ruddy Shelduck -Tadorna ferruginea

Ruddy Shelduck -Tadorna ferruginea

Ruddy Shelduck -Tadorna ferruginea

Siberian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus

Spotted Crake - Porzana porzana

Spotted Crake - Porzana porzana

Sykes's Warbler - Iduna rama 

Western Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus


Western Marsh Harrier  13 FEB 2025 BANAS DAN.m4v
Click tp see this majestic raptor.

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis.

Woolly-necked Stork - Ciconia episcopus 

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore this remarkable area.

Mount Abu Birding Diary: First Week of May 2026

 A Collection of May’s Avian Wonders from the Hills of Rajasthan. The first week of May in Mount Abu has always carried an air of unpredicta...