MOUNT ABU BIRDS MY PERSONAL COLLECTION

As a nature lover, bird watching has always fascinated me. I’ve been taking pictures of birds since I was in school in Mount Abu, where I learned about the local birds and their nesting habits. I learned to identify birds chiefly by their calls. I’ve been taking pictures in the wild for several years."Explore the diverse bird life of Mt.Abu with my detailed blog post: See the rare species in their NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. Experience the ecosystem of this INCREDIBLE MONTAINOUS region" Welcome to Abu.

Showing posts with label #Jungle Bush-Quail. Show all posts

Sunday, September 7, 2025

Birds of August 2025–Mount Abu

A monsoon diary of wings, rain, and resilience.

When Abu wears its cloak of mist, the birds sing louder to remind us they are still here.

The last week of August in is the very heart of the monsoon—steady showers, cool breezes, and a thick veil of mist and fog that make this place live up to its name as the “.” But times are changing. With shifting weather patterns, the rains now seem to arrive later, often stretching into September. I’ll share more on that in my early-September update.

Through it all, I continued my daily birding. Even in this misty, grey monsoon backdrop, the birds never fail to bring colour, sound, and joy to Abu. This post documents the species in my hometown on an annual basis.

Bird of the week.

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Oriental Turtle Dove – Quiet and graceful, often seen perched on large trees or feeding near damp fields.

Oriental Turtle-Dove Aug 2025 Mt Abu.m4v

August’s Bird Collection

The path, groves, and thickets presented a new sound, colour, or call with every step. The last week of August was unforgettable because of these birds:

Black Kite mobbed by Aug 2025 Mt. Abu.m4v.

Black Kite – Not welcomed in this town, mobbed by Large-billed Crow.

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

- – sweeping low across the hillsides, chasing insects stirred by the rains, feed their young.

Eastern Red-rumped Swallow Aug 2025 Mt Abu..m4v

- – Fresh migrant arrivals, dancing along the streams and puddles.

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Indian Yellow Tit -

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus – A cheerful burst of yellow and black, flitting busily through the monsoon-green trees.

- – A family party darting across the trail, vanishing quickly into the dripping undergrowth.

Jungle Bush-Quail - Perdicula asiatica

- perched atop a stump with its tail like an antenna.

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

(Shaheen) Falco peregrinus, an ace hunter with remains of prey atop the radio tower.

Red Spurfowl - Galloperdix spadicea – Skulking through the undergrowth, their calls echoing through the damp hillside.

- – Small flocks busy foraging and building nests, their soft chatter carrying through the drizzle.

Spotted Owlet - Athene brama

, a rare observation for Mount Abu.

Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis Not common for Mt Abu

Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis

White-bellied Drongo - Dicrurus caerulescens

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

Help in identifying this bird?

August may feel muted under endless rains and fog, but the birds remind us that life carries on in the most beautiful ways. Each sighting adds to Abu’s timeless story of resilience and natural wonder.

I’ll return soon with updates on September’s weather and birding highlights—where the monsoon often reveals a new rhythm of life

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 has opened with a refreshing twist. This week brought a welcome break in my 2025 birding schedule, as the 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 , as well as busy , 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 Mt Abu, August 2025.m4v

Black-rumped Flameback. Mt Abu Aug 2025.m4v

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Brown-headed Barbet - Psilopogon zeylanicus

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Little Cormorant - Microcarbo niger

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Jungle Bush-Quail - Perdicula asiatica

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

- 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