Showing posts with label #Long-legged Buzzard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Long-legged Buzzard. Show all posts

Monday, January 26, 2026

Birding in January 2026: Mount Abu.

Mount Abu’s Winter Wonders 

The second week of January witnessed a significant cold wave, triggered by the unseasonal winter rains that occurred earlier (known here as the "Mavath"). Night temperatures hovered between 10 and -5, turning the hill station into a “mini-Switzerland” for a few days.

As part of my daily birding stints, because of pressing unforeseen circumstances at home this year, I have not visited our local water bodies to catch glimpses of Mount Abu’s feathered winter visitors. I’m yet to document the Black Redstart, White-capped Bunting, Green-winged Teal, and various pipits. However, I'm hoping the situation turns for the better, and I can once again hit the road, bag some bunting, including the elusive Crested Bunting.

Till then, indulge in my capture of some of our exclusive winter visitors.
The Himalayan Buzzard, a new entry on our Mount Abu species list
Will be back with some more birds snapped during the third week of January.
Bird of the Week.
Himalayan Buzzard - Buteo refectus  

Himalayan Buzzard - Buteo refectus  

Himalayan Buzzard - Buteo refectus  

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus


Long-legged Buzzard Jan 2026 Mount Abu.m4v

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis.

Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus

Rufous Treepie - Dendrocitta vagabunda

Rufous Treepie - Dendrocitta vagabunda

Swallow sp 

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)


Saturday, January 10, 2026

Birding in January 2026: Mount Abu’s Winter Wonders.

 Chilled feathers, frosty mornings, and the silent thrill of winter birding in the Aravalis.


Before I dive into the world of winged wonders, I would like to extend my heartfelt New Year greetings to all my readers. May 2026 bring you boundless happiness, memorable adventures, and countless moments of awe in nature’s embrace.

Winter’s Icy Embrace

January arrived in Mount Abu with full force, wrapping the hill station in winter’s frosty grip. The landscape wore a crisp, icy charm as night temperatures during the first week hovered between 10°C and a bone-chilling–3°C. The cold was sharp, but for a birdwatcher, it was nothing short of magical.

Winter mornings were quiet and still, the kind that heighten every call and movement. The chill in the air made bird activity more pronounced, turning each outing into a rewarding experience. Mount Abu, nestled in the Aravali range, once again proved why winter is one of the finest seasons for birding here.

Raptors and Winter Visitors

Some impressive raptors dominated the skies and forest edges. The Himalayan Buzzard made its presence felt, sharing the landscape with the Long-legged Buzzard, while the ever-alert Eurasian Sparrowhawk patrolled the area with purpose. Alongside these birds of prey, a variety of warblers flitted through the undergrowth, adding life and movement to the otherwise subdued winter scenery.

The first week of January set the tone for what promises to be an exciting year of observations. I look forward to continuing my birding journeys, documenting and celebrating the avian life of the Aravali range.

Join me as the winter unfolds—there is much more to observe, record, and share in the weeks ahead.

Until then, keep watching the skies and listening for the whispers of wings.
Bird of the Week.
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus winter visitor.


Long-legged Buzzard JAN 2026 MOUNT ABU.m4v

Himalayan Buzzard - Buteo refectus


Himalayan Buzzard JAN 2026 MOUNT ABU.mp4

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense

Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense

Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense

Blyth's Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus dumetorum winter visitor

Blyth's Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus dumetorum winter visitor

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus 

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus 

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Great Egret - Ardea alba

Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis 

Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Rufous Treepie - Dendrocitta vagabunda

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon - Treron phoenicopterus

Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon - Treron phoenicopterus

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)



Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Birding in December — Mount Abu (December 31, 2025

Birds in the first week of December

The Cold Moon photographed from Mt Abu.

On the last day of the year—December 31, 2025—I walked the familiar trails of Mount Abu, camera in hand, and let the hills close the year with the soft music of wings. The Aravali rang with cheerful calls, and for a few golden hours, I watched, listened, and felt the world slow down.

Let the echoes of “tweet-tweet” ring out as the year ends. From rocky ridges to shadypine groves, “Happy New Year” seemed to come not only from friends and family but from the birds themselves — a small, hopeful chorus rising above the hill station.

Beyond the joy of sightings, my genuine wish for the coming year remains the same: more peace across the globe, and urgent action to soften the blows of climate change on the places and creatures we love. May the beauty we find in nature inspire each of us to protect it and to live more gently on this shared planet.

I’ve put together a small collection of Mount Abu birds photographed in the first week of December 2025 — a handpicked gallery from December of this year. Enjoy the images, and may each morning of 2026 begin with a tweet and a smile.

Wishing you a 2026 filled with:

Peace and clarity as steady as the Aravali hills

New adventures and doors opening.

Joy, good health, and many gentle mornings with birdsong.

I’ll be back in the New Year with more stories and a few new species added to our Aravali list. Until then, keep your binoculars ready, and your heart tuned to the small, insistent songs of the wild.
Bird of the week
Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus winter visitor


Eurasian Sparrowhawk winter visitor Mount Abu Dec 2025.m4v

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus


Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus Mount Abu Dec 2025.mp4

Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo  winter visitor

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo winter visitor

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo 

Eurasian Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Eurasian Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Great Egret - Ardea alba

Great Egret - Ardea alba

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus  basking in the winter sun

Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei  winter visitor

Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii 

Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii 


Indian Yellow Tit Mount Abu Dec 2025.m4v

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus  and Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo territorial dispute, winter visitor

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus  and Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo territorial dispute, winter visitor

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus  

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

Shikra - Accipiter badius  

Spotted Owlet - Athene brama

Spotted Owlet - Athene brama

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)




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...