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 #Monsoon Birding on Mount Abu. Show all posts

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Monsoon Birding on Mount Abu [September]

Observing birds in late September.

As September drew to a close, the overcast skies and relentless rain seemed unyielding. The mist and fine drizzle persisted, challenging birders like me. Protecting gear from the elements and adjusting camera settings to accommodate the changing light conditions was no easy feat. Despite that, we were fortunate to experience a few days of sunny and clear weather last week, which lifted our mood.

With a brief respite from the rain, I checked the water bodies for early winter guests. A handful of Green-winged Teals and a few other winter migrants appeared, marking the migration season's beginning.

On the 24th of September, Mohan and I ventured to the Achalgarh area. A fellow birder had seen a Black-headed bunting there, and since it was the first sighting in Mount Abu, I was excited to see it too. Even though we didn’t find the bunting, I made an exciting discovery—a new species for Mount Abu called the Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark. This rare sighting is now recorded as a significant addition to the local avifauna.

Throughout the last two weeks, I also kept an eye out for the Alpine Swift, hoping to glimpse these impressive aerial acrobats. Whether I missed them or they skipped their usual visit to Mount Abu this year, they eluded me. However, I captured other notable species through my lens, including the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, a few eagles, and even a harrier.

The beauty of birding lies in the pursuit of new species and the quiet moments spent observing the natural world in all its unpredictable glory. Despite the challenges, these last two weeks offered many memorable moments, and I’m excited to share my favourite bird photographs from September with you. Enjoy a glimpse into the world of monsoon birding in Mount Abu.

Bird of the fortnight.

Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark- Eremopterix griseus

Asian Koel - Eudynamys scolopaceus Rare not commonly seen in Mt Abu

Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata

Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata Mt Abu

Booted Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus

Brown-headed Barbet - Psilopogon zeylanicus

Common Myna - Acridotheres tristis

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides Mt Abu Sept 2024.mp4

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

Little Grebe - Tachybaptus ruficollis

Little Swift - Apus affinis

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Montagu's Harrier - Circus pygargus

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parv

Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica

Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis

Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Monsoon Birding on Mount Abu [September]

The First Two Weeks of September

When September rains come, Mount Abu becomes a dream destination for birdwatchers. For birders, this is a season of anticipation—September marks the first migratory birds, with the elegant Grey Wagtail as one of the earliest visitors. However, the first two weeks were a challenge for even the most dedicated enthusiasts this year. A constant mist shrouded the hills, and persistent showers made every birding expedition a test of patience.

Catching a clear glimpse of the avian life in such weather was difficult, and snapping a wonderful photograph was even harder. The overcast skies and relentless rain didn’t make things easy. Still, with a little perseverance, I captured a few memorable moments, though some photos may appear dull or grainy—let’s blame that on the moody monsoon ambience.

The Pied Cuckoo and Alpine Swift didn’t make their usual appearances this season. I also captured a rare sighting of the Asian Koel in Mount Abu. Despite these absences, the misty mornings and rain-drenched afternoons brought out a variety of other species that are just as captivating. Among the highlights are the delightful Scaly-breasted Munia, the swift Red-rumped Swallows, the colourful Coppersmith Barbet, the elusive Red Spurfowl, and the vibrant Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher.

Each of these birds brings its own charm to the monsoon landscape, making the effort of venturing out in the rain more than worthwhile. Look at these select photos of Mount Abu’s birds during the monsoon season—they’re captivating.

Bird of the fortnight.