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 #Red-breasted Flycatcher. Show all posts

Friday, November 21, 2025

Birding in the Last Week of October 2025.

Perfect birding weather… until Mount Abu decided to turn October into a monsoon encore!

The last week of October brought yet another spell of unseasonal rainfall to Mount Abu, spilling over into the first days of November. A Western Disturbance and Cyclone Montha caused this unexpected weather, frustrating many Abuites as it once again disrupted the familiar rhythm of the hill station’s seasonal cycle.

But while the townsfolk grumbled, the forest and its intricate ecosystem thrived in the sudden bounty. The hills remained cloaked in lush green, and the streams flowed with renewed vigour—rare sights for this time of year.

Despite the erratic showers, winter migrants have arrived, signalling the approach of a colder season. A few water migrants have also touched down, though their numbers remain modest. Suitable habitat might temporarily limit the water migrants, perhaps explaining their quieter arrival, as most of Mount Abu’s water bodies are full.

Whenever the rain paused and the skies offered a brief window of clarity, I ventured out for my birding. In those fleeting moments, Abu revealed its magic. I have curated a small collection of the birds I photographed during this period—each image a tiny piece of our sanctuary’s living record.

As always, my efforts remain committed to documenting and celebrating our avian visitors, ensuring their stories continue to be told. I'll be back soon with my observations from November. Until then, may the forests remain green and the birds continue to call.

Bird of the week

Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei, winter visitor

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus, winter visitor

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita, winter visitor

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita Oct 2025 Mt Abu.

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor Oct 2025 Mount Abu

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus, winter visitor

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea, winter visitor

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea Oct 2025 Mount Abu ..jpg

Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis, resident

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva, winter visitor

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis, resident

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

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.