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 #Shaheen Falcon. Show all posts

Sunday, July 14, 2024

Birding in June 2024

Birding in June 2024: A Memorable Adventure

While less awe-inspiring than winter birding, June birding has an enchanting appeal. Witness an exceptional birdwatching opportunity with cloudy skies, stormy winds, and summer and monsoon migrants such as the Indian Blackbird, Indian Golden Oriole, Green Avadavat, and Indian Bird of Paradise.

Young Birds: A Joyful Observation

June is a great month to see a lot of young birds. It’s exciting to witness the diverse range of behaviours displayed by these tiny creatures’ parents to care for and safeguard them. These nosy little creatures endure harsh thunderstorms and heavy rain throughout the Monsoon season, employing various strategies to evade constant predators.

Seizing the Moments

This is a tiny assortment of birds that I photographed in June. I hope my work is agreeable to you. June is a great month to shoot the Green Avadavat (Munia), an endangered bird species. This is a highlighted species for the season; lucky watchers can also see Brown-headed Barbet, Indian Yellow Tit, Large-billed Crows, Shikra, Rose-ringed Parakeets, Blackbirds, and a variety of Prinias.

In summary

Despite the difficulties, birding in June is satisfying. It’s a fulfilling experience because of the combination of summer and monsoon migration, the sight of young birds, and the opportunity to take pictures of endangered species. Cheers to more bird-watching adventures!

Bird of the month

Jungle Bush-Quail - Perdicula asiatica

Butler’s 1876 description of the jungle bush quail, a member of the Phasianidae family, referred to it as “very common.” I encountered these quails in various regions of Abu during the early 1980s. Observing them darting along jungle paths always fills me with joy. Nevertheless, they are now regarded as uncommon or rare.

Jungle Bush-Quail - Perdicula asiatica

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus

The Black-winged Kite-Elanus caeruleus status in Abu is probably that of a local migrant.

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus

"The Brahminy Starling boasts a stunning appearance. With its lustrous blue-black head, neck, and upper body, complemented by a unique white patch on its wings, this bird truly stands out. Its underparts are a soft buff hue, and it features a bill that tapers to a fine point.Perched on a cable."

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus juvenile

"The green avadavat, known as the green munia (Amandava formosa), is an Estrildid finch with a green and yellow body, a vivid red beak, and black "zebra stripes" on its sides. They are indigenous to Mount Abu.The photograph depicts a bird on a large rock."

Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus

Birders from around the world come to Abu to try to bag this beauty.

To read more on this fabulous species, click the link below.

Help Save The Green Avadavat Mount Abu

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus female

"Indian Robin (Copsychus fulicatus), a small passerine bird. The male displays striking black and white plumage with a distinctive red vent. Perched on a cable, the bird exhibits characteristic tail-cocking behavior."

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus male

"Indian Robin (Copsychus fulicatus), a small passerine bird. The male displays striking black and white plumage with a distinctive red vent. Taking off from a cable, ."

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus taking off.

Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis

Little Egret - Egretta garzetta

"Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchu, This bird of prey in this snap is seen soaring overhead. It is easy to identify, even in flight, on account of its long pigeon like head and neck, and broader black-and-white bands on its tail. The bird is also called the crested honey buzzard, but its stunted crest is hardly ever visible, a resident Abu."

Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus.

Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica.

Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

"Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensi. Brown overall with a rosy breast and a unique white-spotted black nape patch. Found commonly in fields, parks and gardens. The one in the snap is in flight."

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensi.

"White-breasted Waterhens, Amaurornis phoenicurus, have mostly dark grey upperparts and sides, with a white face, throat, and breast. The lower abdomen and undertail are cinnamon or white-colored. The photo shows a bird with outstretched wings on a big rock."

White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Mount Abu's Avian Symphony: A November Continuation

This November, enjoy the ongoing Avian Symphony on Mount Abu.

Birding in the second week of November 2023.

Mount Abu's captivating environment continues to attract birds in the second week of November. During Diwali, hundreds of tourists visited the hill station, creating a lively atmosphere filled with laughter and celebration. The mid-week festivities caused an increase in visitor traffic, so birders had to make changes to their excursions. Despite the rush and bustle, the refuge maintained its attraction, revealing glimpses of feathery beauties amid the Diwali craziness.

As the holiday season winds down, the last week of November provides a peaceful reprieve for anyone wanting a more calm sanctuary experience. The upcoming Rajasthan state elections on November 25 add an intriguing element to the story, with the conclusion cloaked in political uncertainty. The ebb and flow of visitor traffic against the backdrop of election expectations creates a one-of-a-kind environment that adds an element of unpredictability to this birding paradise.

This winter season presents an encouraging surprise in the bird realm: an increase in the presence of uncommon raptors. I accomplished a personal record by observing and photographing three Common Buzzards at the same time, an impressive effort for Mount Abu. The lens also recorded the majestic Bonelli's Eagle, the royal Eurasian Sparrow-hawk, and the awe-inspiring Steppe Eagle flying across the heavens. But the avian show doesn't stop there. The camera lens was trained on the secretive Eurasian Hoopoe, a rare encounter, while the rare Oriental Turtle-Dove graced the picture, adding to the thrill. The Shaheen Falcon, Rufus Tree Pie, and the harmonising duos of Laughing and Spotted Doves were among the resident species, providing a symphony of diverse avian life.

As November comes to a close, plans are being made for local area birding trips to capitalise on the quiet that follows the departure of visitors. Stay tuned for further updates on Mount Abu's avian story, and enjoy the chosen collection of birds photographed during the bright second week of November. Each frame offers a tale about nature's rich tapestry, reminding us that Mount Abu is more than simply a hill station; it's a sanctuary where every winged guest adds to the continuous drama of life in the wild.

8 Nov 2023.