Showing posts with label #Shikra. Show all posts

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Birding in November: A Quiet Start Amid the Diwali Rush

A Challenging Start to the Season: Birding in November

The first week of November brought a rather muted start to birding this year. With Diwali in full swing, Mount Abu was teeming with tourists. The bustling holiday crowds, while beneficial to local businesses, made it challenging to reach my favourite birding areas. This chaotic holiday rush stretches for about two weeks, so my birding efforts must be restrained.

One thing I look forward to each November is migratory ducks. Sadly, their numbers seem lower than in previous years. While there are a few early birds, the large numbers from ten years ago are gone, showing a worrying shift. I’m optimistic that their numbers will increase throughout the season.

Raptors, another highlight of winter birding, have also been harder to spot this year. I’ve photographed and documented a handful, though they too seem fewer. Although I haven’t had many chances to see them, I’ve gathered my observations of our winter guests and can’t wait to update my list in the coming weeks.

As for the climate, winter has set in with a sharp drop in temperatures—last night, the mercury dipped to 5 degrees. The crisp winter air stirs anticipation for the plentiful birdwatching opportunities ahead. I’ll be following the arrivals and updating you as the season progresses, including what I discover in the second week of November.

Bird of the Week.

"Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros perched on garden floor,displaying dark plumage with contrasting orange-red tail feathers. Winter common migrant to Mount Abu."

Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros Winter visitor

"Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), a winter visitor, soaring in the blue sky. Large raptor with brown plumage, broad wings, and a distinctive, fan-shaped tail. Gliding gracefully overhead, the buzzard displays its impressive wingspan against the clear Spring sky."

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo Winter visitor

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

"Perched on a branch is the common chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), a winter visitor. Little olive-green bird with faint yellow tints and a characteristic eye stripe. observing and photographing this winter-migratory songbird."

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita Winter visitor

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita

Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

"Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus, perched atop the radio tower."

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus resident

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

"Shikra - Accipiter badius, in flight with its wings outstretched."

Shikra - Accipiter badius resident

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Western House-Martin Delichon urbicum

Monday, July 25, 2022

Birds of Mount Abu [ July 2022 ] mountabubirds.blogspot.com.

Backyard and hillside birding in Mount Abu

Here in Mount Abu, the third week of July has been continuously overcast and misty. It is a depressing time for most Abuites, a season when mildew embraces everything and the smell has a nauseating effect. It’s a time when clothes don’t dry, the streets are murky, and it’s a hassle to protect one’s equipment. Birders have to cope with the incessant fine drizzle, making it challenging to detect rare birds. Lighting conditions frustrate most birders, especially when they perceive some rare birds.

The following is a small assemblage of birds that I photographed during this period. I appreciate your understanding that I try to maintain this list updated as regularly as possible.