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 #Taiga Flycatcher. Show all posts

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Birding in the Third Week of October 2025

Third week of October — crisp mornings, soft light, and the joy of spotting warblers and flycatchers again in my beloved Mount Abu.

The third week of October brought a calm charm to — the weather that makes pure joy. Mornings were fresh and bright, and the nights whispered of winter’s approach.

This week, I focused my efforts on spotting , especially and , that make brief but memorable stopovers here. The and were busy flitting through the and , while the and added their own soft notes to the woodland chorus. The and the , both dainty and alert, made their graceful appearances — a genuine delight for the patient watcher.

High above, like the and patrolled the skies, a reminder that the was in full swing.

The weather held through most of the week — mild days, crisp evenings, and the soft glow of October light filtering through the trees. It was great for calm walks, photography, and enjoying the forest's sounds.

Then came the last week, one that will go down in the annals of Mount Abu as one of the wettest in memory. The skies opened, drenching the hills and silencing the birds for days. For a place that usually dries out by late October, it was an odd, offbeat twist — nature reminding us, once again, who decides the rhythm.

Still, for me, those few clear days in the third week — with their mix of warblers, flycatchers, and high-flying raptors — remain among the most rewarding moments of this October.

As the rains fade and the chill deepens, November promises new arrivals — , , and raptors from afar. Mount Abu’s birding story continues, and I look forward to sharing the next chapter soon.

Bird of the week

Taiga Flycatcher - Ficedula albicilla

Taiga Flycatcher - Ficedula albicilla Oct 2025 Mt Abu

- Dicrurus leucophaeus

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

- Psilopogon zeylanicus

Brown-headed Barbet. Oct 2025 Mt Abu..m4v

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo Oct 2025 Mount Abu..mp4

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita

Common Chiffchaff Oct 2025 Mt Abu..m4v

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Spilornis cheela

- Ptyonoprogne concolor

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

- Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Eurasian Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

- Motacilla cinerea

- Centropus sinensis

Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis

- Turdoides striata

- Apus affinis

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

- Prinia inornata

- Cinnyris asiaticus

Red-breasted Flycatcher Oct 2025 Mt Abu..m4v

Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer

Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

White-throated Kingfisher Oct2025 MT Abu..m4v.

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Embracing November's Avian Spectacle: Mount Abu is a Birder's Paradise

Mount Abu is a birder's paradise, especially in November.

November brings a spectacular moment for birding enthusiasts as the icy grip of winter falls on Mount Abu. The steady drop in temperature, which begins at the end of October, sets the setting for a stunning bird extravaganza. This time of year, the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, nestled inside the scenic limits of the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, reveals a treasure trove for birds that trek to this heavenly "Abode of Gods."

The sanctuary's lush expanse teems with activity in November when the sky is crisply bright. The thick vegetation, trickling streams, and mild chill in the air create an enticing atmosphere that lifts the spirits of everyone who walks the jungle pathways in search of bird encounters.

Migrating birds is one of the most intriguing parts of this season. The sanctuary serves as a temporary home for a wide variety of flying visitors, including raptors, wild ducks, and a few rare species. Their presence enhances the sanctuary's already thriving resident bird population, bringing an additional layer to the sanctuary's biodiversity.

During the first week of November, I ventured into the forest for short birding excursions in my immediate surroundings. The brilliant colours of visiting species—Eurasian Sparrow-hawks, Red-breasted Flycatchers, Eurasian Crag-Martins, Greenish Warblers, Hume's Warblers, Common Buzzards, and Grey Wagtails—brought the surroundings to life.

I saw a significant rise in the number of migrating birds from my observations made in October.

Around 80 of these exquisite birds decorated the Duck Pond, and with the prospect of lowering water levels and more abundant food supplies, I foresee this number will increase by December.

The changing seasons alter the terrain, resulting in an ever-changing tapestry of bird life. As November approaches, the refuge draws both seasoned birders and beginners, providing a fascinating sight of nature's wonders.

For birders, Mount Abu in November is a monument to the harmony between the shifting seasons and the mesmerising ballet of migratory birds. Nature's canvas is being painted with colourful strokes of life, calling everybody to experience and treasure this transient yet exquisite avian symphony.

Enjoy my collection of birds spotted and recorded on an everyday basis during the first week of November 2023.

1 Nov 2023.