Friday, January 17, 2025

December 2024’s last two weeks of birdwatching.Mt Abu.

Birding in the last two weeks of Dec 2024.

The last fortnight of December often marks an exceptional period for birding, with winter migrants and raptors painting the skies and landscapes. This year’s birdwatching in Mount Abu, however, wasn’t quite what I expected.

The absence of the usual raptors was stark. The Eurasian Sparrowhawk stood out as the only active raptor in the area, patrolling the skies. Warblers and flycatchers, often seen flitting about during this season, were also scarce. Climate shifts or habitat disruption may explain the changes in bird behaviour I’ve observed this year, which is a thought on my mind. Regardless, I’m hopeful I’ll spot a new species before the year ends.

As we transition into the new year, I have set my sights on a location I call “The Duck Pond,” which is a must-visit spot for birders. This miniature Thol, nestled near the Mahadeva Temple en route to Achalgarh, offers a serene retreat for waterfowl and other bird species. For a great birding experience, visit this hidden gem in the first or second week of January 2025.

Let me take you on a brief journey to this favourite haunt of mine. The Duck Pond is a small yet picturesque water body surrounded by verdant greenery. It’s a place where patience and quiet observation often yield delightful surprises. From ducks and waders to an occasional kingfisher darting across the water, the diversity of bird life here is a joy to witness.

Stay tuned for my upcoming blog post detailing my exploits at The Duck Pond. Until then, I invite you to enjoy the slideshows and photographs I’ve curated for your viewing pleasure. Here’s to celebrating the beauty of nature.

Bird of the Fortnight

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus.mp4

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus Dec 2024 Mt Abu.mp4

Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis

Asian Koel - Eudynamys scolopaceus Rare visitor

Black Drongo - Dicrurus macrocercus Winter visitor

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus Local migrant.

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum Resident.

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Brown-headed Barbet - Psilopogon zeylanicus Territorial dispute

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis

Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schac Dec 2024 Nt Abu.mp4

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis.

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri Mt Abu

Rufous Treepie - Dendrocitta vagabunda

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis

White-bellied Drongo - Dicrurus caerulescens

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Photo Galleries Pareij wetlands an amazing birding destination Gujarat. mountabubirds.blogspot.com

Pareij Wetlands is an amazing birding destination in Gujarat. Facebook birders a must destination.

I had been planning for a long time to visit Gujarat to do some serious birding. Having been to Bunni, the grasslands in Kutch, the various water bodies along the national highways, Gir Forest and Thol, the famous migratory bird sanctuary I felt I needed to explore other potential areas.

Eddie, a schoolmate who had dropped into Abu for a brief visit, suggested we go birding in the Kheda wetlands of Gujarat, an area 60 km out of Ahmedabad. I jumped at the offer, better to be a part of Gujarat at this time of the year rather than spending a long time in Abu freezing my butt off with the cold wave covering this part of the world. The trip to the Pareij wetlands was a way out trip to read more about the trip. Click the link. Pareij-wetlands-amazing-birding.

To save time and get the best out of our day trip, we hired a local guide Vishal who knows this area extremely well. To contact him, scroll to the end of the page.

I'm posting the birds that I clicked on my trip, hope you enjoy them I certainly enjoyed my trip by clicking these extraordinary birds found here.

The area we visited is big, and to cover most of it would take a few days.