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 #Tickell's Blue Flycatcher. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Birding in June 2025

From Misty Hills to Blistering Plains.

What’s up with the weather?

After an unseasonal and rain-soaked May, June 2025 brought another surprise—an early onset of the monsoon! The first week started with extreme heat, especially impacting the Mount Abu foothills under the summer sun’s glare. The long-awaited monsoon season finally began in mid-June, transforming the landscape and invigorating bird activity.

As all birders know, come rain or shine—be it summer, winter, spring, or monsoon—our passion keeps us going. There’s no “off-season” for birding.

In early June, I birded around Mount Abu, my cherished hometown in the Aravalli Hills. The usual suspects were out, along with a few surprises brought in by the changing weather. On June 7th, I braved the intense heat of the plains and made my way down to **West Banas Dam**—a rewarding visit that, despite the soaring temperatures, yielded some exciting sightings.

A special mention goes to my niece, **Crescentia**, for her keen eye and excellent birding around the West Banas Dam. Her contributions added depth to our collective birding records for the month.

I’ve compiled a collection of bird photos and sightings from Mount Abu and the dam area, which is shown below. I hope you appreciate this brief look at June’s diverse bird life.

Stay tuned—as the monsoon deepens, I’ll be sharing more posts soon, covering the backlog of June’s birding adventures. Much more is yet to come!

Bird Of the Week

Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata

Bonelli's Eagle June 2025 Mt Abu.m4v

Indian Paradise-Flycatcher - Terpsiphone paradisi

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

Little Cormorant - Microcarbo nige

Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher - Cyornis tickelliae

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

If you’ve enjoyed this curated glimpse into the avian wonders of Mount Abu, you’re in for another treat.

Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll take you on a birding journey to the West Banas Dam in Sirohi, Rajasthan—a lesser-known gem teeming with bird life. From waterfowl to raptors, the diversity here is truly remarkable.

Come back tomorrow and feast your eyes on the feathered beauties of Sirohi!

Monday, May 19, 2025

Mount Abu Birds – [ April 2025 ]

Highlight: Birds Spotted on 16 April 2025.

Mount Abu is home to a fascinating avian heritage, including two notable subspecies first described here and bearing the name “abuensis”—a nod to this unique region.

Abu’s Tawny-bellied Babbler (Dumetia albigularis abuensis)

Abu’s Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus abuensis)

Despite inhabiting neighbouring areas, these subspecies' close relationship with Mount Abu makes them unique to the area’s bird life. These species are unique to India and strongly connected to this stunning sanctuary’s local character.

The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary continues to be a vital refuge for these birds and countless others, safeguarding the rich biodiversity of the Aravalli hills.

Bird of the day.

Abu's Tawny-bellied Babbler (Dumetia albigularis abuensis)

Abu's Tawny-bellied Babbler (Dumetia albigularis abuensis), Mt Abu April 2025.mp4

Abu's Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus abuensis)

Common Woodshrike ephrodornis pondicerianus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus resident

Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus resident

Rufous Treepie - Dendrocitta vagabunda

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher - Cyornis tickelliae

Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Experience Monsoon Magic in Mount Abu during August

Mount Abu Misty Adventure: The Last Two Weeks of August.

Uncovering the avian gems nestled in Abu’s hills.

Mount Abu undergoes a stunning transformation into a lush green paradise during the monsoon season in August. Waterfalls roar down the hillsides, the air is thick with the scent of rain-soaked earth, and a cool mist wraps around the mountains, creating a ghostly atmosphere. This year’s monsoon felt like a nostalgic journey back to the monsoons of the 1960s. Mist blanketed the hills for days on end, and the sun stayed hidden for what felt like an eternity. While the damp, mushy climate tested the patience of many, especially locals longing for a break from the endless drizzle, it was a mystical and enthralling experience for others.

For birders, however, August presents both challenges and opportunities. The overcast skies and persistent mist make spotting and photographing birds difficult. Yet, the season also brings a unique window into avian life. The monsoon is a time of bustling activity; with many birds busy feeding their young and standing guard against lurking predators. For those willing to brave the elements, this season offers rare glimpses into the secret world of Mount Abu’s bird life.

Personally, I think this monsoon season was far from ideal for birding. The constant drizzle, combined with the overcast skies, kept me grounded more often than I would have liked. The weather may have dampened my outings, but it did not dampen my spirit. Despite the obstacles, I still captured a few cherished moments of avian beauty, and I am excited to share this small collection with you. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into Mount Abu’s avian wonders during the enchanting monsoon season.

Bird of the fortnight.