An Unpredictable Start to Summer.

May ushers in a dry, sunny season in Mount Abu, with clear skies and warm days. In contrast, 2025 has presented an unusual situation, with altered weather patterns causing widespread disruption to the community and ecosystem. Unusual behaviour in birds, bees, and trees suggests a disruption in the normal seasonal pattern.

An Unexpected Pre-Monsoon Event

The weather marked the first ten days of May more akin to a pre-monsoon season than the scorching heat one might expect. Thunderstorms, accompanied by hailstones, swept through Mount Abu, transforming the typically predictable May climate into an unpredictable spectacle. The usual summer heat gave way to a pleasant surprise: cool weather.

Challenges and Rewards of Birding

For birding enthusiasts, these conditions brought both challenges and opportunities. May’s unusual mist veiled the scenery in mystery, hindering efforts to produce crisp, vivid photos. Although there were setbacks, the unique weather conditions created an unusual birding experience, showcasing behaviours and movements typically seen at this time of year.

A Collection of May’s Avian Wonders

During this period, I observed a fascinating array of bird species. Here’s a glimpse into some of the avian activity:

1. Eastern Red-rumped Swallows: Darting through the misty skies, their agility was a marvel to watch despite the damp conditions.

2. Indian yellow Tit: Is a striking black and yellow bird with a prominent crest, a residential bird of Mount Abu.

3. One can see yellow-eyed babblers foraging in small groups within bushes.

4. Pied Cuckoo: A welcome harbinger of the monsoon, yet to appear in Abu.

5. Crested Bunting: Its vivid plumage and spiky upright crest added a splash of colour to an otherwise mist-muted palette.

Reflections on a Changing Climate

As a lifelong resident of Mount Abu, I’ve grown accustomed to the rhythms of nature here. But this May, we “Abuties” experienced a climate unlike anything we’ve known. These disruptions serve as a stark reminder of the broader shifts happening in our environment, prompting deeper reflection on how we interact with and impact the natural world.

For now, I invite you to join me in celebrating the resilience and beauty of the birds that grace Mount Abu, even amidst unpredictable conditions. The first ten days of May 2025 may have been a rollercoaster, but they have also been a testament to the adaptability and wonder of nature.

Bird of the Day.

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum Mt Abu May 2025.mp4

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca Sub-adult

Brown-headed Barbet - Psilopogon zeylanicus

Coppersmith Barbet - Psilopogon haemacephalus

Crested Bunting - Emberiza lathami

Eastern Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica

Eastern Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica Mt Abu May 2025.mp4

Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis

Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosu

Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii Mt Abu May 2025

Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus.

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Yellow-eyed Babbler - Chrysomma sinense

ID. Please identify this raptor. Looking for a response!

Birds of rural Abu Road

In the second week of July 2021, I did about a week's birding on Abu Road. The few days I was there it was hot did some backyard birding morning and evening. Appreciate the selection I have put together of the birds photographed at Abu Road.

9 July 2021.