Monday, April 14, 2025

Birding in March 2025

A Mixed Bag of Encounters.

Returning to Mount Abu on the 3rd of March, I was eager to embrace the magic of spring migration. The nesting season had also begun earnestly, adding a buzz of activity to the hills. I had high expectations of taking stunning photographs of raptors and our other wintering migrants. Thankfully, March gifted us with pleasant weather, making long hours in the field even more enjoyable.

However, Abu’s birding scene was less lively than I had expected. After the action-packed birding episodes I experienced on the plains, the hills felt quiet. Despite photographing a Common Buzzard, a Eurasian Sparrowhawk, and a few warblers, the bird life was disappointing. Abu, though beautiful, often falls short of the excitement a birder craves.

That said, between the 3rd and the 19th of March, I compiled a small but meaningful collection of bird sightings I’m excited to share with you. In each photo, a narrative unfolds—one of patience and the joy of finding beauty where the landscape is sparse.

Stay tuned for my upcoming posts, where I venture to the foothills of Mount Abu to capture the last wave of spring migration. Thrilling encounters and diverse avian spectacles await in those updates. Until then, happy birding!

A Final Adieu Winter Guests

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus Mt Abu March 2025.mp4

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo Mt Abu March 2025

Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros

Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros Mt Abu March 2025.mp4

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita Mt Abu March 2025

Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

Eastern Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis

Green Bee-eater - Merops orientalis

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saulari

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis

Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis.

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Birding in the Third Week of November 2024 .

Birding During the Third Week of November 2024

Mount Abu experienced a cold snap in the third week of November 2024, with temperatures hovering around zero degrees as winter set in. Winter has arrived early this year, but the daytime weather has been delightful—clear blue skies and warm, golden afternoon sun, perfect for birding adventures.

Mount Abu is once again home to the magnificent raptors. This week’s sightings included the Common Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Black Eagle, and Spotted Eagle, each a thrilling sight in the skies. Joining them are the smaller but captivating visitors—flycatchers, pipits, warblers, and buntings, filling the landscape with life and movement.

The hills are calm again, as the Diwali crowds have dispersed. The streets, once vibrant with traffic and music, are now quiet and serene. Mount Abu feels like itself again—a tranquil sanctuary, perfect for both birds and birders.

This serene backdrop sets the stage for an unforgettable birding experience. For those lucky enough to visit during this time, the hills promise a spectacular avian extravaganza. As a passionate birder, I’ve captured a modest selection of feathered visitors during the third week of November. I hope you enjoy these glimpses of Mount Abu’s vibrant bird life.

Winter birding here is magical—don’t miss the chance to explore this incredible haven during the season!

Bird of the week