Showing posts with label #lesser Whitethroat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #lesser Whitethroat. Show all posts

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Birding in November 2025:Mount Abu.

 Raptors, Warblers, and an Unexpected Lifer.

The unseasonal spell of rain that swept across Mount Abu in the last days of October lingered well into the first week of November. Overcast skies hung low, and each morning carried a faint threat of more rain. But in those brief windows when the weather cleared, I made the most of every opportunity to step out and observe Abu’s birds.
 As the nights grew cooler and the days turned pleasant, our winter migrants and passage visitors arrived in full swing. November has always been a rewarding month for birdwatching in Mount Abu, but this week felt especially vibrant.
 I’ve put together a small collection of the birds I spotted and photographed during this period—and what a satisfying week it turned out to be. The biggest highlight was a lifer: the Himalayan Buzzard, a brand-new addition to my Mount Abu checklist and a thrilling encounter I hadn’t expected.
 Alongside this special sighting came a steady parade of raptors—



  Booted Eagle, and

  Eurasian Sparrowhawk—each offering memorable moments in the field.

 The skies and forest were alive with a mix of winter and passage migrants: Barn Swallow, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Chiffchaff, Greenish Warbler, and the ever-charming Sulphur-bellied Warbler. Two more delightful additions to the week’s list were the elegant Eurasian Crag-Martin and the Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher.

 November 2025 reminded me once again why Mount Abu remains such a rewarding birding destination—even when the weather plays its own games.

 My next blog will feature the birds of Abu Road, so keep coming back for more avian beauties from our corner of the Aravalli hills.
Bird of the Week.
Himalayan Buzzard - Buteo refectus A lifer for me


Himalayan Buzzard  November 2025 Mount Abu.m4v

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica winter visitor

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica Nov 2025 Mt Abu

Black Eagle - Ictinaetus malaiensis


Black Eagle November 2025 Mount Abu.m4v

Booted Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus 

Booted Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus 

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita


Common Chiffchaff November 2025 Mount Abu.m4v

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Eurasian Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris winter visitor

Eurasian Crag-Martin - November 2025 Mt Abu

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea winter visitor


Gray Wagtail - November 2025 Mount Abu.m4v

Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher - Culicicapa ceylonensis

Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher - Culicicapa ceylonensis

Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher - Culicicapa ceylonensis

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus 

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus 

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Sulphur-bellied Warbler - Phylloscopus griseolus


Sulphur-bellied Warbler November 2025 Mt Abu.m4v


My personal Mount Abu checklist compiled over the years.

Friday, November 21, 2025

Birding in the Last Week of October 2025.

 Perfect birding weather… until Mount Abu decided to turn October into a monsoon encore!


The last week of October brought yet another spell of unseasonal rainfall to Mount Abu, spilling over into the first days of November. A Western Disturbance and Cyclone Montha caused this unexpected weather, frustrating many Abuites as it once again disrupted the familiar rhythm of the hill station’s seasonal cycle.

 

But while the townsfolk grumbled, the forest and its intricate ecosystem thrived in the sudden bounty. The hills remained cloaked in lush green, and the streams flowed with renewed vigour—rare sights for this time of year.

 

Despite the erratic showers, winter migrants have arrived, signalling the approach of a colder season. A few water migrants have also touched down, though their numbers remain modest. Suitable habitat might temporarily limit the water migrants, perhaps explaining their quieter arrival, as most of Mount Abu’s water bodies are full.

 

Whenever the rain paused and the skies offered a brief window of clarity, I ventured out for my birding. In those fleeting moments, Abu revealed its magic. I have curated a small collection of the birds I photographed during this period—each image a tiny piece of our sanctuary’s living record.

 

As always, my efforts remain committed to documenting and celebrating our avian visitors, ensuring their stories continue to be told. I'll be back soon with my observations from November. Until then, may the forests remain green and the birds continue to call.
Bird of the week
Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei, winter visitor 

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus, winter visitor

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita, winter visitor

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita Oct 2025 Mt Abu.

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor Oct 2025 Mount Abu

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus, winter visitor

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea, winter visitor

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea Oct 2025 Mount Abu ..jpg

Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei

Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata 

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis, resident

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva, winter visitor 

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis, resident

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis



Mount Abu Birding Diary: First Week of May 2026

 A Collection of May’s Avian Wonders from the Hills of Rajasthan. The first week of May in Mount Abu has always carried an air of unpredicta...