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.

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Mount Abu Birding: 14th to 24th February 2025

Raptors, Warblers, and a Lull in Migration

The second half of February in Mount Abu presented low birding activity among migratory species. After several action-packed birding adventures in the foothills of Mount Abu, the birding scene here seemed to quiet down. I was disappointed that many of our usual winter visitors were absent.

Winter migrants are in a quiet phase.

From the 14th to the 24th of February, the winter migrant activity in Mount Abu was minimal. I only saw a few raptors and fewer warblers then. I missed the vibrant bird migration this year, a noticeable absence compared to the busy earlier season.

A Renewed Urge to Explore

Disappointed by the birding in Mount Abu, I headed back to the plains between February 25th and 28th. These areas, including Abu Road and its surrounding regions, often host a variety of migratory birds that may bypass the higher altitudes of Mount Abu. I will share more about my sightings from this trip in an upcoming post.

A Snapshot of Late February Bird life

Despite the low activity, I’ve put together a small collection of birds observed in Mount Abu during the last ten days of February. Despite the limited diversity, the landscape’s serenity and the occasional appearance of raptors still made it worthwhile.

An Invitation to Birding in Rajasthan

Mount Abu, Abu Road, and the adjoining areas offer a wealth of opportunities for bird enthusiasts. Even during quieter periods, the charm of Rajasthan’s birding spots remains undeniable. I hope this post inspires fellow birders to explore the natural beauty and avian diversity of this region.

Stay tuned for my next post, where I will share sightings from the plains and foothills of Mount Abu.

Bird of the month.