Birds of Mount Abu in the first week of December.
Exploring Avian Delights: Birding Adventures at Mount Abu in December
A remarkable spectacle starts to take flight as December spreads its frigid grip over the small hill town of Mount Abu, a hidden jewel in the heart of Rajasthan. While the rest of the world prepares for the holiday season, Mount Abu transforms into a paradise for keen birdwatchers, providing a different type of celebration—the celebration of nature's flying marvels.
This year's first week of December got off to a good start, with nighttime temperatures hovering between 10°C and 0°C. The chilly air and mild winter sunshine set the scene for an exciting birding adventure. Winter on Mount Abu means beginning a daily practice of seeing and photographing migrating birds that make their way to this modest hill resort.
Mount Abu, while not precisely a birding destination, remains blissfully undiscovered by most enthusiasts. The lack of diverse bird species compared to other hilly places may put some birders off, but for those who enjoy the beauty of simplicity, this destination has its own allure. My camera recorded fleeting photographs of winged guests who had chosen Mount Abu as their temporary shelter while I sat leisurely in my private garden, away from the well-trodden trail. Every interaction with these lovely birds seemed like a gift from the natural world.
While Mount Abu may not have the same diverse bird population as other well-known birding spots, it compensates with a more intimate and peaceful birding experience. The solitude of the woods and the lack of tourists in the woods make each glimpse more intimate and satisfying.
Mount Abu gives a unique opportunity to engage with nature on a calmer, more deliberate level for those who explore beyond famous birding spots. The tiny number of species I saw in the first week of December may not compare to the diversity found elsewhere. Still, it shows the peculiar beauty that makes Mount Abu a secret gem for birders. Mount Abu serves as a tribute to the notion that we may sometimes discover the most fascinating experiences in the most unlikely locations when winter spreads its icy grasp.
Consider Mount Abu for your next avian trip if you're ready to swap the crowded birding destinations for a more quiet and intimate interaction with nature. After all, the delight of birding is found
not only in the variety of species but also in the beauty of the moments they provide, especially on a December morning on this magnificent hill.
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Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus
 | | Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus |
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| Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus |
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| Booted Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus |
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| Booted Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus, Rare visitor to Mount Abu flying above. |
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| Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum |
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| Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo |
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| Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo |
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| Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo |
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| Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus |
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| Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea |
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| Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea |
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| Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus |
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| Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus |
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| Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata |
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| Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca |
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| Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus |
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| Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach |
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| Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis |
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| Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis |
%20Falco%20peregrinus%20%200F4A2642.jpg "Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus") |
| Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus |
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| Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus |
%20%200F4A3653.jpg "Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)")
%20Falco%20peregrinus%20%200F4A2642.jpg "Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus")
%20%200F4A2009.jpg "Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)")
%20Falco%20peregrinus%20%20%20%200F4A5915.jpg)
