A Glimpse Back at 2024

As the year winds down, I find myself reminiscing about the weekends that flew by with binoculars in hand and a camera slung over my shoulder. 2024 was a year of discovery, patience, and the occasional scramble through brush and marsh. With a few months dedicated to settling into our new nest, most weekends were still reserved for my favorite pastime—birdwatching.

Each outing offered something unique: lifers that made my heart race, familiar friends that brought comfort, and fleeting moments that demanded quick reflexes.

Here’s a collection of my favorite captures from this year—a tribute to the birds, the journeys, and the joy they brought.

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January set the tone beautifully, with misty sunrises painting the skies and some cool birds making early appearances, including a drowsy Spotted Owlet that seemed as reluctant to wake up as I was to leave the field.

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February was a feast for the senses. The birding trails came alive with an array of avian visitors from distant lands. Colorful flowers bloomed in abundance, creating a perfect backdrop for the birds.

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March unfolded with breathtaking skies. It was a month with a delightful mix of resident birds going about their routines and migrant visitors adding an element of surprise to every outing.

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April brought the buzz of new life as the breeding season was in full swing. Parent birds were a flurry of activity, tirelessly hunting and gathering food for their hungry newborn chicks.

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By May, the migrant birds had begun their journeys back to distant lands, leaving behind a sense of quiet in the places they once enlivened. While the resident birds carried on with their routines, my own birding trips became less frequent as life shifted focus to settling into a new home.

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June arrived with refreshing rains, painting the landscape in lush greens and bringing out an array of colorful insects. Young birds ventured out for their first flights with their tentative flappings. One of the month’s challenges was capturing swift terns with fish in their beaks.

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July brought delight in the form of resident birds and vibrant butterflies. Adding to the charm were a few migratory birds that chose to extend their stay.

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August was marked by the vibrant Bangalore Flower Show. Along with the usual resident birds, a few early migratory arrivals added excitement to the month, signaling the start of a new season of birdwatching.

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By September, we were settled into our new home, and my wife joined the outings. The month was filled with vibrant sights and exciting lifers.

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October brought some lucky sightings, including the elusive Malkoha, dominating Treepies, and the stunning Paradise Flycatcher. 

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November treated me to stunning sightings, including the vibrant Green Bee-eaters and the striking Black-rumped Flameback Woodpecker.

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With limited time for birding, December allowed for just one outing to a new spot, but it was a refreshing change.

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Thank you all for your support and encouraging comments throughout the year. Your enthusiasm keeps me going, and I look forward to sharing more birding adventures with you in 2025. Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead!