The first signs of the monsoon are not always found in the sky. They may hang from the tapered end of a half-built baya-weaver’s nest, pulse from the blue vocal sacs of a breeding Indian bullfrog or appear overnight on a rain-darkened log.

The monsoon is not a biological starting gun, nor does every creature suddenly emerge with the first shower. Species respond differently to rainfall, temperature, humidity, food availability and changes in water levels. Some begin breeding, others change plumage, call more frequently or gather around seasonal food sources. Fungi that have persisted out of sight within soil or wood may produce visible mushrooms. Animals present throughout the year can become easier to observe because the season changes their behaviour.