Birding in October: Migration, birds of prey, and cloudy skies.

The second week of October this year has been a bit of a letdown for me, with cloudy skies dominating most days. Despite the gloomy weather, the hills of Mount Abu are abuzz with activity, as the much-anticipated winter migrants have arrived. Among the new arrivals, the pipits, Tree Pipits, have turned up in record numbers this season, making it one of the most remarkable migrations I’ve witnessed in Abu. The winter stay has begun for warblers, wagtails, swallows, and martins as they settle in.

Raptors, too, have graced our skies, with sightings of the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Bonelli’s Eagle, and several buzzards adding to the excitement.

I’ve selected a small collection of bird photographs captured in the second week of October. Despite a few shots not meeting the expected standards, it is important to note that it is not because of a lack of effort, but because of the challenging weather. I hope that despite this, you still find joy in this visual journey. It has been an exciting journey capturing these moments, and I hope they bring you as much joy as they brought me.

By December, the crescendo of migratory activity will reach its peak, with even more species expected to arrive. However, this natural spectacle will coincide with the influx of tourists as Diwali approaches in just 15 days. If you’re planning a birding trip to Abu during this time, I advise securing your accommodations early. The mad rush of visitors will make it impossible to enjoy a peaceful retreat amidst the hills, with the next fortnight sure to be choc-a-bloc with tourists.

Enjoy the beauty and sounds of birding in October, and maybe think about planning your next visit before the rush of the holidays!

Bird of the week.

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

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Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis Oct 2024 Mt Abu..mp4

Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis

Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis

Western House-Martin Delichon urbicum

White-bellied Drongo - Dicrurus caerulescens

White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

Birding in October: A Paradise for Birdwatchers in Mount Abu

October in Mount Abu is a magical time for birding. With the monsoon season wrapping up by the end of September, the hillsides are lush and vibrant, creating the perfect backdrop for birdwatchers. The weather is superb, with cool breezes and clear skies that make birdwatching enjoyable and rewarding. From October to March, this is a prime birding season, and for enthusiasts like me, it’s the time to grab the camera and head out into the hills.

The first week of October has flown by in a flurry of feathers and excitement. While I didn’t spot the Alpine Swift this year, I’m not disheartened. Our other winter visitors have arrived, steady and sure. The sight of the Eurasian Sparrowhawk soaring overhead, the busy flitting of Greenish Warblers and Hume’s Warblers through the trees, and the grounded pipits darting across open spaces all signal the start of an exhilarating birding season.

Raptors like the Hobby and Harrier are already gracing us with their presence, and we expect the numbers of ducks to swell in the coming weeks as the migratory season peaks, even though only a few have arrived so far. It’s the perfect time to watch as Mount Abu transforms into a winter haven for these avian travellers.

To celebrate the start of this season, I’ve put together a small selection of bird photographs taken during this first week of October. I hope you enjoy this visual treat as much as I enjoyed capturing it!

Bird of the week.