Those in the hills of Mount Abu will long remember the last week of January 2026. The weather oscillated between bone-chilling extremes and golden winter sunshine, offering birders a dramatic backdrop for observation.
Earlier in the week, temperatures plummeted to a staggering –7°C, tying some of the coldest nights in recent memory. Water bodies froze over, grasslands shimmered with frost, and dawn walks felt like stepping into a Himalayan outpost rather than Rajasthan’s only hill station.
By January 26th, however, the skies cleared. Crisp mornings gave way to pleasant afternoons with daytime highs between 20°C and 23°C, while nights hovered between 10°C and –3°C. As always, when the weather shifts in Abu, so does bird activity.
Here is my day-by-day account of the last stretch of January.
Day 22 January–Raptors and Chilly Skies
The week opened with action overhead. Raptors were active from midday onward.
The majestic Changeable Hawk-Eagle soared, while the swift Eurasian Sparrowhawk sliced through the cold air.
Most exciting was the continued presence of the Himalayan Buzzard — a fresh addition to my Mount Abu records — alongside the imposing Long-legged Buzzard, both scanning the valleys with patient intensity.
It was a day for raptors.
Day 23 January–Sunny and Pleasant
A calmer day followed. The skies were bright and inviting, though raptors showed reduced activity.
The Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Long-legged Buzzard remained visible, patrolling their territories, but the frenzy of the previous day had subsided.
Day 24 January–Frost and Flight
After the record-breaking –7°C night, Abu awoke wrapped in frost. The grasslands glittered under the rising sun.
Despite the biting cold, the Himalayan Buzzard and Long-legged Buzzard were active, making determined sorties across the crystalline skies. Cold weather often sharpens predator instincts — and this morning proved no exception.
Day 27 January – A Quiet Interlude
Bird activity slowed. The usual resident species dominated the landscape.
Yet, the Himalayan Buzzard remained a constant sentinel, scanning for prey. Even on quieter days, Abu’s skies never feel empty.
Day 28 January–Sparrows and a Flash of Flame
A delightful mixed flock of House Sparrows and Yellow-throated Sparrows (Chestnut-shouldered Petronia) brought lively movement to the scrub.
Overhead, the now-familiar pairing of the Himalayan and Long-legged Buzzards continued their watch.
A brief but brilliant appearance by the Black-rumped Flameback added a splash of gold and crimson to the afternoon.
Day 29 January–Residents Rule
Resident birds dominated the day.
The Long-legged Buzzard remained active throughout, while an Ashy Drongo entertained me in the late evening, snapping bees mid-air with remarkable precision.
Day 30 January–Drama in the Undergrowth
A Greater Coucal emerged from the thickets, shadowed by its tiny mobber, the Spot-breasted Fantail — a classic example of small-bird bravado.
The Himalayan Buzzard continued its predatory rounds, while a few Indian Silverbill made a fleeting appearance.
Day 31 January – The Sky Dominated
The last day of January ended on a powerful note.
Raptors ruled the sky dome:
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Himalayan Buzzard
Long-legged Buzzard
The formidable Shikra
A pleasant surprise came as a calling Tree Pipit, announcing its presence before vanishing into the winter landscape.
Reflections on January’s Final Chapter
The last week of January 2026 encapsulated Mount Abu’s winter personality — harsh, dramatic, yet vibrant.
Sub-zero nights, frost-covered mornings, and predator-filled skies reminded me once again why winter birding in Abu is so special. The continued presence of the Himalayan Buzzard marks a noteworthy shift in seasonal records — perhaps a sign of changing patterns worth watching in the months ahead.
As January closes, one thing is certain:
Even in the coldest silence, the skies above Mount Abu are alive.
22 Jan 2026.
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| Changeable Hawk-Eagle - Nisaetus cirrhatus |
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| Changeable Hawk-Eagle - Nisaetus cirrhatus |
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| Changeable Hawk-Eagle - Nisaetus cirrhatus |
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| Changeable Hawk-Eagle - Nisaetus cirrhatus |
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| Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus |
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| Himalayan Buzzard - Buteo refectus |
Himalayan Buzzard - Buteo refectus Jan 2026 Mount Abu.mp4
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| Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei |
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| Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei winter visitor |
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| Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus |
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| Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus |
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus Jan 2026 Mount Abu.mp4
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| Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis. |
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| Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis. |
%20Falco%20peregrinus%200F4A9547.jpg "Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus") |
| Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus |
23 Jan 2026.
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| Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus |
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| Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus |
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| Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus |
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| Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus |
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| Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus |
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| White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis |
27 Jan 2026.
%20Falco%20peregrinus%200F4A9547.jpg "Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus")
%200F4A0698.jpg "Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)")
%200F4A0709.jpg "Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)")
