“Birding Bliss at the Foothills of Mount Abu: A Day with the Birds of Abu Road

Nestled in the foothills of picturesque Mount Abu, my niece Crescentia paid a surprise visit after her school’s annual sports day. With excitement in her eyes, she declared her plan to take Eddie and me on an early morning birding adventure to Abu Road on October 23, 2023. We, a couple of weathered bird enthusiasts, couldn’t have been happier. Birding was a part of our DNA, and I had the privilege of bird-watching with Cres when I went to her place during the holidays.

Right on the dot of 7 a.m., Cres arrived to whisk us away. She treated us to a hearty breakfast before we went on our exploration. Our destination? The lush grove near Madhusudhan Temple I’d captured many avian wonders in this serene locale, so expectations were high. (Check out my Madhusudhan Grove photo gallery.) This time, however, it seemed like we had misjudged the timing, as bird activity was slower. Despite that, we spotted a dozen rose-ringed parakeets, a charming pair of Indian grey hornbills, some grey-headed canary flycatchers, and a noisy colony of flying foxes.

From the grove, our birding adventure led us to one dam, but it was full of water, leaving only a handful of migrant ducks for us to admire. By noon, we headed back home for a relaxing lunch. Taking advantage of the scorching midday sun, we paused to relax and rejuvenate, getting ready for more birding.

With the day beginning to cool down, I couldn’t resist the urge to explore the area. Abu Road had a wealth of avian treasures to offer, and I couldn’t let this opportunity slip through my fingers.

Now that I’m back in Abu and winter has set in, I’m excited to share my birding larks for the last few days of October. Stay tuned, as I'll take you on a journey through the captivating world of Abu's feathered residents. There’s a lot more to discover, and I can’t wait to share it with you!”