Mount Abu’s Avian Symphony will continue until April.

Birding in the third week of November 2023.

Time seemed to go by quickly in the third week of November, leaving behind the echoes of Diwali celebrations that had filled Mount Abu with the laughter and talk of travellers. The Diwali holiday exodus saw many Gujarati tourists wave farewell to this peaceful hill town, attracted back home to watch India’s enticing game with Australia in Ahmedabad. A gentle stillness fell over Mount Abu with their departure, giving a welcome break for passionate birdwatchers anxious to explore the region’s avian delights.

Mount Abu’s declining visitor presence provides the ideal setting for bird enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the symphony of winged animals. Even as the third week progressed, the birding experience and the weather appeared to lack the passion that usually accompanies this time of year. Clouds periodically obscured the sky, throwing a shadow across the hillsides. Undaunted by the gloomy weather, I embarked on a daily expedition to photograph the various species of birds that visited Mount Abu. Every day offered fresh interactions with avian inhabitants and migratory guests.

The bird inhabitants of Mount Abu continued to weave a lovely plot against the backdrop of its elegant settings, from the superb flight of buzzards to the harmonious melodies of warblers. Here’s a sneak peek at the avian tapestry I photographed in the third week of November. The Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen), the ultimate hunter, has returned, buzzards are abundant, and the long-legged grace the Abu skies in search of prey, while the stunning sparrowhawk and shikra are busy all day. In the morning and evening, we may see swallows in the sky.

Mount Abu implied the promise of colder days ahead as the lovely chill of winter appeared. The actual cold, I recalled, would certainly make an appearance by the end of the month. I waited for a moment of relief from the lingering tourist bustle, anxious to investigate Abu's few bodies of water.

November unfurled like a chapter in the continuous bird symphony, with every flutter and chirp contributing to the rich tale of the region’s biodiversity. The promise of colder days only strengthened the excitement of what lies ahead in the avian refuge of Mount Abu as winter prepared to reveal its full splendour.

16 Nov 2023.