MOUNT ABU BIRDS MY PERSONAL COLLECTION

As a nature lover, bird watching has always fascinated me. I’ve been taking pictures of birds since I was in school in Mount Abu, where I learned about the local birds and their nesting habits. I learned to identify birds chiefly by their calls. I’ve been taking pictures in the wild for several years."Explore the diverse bird life of Mt.Abu with my detailed blog post: See the rare species in their NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. Experience the ecosystem of this INCREDIBLE MONTAINOUS region" Welcome to Abu.

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Birding in October 2025 -- Mount ABu.

Migrants, Raptors & Clear Skies in Mount Abu.

October in has always held a quiet magic of its own. The rains withdraw, the skies open up in brilliant blue, and the sanctuary shifts gears from monsoon moods to winter rhythms. For birders like me, this is the month when every walk becomes a story — the season of travellers, , and surprise sightings. was no exception; in fact, it may well be one of the most memorable in recent years.

The second week of October arrived with the weather that makes every birder itch to grab a camera and head for the hills. After an erratic monsoon, Mount Abu settled into clear skies and crisp mornings. The hillsides echoed with birdsong; the air carried a fresh nip, and the forests felt alive and expectant.

The migrants appear. One mist-softened morning, while scanning the canopy, I caught sight of the delicate flutter of a — a species I had first documented here on 17 October 2022. Seeing it again felt like a long-overdue reunion. Around it, the woods stirred with , their soft calls threading through the branches.

Then came the bright charmers — , flicking through low shrubs like tiny, restless flames. stitched the water's edge with their rhythmic bobbing. Even the elusive offered a brief, precious glimpse before vanishing into the thickets.

Above the treetops, the drama only intensified. A traced lazy circles over the valleys. A magnificent cruised past with the confidence only an apex hunter possesses. And in one swift, breathtaking pass, the sliced through the sky, leaving only a memory of speed behind.

Each sighting felt like a page from a larger story — one written by winds, seasons, and ancient instinct. does that: it slows you down, sharpens your senses, and rewards patience with moments that linger.

, meanwhile, played out differently this year. The expected tourist rush never arrived. I found the calm refreshing, even though many locals were disappointed. With quieter roads and gentler days, the hill station slipped into a peaceful rhythm — one that seemed in tune with the returning migrants.

Bird of the week.

Green Warbler - A RARE visitor to MOUNT ABU.

Green Warbler - Phylloscopus nitidus

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

- Phylloscopus collybita

Common Chiffchaff OCT 2025 Mt Abu..m4v

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Oct 2025 Mt Abu..m4v

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Gray Wagtail Oct 2025 Mt Abu..m4v

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides

Greenish Warbler Oct 2025 Mt Abu..m4v

Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei

Hume's Warbler Oct 2025 Mt Abu..m4v

Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii

Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata basking

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis basking

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis suffering from "canker"

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

Long-legged Buzzard Oct 2025 Mt Abu..m4v

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer

Rufous Treepie - Dendrocitta vagabunda

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Spot-breasted Fantail Oct2025 Mt Abu..m4v

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

White-throated Kingfisher Oct 2025 Mt Abu..m4v

Monday, October 27, 2025

Birding in October 2025 — Unusual Rains and Early Migrants.

Part of the “Mount Abu Birding” series.

An unusual October in — extended monsoons, dramatic skies, and early winter migrants. Nature, as always, kept birders guessing.

October in Mount Abu marks the shift from the lush landscape to the golden hues of early winter — a favourite time for birders. But this year’s transition was unlike any other, as the rains lingered far longer than expected, creating rare weather patterns and unusual birding conditions.

The monsoon season this year has been unpredictable. I always look forward to my October birding excursions in Mount Abu — a time when the air turns crisp, the skies clear, and the first wave of arrives. But this October was far from ordinary.

The first week of October brings mild weather, perhaps a brief shower or two. This year, however, the rains refused to leave. The monsoon dragged well into the first week — something Mount Abu has never experienced before. It will go down in the as one of the most remarkable starts to October in years.

Birders like me had to make peace with overcast skies, heavy downpours, and gusty winds. The constant shifting of light made photography challenging, but nature rewarded persistence. Even in this unpredictable weather, October remained one of the most exciting months for birders — a time to witness on their journey south and early winter visitors settling in for the season.

Birds Observed and Photographed in the First Week of October:

Each sighting felt like a reward for braving the elements — proof that even when the weather defies expectations, the continues undeterred.

Stay tuned for my next update on birding during the second week of October, where I’ll focus on the various that have arrived in good numbers across Mount Abu’s woodlands and valleys.

My photos were all taken at the .

Written and photographed by Ains.

Bird of the week.

Indian Blackbird - Turdus simillimus

The Indian Blackbird, also known as the , visits Mount Abu and other regions of India in the summer. It breeds in the summer and then migrates to lower elevations as winter approaches. Dropped in to say see you next season, Ains.

Indian Blackbird - Turdus simillimus Oct 2025 Mt Abu ..mp4