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.