Third week of October — crisp mornings, soft light, and the joy of spotting warblers and flycatchers again in my beloved Mount Abu.

The third week of October brought a calm charm to — the weather that makes pure joy. Mornings were fresh and bright, and the nights whispered of winter’s approach.

This week, I focused my efforts on spotting , especially and , that make brief but memorable stopovers here. The and were busy flitting through the and , while the and added their own soft notes to the woodland chorus. The and the , both dainty and alert, made their graceful appearances — a genuine delight for the patient watcher.

High above, like the and patrolled the skies, a reminder that the was in full swing.

The weather held through most of the week — mild days, crisp evenings, and the soft glow of October light filtering through the trees. It was great for calm walks, photography, and enjoying the forest's sounds.

Then came the last week, one that will go down in the annals of Mount Abu as one of the wettest in memory. The skies opened, drenching the hills and silencing the birds for days. For a place that usually dries out by late October, it was an odd, offbeat twist — nature reminding us, once again, who decides the rhythm.

Still, for me, those few clear days in the third week — with their mix of warblers, flycatchers, and high-flying raptors — remain among the most rewarding moments of this October.

As the rains fade and the chill deepens, November promises new arrivals — , , and raptors from afar. Mount Abu’s birding story continues, and I look forward to sharing the next chapter soon.

Bird of the week