A monsoon diary of wings, rain, and resilience.

When Abu wears its cloak of mist, the birds sing louder to remind us they are still here.

The last week of August in Mount Abu is the very heart of the monsoon—steady showers, cool breezes, and a thick veil of mist and fog that make this place live up to its name as the “Abode of the Gods.” But times are changing. With shifting weather patterns, the rains now seem to arrive later, often stretching into September. I’ll share more on that in my early-September update.

Through it all, I continued my daily birding. Even in this misty, grey monsoon backdrop, the birds never fail to bring colour, sound, and joy to Abu. This post documents the species in my hometown on an annual basis.

Bird of the week.

Oriental Turtle-Dove - Streptopelia orientalis
Oriental Turtle Dove – Quiet and graceful, often seen perched on large trees or feeding near damp fields.

Oriental Turtle-Dove Aug 2025 Mt Abu.m4v

August’s Bird Collection

The path, groves, and thickets presented a new sound, colour, or call with every step. The last week of August was unforgettable because of these birds:

Black Kite - Milvus migrans

Black Kite mobbed by Large-billed Crow Aug 2025 Mt. Abu.m4v.

Black Kite – Not welcomed in this town, mobbed by Large-billed Crow.

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Brown-headed Barbet - Psilopogon zeylanicus

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Eastern Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica – sweeping low across the hillsides, chasing insects stirred by the rains, feed their young.

Eastern Red-rumped Swallow Aug 2025 Mt Abu..m4v

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea – Fresh migrant arrivals, dancing along the streams and puddles.

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Grey-breasted Prinia - Prinia hodgsonii

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus – A cheerful burst of yellow and black, flitting busily through the monsoon-green trees.

Jungle Bush-Quail - Perdicula asiatica – A family party darting across the trail, vanishing quickly into the dripping undergrowth.

Jungle Bush-Quail - Perdicula asiatica

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis perched atop a stump with its tail like an antenna.

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus, an ace hunter with remains of prey atop the radio tower.

Red Spurfowl - Galloperdix spadicea

Red Spurfowl - Galloperdix spadicea – Skulking through the undergrowth, their calls echoing through the damp hillside.

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

Rufous Treepie - Dendrocitta vagabunda

Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata – Small flocks busy foraging and building nests, their soft chatter carrying through the drizzle.

Spotted Owlet - Athene brama

Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis, a rare observation for Mount Abu.

Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis

White-bellied Drongo - Dicrurus caerulescens

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

Help in identifying this bird?

August may feel muted under endless rains and fog, but the birds remind us that life carries on in the most beautiful ways. Each sighting adds to Abu’s timeless story of resilience and natural wonder.

I’ll return soon with updates on September’s weather and birding highlights—where the monsoon often reveals a new rhythm of life

August Birding in Mount Abu: A Tale of Skies, Rain, and Wings.

The third week of August in Mount Abu felt like stepping into a blast from the past, reminding me of the 1960s and 1970s. As expected, the weather delivered the typical experiences of the season: gentle drizzles, intermittent showers, and a magical mist draping the hills like a soft, white veil. Early mornings and late evenings brought foggy horizons, reducing visibility but amplifying the charm of the forest trails.

Meteorologists predict that the last week of August will see heavy rainfall, which is no surprise. Mount Abu’s wettest month, August, provides ample rainfall, sustaining its landscapes.

Despite these weather quirks, birding this month has been anything but disappointing. I have captured some delightful moments in rain-washed forests and meadows that seem alive with activity. The highlight? Our first winter migrant—the Grey Wagtail — announces the seasonal transition that lies ahead.

Here’s a curated glimpse of the feathered beauties spotted and photographed during the week. The tale of flourishing life between the showers and sunshine in Mount Abu is told every August, from residents to early migrants.

Bird of the week.

Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

The Grey Wagtail, a common winter visitor to Rajasthan, typically arrives in the state around late September to early October. This wagtail made its appearance on August 17, 2025. Seeing one arrive so early surprised and elated me. Are we in for a cold winter this year?