April Sightings and Seasonal Transitions.
April in Mount Abu is a season caught in transition—a brief, beautiful pause before the full force of summer arrives.
The first two weeks have been nothing short of rewarding. Out on the trails, the landscape still holds a trace of spring’s softness. Common Rose finches linger quietly, while overhead the unmistakable glide of the Oriental Honey-buzzard has become a familiar sight. There’s a sense of closure—the last appearances of the Long-legged Buzzard and the sharp-eyed Eurasian Sparrowhawk, now retreating with the passing season.
These are the in-between days—when one chapter ends, and another prepares to begin.
And what lies ahead is something to look forward to.
Soon, Mount Abu will welcome back its summer icons—the brilliant Indian Golden Oriole, the rich song of the Indian Blackbird, and the ghost-like elegance of the Indian Paradise Flycatcher. Their return will transform the forests, bringing life, movement, and melody to the warming days.
A Gentle Start—But Not for Long
April has, so far, been kind. The first week brought cool, steady winds and even stretches of overcast skies—rare relief for this time of year. The second week followed gently, with the heat only beginning to rise after the 11th. For now, the nights remain pleasant. But the shift is inevitable.
The difficult days are drawing nearer, bringing with them the usual adaptation. Soon, birds and birders will retreat from the midday sun, confining birding to early mornings and late evenings. Soon, birds and birders will retreat from the midday sun, limiting birding to early mornings and late evenings.
Highlights of the Fortnight
Bird of the Fortnight.
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| Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchu |
* Oriental Honey-buzzard
* Common Rose finches
* Long-legged Buzzard
* Eurasian Sparrowhawk
* Indian Blackbird
A modest list—but one that perfectly captures a season in transition.
More Than Just Birding
There’s also a deeper story unfolding.
Subtle shifts in weather—cooler spells, delayed heat, changing wind patterns—are becoming harder to ignore. These changes influence everything: migration timing, breeding behaviour, and even survival.
Mount Abu may appear timeless, but it is not untouched.
And those who spend time in its forests know this truth well.
Enjoy my collection of bird photos from the first two weeks of April. Each photograph conveys a story about nature’s splendour and the colourful bird life that calls Abu home.
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| Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis |
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| Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus |
Common Rosefinch Mount Abu April 2026.m4v
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| Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius |
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| Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus |
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| Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea |
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| Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea |
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| Indian Blackbird - Turdus simillimus |
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| Indian Blackbird - Turdus simillimus |
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| Indian Blackbird - Turdus simillimus |
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| Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii |
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| Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus |
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| Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis |
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| Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis |
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| Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus |
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| Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach |
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| Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach |
Oriental Honey-buzzard Mount ABu April 2026.m4v
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| Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis |
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| Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis |
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| White-breasted Waterhen- Amaurornis phoenicurus |
%200F4A3214.jpg "Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)") |
| Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) |
%200F4A3217.jpg "Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)") |
| Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) |
Closing Note
In Mount Abu, the seasons do not arrive with announcements—they reveal themselves quietly, in the turning of the wind, in the silence left behind by departing wings, and in the first distant call of those returning.
April is one such moment.
A pause. A passage. A promise.
And for those who walk these hills with patience, it is a reminder that nature does not rush—yet it never stands still.
Birding in Mount Abu is rarely just about birds.
While the region may not have an overwhelming diversity of mammals and reptiles, the forests are far from empty. On any given walk, you may encounter a snake slipping through the undergrowth, an Indian mongoose darting across the trail, or signs of wild pigs rooting through the forest floor. If you are fortunate, you might even spot a porcupine moving quietly in the shadows.
There is also the occasional presence of the sloth bear—an animal that commands both respect and caution. Sloth bears are notoriously unpredictable and defensive, and any encounter is best observed from a safe distance.
On my most recent outing, I was fortunate to come across an Indian Rat Snake or Daman.
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| Indian Rat snake or Daman |
Non-venomous, fast-moving, and vital to the ecosystem, it was a brief but fascinating encounter. Moments like these serve as a reminder that every birding trip holds the potential for something unexpected—something wild.
─── About the Author ───
Ains Priestman is a passionate birder, nature observer, and photographer based in Mount Abu in the ancient Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan. Through his Mount Abu Birding Diary, he documents the changing seasons, bird migrations, and the everyday wonders of wildlife in and around the hill station.
Armed with his trusted Canon EOS 7D Mark II, he captures moments from the forests, wetlands, and rocky landscapes that make Mount Abu a unique haven for birdlife. His writings combine field observations, photography, and reflections on the natural rhythms of the “Abode of the Gods.”
Through this blog, he hopes to inspire readers and fellow birdwatchers to appreciate and protect the rich biodiversity of the Aravalli Hills.
Another page closes in the Mount Abu Birding Diary, but the hills are always writing the next chapter
Happy birding from Mount Abu. 🐦
%200F4A1882.jpg "Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)")
%200F4A1884.jpg "Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)")
