Birding Diary: Day-by-Day, January 2026
Mount Abu’s Winter Wonders–Third Week of January 2026.
The third week of January 2026 was a week of contrasts in Mount Abu—icy dawns, gentle afternoons, and an underlying sense that something extraordinary was building up in the atmosphere. Little did we know that this serene winter spell was the prelude to the historic cold wave that struck on the 24th.
For a birder, however, this was a golden week—clear skies, crisp air, and an abundance of winter visitors sharing the forest with our familiar resident birds.
Day 1–Frost and Raptors
The week began with a frost-laced morning, the ground shimmering under the first rays of sunlight. Raptors were active from midday. Himalayan Buzzard (a new species for Abu) and Long-legged Buzzards perched on bare branches, scanning the valleys for prey, while the swift Ashy Drones flashed through forest clearings in pursuit of bees.
Warblers were active in the shrubs—Blyth’s Reed Warbler and Hume’s Warblers flitted, their subtle calls blending into the winter silence. A lone Grey Wagtail near a damp patch added a splash of yellow to the muted winter palette.
Day 2–Quiet Forests and Subtle Songs
The second day was quieter, with fewer raptors but increased activity among small passerines. Bulbuls — both Red-vented and Red-whiskered Bulbuls, feeding on berries and insects. Rufous Treepie called from winter-ravaged trees, its metallic notes echoing through the forest.
Day 3–Sparrowhawk Encounters
Midweek brought an exciting encounter with the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, which made several hunting passes along the forest edge. Its speed and agility never cease to amaze, and observing its hunting behaviour is always a privilege.
Long-legged Buzzard continued to dominate the blue sky, and a brief glimpse of a Lesser Whitethroat in our local bubble bushes suggested the presence of more winter migrants in the area.
Day 4–Mild Sun, Icy Shade
The sun felt warmer on the fourth day, but the shade remained cold—a classic Mount Abu winter contradiction. Himalayan Buzzards and Long-legged Buzzards soared high above the ridges, riding the thermals.
The sudden appearance of a lone Common Rosefinch, a passage migrant, made my day/ The forest was otherwise calm, with occasional calls from barbets and bulbuls breaking the silence.
Day 5–Indian Yellow Tits and Mixed Flocks of Sparrows
Mixed-feeding flocks dominated this day. House sparrows, bulbuls, and small insectivores moved together through the garden, creating a lively scene. Ashy Prinia and common tailorbirds remained abundant, and their constant movement made photography both challenging and rewarding.
The skies were clear, with a few Long-legged Buzzard circling overhead, adding to the raptor tally of the week.
Day 6: Not much activity
The presence of the Shikra and the Eurasian Sparrowhawk restricted the movement of the other birds.
Day 7–The Calm Before the Cold Wave
The final day of the week felt strangely still. The air was crisp, the skies were pale blue, and bird activity was intense in the early hours.
Resident birds dominated the day, and the forest seemed alive with subtle movement. Yet, there was an eerie calm—a sense that nature was bracing for something significant.
15 Jan 2026.
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| Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus |
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| Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus |
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| Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis |
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| Blyth's Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus dumetorum winter visitor |
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| Blyth's Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus dumetorum |
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| Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea |
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Himalayan Buzzard - Buteo refectus
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| Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus |
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| Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus |
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| Eurasian Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris winter visitor |
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| Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus winter visitor |
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| Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus winter visitor |
21 Jan 2026.
