Birding Diary: Day-by-Day–Mount Abu’s Winter Wonders

Last Week of January 2026.

Those in the hills of will long remember the last week of January 2026. The weather oscillated between bone-chilling extremes and golden winter sunshine, offering birders a dramatic backdrop for observation.

Earlier in the week, temperatures plummeted to a staggering –7°C, tying some of the coldest nights in recent memory. Water bodies froze over, grasslands shimmered with frost, and dawn walks felt like stepping into a Himalayan outpost rather than Rajasthan’s only hill station.

By January 26th, however, the skies cleared. Crisp mornings gave way to pleasant afternoons with daytime highs between 20°C and 23°C, while nights hovered between 10°C and –3°C. As always, when the weather shifts in Abu, so does bird activity.

Here is my day-by-day account of the last stretch of January.

Day 22 January–Raptors and Chilly Skies

The week opened with action overhead. Raptors were active from midday onward.

The majestic soared, while the swift sliced through the cold air.

Most exciting was the continued presence of the — a fresh addition to my Mount Abu records — alongside the imposing , both scanning the valleys with patient intensity.

It was a day for raptors.

Day 23 January–Sunny and Pleasant

A calmer day followed. The skies were bright and inviting, though raptors showed reduced activity.

The Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Long-legged Buzzard remained visible, patrolling their territories, but the frenzy of the previous day had subsided.

Day 24 January–Frost and Flight

After the record-breaking –7°C night, Abu awoke wrapped in frost. The grasslands glittered under the rising sun.

Despite the biting cold, the Himalayan Buzzard and Long-legged Buzzard were active, making determined sorties across the crystalline skies. Cold weather often sharpens predator instincts — and this morning proved no exception.

Day 27 January – A Quiet Interlude

Bird activity slowed. The usual resident species dominated the landscape.

Yet, the Himalayan Buzzard remained a constant sentinel, scanning for prey. Even on quieter days, Abu’s skies never feel empty.

Day 28 January–Sparrows and a Flash of Flame

A delightful mixed flock of House Sparrows and Yellow-throated Sparrows (Chestnut-shouldered Petronia) brought lively movement to the scrub.

Overhead, the now-familiar pairing of the Himalayan and Long-legged Buzzards continued their watch.

A brief but brilliant appearance by the added a splash of gold and crimson to the afternoon.

Day 29 January–Residents Rule

Resident birds dominated the day.

The Long-legged Buzzard remained active throughout, while an Ashy Drongo entertained me in the late evening, snapping bees mid-air with remarkable precision.

Day 30 January–Drama in the Undergrowth

A emerged from the thickets, shadowed by its tiny mobber, the Spot-breasted Fantail — a classic example of small-bird bravado.

The Himalayan Buzzard continued its predatory rounds, while a few made a fleeting appearance.

Day 31 January – The Sky Dominated

The last day of January ended on a powerful note.

Raptors ruled the sky dome:

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Himalayan Buzzard

Long-legged Buzzard

The formidable

A pleasant surprise came as a calling , announcing its presence before vanishing into the winter landscape.

Reflections on January’s Final Chapter

The last week of January 2026 encapsulated Mount Abu’s winter personality — harsh, dramatic, yet vibrant.

Sub-zero nights, frost-covered mornings, and predator-filled skies reminded me once again why winter birding in Abu is so special. The continued presence of the Himalayan Buzzard marks a noteworthy shift in seasonal records — perhaps a sign of changing patterns worth watching in the months ahead.

As January closes, one thing is certain:

Even in the coldest silence, the skies above Mount Abu are alive.

22 Jan 2026.