MOUNT ABU BIRDS MY PERSONAL COLLECTION

As a nature lover, bird watching has always fascinated me. I’ve been taking pictures of birds since I was in school in Mount Abu, where I learned about the local birds and their nesting habits. I learned to identify birds chiefly by their calls. I’ve been taking pictures in the wild for several years."Explore the diverse bird life of Mt.Abu with my detailed blog post: See the rare species in their NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. Experience the ecosystem of this INCREDIBLE MONTAINOUS region" Welcome to Abu.

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Birding in March 2026: Mount Ab.

Embracing the Beauty of an Early Spring in Abu – A Renewal Paradise for Birders.

Spring arrives across much of the world in March, breathing new life into landscapes and symbolising renewal and fresh beginnings. But if you happen to be in the serene hill station of this year, you may notice something special — spring appears to have arrived a little early.

The forests and rocky slopes of this “Abode of the Gods” are already awakening. The hills shimmer with blooming flowers, morning dew glistens on the grass, and the air is filled with birdsong. For birders, this is one of the most exciting seasonal transitions of the year.

Many species are already beginning to show signs of the . Plumages are brighter, courtship behaviour is emerging, and nesting activity is slowly building. From melodious calls echoing through the valleys to raptors silently scanning the landscape from lofty perches, Mount Abu has transformed into a lively theatre of avian activity.

Below is my Birding Diary: Day-by-Day – March 2026, capturing the early stirrings of spring.

Day 1 – A Gentle Beginning

The first day of March began quietly, almost as if the forest itself was stretching awake after winter.

House Sparrow moving busily around settlements

Indian Robin hopping between rocky outcrops

The ever-melodious , already rehearsing its spring songs

A soft and pleasant start to the month.

Day 2 – Calm Skies and Familiar Residents

With clear skies and calm conditions, resident birds dominated the morning activity.

Indian Robin is active along pathways

The lively Indian Yellow Tit flitting through the foliage

Small flocks of Indian Silverbill are feeding quietly

The sturdy Yellow-throated Sparrow keeps watch from treetops

Though not dramatic, the morning felt peaceful and reassuring.

Day 3 – A Lone Hunter in the Sky

The highlight of the day was a solitary raptor.

A gliding slowly across the sky, carefully scanning the ground for prey

Laughing Dove basking in the warm sunlight

The alert Indian Yellow Tit keeps a vigilant eye on its surroundings

The buzzard’s patient aerial patrol was a classic sight in Abu’s open landscapes.

Day 4 – A Pleasant Springs Day

The warmth of early spring was beginning to settle over the hills.

The Long-legged Buzzard is again making hunting sorties

Noisy groups of Rose-ringed Parakeet passing overhead

The familiar presence of House Sparrows and Yellow-throated Sparrows.

The forest seemed calm, but alive with subtle activity.

Day 5 – Raptors on Patrol

Though bird numbers were relatively low, the day belonged to birds of prey.

A swift Eurasian Sparrowhawk slicing through the woodland

The ever-efficient Shikra patrolling its territory

Sometimes, even a quiet day becomes memorable when raptors are involved.

Day 6 – The Arrival of a Giant

A truly exciting moment unfolded today.

The magnificent soaring high above the hills

The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is darting rapidly through the undergrowth in pursuit of prey

males shimmering in brilliant breeding plumage, displaying energetically to attract mates

The sunbirds, glowing in metallic purple, were perhaps the most vivid sign that spring had truly arrived.

Day 7 – Songs of the Season

The week ended on a melodic note.

A solitary Common Rosefinch appeared briefly in the bushes

The Long-legged Buzzard and Shikra continue their aerial patrols

Musical performances from the Oriental Magpie-Robin and the cheerful Indian Yellow Tit

Their songs carried through the morning air, a beautiful reminder that the breeding season is approaching.

Early Spring Magic in Mount Abu

Early March in Mount Abu offers birders a unique window — a time when winter visitors linger while resident birds begin preparing for the breeding season.

The forest is slowly transitioning. Calls grow louder, colours brighter, and activity more purposeful. Each morning walk feels like a page turning in nature’s calendar.

For birders, it is a magical period — quiet, hopeful, and filled with promise.

And if the first week is any indication, may turn out to be a truly remarkable birding month in Mount Abu.

Looking Ahead

The first week of March in Mount Abu has already hinted at the changing season. Raptors are actively patrolling the skies, resident birds are beginning to sing with renewed enthusiasm, and species like the Purple Sunbird are displaying their brilliant breeding plumage.

As spring progresses, the forests of Abu will grow even more vibrant. Courtship displays will intensify, nesting activity will become more visible, and the hills will resonate with the songs of birds establishing their territories.

For birders, this is a fascinating time of transition — when every morning walk may reveal something new.

I look forward to sharing more sightings and stories from the coming weeks as Spring 2026 unfolds in Mount Abu. Stay tuned for the next chapter in my .

Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata

1 March

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

2 March

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

3 March

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

4 March

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

5 March

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus.

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

6 March

Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata.

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisu

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus.

7 March

Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Birding in February 2026: Mount Abu.

Birding Diary: Day-by-Day–Last Week of February 2026.

Mount Abu’s Winter Wonders Continue.

As February drew to a close, the bird world in the peaceful highlands of stirred with renewed energy. Winter was loosening its grip, and the first whispers of spring were already in the air. With birds donning their , underway, and the landscape enlivened by new vocalisations, a subtle but definite transformation is happening.

For birders, this is a magical transition period. The are still around, while prepare for the breeding season.

Unfortunately, I could not visit some of my favourite birding haunts this season. This was disappointing, and people easily dwell on what they might have recorded during those missed outings. But birding, like nature itself, teaches patience. There is always another season, another migration, another opportunity waiting. I hope to be back on the trails next winter to compensate for this year's missed opportunities.

Here is how the last week of February unfolded.

Day 22–February 22

A pleasant day began with the appearance of a , its earthy calls echoing through the undergrowth. Later, a Little Egret paid a brief visit, an unusual but welcome sight in the hills.

Alongside the familiar resident birds, winter visitors such as the Tree Pipit also brightened the day.

Day 23–February 23

I noticed the ever-alert Ashy Drongo making repeated sorties, catching bees and other flying insects mid-air.

Around it, White-breasted Fantails darted through the branches, while a joined the lively scene, flitting through the foliage.

Day 24–February 24

The sky belonged to the magnificent circling high above the ridges with effortless grace.

Other birds of note included the Long-tailed Shrike, the cheerful Indian Yellow Tit, and the melodious , whose song added music to the morning air.

Day 25–February 25

A pleasant surprise arrived as a single Green Bee-eater, an early hint that warmer days are not far away.

Above, both the Himalayan Buzzard and a watchful scanned the terrain below, ever alert for movement.

Day 26–February 26

A calm day in the field, though the dependable Himalayan Buzzard once again appeared.

A Common Chiffchaff moving through the trees added interest and ensured the day was far from uneventful.

27 An exciting day observing birds displaying early courtship behaviour—a glimpse of what “Valentine’s Day” might look like in the avian world.

Birds were preparing for the next generation. Raptors soared high above in search of prey, wagtails sang their persistent melodies, and a coucal suddenly took flight, its deep wingbeats echoing through the vegetation.

Nature was alive with the promise of renewal.

Day 28 – February 28

The last day of the month brought a quieter but pleasant mix of Mount Abu’s familiar resident birds.

Even on calmer days, birding in these hills never disappoints — every rustle, call, or shadow overhead holds the potential for discovery.

Closing Thoughts

The last week of February marks a fascinating turning point in Mount Abu’s birding calendar. Winter visitors are preparing for their long journeys north, while resident birds establish territories and prepare for the breeding season. For those who watch, the forest reveals these subtle seasonal shifts day by day.

And so February ends — not with a farewell, but with the promise of spring, migration, and many more birding adventures in the months ahead.

Day 22 Feb.