Spring in Full Bloom | Third Week Observations (16–21 March)
Mount Abu Birding Diary–March 2026.
The third week of March (16–21 March 2026) in Mount Abu unfolded with typical early-spring character — warm days, occasional gusty winds, and an overcast sky drifting over the Aravalli hills. The days remained dry, and temperatures showed noticeable fluctuations between the warmth of midday and the coolness that settled in after sunset.
By this stage of the season, spring migration is complete. Most of the winter visitors have already begun their long journeys northward. Yet, a few lingering migrants still grace the Abu forests — the buzzards, the elusive Sparrowhawk, scattered warblers, and a handful of pipits preparing for their departure.
I’m thrilled to present a modest yet significant compilation of bird observations from March 16th to 20th. Each photograph from these outings tells its own quiet story — one of patience, observation, and the simple joy of discovering beauty in landscapes that, at first glance, may seem sparse and silent.
Spring birding in Mount Abu has a special charm. The forests awaken with renewed life: blossoms appear on trees, insects stir, butterflies flutter through sunlit clearings, and the resident birds grow vocal as breeding season approaches. For a birder, it is a time of subtle transitions — the last whispers of winter mingling with the vibrant promise of summer.
My birding excursion on 21 March to the West Banas Dam deserves special attention, and I will feature it in a separate post. That outing proved rewarding and offered a different birding experience in the foothills below Mount Abu.
Stay tuned for my upcoming posts, where I venture further into the foothills to capture the last wave of spring migration. These landscapes often produce thrilling encounters and a fascinating variety of avian life during this transitional period.
Bird of the Week.
"I spent more than a decade birding without ever spotting a Jungle Owlet. Then, like a dream come true, they started appearing over the last two years. I was even lucky enough to find a pair and get some great photos!"
16 March
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| Eastern Cattle-Egret - Ardea coromanda |
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| Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus |
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| Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach |
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| Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer |
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| Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis |
17 March
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| Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor |
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| Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor |
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| Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis |
18 March
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| Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus |
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| Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus |
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| Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus |
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| Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus |
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| Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus |
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| Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri |
19 March
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| Jungle Owlet - Glaucidium radiatum |
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| Jungle Owlet - Glaucidium radiatum |
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| Jungle Owlet - Glaucidium radiatum |
"Ten years in the making. The Jungle Owlet was my most-wanted sighting for a decade—now, I’m finally sharing the frame with a pair of them. Never give up on the search!" "Ten years in the making! So grateful to my niece, Crescentia, for helping me finally cross the Jungle Owlet off my list. This pair was well worth the wait."
20 March
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| Indian Yellow Tit Machlolophus aplonotus |
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| Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri |
Field Notes–Third Week of March 2026
Location: Mount Abu, Rajasthan–Aravalli Hills
Dates Covered: 16–21 March 2026
Weather: Warm, dry days with occasional winds and intermittent overcast skies. Noticeable temperature difference between day and night.
Seasonal Pattern: Spring migration is complete. A few winter migrants are still present, including buzzards, sparrowhawks, warblers, and pipits.
Habitat Covered: Woodland patches, rocky slopes, forest edges, and open clearings around Mount Abu.
Highlight of the Week: Observing the last lingering raptors and warblers before they depart for northern breeding grounds.
Upcoming Exploration: Birding visit to West Banas Dam in the foothills.
Footnote: The highlight of the trip wasn't even a bird! My niece, Cres, and I stumbled upon a melanistic Eastern Grey Squirrel. I’d heard they existed, but seeing that jet-black coat in person was a first for me. A fantastic "non-feathered" addition to our March birding log.
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| BLACK SQUIRREL MOUNT ABU MARCH 2026 |
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| BLACK SQUIRREL MOUNT ABU MARCH 2026 |
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