Monday, March 23, 2026

Birding in March 2026:Mount Abu.

 Progressing Spring and Vibrant Vibes All Around.

The second week of March (8–14 March 2026) in Mount Abu unfolded with warm, dry days and noticeable fluctuations between day and night temperatures. Late nights still carried a wintry whisper, dipping below 10°C, while the days were mild.
Spring had arrived.
The forests, grasslands, and rocky outcrops seemed alive with energy. Birds, bees, butterflies, and budding trees all joined the quiet celebration of renewal. There was a sense of movement everywhere — of transition, of change, of life stirring forward.

The Duck Pond Visit–8th March

A visit to my favourite haunt, the Duck Pond, revealed the changing season in full effect. The winter migrants had begun their departure. The once bustling waters had quietened, though not entirely.

50 ducks remained, with a modest mix that included a few Northern Shovelers and Northern Pintails, alongside several Coots. The majority, however, were Tufted Ducks — around 25 of them still lingering, perhaps reluctant to leave.

Other birds of note added interest to the outing:


 White-capped Buntings

 Stonechat


Though the numbers had dwindled, the charm of the pond remained — quieter, yes, but still rewarding for those who lingered and observed.

 Birding Diary: Day-by-Day–March 2026

Day 9

A lively encounter with the ever-entertaining fantail — a tiny spitfire with boundless energy. It attempted to mob a Long-tailed Shrike, a brave (and comical) effort against a far more formidable bird.

 Day 10

A calm, warm evening. The air was still, and bird activity seemed subdued. No migrant sightings today — a reminder that the great seasonal shift is well underway.

Day 11

The skies belonged to the Sparrowhawks. Their presence was dominant, patrolling overhead with quiet authority.

Day 12

An eventful day overhead — an Oriental Honey Buzzard drifted across the sky.

The Long-legged Buzzard was still around, perhaps nearing its last days here before departure.

A pair of Red-whiskered Bulbuls made a brief but welcome appearance.

Day 13

The Grey Wagtail was active along the rocks and the drying stream below, feeding and moving.

Later in the evening, a pair of white-eyes arrived — subtle, quick, and easy to miss if not watched.

 

Day 14

The week ended on a quiet note. A gentle close to a week that reflected the slow but steady transition from winter to spring.

Closing Thoughts

This week in Mount Abu was less about abundance and more about transition. The grand spectacle of winter migrants is fading, but in its place comes the subtle beauty of spring — quieter, softer, yet captivating.

For a birder, this is a time of patience and observation — of noticing the minor changes, the shifting rhythms, and the promise of what lies ahead.

Spring is not just a season here; it is a feeling.
Bird of the Week.
Sulphur-bellied Warbler - Phylloscopus griseolus   winter visitor

Day 8 March
Sulphur-bellied Warbler - Phylloscopus griseolus   winter visitor

Sulphur-bellied Warbler - Phylloscopus griseolus   winter visitor

Sulphur-bellied Warbler - Phylloscopus griseolus   winter visitor

Sulphur-bellied Warbler - Phylloscopus griseolus   winter visitor

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus local migrant

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus local migrant

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus local migrant

Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Eurasian Coot - Fulica atra

Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus

Grey-breasted Prinia - Prinia hodgsonii 

Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Northern Pintail - Anas acuta

Northern Shoveler - Spatula clypeata

Oriental Turtle-Dove - Streptopelia orientalis

Oriental Turtle-dove - Streptopelia orientalis

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Siberian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula

White-capped Bunting - Emberiza stewarti 

White-capped Bunting - Emberiza stewarti 

White-capped Bunting - Emberiza stewarti 

White-capped Bunting - Emberiza stewarti 

White-capped Bunting - Emberiza stewarti 

9 March
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach mobbed by fantail

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach 

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

10 March 
Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

11 March
Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Shikra - Accipiter badius 

12 MArch
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus 

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus 

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus 

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus 

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus 

Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus

Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus

Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis 

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis 

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

13 March 
Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

14 March
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri 



 

 

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Birding in March 2026:Mount Abu.

 Progressing Spring and Vibrant Vibes All Around. The second week of March (8–14 March 2026) in Mount Abu unfolded with warm, dry days and ...