A Bird Watcher’s Paradise

Introduction:

Mount Abu, located in the heart of Rajasthan, is a one-of-a-kind refuge of natural beauty. While it may not be the most well-known birding location in India, this lovely hill station offers unique enchantments for bird watchers. Mount Abu is a beautiful destination in October because of its lush woods, tranquil streams, and migratory tourists. Join us on a trek to see the avian marvels of Mount Abu in the first half of October 2023.

October Is the best month for birders.

Mount Abu comes alive in October, especially for birdwatchers and travellers. The weather is beautiful, and the music of feathery companions fills the grassy slopes. Warblers, flycatchers, raptors, and ducks are among the bird migrants that come during this season, which lasts from October to April.

The First Weeks of October:

Migratory Guests:

The first week of October was a little disappointing since the expected migratory birds had failed to arrive. Normally, the Alpine Swifts would arrive by the end of September, but they appeared to have delayed their arrival this year. Even migratory raptors were conspicuously absent, suggesting that migration patterns had modified this year. The water levels in their regular habitats were high, which may have kept the ducks away. However, there is reason for optimism, and I expect their return when water levels fall.

Highlights of the Second Week:

The second week of October is when the birding situation in Mount Abu truly comes alive. The wintering warblers include the Greenish Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Grey Wagtail, and Lesser Whitethroat. Raptors such as the Long-Legged Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Sparrowhawk, and Booted Eagle can be spotted. During winter, birdwatchers can see and photograph uncommon visitors like the Barn Swallow, Eurasian Crag-Martin, and Eurasian Hobby.

Wild Bird Day Celebration:

We should make a special mention of the annual Wild Bird Day, which is observed throughout India every October. This day is a great opportunity for bird lovers to come together, share their passion, and help with bird conservation efforts. I dedicated my time on October 14th to observing and documenting the birds of Mount Abu, which helped me gain a greater understanding of them.

Conclusion:

I had the honour of observing and shooting a variety of amazing bird species on Mount Abu during the first half of October 2023. My voyage was a monument to the beauty and diversity of nature, from the much-anticipated migrating birds to the less-common winter visitors. Mount Abu is a bird enthusiast’s heaven in the heart of Rajasthan, with its beautiful scenery and diverse avian life.

I’m looking forward to more exciting experiences with these avian treasures as the birding season progresses. So, if you’re a birder, a nature lover, or simply looking for an unforgettable experience, schedule a trip to Mount Abu in October. The mesmerizing world of birds in this hill village will continue to charm me as the birding season continues. So, if you’re a birder, a nature lover, or simply looking for an unforgettable experience, schedule a trip to Mount Abu in October. In this picturesque hill village, the enthralling world of birds can charm you.

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica

Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros

Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata

Booted Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Common Myna - Acridotheres tris

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinere

Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos

"Lesser Whitethroat -Mt Abu October,winter visitor collage."

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia currucaading Mt Abu October

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - perched on a dtump singing a song."

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Plum-headed Parakeet - Psittacula cyanocephala

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva Mt Abu October 2023

Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis

"White-throated Kingfisher - landing on a wire."

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

"White-throated Kingfisher - sitting on a wire overlooking bthe stream below."

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

"Yellow-throated Sparrow , sitting on a branch."

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

Birding in the last two weeks of September 2022. Mount Abu.

Overcast skies and thundershowers occasionally marked the last two weeks of September. Migrants have already made their presence known. Black-winged kites—long-tailed shrieks are local migrants. Warblers are already here in small numbers. In addition, green-winged teal is among the migratory ducks that have landed on the duck pond. There are a few Northern Pintails, Gadwalls. and moorhens. Some early migrant raptors include the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Hobby and Eurasian Kestrel.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

This year, the Eurasian Sparrowhawks landed earlier than the other migratory raptors.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus.mp4

Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata

Booted Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus

Eurasian Hobby - Falco subbuteo

Eurasian Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus

Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga

Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga .mp4

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) mobbed by Black winged kite

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus mobbed by Black-winged Kite

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

Asian brown flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica

A Lifer for me probably the first time observed and photographed here in Mount Abu.

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica

Barn swallows, also known as the Common Swallow, are our winter visitors. They have arrived early for this location and time of the year/

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica

Blyth's Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus dumetorum

The Blyth's Reed Warbler status ? Passage migrant? or winter visitor? I have observed this species for years, so I assume it's a winter migrant.