Birding in October: A Paradise for Birdwatchers in Mount Abu

October in Mount Abu is a magical time for birding. With the monsoon season wrapping up by the end of September, the hillsides are lush and vibrant, creating the perfect backdrop for birdwatchers. The weather is superb, with cool breezes and clear skies that make birdwatching enjoyable and rewarding. From October to March, this is a prime birding season, and for enthusiasts like me, it’s the time to grab the camera and head out into the hills.

The first week of October has flown by in a flurry of feathers and excitement. While I didn’t spot the Alpine Swift this year, I’m not disheartened. Our other winter visitors have arrived, steady and sure. The sight of the Eurasian Sparrowhawk soaring overhead, the busy flitting of Greenish Warblers and Hume’s Warblers through the trees, and the grounded pipits darting across open spaces all signal the start of an exhilarating birding season.

Raptors like the Hobby and Harrier are already gracing us with their presence, and we expect the numbers of ducks to swell in the coming weeks as the migratory season peaks, even though only a few have arrived so far. It’s the perfect time to watch as Mount Abu transforms into a winter haven for these avian travellers.

To celebrate the start of this season, I’ve put together a small selection of bird photographs taken during this first week of October. I hope you enjoy this visual treat as much as I enjoyed capturing it!

Bird of the week.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus

Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata

Booted Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolo

Eurasian Hobby - Falco subbuteo

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Little Swift - Apus affinis

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Montagu's Harrier - Circus pygargus

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

Western House-Martin Delichon urbicum

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

The Last Flight of October: Mount Abu Birdwatching

As October comes to an end, the bird life on Mount Abu continues to be awe-inspiring. The last week of this month was a treat for bird watchers. They beautified the days with a smooth transition to the approaching winter, providing a backdrop of pleasant weather. While I saw raptors in fewer numbers, their magnificent presence in Abu's sky throughout October remained notable. I urge you to marvel at the enthralling images I managed to acquire, highlighting the beauty of buzzards, eagles, and the exquisite Eurasian Hobby.

I observed flycatchers and warblers zipping through the air among the smaller yet amazing avian beauties. These little yet powerful fliers were engrossed in their relentless hunt for insects and worms, recuperating from their tough trip. I still need to begin my journey to explore the water habitats where various water birds, including migrating species like ducks, sandpipers, and pipits, reside. It's a project I intend to start when the Deepawali festivities are over.

I expect the rush of tourists to exceed our feathered migratory companions in Mount Abu during the next week. I'm looking forward to exploring these habitats after the celebrations, providing a glimpse into the lives of our avian guests against the stunning scenery of Mount Abu.