Friday, November 21, 2025

Birding in the Last Week of October 2025.

Perfect birding weather… until Mount Abu decided to turn October into a monsoon encore!

The last week of October brought yet another spell of unseasonal rainfall to Mount Abu, spilling over into the first days of November. A Western Disturbance and Cyclone Montha caused this unexpected weather, frustrating many Abuites as it once again disrupted the familiar rhythm of the hill station’s seasonal cycle.

But while the townsfolk grumbled, the forest and its intricate ecosystem thrived in the sudden bounty. The hills remained cloaked in lush green, and the streams flowed with renewed vigour—rare sights for this time of year.

Despite the erratic showers, winter migrants have arrived, signalling the approach of a colder season. A few water migrants have also touched down, though their numbers remain modest. Suitable habitat might temporarily limit the water migrants, perhaps explaining their quieter arrival, as most of Mount Abu’s water bodies are full.

Whenever the rain paused and the skies offered a brief window of clarity, I ventured out for my birding. In those fleeting moments, Abu revealed its magic. I have curated a small collection of the birds I photographed during this period—each image a tiny piece of our sanctuary’s living record.

As always, my efforts remain committed to documenting and celebrating our avian visitors, ensuring their stories continue to be told. I'll be back soon with my observations from November. Until then, may the forests remain green and the birds continue to call.

Bird of the week

Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei, winter visitor

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus, winter visitor

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita, winter visitor

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita Oct 2025 Mt Abu.

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor Oct 2025 Mount Abu

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus, winter visitor

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea, winter visitor

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea Oct 2025 Mount Abu ..jpg

Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis, resident

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva, winter visitor

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis, resident

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Birding in October 2025 -- Mount ABu.

Migrants, Raptors & Clear Skies in Mount Abu.

October in has always held a quiet magic of its own. The rains withdraw, the skies open up in brilliant blue, and the sanctuary shifts gears from monsoon moods to winter rhythms. For birders like me, this is the month when every walk becomes a story — the season of travellers, , and surprise sightings. was no exception; in fact, it may well be one of the most memorable in recent years.

The second week of October arrived with the weather that makes every birder itch to grab a camera and head for the hills. After an erratic monsoon, Mount Abu settled into clear skies and crisp mornings. The hillsides echoed with birdsong; the air carried a fresh nip, and the forests felt alive and expectant.

The migrants appear. One mist-softened morning, while scanning the canopy, I caught sight of the delicate flutter of a — a species I had first documented here on 17 October 2022. Seeing it again felt like a long-overdue reunion. Around it, the woods stirred with , their soft calls threading through the branches.

Then came the bright charmers — , flicking through low shrubs like tiny, restless flames. stitched the water's edge with their rhythmic bobbing. Even the elusive offered a brief, precious glimpse before vanishing into the thickets.

Above the treetops, the drama only intensified. A traced lazy circles over the valleys. A magnificent cruised past with the confidence only an apex hunter possesses. And in one swift, breathtaking pass, the sliced through the sky, leaving only a memory of speed behind.

Each sighting felt like a page from a larger story — one written by winds, seasons, and ancient instinct. does that: it slows you down, sharpens your senses, and rewards patience with moments that linger.

, meanwhile, played out differently this year. The expected tourist rush never arrived. I found the calm refreshing, though many locals were disappointed. With quieter roads and gentler days, the hill station slipped into a peaceful rhythm — one that seemed in tune with the returning migrants.

Bird of the week.