MOUNT ABU BIRDS MY PERSONAL COLLECTION

As a nature lover, bird watching has always fascinated me. I’ve been taking pictures of birds since I was in school in Mount Abu, where I learned about the local birds and their nesting habits. I learned to identify birds chiefly by their calls. I’ve been taking pictures in the wild for several years."Explore the diverse bird life of Mt.Abu with my detailed blog post: See the rare species in their NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. Experience the ecosystem of this INCREDIBLE MONTAINOUS region" Welcome to Abu.

Showing posts with label #Green Avadavat. Show all posts

Monday, March 30, 2026

Birding in March 2026: Mount Abu.

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 unfolded with typical early-spring character — warm days, occasional gusty winds, and an overcast sky drifting over the . 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, 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 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

Eastern Cattle-Egret - Ardea coromanda

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

17 March

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

18 March

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

19 March

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."

Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatri

Brown-headed Barbet - Psilopogon zeylanicus

Gray Junglefowl - Gallus sonneratii

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica

Little Cormorant - Microcarbo niger

Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis

White-bellied Drongo - Dicrurus caerulescens

20 March

Indian Yellow Tit Machlolophus aplonotus

Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri

Field Notes–Third Week of March 2026

Location: Mount Abu, –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 . 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.

BLACK SQUIRREL MOUNT ABU MARCH 2026

Monday, February 23, 2026

Birding in February 2026.

Birding Diary: Day-by-Day–First Week of February.

Mount Abu’s Winter Wonders

The first week of February 2026 unfolded like a gift to every birder who calls home. Clear blue skies stretched above the ; the air carried that familiar winter crispness, and the forests of the “” seemed alive with both winter visitors and faithful resident companions.

For me, it was one of those golden weeks — when every morning walk promised something memorable.

Day 1–A Mixed Bag of Feathers

The week began with our dependable resident birds making their presence known. The ever-busy stitched its way through the undergrowth, while bulbuls and prinia filled the air with soft chatter. Near the water’s edge, the elegant White-breasted Waterhen tiptoed along the bank.

Adding excitement to the day were winter visitors: the majestic soaring above, and the restless flitting through foliage, never still for long.

Day 2–Clear Skies and Raptors

The second morning was all about the raptors. The Himalayan Buzzard returned, patrolling its territory with commanding grace. In the shrubs, the subtle but striking revealed itself — always a rewarding winter sighting.

Day 3–Dominance of the Long-Legged Buzzard

The vast blue canvas of the sky belonged to the powerful . Its broad wings and steady glide made it impossible to miss. The Himalayan Buzzard also appeared, creating a rare and thrilling comparison between the two — a true treat for any keen observer.

Day 4–A Pleasant Surprise

Just when the week seemed predictable, nature surprised me.

A small flock of dazzling appeared — their vibrant plumage glowing in the winter light. It had been a while since I’d encountered them, and their return felt special.

Then, slicing through the silence like an arrow, came the magnificent — our Shaheen Falcon. Its brief but powerful appearance electrified the landscape.

Day 5–The Epic Predator

The forest's mood shifted the moment the Shikra arrived. Smaller birds vanished into dense cover, alarm calls echoed, and stillness followed.

Above, the Long-legged Buzzard once again ruled the thermals, unchallenged in its aerial domain.

Day 6–Brief but Bold Visits

A day of fleeting moments. The Peregrine Falcon made a swift pass, and the Long-legged Buzzard circled before disappearing over the horizon. Some days in birding are about patience — and appreciating even the shortest encounters.

Day 7–Quiet Reflections

The week ended on a calmer note. Activity slowed, but the appearance of a few was a welcome highlight — their first sighting for me this season.

Resident birds dominated the day, and the forest seemed alive not with drama, but with subtle movement — rustling leaves, distant calls, and the quiet reassurance that winter still lingers in Mount Abu.

This first week of February reminded me why winter birding in Mount Abu is so special. The interplay of powerful raptors and delicate warblers, the surprise flocks, the silent hunters —all set against crisp mornings and golden light.

Join me in the coming posts as I share photographs and more detailed observations from this remarkable winter week in our beloved “Abode of the Gods.”

1 Feb 2026.