August Birding in Mount Abu: A Tale of Skies, Rain, and Wings.

The third week of August in Mount Abu felt like stepping into a blast from the past, reminding me of the 1960s and 1970s. As expected, the weather delivered the typical experiences of the season: gentle drizzles, intermittent showers, and a magical mist draping the hills like a soft, white veil. Early mornings and late evenings brought foggy horizons, reducing visibility but amplifying the charm of the forest trails.

Meteorologists predict that the last week of August will see heavy rainfall, which is no surprise. Mount Abu’s wettest month, August, provides ample rainfall, sustaining its landscapes.

Despite these weather quirks, birding this month has been anything but disappointing. I have captured some delightful moments in rain-washed forests and meadows that seem alive with activity. The highlight? Our first winter migrant—the Grey Wagtail — announces the seasonal transition that lies ahead.

Here’s a curated glimpse of the feathered beauties spotted and photographed during the week. The tale of flourishing life between the showers and sunshine in Mount Abu is told every August, from residents to early migrants.

Bird of the week.

Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

The Grey Wagtail, a common winter visitor to Rajasthan, typically arrives in the state around late September to early October. This wagtail made its appearance on August 17, 2025. Seeing one arrive so early surprised and elated me. Are we in for a cold winter this year?

Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea Mount Abu Aug 2025

Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis

Black Kite - Milvus migrans is not commonly seen here.

Black Kite - Milvus migrans

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Indian Yellow Tit Mount Abu Aug 2025.m4v

Jungle Babbler - Turdoides striata

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis basking.

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis basking

Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus. Looking for spiders.

Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata

Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata Mount Abu Aug 2025.mp4

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

Mount Abu Birding: Last Two Weeks of July.

The last fortnight of July 2025 has breezed past in a flurry of misty mornings, cool breezes, and brooding grey skies. This , the weather gods have smiled upon our beloved hill station. All our reservoirs are brimming to the top, the waterfalls are in full spate, and the forest canopy wears a lush emerald coat. Here’s the good news. The has risen, offering much-needed relief after previous years of parched summers.

For birders, this time of year is a mixed bag. The dense mist and intermittent rain make photography a challenge, but not an impossibility. When the skies clear, there’s magic to be found. These brief windows of light are enough to capture some of the season’s most heartening sights: taking their first flights, juvenile birds learning the ways of the wild, and the occasional surprise visitor making a short monsoon stopover.

It’s also a time for quiet observation—of parent birds still tending to their young, of new calls and uncertain wingbeats. Monsoon birding in is less about ticking off rare species and more about celebrating life in its tender, growing stages.

Enjoy this small selection I’ve put together from my recent outings. These images are not just about birds—they’re about the mood of Mount Abu in July, the atmosphere that makes this place so special during the rains.

Bird of the fortnight.