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

Observing birds in late September.

As September drew to a close, the overcast skies and relentless rain seemed unyielding. The mist and fine drizzle persisted, challenging birders like me. Protecting gear from the elements and adjusting camera settings to accommodate the changing light conditions was no easy feat. Despite that, we were fortunate to experience a few days of sunny and clear weather last week, which lifted our mood.

With a brief respite from the rain, I checked the water bodies for early winter guests. A handful of Green-winged Teals and a few other winter migrants appeared, marking the migration season's beginning.

On the 24th of September, Mohan and I ventured to the Achalgarh area. A fellow birder had seen a Black-headed bunting there, and since it was the first sighting in Mount Abu, I was excited to see it too. Even though we didn’t find the bunting, I made an exciting discovery—a new species for Mount Abu called the Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark. This rare sighting is now recorded as a significant addition to the local avifauna.

Throughout the last two weeks, I also kept an eye out for the Alpine Swift, hoping to glimpse these impressive aerial acrobats. Whether I missed them or they skipped their usual visit to Mount Abu this year, they eluded me. However, I captured other notable species through my lens, including the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, a few eagles, and even a harrier.

The beauty of birding lies in the pursuit of new species and the quiet moments spent observing the natural world in all its unpredictable glory. Despite the challenges, these last two weeks offered many memorable moments, and I’m excited to share my favourite bird photographs from September with you. Enjoy a glimpse into the world of monsoon birding in Mount Abu.

Bird of the fortnight.