Part of the “Mount Abu Birding” series.
An unusual October in Mount Abu — extended monsoons, dramatic skies, and early winter migrants. Nature, as always, kept birders guessing.
October in Mount Abu marks the shift from the lush monsoon landscape to the golden hues of early winter — a favourite time for birders. But this year’s transition was unlike any other, as the rains lingered far longer than expected, creating rare weather patterns and unusual birding conditions.
The monsoon season this year has been unpredictable. I always look forward to my October birding excursions in Mount Abu — a time when the air turns crisp, the skies clear, and the first wave of winter visitors arrives. But this October was far from ordinary.
The first week of October brings mild weather, perhaps a brief shower or two. This year, however, the rains refused to leave. The monsoon dragged well into the first week — something Mount Abu has never experienced before. It will go down in the local chronicles as one of the most remarkable starts to October in years.
Birders like me had to make peace with overcast skies, heavy downpours, and gusty winds. The constant shifting of light made photography challenging, but nature rewarded persistence. Even in this unpredictable weather, October remained one of the most exciting months for birders — a time to witness passage migrants on their journey south and early winter visitors settling in for the season.
Birds Observed and Photographed in the First Week of October:
Each sighting felt like a reward for braving the elements — proof that even when the weather defies expectations, the rhythm of migration continues undeterred.
Stay tuned for my next update on birding during the second week of October, where I’ll focus on the various warblers that have arrived in good numbers across Mount Abu’s woodlands and valleys.
My photos were all taken at the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary.
Written and photographed by Ains.
Bird of the week.
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| Indian Blackbird - Turdus simillimus |
The Indian Blackbird, also known as the Indian Thrush, visits Mount Abu and other regions of India in the summer. It breeds in the summer and then migrates to lower elevations as winter approaches. Dropped in to say see you next season, Ains.
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| Asian Green Bee-eater - Merops orientalis |
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| Asian Green Bee-eater - Merops orientalis |
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| Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus |
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| Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata |
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| Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata Oct 2025 Mt Abu |
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| Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor |
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| Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus |
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| Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus |
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| Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea |
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| Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea Oct 2025 Mt Abu |
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| Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides |
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| Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei, winter visitor |
Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei, October 2025, Mt Abu. mp4
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| Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus |
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| Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus |
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| Little Swift - Apus affinis |
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| Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach with prey |
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| Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach |
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| Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis |
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| Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata |
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| Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis |
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis October 2025 Mt Abu..mp4
Western House-Martin, October 2025, Mt Abu. m4v
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%20Falco%20peregrinus%20%200F4A2064.jpg "Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus")
%200F4A1428.jpg "Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)")
%20Falco%20peregrinus%200F4A0180.jpg "Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus")
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