Bird Walk at Vandevi Hill, Pune, Maharashtra

About Vandevi Hill, Pune

Vandevi Hill is one of Pune’s most cherished urban biodiversity hotspots, offering a refreshing escape into nature within the city limits. Characterized by dry deciduous woodland, scrub vegetation, rocky slopes, native grasslands, and scattered plantations, the hill supports a rich diversity of birds, butterflies, reptiles, and small mammals. Seasonal flowering shrubs and fruiting trees provide food for numerous resident birds, while the elevated terrain offers panoramic views of Pune and peaceful walking trails that attract nature lovers throughout the year.

Despite being surrounded by rapid urban development, Vandevi Hill remains an important green refuge for wildlife and an excellent destination for birdwatching. Early mornings are filled with birdsong as woodland species, insectivores, raptors, and seed-eating birds become active across the landscape. Conservation of this urban forest is increasingly important as it faces pressures from encroachment, infrastructure development, invasive plant species, and recreational disturbance. Protecting Vandevi Hill helps preserve one of Pune’s last remaining natural ecosystems while providing valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Vandevi Hill

Vandevi Hill offers rewarding birdwatching with a diverse mix of woodland, scrubland, and urban-edge species. Visitors commonly encounter Greater Coucals moving through dense vegetation, Black Kites soaring overhead, and Eastern Cattle-Egrets crossing the skies. Smaller birds such as Asian Tit, Ashy Prinia, Common Tailorbird, Scaly-breasted Munia, Red-vented Bulbul, and Common Myna are abundant along the trails, while Laughing Doves and Rock Pigeons are frequently seen in open areas. The mix of rocky habitats and native trees also attracts colourful woodland birds including the Indian Paradise Flycatcher, White-cheeked Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Common Iora, Purple Sunbird, Indian Robin, and Rose-ringed Parakeet. Together, these species make Vandevi Hill one of Pune’s finest urban birding destinations, rewarding visitors with excellent sightings throughout the year.