Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi, Pune

About Vetal Tekdi

Vetal Tekdi in Pune, Maharashtra, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees, shrubs and herbaceous flora, alongside some exotic plantations, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders.

Despite its natural charm, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species, shrubs, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Vetal Tekdi

Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands, scrub, wooded slopes, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck, Eurasian Moorhen, Little and Great Cormorants, Indian Pond Heron, Little Egret, and Common Sandpiper, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing, Laughing Dove, Spotted Dove, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite, Black-winged Kite, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters, Asian Koel, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine, Rose-ringed, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity, packed into a single hill complex, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city.

Summary of Walk

On 1 August, a bird walk was organized at Vetal Tekdi in the ARAI Hills area of Pune, guided by Kamlakar Bhopatkar. Twenty-three participants took part, including several first-timers, a biodiversity student, and a few children, making for a lively and diverse group. The walk began with the calls of Asian Tits and Oriental White-eyes welcoming the group to the lush green hillside, which was also home to mushrooms, frogs, and butterflies alongside its birdlife. In total, 25 species were recorded, with the Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Plain Prinia, and Spot-billed Duck standing out as highlights. Along the trail, participants also spotted Indian Peafowl and Greater Coucal, while a nearby quarry yielded sightings of Cormorants, Spot-billed Ducks, and Laughing Doves. Beyond birding, the guide added fun educational activities, including identifying birds from images through guided searches and an icebreaker challenge to name brands or products featuring bird logos. The combination of rich sightings, scenic surroundings, and interactive learning left participants with a strong sense of accomplishment and new skills to carry into future birding trips.

Number of Participants

Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi, Pune

About Vetal Tekdi

Bird Guide - Kamlakar Bhopatkar

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Vetal Tekdi

Indian Spot-billed Duck

Indian Peafowl

Spotted Dove

Asian Koel

Asian Palm Swift

Red-wattled Lapwing

Common Sandpiper

Little Egret

Eurasian Moorhen

Indian Pond Heron

Black Kite

Spotted Owlet

Asian Green Bee-eater

Alexandrine Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Plum-headed Parakeet

Black Drongo

Red-vented Bulbul

Greater Coucal

Common Myna

Summary of Walk

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