Bird Walk at Umbarli Hills, Thane, Maharashtra
- Thane
- 22 August, 2026
- Sukhpreet Kohli
About Umbarli Hills
Umbarli Hills, located in the Thane district of Maharashtra, is a landscape of rocky hillocks, scrubland, open grass patches, seasonal streams and pockets of natural vegetation. Situated along the rapidly developing outskirts of the Thane–Dombivli region, the area presents an interesting transition between urban spaces and semi-natural habitats. The combination of elevated terrain, scattered trees, low vegetation and nearby water sources creates a variety of microhabitats that support a diverse bird community.
The hills become especially attractive for birdwatching during and after the monsoon, when seasonal streams and small water bodies hold water and the surrounding vegetation becomes greener and more productive.
These conditions attract waterbirds such as ducks, grebes, herons, egrets and waterhens, while the open scrub and grassland provide feeding grounds for lapwings, drongos, cuckoos and other insectivorous species. The rocky and wooded sections also offer suitable habitat for owls, kingfishers, parakeets and smaller passerines.
Umbarli Hills is particularly valuable as an accessible natural space within a rapidly urbanising landscape. Its mix of habitats allows birdwatchers to observe species associated with wetlands, scrub, woodland and human-dominated areas during the same walk. The area also highlights the importance of protecting remaining green spaces around Thane, which provide refuge for wildlife while offering local communities opportunities for nature observation and outdoor recreation.
Bird Guide: Sukhpreet Kohli
He is a passionate birder from Mumbai, has been exploring the city’s rich avian life for many years. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and leading engaging bird walks that connect people with nature.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Umbarli Hills
A bird walk through Umbarli Hills revealed an interesting mix of wetland, woodland and open-country birds. The Indian Spot-billed Duck was among the waterbirds recorded, along with Little Grebe, Little Cormorant, White-breasted Waterhen and Black-crowned Night Heron. The presence of Red-naped Ibis and a group of Eastern Cattle-Egrets added further variety to the wetland sightings.
The walk also produced several species associated with the surrounding vegetation and open landscape, including Greater Coucal, Pied Cuckoo, Asian Koel and Gray-bellied Cuckoo. Raptors such as Black Kite were recorded alongside a Spotted Owlet, while Common Kingfisher and White-throated Kingfisher highlighted the area’s aquatic habitats. Asian Palm Swift, Rose-ringed Parakeet and Black Drongo added to the diversity, making Umbarli Hills a rewarding birding destination with a good combination of waterbirds, raptors and resident woodland species.
Indian Peafowl
Gray Francolin
Red Collared-Dove
Spotted Dove
Laughing Dove
Asian Koel
Little Swift
Black-winged Kite
Shikra
Eurasian Hoopoe
Rose-ringed Parakeet
White-browed Fantail
Black Drongo
Common Tailorbird
Red-vented Bulbul
Yellow-eyed Babbler
Large Gray Babbler
Jungle Babbler
Indian Robin
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Summary of Walk
Umbarli Hills in Dombivli, Thane — one of the last remaining green patches in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region — hosted a walk for 7 participants led by guide Sukhpreet Kohli. The walk kicked off under a light drizzle and delivered an outstanding 38 species by its end, making it one of the richest walks of the week.
An adult Wire-tailed Swallow greeted the group near the main pond, setting the tone for a walk full of drama and colour: a Jungle Babbler chasing a female Asian Koel, Chestnut-tailed Starlings watching from above, and the elusive calls of Painted Francolins playing hide-and-seek with the group. The undisputed highlight was a male Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, its crimson crown gleaming as it hammered at bark in dead silence before the group. A Purple Heron spearing a fish and a bold juvenile Wire-tailed Swallow posing for cameras for 20 minutes closed out an unforgettable morning that underscored the importance of protecting Mumbai’s remaining green spaces.
Number of Participants
0
