Bird Walk at Umbarli Hills, Thane, Maharashtra

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 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.