Bird Walk at Bavdhan Tekdi, Pune, Maharashtra
- Pune
- 25 October, 2026
- Rs 175 per head
- Fee collected goes entirely to the bird guide. Ataavi does not retain or profit from this amount.
About Bavdhan Tekdi
On Pune’s western edge, above Bavdhan and close to Chandni Chowk, Bavdhan Tekdi is one of the rocky hills that rise from the city into the foothills of the Sahyadris. It’s a classic Deccan hill: basalt slopes, flat-topped ridges, open grassland, thorny scrub and scattered trees, with planted patches on the lower slopes and seasonal streams in the gullies. After the monsoon the grasses grow tall and wildflowers bloom, and through winter the hills turn golden and dry. Hares, mongooses, jackals, monitor lizards and a wealth of insects live on these slopes. Pune’s hills like this one are some of the last open grasslands left in the growing city.
For birders, Bavdhan Tekdi is a grassland and raptor hotspot, especially from October to March. Eagles and kestrels ride the winds along the ridges. Larks, pipits and buntings forage in the grass, and shrikes and rollers watch from bushes and wires. Many of these birds are winter migrants from Central Asia and the Himalayas. The hill, though, is under pressure. Pune’s hills are constantly threatened by construction and road projects. Planting trees on natural grassland changes the habitat that grassland birds need, and dry-season fires, garbage dumping, encroachment and heavy foot and vehicle traffic add to the strain. Treating the tekdis as valuable grasslands rather than empty land, and protecting them from development, is key to keeping Bavdhan’s birds.
Bird Guide - Arnav Gandhe
He is a professional wildlife biologist with over 13 years of birding experience, having worked with the Wildlife Institute of India, Wildlife Conservation Trust, The Habitats Trust, and several other conservation projects. He has conducted avian surveys, biodiversity assessments, and long-term bird monitoring across India, and presented his research on urban avian diversity at the Bird India Symposium 2025.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Bavdhan Tekdi
Bavdhan Tekdi’s open ridges are made for raptors. The powerful Bonelli’s Eagle sweeps along the slopes in fast, low dashes, hunting partridges and hares. The Booted Eagle, a winter visitor, soars on broad wings, while the Common Kestrel hovers in one spot against the wind before dropping onto a lizard or grasshopper. The Indian Roller looks plain on its perch, then bursts into brilliant blue as it flies. On the dry ground, the Yellow-wattled Lapwing stands quietly, its bright yellow face wattles catching the light. The Rufous-tailed Lark, a Deccan grassland speciality, creeps among the rocks, flashing its rusty tail. Winter brings visitors from far away. Tawny Pipits run across bare patches, Tree Pipits pump their tails in the bushes, and the Gray-necked Bunting, a migrant from Central Asia, forages quietly among the stones. The Blue Rock-Thrush, glowing deep blue, perches on boulders and walls. Long-tailed and Bay-backed Shrikes watch from thorny bushes, ready to swoop on insects, and sometimes store their prey on thorns.
Bonelli’s Eagle
Booted Eagle
Common Kestrel
Indian Roller
Yellow-wattled Lapwing
Rufous-tailed Lark
Tawny Pipit
Tree Pipit
Grey-necked Bunting
Blue Rock-Thrush
Long-tailed Shrike
Bay-backed Shrike
Indian Peafowl
European Roller
Pied Cuckoo
Asian Green Bee-eater
Shikra
Black Kite
Greater Coucal
Asian Koel
- Fee collected goes entirely to the bird guide. Ataavi does not retain or profit from this amount.
