Bird Walk at Princep Ghat Hoogly River Front Kolkata
- Kokata
- 25 October, 2025
- Tirthankar Roy Chowdhury
About Princep Ghat Hoogly River Front
Princep Ghat on the banks of the Hooghly River in Kolkata is an urban riverfront habitat — a stretch of riverine water, riparian strips, and adjoining built and green urban areas. Birds here include riverine species (kingfishers, river terns, cormorants, egrets, gulls), migratory waterfowl in winter, and urban edge species (pigeons, mynas, warblers). The stretch may not be deep forest, but it has significance as an urban green-water interface.
Threats are heavy pollution of the river, disturbance (boats, riverside traffic), light and noise pollution, bank erosion, loss of riparian vegetation, and solid waste dumping. Conservation could involve cleaning river water, planting riparian vegetation, creating bird-friendly embankments, controlling disturbance especially during migration, and educating the public to value the riverfront as a biodiversity zone within the city.
Partnered with
Bird Guide: Tirthankar Roy Chowdhury
By profession he is an IT Engineer, at heart a nature enthusiast. He finds joy in observing life in all its forms- from tiny fungi to soaring birds. He lead nature walks that welcome everyone, inspiring children, underpriviledged and specially abled to discover the wonder of nature.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Princep Ghat
At the Princep Ghat stretch of the Hooghly riverfront, common riverine/waterbird species frequently recorded on eBird in the Kolkata / Hooghly corridor include Little Cormorant, Oriental Darter, River Tern, Black-headed Ibis, Indian Pond Heron, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Black Kite (scavenger over water), Rock Pigeon, White-throated Munia, Bank Myna, Red-vented Bulbul, Spotted Dove, Asian Koel, Barn Swallow, Pied Bush Chat, Scaly-breasted Munia, Eastern Kingbird (in migration), and River Lapwing in shallow banks.
In winter, migratory ducks or shorebirds may appear along sandbanks, and species like Great Egret, Spot-billed Pelican, and Openbill may also be seen upstream.
Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon
Black-rumped Flameback
Indian Pond Heron
Common Myna
Black Kite
Black-hooded Oriole
Red-vented Bulbul
Eurasian Moorhen
Eastern Cattle Egret
Coppersmith Barbet
Alexandrine Parakeet
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Asian Green Bee-eater
Black Drongo
House Crow
Asian Koel
White-throated Kingfisher
Black-crowned Night Heron
Purple Sunbird
Spotted Owlet
Summary of Walk
The bird walk at Prinsep Ghat, led by Tirthankar, witnessed an enthusiastic participation of 20 bird lovers, including several first-time birders. The group recorded over 30 bird species, with highlights such as the Taiga Flycatcher and Black-hooded Oriole. The serene riverside setting and the early morning atmosphere made the experience both refreshing and engaging for all participants.
The guided session offered valuable insights into bird identification, behavior, and the significance of birdwatching as a tool for conservation. Beginners especially appreciated the hands-on approach, which helped them develop a deeper connection with nature and understand the vital role of birds in maintaining ecological balance. The walk served as a wonderful introduction to the world of birds and inspired many to continue exploring the joys of birding.
Number of Participants
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