Bird walk at Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West (BPS), Mumbai, Maharashtra

  • Mumbai
  • 17 January, 2026
  • Sukhpreet Kohli

About Bhandup West - Bird Watching Area

The Bird Watching Area at Bhandup West, nestled along the Eastern Express Highway in Mumbai, is much more than a piece of urban infrastructure — it’s a surprising biodiversity hub in the heart of one of India’s busiest cities. The area around the pumping station includes a mosaic of wetlands, salt pans, grassland, mangroves and scrubland that fringe the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary eco-sensitive zone, creating a variety of micro-habitats that support rich life even within the urban sprawl. These habitats attract a dazzling array of bird species, from resident favourites like Indian Pond Herons, Oriental Magpie-Robins and Purple Sunbirds, to migratory waders and waterfowl such as Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Garganey Ducks, Avocets and Spoonbills during the cooler months — making it a popular spot for birdwatchers and nature lovers year-round. Enthusiasts have documented scores of bird species and even occasional sightings of raptors like marsh harriers, demonstrating how urban wetlands can be vital refuges for wildlife amidst concrete and highways.
Despite its ecological value and growing recognition as a birding hotspot, Bhandup Pumping Station faces pressing conservation challenges. Rapid urbanisation, habitat encroachment, sedimentation and changes in water flow threaten the delicate balance of its wetland and mangrove systems, with studies showing a significant reduction in mudflat areas that many birds depend on for feeding and resting. Conservationists and experts stress the need for careful habitat management, regulated eco-tourism and carrying capacity planning to protect this biodiverse landscape from disturbance and degradation. Recent proposals to develop a bird park aim to raise awareness and provide structured access for visitors so this rare green refuge continues to support wildlife while inspiring conservation in the heart of Mumbai.

Partnered with

Bird Guide - Sukhpreet Kohli

Sukhpreet Kohli, 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 Bhandup West - Bird Watching Area

Bhandup Pumping Station is a paradise for birdwatchers and a powerful example of how nature survives alongside a megacity, with an extraordinary 285 bird species recorded within its urban wetlands. A walk through the area reveals flashes of colour from Blue-tailed and Asian Green Bee-eaters, swirling flocks of Rosy and Pied Starlings, and the elegant silhouettes of Glossy Ibis probing the mudflats. The waterbodies teem with life as Little and Great Egrets, Indian Cormorants, Pond Herons, White-breasted Waterhens, Black-winged Stilts and Common Sandpipers feed along the edges, while River Terns and winter visitors like the Brown-headed Gull add seasonal excitement. Grasslands and scrub echo with calls of the Red-wattled Lapwing, Greater Coucal and Common Hoopoe, and overhead, Wire-tailed Swallows skim the water as Baya Weavers weave their intricate nests. Together, these everyday yet fascinating birds turn Bhandup Pumping Station into a living outdoor classroom, showcasing the richness and resilience of urban biodiversity.

Asian Green Bee-eater
Asian Palm Swift
Asian Pied Starling
Glossy Ibis
Wire-tailed Swallow
Common Sandpiper

Garganey
Great Egret
Indian Cormorant
Common Hoopoe
Baya Weaver
Black-winged Stilt
Pond Heron
Spotted Dove
Greater Coucal
White-breasted Waterhen
River Tern
Red-wattled Lapwing
Indian Roller
House Sparrow

Summary of Walk

A bird walk was conducted at the Bhandup West Bird Watching Area (Bhandup Pumping Station), Mumbai, led by Sukhpreet Kohli, with 11 participants. The walk began with a warm welcome from a flock of Painted Storks, along with Great and Medium Egrets, while Jungle Crows perched on nearby palm fronds. As the group crossed a bamboo bridge, species such as the Wood Sandpiper, White-breasted Waterhen, White-throated Kingfisher, and a striking Common Kingfisher were observed. Moving through forested patches and grasslands, highlights included an Indian Golden Oriole in flight, Red-vented and Red-whiskered Bulbuls, Baya Weavers, Long-tailed Shrikes, Plain Prinia, soaring Black Kites, a stealthy Greater Coucal, and Cattle Egrets following movement in the grass.

The group then visited a bird hide overlooking the wetland, where a beautiful assemblage of Northern Shovelers, Purple Herons, Little Cormorants, and more egrets was seen, along with an Indian Pond Heron patiently hunting along the water’s edge. Further into the mangroves, an Indian Cormorant was spotted sunbathing, and the return walk produced sightings of a migratory Siberian Stonechat, Rose-ringed Parakeets, and Yellow-eyed Babblers, ending fittingly with a Painted Stork foraging in a pond. In total, 50+ bird species were recorded. Beyond the sightings, the true highlight was the enthusiasm and growing confidence of the participants, who actively asked questions, enjoyed fun trivia, and successfully applied new identification skills—making the walk both educational and highly energizing, and leaving everyone excited for the next outing.
Number of Participants
0
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ATAAVI Bird Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between people and the avian diversity of India. Through advocacy, education and conservation efforts, we strive to increase awareness and appreciation for birds across communities.

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