Bird Walk at Dumna Nature Park, Jabalpur, MP
- Jabalpur
- 24 January, 2026
- Siddharth Dixit and MP Tourism
About Dumna Nature Park
Dumna Nature Park, located about 10 km from Jabalpur city, is a sprawling green haven spread across nearly 1,800 acres (around 1,058 hectares) on a scenic plateau of the Vindhyan range. Originally protected as a catchment for the historic Khandari Dam, the park today represents an important remnant of dry deciduous forest within an expanding urban landscape. Its varied habitats—wooded slopes, open grasslands, rocky outcrops and serene wetlands—support rich flora typical of central India, including native trees, shrubs, climbers and seasonal wildflowers. This diversity creates an immersive nature experience, making Dumna a popular escape for walkers, cyclists and nature enthusiasts seeking quiet wilderness close to the city.
The park is equally renowned for its fauna, with healthy populations of chital, barking deer, jackals, wild boar and leopards, along with reptiles such as crocodiles in the reservoir areas. For birdwatchers, Dumna is a true delight: over 300 species of birds, including resident forest birds, waterbirds and migratory visitors, have been recorded here, making it one of the finest birding destinations in the region. Despite its ecological value, Dumna faces growing conservation challenges from urban expansion, infrastructure development and proposals that could increase human pressure on its core habitats. Protecting this fragile ecosystem requires thoughtful planning, habitat-sensitive management and strong public support to ensure that Dumna Nature Park continues to thrive as Jabalpur’s living green heart.
Bird Guide: Siddharth Dixit
He is a wildlife biologist based in Madhya Pradesh with hands-on experience working with snakes and a deep passion for birding. He is currently engaged in research and fieldwork on wild elephants, bringing over 1.5 years of dedicated experience to understanding and conserving India’s megafauna.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Dumna Nature Park
Dumna Nature Park is a vibrant birding hotspot, with an impressive checklist of 271 recorded bird species that reflects the richness of its forests and wetlands. Iconic residents like the Indian Peafowl add colour to woodland clearings, while wetlands attract elegant waterbirds such as Painted Stork, Openbill Stork, Indian Cormorant and the acrobatic Pied Kingfisher. Raptors rule the skies, from agile hunters like the Shikra to majestic species such as the Short-toed Snake Eagle, White-eyed Buzzard and Oriental Honey Buzzard. Forest trails echo with the calls of the Coppersmith Barbet, Common Iora and Indian White-eye, while flashes of colour come from the Indian Roller, Black-hooded Oriole, Racket-tailed Drongo and Plum-headed Parakeet. Winter and passage migrants like the Orange-headed Thrush, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher and Red-breasted Flycatcher add seasonal excitement, alongside striking residents such as the Black-rumped Flameback, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon and the elusive Jungle Owlet. Together, these birds make Dumna a year-round paradise for birdwatchers, photographers and anyone who enjoys the music of the wild.
Indian Peafowl
Painted Stork
Shikra
Black Drongo
Indian Roller
Coppersmith Barbet
Plum-headed Parakeet
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher
Eurasian-collared Dove
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Pied Kingfisher
Indian White Eye
Common Iora
Black Hooded Oriole
Greater Racket - tailed Drongo
Indian Cormorant
Oriental Honey Buzzard
Red-wattled Lapwing
Asian Koel
Summary of Walk
A bird walk was conducted at Dumna Nature Park, Jabalpur, led by Siddharth Dixit in collaboration with MP Tourism, with a group of 24 participants. The walk turned out to be a pleasant and enriching experience, made even better by the diverse mix of participants that included college students as well as senior working professionals. The enthusiasm and curiosity of the group created a lively atmosphere, encouraging discussion and shared learning throughout the trail.
During the walk, around 20 bird species were clearly spotted, while mixed calls of a few additional species were also heard. Noteworthy sightings included a large flock of Lesser Whistling Ducks, an Openbill Stork, and a Black-shouldered Kite seen hovering gracefully overhead. Adding to the excitement, three crocodiles were observed basking along the water’s edge, sharing the habitat with birds such as Cormorants, Black-winged Stilts, and Lesser Whistling Ducks. Overall, the walk offered a rewarding glimpse into the rich biodiversity of Dumna Nature Park and was a memorable experience for all participants.
Number of Participants
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