Bird Walk at Ayurvan’s Aura Farm, Kathalabodi, Nagpur, Maharashtra

The guided bird walk at Aura Conservation Park brought together 22 participants representing a wonderful mix of youngsters, photographers, working professionals, and senior citizens. The group travelled together to the park, a unique conservation farm dedicated to protecting rare and endangered species of native plants and trees. The morning began with a lively icebreaker where participants introduced one another, creating a welcoming atmosphere before setting off on the birding trail. Over the next one and a half hours, participants explored the property’s rich habitats while learning about bird identification, behaviour, and the close relationship between healthy forests and thriving bird populations. The walk concluded with breakfast and enthusiastic conversations, with many participants choosing to stay longer because they enjoyed the location so much. A total of 34 bird species were recorded during the outing. The highlights included sightings of the colourful Indian Roller, the elusive Indian Pitta, and flocks of Scaly-breasted Munias, each adding excitement to the morning’s observations. The combination of native vegetation and well-protected habitats makes Aura Conservation Park an important sanctuary for birds and other wildlife. Beyond birdwatching, participants also gained a deeper understanding of the importance of habitat restoration and plant conservation in supporting biodiversity. The walk beautifully demonstrated how conserving native ecosystems benefits both wildlife and people while encouraging participants to become stronger advocates for nature conservation.