Bird Walk at Dumna Nature Park, Jabalpur, MP
- Jabalpur
- 10 October, 2026
- Siddharth Dixit
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
Twenty-two nature lovers joined guide Siddharth Dixit at Dumna Nature Reserve in Jabalpur on 10 October for a morning among the trees, trails and open spaces of one of the city’s most cherished green retreats. Dumna’s mix of forest, scrub and water gives birders a wide range of habitats within a short stretch, and the group made the most of it, recording 25 species during the walk. One of the stars of the morning was the Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, a delicate songbird with a soft blue back and a warm orange breast that flits through the shade of the understorey. The Red Junglefowl was another favourite, a reminder that the wild ancestor of the domestic chicken still roams these forests, and the sight of its rich plumage drew admiring glances from everyone. Around them, the calls of babblers, bulbuls and other resident birds filled the air, and the group enjoyed learning to match each song to a species. Siddharth guided the walk with warmth and clear explanations, helping newcomers learn how to use binoculars, spot movement in the foliage and listen carefully for calls. With so many participants, there were plenty of pairs of eyes on the trail, and each find was shared with excitement. The walk was a lovely blend of learning and wonder, giving participants a deeper appreciation of the biodiversity that lives in the heart of Jabalpur. Many left with new species on their lists and a firm resolve to return, binoculars in hand, and a few new friends who share their passion for birds.
Number of Participants
0
