Bird Race at Gorewada Nature Trail, Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Nagpur
- 6 September, 2026
- Devansh, Nayanika and Ajinkya
About Gorewada Biopark Lake Trail
Set within the expansive green landscape of Gorewada Biopark, the Gorewada Lake Trail offers a refreshing escape into central India’s dry deciduous wilderness. The trail winds along the serene Gorewada Lake, surrounded by a mosaic of forest patches, scrubland, and open clearings that support a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Native trees like teak, tendu, and bamboo form the backbone of this ecosystem, while the waterbody sustains fish, amphibians, and a variety of insects. This blend of aquatic and terrestrial habitats creates a dynamic environment where wildlife thrives, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and explorers.
For birders, the Gorewada Lake Trail is a rewarding hotspot, offering a mix of waterbirds, forest species, and raptors. Early mornings are especially vibrant, with calls echoing through the trees and birds actively foraging along the water’s edge. From kingfishers and herons near the lake to drongos, flycatchers, and barbets in the forest, the diversity keeps every walk engaging. However, increasing visitor pressure, habitat disturbance, and urban expansion around Nagpur pose challenges to this fragile ecosystem. Conserving such spaces through responsible tourism, habitat management, and awareness is essential to ensure that Gorewada continues to serve as both a biodiversity refuge and a vital green lung for the city.
About Bird Race and Rules
Rules
1. One species scores only once per team. Seeing the same species again does not generate another 5/10/15 points.
2. Counts must be actual estimates, not simply writing “many.” Allow exact counts or defensible estimates such as ~30.
3. Behaviour must be meaningful. Entries such as feeding, preening, courtship, territorial calling, hunting, nesting, mobbing, soaring, etc. qualify. Simply writing “flying” or “sitting” for every species shouldn’t automatically earn behaviour points.
4. Rare sightings must be verified. Ideally require a photograph, audio recording, or confirmation by an appointed race marshal/expert. This prevents the +10 bonus becoming contentious.
5. Misidentification = no points for that species. I’d go further: a demonstrably false/unsupported rare-bird claim should carry a −10 point penalty to discourage guessing.
6. The 20-point Ataavi bonus is all-or-nothing: every registered member of the team must make and submit their checklist through the Ataavi App.
7. In case of a tie, I’d use highest number of correctly identified species → highest number of behaviour records → highest number of rare species → earliest valid checklist submission as sequential tie-breakers.
Bird Guide: Devansh Agarwal
He has been passionate about birdwatching and wildlife photography since his teenage years, a journey that began alongside his father. More than 10 years later, he continues to explore nature with him every weekend, strengthening both his connection to wildlife and his appreciation for the outdoors. His long-standing passion is reflected in his dedication to observing, documenting, and sharing the beauty of birds and their habitats.
Bird Guide: Ajinkya Dharaskar
10 years of Birding experience as a birder and photographer.
Bird Guide: Nayanika Bhatia
Nayanika Bhatia is a certified nature guide and founder of Nagpur Nature Trails, with 4 years of experience and over 100 guided walks across India’s forests,known for her keen eye for birds and the stories they carry.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Gorewada Biopark Lake Trail
The birdlife along the Gorewada Lake Trail creates a lively blend of forest and wetland activity, making every walk a rewarding experience. In the trees and scrub, familiar yet charismatic species like the Red-vented Bulbul, Ashy Prinia, and Common Tailorbird keep the surroundings buzzing with movement and calls. The vibrant Coppersmith Barbet and Small Minivet add flashes of colour, while the watchful Black Drongo perches prominently, ever ready to dart after insects. Larger, more striking species like the Indian Peafowl and the elegant Yellow-footed Green Pigeon bring a sense of grandeur to the forested edges.
Closer to the water, the trail reveals a rich wetland community. Birds like the Indian Spot-billed Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, and Little Cormorant glide across the lake, while species such as the Grey-headed Swamphen and Little Grebe move gracefully through aquatic vegetation. The striking Purple Heron and Asian Openbill Stork add elegance to the scene, while flashes of blue from the White-throated Kingfisher brighten the shoreline. Together, these species create a dynamic birding landscape where forest and water meet, offering something exciting at every turn.
Red-vented Bulbul
Ashy Prinia
Common Tailorbird
Black Drongo
Coppersmith Barbet
Small Minivet
White-throated Kingfisher
Indian Peafowl
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Plum-headed Parakeet
Little Cormorant
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Cotton Pygmy Goose
Grey-headed Swamphen
Purple Heron
Asian Openbill Stork
Little Grebe
Lesser Whistling-Duck
Laughing Dove
Spotted Dove
Summary of Walk
The 6 September 2026 walk at Gorewada Nature Trail in Nagpur was framed as Ataavi’s first-ever bird race, a fun and first-of-its-kind format that brought together 23 participants of all age groups under the guidance of Devansh Agarwal. The competitive, collaborative energy of the race format made for an especially lively and memorable morning, with teams comparing notes as they moved along the trail through Gorewada’s varied woodland and open patches. The group recorded 33 species along the way, a strong result for the format’s debut outing. The trail’s mix of woodland and open meadow gave every team fresh ground to search, keeping the energy high from start to finish.
Standout sightings included the elegant Paradise Flycatcher, the well-camouflaged Thick-billed Flowerpecker, and a bright Yellow-footed Green Pigeon. The counting moment at the end of the race was a particular highlight, with participants of every age eagerly comparing notes and celebrating the group’s collective tally together. Devansh’s guidance throughout kept the race both educational and fun, and the format proved such a hit that it set a strong precedent for future Ataavi walks at Gorewada Nature Trail and beyond. Participants of all ages said the race format made the morning far more interactive than a typical walk, and many hoped to see it repeated at other locations soon. The friendly competition brought out enthusiastic birders in even the most reluctant beginners.
Number of Participants
0
