Bird Walk at Green Sunrise Hill, Pune, Maharashtra
- Pune
- 29 August, 2026
- Kamlakar Bhopatkar
About Green Sunrise Hill
Tucked away on the outskirts of Green Sunrise Hill, this scenic hillscape unfolds as a tranquil escape from the city’s fast-paced rhythm. Characterised by open grasslands, rugged rocky patches, and clusters of hardy native trees, the hill supports a dynamic and resilient ecosystem. During the monsoon, the slopes transform into a vibrant mosaic of wildflowers and fresh greenery, while in the drier months, sun-baked grasses and shrubs continue to sustain a web of life. This mosaic of habitats provides shelter and food for insects, reptiles, and small mammals, making it an ecologically significant green pocket within an increasingly urbanised region.
For birding enthusiasts, Green Sunrise Hill offers an immersive experience where the boundary between urban and wild blurs beautifully. Early mornings are particularly rewarding, with raptors like kites riding thermals above, while bulbuls, prinias, and bee-eaters animate the shrub layer with movement and calls. The hill’s relatively undisturbed patches make it ideal for observing both common and slightly elusive species in a natural setting. However, like many such urban biodiversity hotspots, it faces mounting pressures from expanding infrastructure, habitat fragmentation, and littering. Protecting and preserving spaces like Green Sunrise Hill is crucial—not only for conserving biodiversity but also for ensuring that future generations continue to experience the quiet magic of nature within city limits.
Bird Guide - Kamlakar Bhopatkar
An ex-educationist in Computer Science with 20+ years of teaching experience and an amateur birder(eBird count - 375+) who is on a mission to share the joy of birding.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Green Sunrise Hill
A vibrant mix of woodland specialists and urban-adapted species, this checklist captures the dynamic birdlife of the landscape. The majestic Indian Peafowl, with its striking presence and calls, adds a touch of wilderness to the habitat, often seen moving gracefully through open patches. The secretive Greater Coucal slips through dense vegetation, while the melodic notes of the Asian Koel and the persistent calls of the Common Hawk-Cuckoo echo across the area. Open grounds are brought to life by Red-Wattled Lapwings, while raptors like the agile Shikra and soaring Black Kites dominate the skies above.
Adding bursts of colour and activity are species like the vivid Asian Green Bee-Eater, the electric-blue White-Throated Kingfisher, and the rhythmic Coppersmith Barbet. Social birds such as House Crows, Common Mynas, and Large Gray Babblers create a lively atmosphere, while smaller species like Indian White-Eyes, Ashy Prinias, and Common Tailorbirds quietly animate the shrubbery. Together, these birds paint a rich and balanced picture of biodiversity, making the space both engaging for beginners and rewarding for keen birders.
Greater Coucal
Asian Koel
Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Red-Wattled Lapwing
Shikra
Black Kite
Asian Green Bee-Eater
White-Throated Kingfisher
Coppersmith Barbet
Rose-Ringed Parakeet
Small Minivet
Indian Peafowl
Asian Tit
Common Tailorbird
Ashy Prinia
Red-Whiskered Bulbul
Red-Vented Bulbul
Indian White-Eye
Large Grey Babbler
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Summary of Walk
Guided by Kamlakar Bhopatkar, five participants joined the first-ever Ataavi bird trail at Green Sunrise Hills in Wagholi, Pune, part of the Ataavi Birding Bharat initiative. Once barren land, this spot has been transformed since 2016 into a flourishing ecological hotspot through numerous community plantation drives, and has recently been recognised as an eBird hotspot thanks to Kamlakar’s efforts. The walk began with a fun ice-breaker activity, where participants used the Ataavi app and a bit of research to correctly identify a bird from a sample image, testing their identification skills before setting off.
The group recorded 29 species during the walk, with Plum-headed Parakeets, Common Kingfisher and Small Minivets among the highlights. Other notable sightings included Indian White-eye, Eurasian Collared Dove, Scaly-breasted Munia carrying nesting material, and Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher. The most impressive moments of the morning were watching an Asian Tit fledgling requesting food from its parent, and a pair of Plum-headed Parakeets engaged in a lively courtship display. Many participants, though not very familiar with Pune’s birdlife, were delighted to spot several lifers, making this inaugural trail to Green Sunrise Hills a wonderfully rewarding introduction to the area’s growing biodiversity.
Number of Participants
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