Bird Walk at Hingonia Catchment Area, Mehlan Bagry, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Name: Bird Walk at Hingonia Catchment Area, Mehlan Bagry, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Start: 2026-01-18T07:30:00+05:30
End: 2026-01-18T21:30:00+05:30

About Hingonia Catchment Area

The Hingonia Catchment Area, including the Mehlan Bagry landscape around the Hingonia Dam, sits at the heart of an intriguing mosaic of freshwater, grassland and scrub habitats in eastern Rajasthan. Although this region is shaped primarily by the dam’s catchment and seasonal water flows rather than dense forest, it supports a remarkable blend of aquatic plants, reed beds, scrub vegetation and open grasslands that come alive with wildlife, especially in the post-monsoon months. These varied habitats create rich feeding and resting grounds for birds, amphibians and small mammals, and offer a snapshot of how water and dryland ecosystems intersect across the semi-arid plains of the state.

For nature lovers and birdwatchers, the Hingonia catchment is particularly rewarding as wetland fringes and shallow pools attract a variety of resident and migratory waterbirds, alongside more typical scrub and grassland species found throughout Rajasthan. Observers often spot ducks, herons, waders and other wetland visitors in wetter seasons, while open lands and scrub beckon insectivores and small passerines. However, this ecological tapestry faces mounting pressures from encroachment, unregulated construction, waste deposition and changes to the natural flow of streams and rivers, which can disrupt habitat quality and water availability. Recent interventions by authorities to survey and address encroachments underscore the need for balanced land-use planning, habitat protection and sustainable practices to ensure that the Hingonia catchment remains a thriving refuge for both wildlife and local communities.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Hingonia Catchment Area

The Hingonia Catchment Area is a significant birding landscape, with an impressive 370 bird species recorded, reflecting the richness of its wetlands, grasslands and scrub habitats. Seasonal waterbodies attract large and charismatic waterbirds such as the Bar-headed Goose and Graylag Goose, alongside wetland specialists including Knob-billed Duck, Northern Shoveler, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Green-winged Teal and Common Pochard. Marshy edges and reed-filled shallows support species like Eurasian Moorhen, Eurasian Coot and Gray-headed Swamphen, while the surrounding dry scrub and agricultural land host birds such as Gray Francolin, Red Collared-Dove, Spotted Dove, Laughing Dove and the nocturnal Savanna Nightjar. Even urban-tolerant species like the Rock Pigeon form part of this diverse avian community, making Hingonia a fascinating site where migratory waterfowl and hardy resident birds come together in a dynamic semi-arid landscape.