Bird Walk at Manda Track, Jammu

Manda Track near Jammu offers a pleasant birding experience through a varied landscape of open scrub, vegetation, woodland patches and cultivated areas. This habitat mosaic supports a mix of resident birds and species that favour open country, with Ashy Prinia, Plain Prinia, Common Tailorbird, Red-vented Bulbul and Scaly-breasted Munia frequently associated with the grassy and shrubby sections. The track is also a good place to look for colourful species such as Purple Sunbird, Asian Green Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater and White-throated Kingfisher. Larger birds including Rufous Treepie, Indian Grey Hornbill, Brown-headed Barbet and Greater Coucal add variety to the woodland and tree-lined stretches, while Baya Weaver can be associated with suitable grassland and nesting areas. The open sections of Manda Track provide opportunities to observe species such as Brown Rock Chat, White Wagtail and Red-wattled Lapwing, while Black Drongo and Ashy Drongo can often be seen scanning open areas for insects. More familiar urban and semi-urban species, including House Crow, Common Myna, Rock Pigeon and Spotted Dove, are also part of the landscape. The presence of Rose-ringed Parakeet and Asian Koel adds to the diversity of tree-dwelling birds. The combination of scrub, trees, open ground and nearby human-modified habitats makes Manda Track useful for observing how birds adapt to different environments. Early mornings are particularly rewarding for birdwatching, when activity and vocalisations are at their highest.