Bird walk at Pashan-Baner hill, Pune, Maharashtra

  • Pune
  • 9 August, 2026
  • Arjit Jere and Arnav Gandhe

About Pashan–Baner Hill

Pashan–Baner Hill is one of Pune’s most cherished urban biodiversity hotspots, offering an extensive network of trails through dry deciduous woodland, rocky hill slopes, scrub forests, and seasonal grasslands. Located between the suburbs of Pashan and Baner, the hill provides panoramic views of the city while serving as an important refuge for wildlife amidst rapid urbanization. Native vegetation, scattered trees, seasonal streams, and nearby wetlands together create a mosaic of habitats that support a remarkable variety of birds throughout the year. The hill is especially vibrant during the monsoon and winter months, when breeding activity and migratory arrivals significantly increase bird diversity.

The hill is popular among birdwatchers, photographers, runners, and nature enthusiasts owing to its easy accessibility and peaceful atmosphere. Early mornings are filled with birdsong, while soaring raptors and colourful woodland species can often be observed throughout the day. Combined with the nearby Pashan Lake, the landscape offers excellent opportunities to encounter both terrestrial and wetland birds, making Pashan–Baner Hill one of Pune’s premier birdwatching destinations. The hill is a good example of citizen led local conservation, and has a biodiversity park in which locals have planted native trees and made water baths for birds.

Bird Guide - Arnav Gandhe

He is a professional wildlife biologist with over 13 years of birding experience, having worked with the Wildlife Institute of India, Wildlife Conservation Trust, The Habitats Trust, and several other conservation projects. He has conducted avian surveys, biodiversity assessments, and long-term bird monitoring across India, and presented his research on urban avian diversity at the Bird India Symposium 2025.

Bird Guide - Arjit Jere

An animal ecologist turned nature educator from Pune. He has been birding for research and education since half a decade. He enjoys engaging with public through these colorful marvels through bird walks.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Pashan–Baner Hill

A morning out in nature unfolds like a living symphony when these birds take center stage. From the cheerful chatter of the Indian White-eye moving through leafy canopies to the graceful stride of the Eurasian Moorhen along quiet wetlands, every corner feels alive. The sharp calls of the Red-wattled Lapwing echo across open grounds, while the elegant Grey Heron stands poised like a sentinel by the water’s edge. Urban spaces hum with familiar companions like the Common Myna, while flashes of color come alive with the shimmering Purple Sunbird and the energetic Ashy Prinia. Near water bodies, the electric blue dive of the Common Kingfisher and the bold presence of the White-throated Kingfisher add excitement, as raptors like the Black Kite glide effortlessly overhead. Melodious notes of the Oriental Magpie Robin mix with the assertive calls of the Black Drongo, while the sky comes alive with swift flyers like the Little Swift and the Eastern Red-rumped Swallow. Bright flashes of green and gold from the Asian Green Bee-eater and the vivid hues of the Small Minivet bring a painter’s palette to life. Ground dwellers like the Laughing Dove and water-loving species such as the White-breasted Waterhen, Pond Heron, Little Egret, and the striking Purple Heron complete this vibrant tapestry—making every bird walk a journey through color, sound, and life.
Crested Bunting
Indian Golden Oriole
Oriental Honey-buzzard
White-eyed Buzzard
Bonelli's Eagle
Plum-headed Parakeet

Eurasian Hoopoe
Tricoloured Munia
Eurasian Moorhen
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Gray-bellied Cuckoo
Barred Buttonquail
Rufous Treepie
Asian Green Bee-eater
Common Iora
Black Drongo
Black Drongo
Common Iora
Ashy Prinia
Oriental Magpie-Robin

Summary of Walk

On 9th August 2026, a bird walk was held on Pashan-Baner Hill, Pune, jointly guided by Arnav Gandhe and Arjit Jere, with 15 participants joining the early morning session. The walk began around 7:30 am, and right from the very first stretch, the group had an unexpected and rare sighting of a Gull-billed Tern, a highly unlikely species to encounter on a hill trail, setting an exciting tone from the outset. The group continued through man-made plantations offering good diversity of forest birds tucked within the emerald canopy. Smaller species such as the Jungle Prinia, Plain Prinia, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, White-eye and various sunbirds were spotted along the trail, while a pair of Rufous Treepies was seen on the connecting Baner side of the hill. The group was also welcomed by pairs of Tickell’s Blue Flycatchers flitting through the canopy. Towards the end of the walk came the most cherished moment: a Rock Eagle-Owl, which made for an overwhelming and priceless finish to the outing. Participants thoroughly enjoyed exploring this lesser-known stretch of the hill, learning about the urban forest’s biodiversity and the value of protecting such spaces within the city.
Number of Participants
0
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ATAAVI Bird Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between people and the avian diversity of India. Through advocacy, education and conservation efforts, we strive to increase awareness and appreciation for birds across communities.

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