Bird Walk at Shela Godhavi Canal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Twenty participants gathered at 6:15 AM for guide Pankaj Maheria’s bird walk along the Shela Godhavi Canal in Ahmedabad, a waterway habitat that proved excellent for spotting bitterns and munias against a backdrop of reeds, open water, and quiet farmland. The excitement was evident from the start as the group explored the area, listened closely to bird calls, and watched several birds in flight before settling in to observe species more closely, discussing their nesting methods and behaviour along the canal’s edge as the morning progressed. The Red Avadavat provided one of the morning’s special moments, but the real thrill came with the sighting of a Cinnamon Bittern, whose striking colours left everyone amazed, followed soon after by a Yellow Bittern that tested the group’s observation skills thanks to its near-perfect camouflage against the reeds. When it was finally spotted, the shared sense of achievement was unmistakable across the group. Pankaj reminded everyone that the number of species seen matters less than the excitement of searching, observing, and connecting with nature, a fitting close to what was this group’s very first bird walk together and a promising start for many more sessions to come along the canal. The group wrapped up already looking forward to their next outing together, a strong sign of how well the morning had landed with newcomers to birding.