BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ataavi - ECPv6.12.0.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ataavi.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ataavi REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Asia/Kolkata BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0530 TZOFFSETTO:+0530 TZNAME:IST DTSTART:20260101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T083000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260403T110042Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T064150Z UID:10990-1775975400-1775982600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at CG City Ekana Wetlands\, Lucknow\, UP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-ekana-wetlands-lucknow-up-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/f-6-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T083000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260403T084602Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T055421Z UID:10843-1775975400-1775982600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Hessarghata Lake\, Bangalore\, Karnataka DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-hessarghata-lake-bangalore-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG_9984-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T061500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T081500 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260406T092052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260419T105739Z UID:11117-1775974500-1775981700@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Kaliyasota Dam View Point\, Bhopal\, MP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-kaliyasota-dam-view-point-bhopal-mp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG-20260413-WA0121-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T080000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260406T101211Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T151311Z UID:11128-1775973600-1775980800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Downstream of Gandhisagar Dam\, Mandsaur\, MP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-gandhisagar-dam-mandsaur-mp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG20260412090615-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T080000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260406T080924Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260419T104923Z UID:11078-1775973600-1775980800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Barwala Bird Sanctuary\, Panchkula\, Haryana DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-barwala-bs-panchkula-haryana/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG_1295-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T080000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260403T131011Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T145912Z UID:11050-1775973600-1775980800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Sarmoli Village\, Munsiyari\, Uttarakhand DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-sarmoli-village-munsiyari-uk/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG-20260412-WA0006.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T080000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260403T105459Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T065514Z UID:10982-1775973600-1775980800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Kopra Jalashay\, Ramsar Site\, Chhattisgarh DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-kopra-jalashay-ramsar-site-chhattisgarh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WhatsApp-Image-2026-04-12-at-1.41.16-PM.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T080000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260403T100734Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T063102Z UID:10895-1775973600-1775980800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Anantapura National Park\, Anantapura\, Andhra Pradesh DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-anantapura-national-park-anantapura-andhra-pradesh2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/f-5-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T080000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260403T083531Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T051833Z UID:10837-1775973600-1775980800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Gorewada Biopark Lake Trail\, Nagpur\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-gorewada-biopark-lake-trail-nagpur-maharashtra2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/f-3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T080000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260403T081135Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T102012Z UID:10832-1775973600-1775980800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Fishing Lake\, Asika\, Odisha DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-fishing-lake-asika-odisha-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG-20260412-WA0010-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260412T080000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260403T045318Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260419T110155Z UID:10807-1775973600-1775980800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Nevta Lake & Dam\, Jaipur\, Rajasthan DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-nevta-lake-jaipur-rajasthan-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WhatsApp-Image-2026-04-13-at-12.14.46-PM.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T090000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260406T083438Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T095852Z UID:11087-1775890800-1775898000@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Sanjay Van\, New Delhi DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-sanjay-van-new-delhi-4/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG_20260411_074710.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T090000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260403T044349Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T094628Z UID:10802-1775890800-1775898000@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Bhopar Grasslands\, Thane\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-bhopar-grasslands-thane-maharashtra2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG-20260411-WA00901-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T090000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260403T042820Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T150519Z UID:10796-1775890800-1775898000@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Carambolim Lake\, Goa DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-carambolim-lake-goa-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG-20260412-WA0038.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T064500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T084500 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260406T082100Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T094003Z UID:11082-1775889900-1775897100@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Poomala Dam\, Thrissur\, Kerala DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-poomala-dam-thrissur-kerala-5/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WhatsApp-Image-2026-04-11-at-7.25.37-AM.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T083000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260406T090646Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T101054Z UID:11105-1775889000-1775896200@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Japanese Garden\, Seminary Hills\, Nagpur DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-japanese-garden-seminary-hills-nagpur-mh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PXL_20260411_032044391.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T083000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260403T052920Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T095225Z UID:10818-1775889000-1775896200@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Doddanekundi Lake\, Bengaluru DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-doddanekundi-lake-bengaluru-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PXL_20260411_020220511-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T054000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260411T075000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260406T085413Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T100802Z UID:11095-1775886000-1775893800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Kipling Trek Dehradun\, Uttarakhand DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-kipling-trek-dehradun-uttarakhand-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG_0600-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T163000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T183000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260326T153635Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T093658Z UID:10634-1775406600-1775413800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at TS Chanakya\, Mumbai DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-ts-chanakya-mumbai-6/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_20260405_234618_466.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T093000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260327T062545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T132823Z UID:10669-1775374200-1775381400@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Kattery Park\, Conoor\, Tamil Nadu DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-kattery-park-tamil-nadu/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-04-05-at-1.34.59-PM-1.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T090000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260327T065041Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T061335Z UID:10684-1775372400-1775379600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-arai-hills-pune-maharashtra/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG-20260405-WA0035.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T090000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260326T162200Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T060707Z UID:10662-1775372400-1775379600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Halali Dam\, Bhopal\, MP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-halali-dam-bhopal-mp-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG-20260405-WA0058-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T090000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260326T154752Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T131606Z UID:10640-1775372400-1775379600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Hutridurga Hill\, Bangalore\, Karnataka DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-hutridurga-hill-bng-karnataka/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG20260405094946-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T083000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201126 CREATED:20260327T074434Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T130228Z UID:10710-1775370600-1775377800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Gorewada Biopark Lake Trail\, Nagpur\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-gorewda-biopark-lake-trail-nagpur-mh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-04-05-at-11.46.45-AM.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T080000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201127 CREATED:20260327T092247Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T061947Z UID:10723-1775368800-1775376000@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Harkot Forest\, Munsiyari\, Uttarakhand DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-harkot-forest-munsiyari-uttarakhand/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG-20260405-WA0000.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260405T080000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201127 CREATED:20260327T071735Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T134104Z UID:10701-1775368800-1775376000@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Kahuapani forest\, Dongargarh\, Chhattisgarh DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-kahuapani-dongargarh-chhattisgarh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG-20260405-WA0004.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260404T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260404T093000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201127 CREATED:20260327T065154Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T124036Z UID:10686-1775287800-1775295000@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary\, Kolkata DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-chintaamani-kar-bird-sanctuary-kolkata2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/P1020283.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260404T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260404T090000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201127 CREATED:20260327T060417Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T055321Z UID:10666-1775286000-1775293200@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Lonikand Reservoir\, Pune\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-lonikand-reservoir-pune/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_20260404_085230768_HDR-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260404T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260404T090000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201127 CREATED:20260326T161648Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T133458Z UID:10657-1775286000-1775293200@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Green Valley Park\,Belapur\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-green-valley-parkbelapur-maharashtra3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/407758.jpg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260404T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260404T090000 DTSTAMP:20260525T201127 CREATED:20260326T160446Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T053945Z UID:10649-1775286000-1775293200@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Sanjay Van\, New Delhi DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 26 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at ARAI Hills saw 11 participants and began with an insightful introduction to habitat types and species distribution in the area. The session focused on building bird identification skills\, including discussions around distinguishing similar-looking species such as pipits\, which added a strong learning component to the walk. \n \n \n \n A total of 42 species were recorded\, with highlights including Black-winged Kite\, Indian Cormorant\, and Indian Silverbill. Participants appreciated the balance between observation and education\, especially spotting relatively uncommon species\, making the walk both enriching and rewarding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-sanjay-van-new-delhi-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1775283069655.webp END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR