BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ataavi - ECPv6.12.0.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Ataavi 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:20260808T083000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T103000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260731T082048Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T073818Z UID:15210-1786177800-1786185000@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Alaniya Dam\, Kota\, Rajasthan DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-alaniya-dam-kota-rajasthan/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_20260805_100122-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T090000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260731T140438Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T082040Z UID:15205-1786172400-1786179600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Nagla Block Trail\, SGNP\, Thane Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-nagla-block-trail-sgnp-thane-maharashtra-r/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-10-at-10.58.14.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T090000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260731T122350Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T081738Z UID:15316-1786172400-1786179600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Japanese Garden\, Seminary Hills\, Nagpur DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \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-nb/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_8657-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T203000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260731T083109Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T074255Z UID:15216-1786170600-1786221000@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Lingambudhi Lake\, Mysuru DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-lingambudhi-lake-mysuru/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-08-at-14.27.44.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T083000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260731T090330Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T081314Z UID:15232-1786170600-1786177800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Marasandra Kere\, Bengaluru DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-marasandra-kere-bangalore-karnataka/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Grey-Heron4_HB_imresizer.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T080000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260731T081412Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T073335Z UID:15206-1786168800-1786176000@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Gunjur Palya Lake (Carmelaram)\, Bengaluru DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-gunjur-palya-lake-carmelaram-bengaluru/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_6826.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T053000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260808T073000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260731T085251Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T074922Z UID:15223-1786167000-1786174200@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Chidiyatapu\, Andaman and Nicobar Islands DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-chidiyatapu-andaman-and-nicobar-islands/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_3887-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T090000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T093741Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T072955Z UID:14993-1785654000-1785661200@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Pashan Lake\, Pune\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-pashan-lake-pune-maharashtra-10/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-02-at-19.07.26.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T083000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T125809Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T065820Z UID:15047-1785652200-1785659400@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Sikandarpur Pahadi\, Gurugram DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-sikandarpur-pahadi-gurugram-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PXL_20260802_025028990.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T083000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T103859Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T070256Z UID:15022-1785652200-1785659400@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Pallom Kottayam\, Kerala DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-pallomkottayam-kerala-nm/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_20260802_070752.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T083000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T102106Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T071055Z UID:15017-1785652200-1785659400@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Doddanekundi Lake\, Bengaluru DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-doddanekundi-lake-bengaluru-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_6710-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T080000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T101628Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T071517Z UID:15012-1785650400-1785657600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Chandu wetlands\, Gurugram\, Delhi NCR DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-chandu-wetlands-gurugram-delhi-ncr/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-03-at-12.11.19.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T080000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T100603Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T071816Z UID:15006-1785650400-1785657600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Asita East DDA Park\, Delhi DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-asita-east-dda-park-delhi/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG-20260803-WA00062.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T080000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T084108Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T065103Z UID:14564-1785650400-1785657600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Laxman Siddh\, Harrawala\, Dehradun DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-laxman-siddh-haeeawala-dehradun/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-02-at-09.39.49.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T053000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260802T073000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T110144Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T071841Z UID:15027-1785648600-1785655800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Taj Nature Walk\, Agra\, UP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-taj-nature-walk-agra-up/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/water-cock.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260801T080000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260801T100000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T093037Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T072933Z UID:14988-1785571200-1785578400@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Taratala Nature Park\, Brace Bridge Wetlands\, Kolkata DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-taratala-nature-park-brace-bridge-wetlands-kolkata/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-01-at-15.24.03.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260801T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260801T090000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T081956Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T072806Z UID:14972-1785567600-1785574800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-vetal-tekdi-pune-4/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_20260801_091738430_HDR_AE-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260801T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260801T083000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T085323Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T072544Z UID:14982-1785565800-1785573000@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Doddabommasandra kere\, Bengaluru DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-doddabommasandra-kere-bengaluru/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_6681-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260801T061500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260801T081500 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T083704Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260814T153816Z UID:14976-1785564900-1785572100@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Dottabetta\, Ooty\, Nilgiri\, TN DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-dottabetta-ooty-nilgiri-tn/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nilgiri-laughingthrush.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260801T053000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260801T073000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260724T111919Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T071947Z UID:15035-1785562200-1785569400@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Jodhpur Jhaal\, Agra\, UP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-jodhpur-jhaal-agra-up-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-03-at-16.24.23.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T080000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T100000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260717T143955Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T090816Z UID:14827-1785052800-1785060000@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Bhopar Grasslands\, Thane\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-bhopar-grasslands-thane-maharashtra-sk/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-26-at-22.15.38.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T071500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T091500 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260720T062245Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T090622Z UID:14855-1785050100-1785057300@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Vandevi Hill\, Pune\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-vandevi-hill-pune/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG20260726081902-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T090000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260717T144518Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T090510Z UID:14831-1785049200-1785056400@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at IIT Bombay\, Mumbai\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-iit-bombay-mumbai-maharashtra-mg/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG_4038-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T090000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260716T105703Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T090045Z UID:14700-1785049200-1785056400@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Sirhind Canal Nature Trail\, Sirhind\, Punjab DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-sirhind-canal-nature-trail-sirhind-punjab/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG_9352-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T083000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260717T145315Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T085812Z UID:14837-1785047400-1785054600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Doddaballapura Forest Patch\, Bengaluru DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-doddaballapura-forest-patch-bengaluru-gp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG20260726073704-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T083000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260717T090617Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T084346Z UID:14807-1785047400-1785054600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Surajpur Wetland\, Noida\, UP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-surajpur-wetland-noida-up/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-26-at-10.51.39-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T083000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260716T145841Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T084149Z UID:14770-1785047400-1785054600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Pallom Kottayam\, Kerala DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-pallom-kottayam-kerala/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-26-at-09.47.02.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T083000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260716T133529Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T143407Z UID:14740-1785047400-1785054600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Gorewada Biopark\, Nagpur\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \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-maharashtra-nb/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG_8457-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T083000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260716T133023Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T142945Z UID:14735-1785047400-1785054600@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Farmus Farms\, Gurugram DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-farmus-farms-gurugram-ml/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Group-Photo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260726T080000 DTSTAMP:20261024T163529 CREATED:20260716T114729Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T083350Z UID:14718-1785047400-1785052800@ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Bhondsi Forest\, Gurugram\, Delhi NCR DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland\, Chennai\, TN \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chennai\n \n \n \n \n 15 August\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Francis Anish\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis\, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6\,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling\, road-building\, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland\, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water\, reed beds\, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species\, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side. \n \n \n \n For birders\, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle\, drawing waterbirds\, waders\, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years\, with waste dumping by the city corporation\, construction debris\, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left\, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably\, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide: Francis AnishHe is an ornithologist and avid birdwatcher with over three years of research experience at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)\, Coimbatore. His work includes research on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron\, reflecting his strong interest in bird conservation and ecology. Beyond research\, he regularly explores the field as a passionate birder\, deepening his understanding of bird behavior and habitats. He has also volunteered as a bird expert for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's raptor survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve\, contributing to important wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland \n \n \n \n Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars\, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together\, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented\, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water\, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above\, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds\, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge\, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch\, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees\, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n Spot-billed Pelican \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Black-winged Stilt \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Oriental Darter \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Glossy Ibis \n \n \n \n Black-headed Ibis \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Little Grebe \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Common Tailorbird \n \n \n \n Gray Heron \n \n \n \n Rock Pigeon \n \n \n \n Common Hawk Cuckoo \n \n \n \n Ashy Prinia \n \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 Twenty-one participants joined guide Francis Anish at Pallikarnai Marshland\, one of Chennai’s last remaining natural wetlands and an important habitat for both resident and migratory waterbirds along the city’s southern edge. The session went smoothly from start to finish\, with a group that included several serious photographers alongside first-time birders\, all equally keen to learn identification skills. Many participants recorded lifers during the walk\, which added a special sense of achievement to what was already a species-rich and well-organised outing across the marshland’s varied wetland terrain and open grassland patches.The group logged 35 species in total\, with the Greater Painted-Snipe\, Streaked Weaver\, and Black-winged Kite standing out as the top highlights\, alongside a Wood Sandpiper that rounded out a strong wader count for the morning session. Participants left enthusiastic and eager to join more walks across other parts of Chennai\, with several noting that Ataavi’s walks are more commonly held elsewhere in India and expressing hope for a stronger\, more regular presence in the city going forward. The marshland once again proved its worth as a critical urban wetland deserving continued attention\, protection\, and community engagement\, with Francis noting that turnout like this bodes well for building a regular birding community in Chennai. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-bhondsi-forest-gurugram-delhi-ncr-sk/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/12.webp END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR