Bird Walk at Khalanga Reserve Forest, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Dehradun
- 9 August, 2026
- Ankush Panwar
About Khalanga Reserve Forest
Tucked on the outskirts of Dehradun, Khalanga Reserve Forest is a quiet stretch of Himalayan foothill forest that blends history with natural richness. Characterised by dry deciduous woodland, sal patches, scrub, and open clearings, the forest supports a diverse range of flora adapted to the Shivalik landscape. Native trees, shrubs, and grasses create layered habitats that sustain insects, reptiles, and small mammals, while seasonal changes bring shifts in colour and activity. The terrain, dotted with gentle slopes and rocky patches, adds to its ecological diversity, making it a valuable green space within the expanding city.
For birders, Khalanga Reserve Forest offers a rewarding escape into nature, with a mix of woodland and edge species thriving here. The canopy echoes with calls of barbets, woodpeckers, and flycatchers, while warblers and babblers move through the understory. Raptors can often be seen soaring above the forest edges, and seasonal migrants add to the diversity during certain times of the year. However, like many urban forest patches, Khalanga faces increasing pressure from encroachment, habitat fragmentation, and human disturbance. Waste, trail overuse, and expanding urban limits pose ongoing challenges, making conservation awareness and responsible use essential to preserving this important ecological refuge.
Bird Guide: Ankush Panwar
A passionate birder since November 2025, with a life list of 229 species and ranked among the top 20 eBird birders this year. Actively explores Uttarakhand and Greater Noida, documenting birds through sight, calls, and behaviour, while focusing on strengthening identification skills by ear and introducing children aged 3–8 to birding.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Khalanga Reserve Forest
The forested trails of Khalanga Reserve Forest are alive with a rich mix of Himalayan birdlife, where every layer of the forest reveals something unique. The chatter of Jungle Babbler and the calls of Himalayan Bulbul fill the air, while vibrant species like the Red-billed Blue Magpie and White-crested Laughingthrush bring bursts of colour to the canopy. Secretive birds such as Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch and Pale-billed Flowerpecker move quietly through the foliage, while woodpeckers and barbets add rhythm to the forest. The presence of cuckoos—including the Common Hawk Cuckoo—along with drongos, warblers, and flycatchers, creates a dynamic and ever-changing soundscape. From forest specialists to edge species, this diversity makes Khalanga a rewarding destination for birders seeking an immersive Himalayan experience.
Jungle Babbler
Indian White-eye
Large-billed Crow
Himalayan Bulbul
Brown-headed Barbet
Indian Grey Hornbill
Plum-headed Parakeet
Common Hawk Cuckoo
Hair-crested Drongo
Greenish Warbler
Red Junglefowl
Grey Treepie
Pale-billed Flowerpecker
White-crested Laughingthrush
Red-billed Blue Magpie
Red-billed Leiothrix
Grey-headed Woodpecker
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch
Cinereous Tit
Indian Cuckoo
Summary of Walk
On 9th August 2026, a bird walk was held at Khalanga Reserve Forest, Dehradun, guided by Ankush Panwar, with 9 participants joining the session. The forest’s mixed terrain provided a great setting for spotting a wide range of species, and the group recorded 26 species over the course of the walk, reflecting the rich birdlife found within this reserve forest on the outskirts of Dehradun.
The most wonderful moment of the walk came when the youngest participant, just six years old, spotted her very first bird, a heartwarming milestone that delighted the entire group. Other memorable sightings included three Indian Peafowl seen together, a Spangled Drongo and a Rufous Treepie perched on the same branch, and a pair of Jungle Owlets tucked away in the foliage. The walk also featured sightings of the striking Red-billed Blue Magpie, the elegant Asian Emerald Dove, and the colourful Red-billed Leiothrix, making for a delightful and varied morning of birding at Khalanga Reserve Forest.
Number of Participants
0
