Bird Walk at Nagla Block Trail, SGNP, Thane Maharashtra
- Thane
- 8 August, 2026
- Rohan J Rane
About Nagla Block Trail, SGNP
Located within the northern reaches of Sanjay Gandhi National Park near Thane, the Nagla Block Trail is a biodiversity-rich forest landscape known for its dense woodland, seasonal streams, wetlands, bamboo patches, and rocky terrain. As part of one of the world’s largest protected forests within a metropolitan region, the trail supports an exceptional variety of flora and fauna, including butterflies, reptiles, mammals, and an impressive diversity of birds. The mix of moist deciduous forest and freshwater habitats makes Nagla Block one of the finest birding destinations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The trail offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year, with opportunities to encounter colourful forest specialists, elusive kingfishers, majestic raptors, and a rich variety of woodland birds. During the monsoon, the forest comes alive with breeding activity and bird calls, making it especially popular among birdwatchers and photographers. Despite its protected status, the area faces pressures from urban expansion, habitat fragmentation, littering, invasive species, and increasing visitor numbers. Continued conservation efforts, responsible ecotourism, and effective management by forest authorities are essential to preserve this remarkable urban wilderness.
Bird Guide - Rohan J Rane
He is a passionate birder from Mumbai, has been exploring the city’s rich avian life for many years. 18 years old wildlife photographer who is on a mission to see the flora and fauna of our mother nation INDIA
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Nagla Block Trail, SGNP
Nagla Block Trail offers an outstanding birdwatching experience, with its forests, wetlands, and streams supporting an exciting diversity of resident and seasonal birds. The trail is particularly renowned for sightings of the stunning Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher during the monsoon, alongside Common and White-throated Kingfishers. Raptors such as the Crested Serpent-Eagle, Brahminy Kite, and Black Kite soar above the forest canopy, while the woodland echoes with the calls of Indian Grey Hornbills, Brown-headed and Coppersmith Barbets, Rufous Woodpeckers, and Alexandrine and Rose-ringed Parakeets. Visitors may also encounter elusive species including the Mottled Wood-Owl, Jungle Owlet, Asian Emerald Dove, and Gray-bellied Cuckoo, making every walk along the trail a memorable experience for birdwatchers.
Alexandrine Parakeet
Asian Emerald Dove
Asian Green Bee-eater
Asian Koel
Asian Palm Swift
Black Kite
Brahminy Kite
Brown-headed Barbet
Common Kingfisher
Coppersmith Barbet
Crested Serpent-Eagle
Gray-bellied Cuckoo
Greater Coucal
Indian Cormorant
Indian Grey Hornbill
Indian Pond-Heron
Jungle Owlet
Mottled Wood-Owl
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Rufous Woodpecker
Summary of Walk
On 8th August 2026, a bird walk was held at Nagla Block within Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, guided by Rohan J Rane, with 11 participants taking part. The walk began with a short briefing about the forest and what the group could expect along the trail, setting the tone for an exciting morning ahead. Nagla Block’s dense forest cover and varied terrain make it a rewarding site for spotting elusive forest species, and the group got lucky right from the start of the walk.
Just about fifty feet into the forest, the group spotted their target bird for the day, the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, and were thrilled to see not one but two individuals. As the walk progressed, participants came across several other species, along with insects and other interesting forms of life along the trail, including glimpses of the Slaty-legged Crake and the Golden-fronted Leafbird. Everyone enjoyed being immersed in the forest atmosphere, and just as the trail was coming to an end, the group had one more surprise: a Rat Snake crossing their path. It was a beautiful and memorable morning at Nagla Block, filled with excellent sightings and a lovely group of participants.
Number of Participants
0
