BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ataavi - ECPv6.12.0.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.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:20260328T064500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260328T084500 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260324T094837Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T094354Z UID:10544-1774680300-1774687500@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Kadamakkudy Wetlands\, Ernakulam\, Kerala DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-kadamakkudy-wetlands-ernakulam-kerala3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/EE2186EC-5CBA-4A0F-A5FB-BE200E04CE3D-Syam-Sukumaran-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260328T053000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260328T073000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260319T143020Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T093604Z UID:10434-1774675800-1774683000@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Madan Mahal Hills\, Jabalpur\, MP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-madan-mahal-hills-jabalpur-mp-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-29-at-1.35.15-AM.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260327T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260327T083000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260403T103124Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T103529Z UID:10926-1774593000-1774600200@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Campus Bird Walk at Govt. Nehru PG College\, Dongargarh\, Chhattisgarh DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/campus-bird-walk-at-govt-nehru-pg-college-ch/ CATEGORIES:Campus Bird Count,Past Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/f.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260326T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260326T080000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260421T120823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260421T121031Z UID:11966-1774504800-1774512000@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Gora Gaon\, Ramsar Site\, Bhopal\, MP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-gora-gaon-ramsar-site-bhopal-mp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat,Upcoming Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/painted-snipe.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260323T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260323T083000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260323T112210Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T113020Z UID:10525-1774247400-1774254600@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Campus Bird Walk at Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/campus-bird-walk-at-delhi-skill-and-entrpreneurship-university/ CATEGORIES:Campus Bird Count,Past Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/f-4.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T160000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T180000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260313T110344Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T055726Z UID:10202-1774195200-1774202400@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Poomala Dam\, Thrissur\, Kerala DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-poomala-dam-thrissur-kerala-4/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-22-at-18.06.57.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T093000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260313T110946Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T055310Z UID:10214-1774164600-1774171800@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at BNHS Conservation Education Centre\, Mumbai\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-conservation-education-centre-maharashtra/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG-20260322-WA0127-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T090000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260317T082350Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T054708Z UID:10272-1774162800-1774170000@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Dihing-Patkai National Park\, Assam DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-dihing-patkai-national-park-assam/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-22-at-12.21.42-PM-1.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T090000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260316T123312Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T054301Z UID:10252-1774162800-1774170000@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Mettupalayam\, Coimbatore\, Tamil Nadu DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-mettupalayam-coimbatore-tamil-nadu/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-22-at-12.40.48-scaled.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T090000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260312T074104Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T053610Z UID:10069-1774162800-1774170000@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Kadamakkudy Wetlands\, Ernakulam\, Kerala DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-kadamakkudy-wetlands-ernakulum-kerala2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-23-at-12.20.35-PM-1.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T083000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260313T060113Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T053054Z UID:10088-1774161000-1774168200@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Muhana grasslands\, Jaipur\, Rajasthan DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-muhana-grasslands-jaipur-rajasthan/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-22-at-19.56.30.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T080000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260317T072120Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T122948Z UID:10265-1774159200-1774166400@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Zilmili Lake\, Gondia\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-zilmili-lake-gondia-maharashtra2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_20260322_062158-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T054500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260322T074500 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260316T121932Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T114241Z UID:10248-1774158300-1774165500@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Nagalhat Nala\, Dehradun\, Uttarakhand DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-nagalhat-nala-dehradun-uttarakhand/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-22-at-10.55.56.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260321T090000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260321T110000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260313T065033Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T113758Z UID:10097-1774083600-1774090800@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Mohadi falls and Tincha Falls\, Indore\, MP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-mohadi-tincha-falls-indore-mp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG-20260321-WA0002.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260321T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260321T090000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260318T081506Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T113027Z UID:10274-1774076400-1774083600@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Doddaballapura - Kuruvigere Village\, Bengaluru (World Sparrow Day) DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-doddaballapura-kuruvigere-village-bengaluru-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG20260321072300-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260321T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260321T090000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260312T080829Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T104403Z UID:10082-1774076400-1774083600@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar University\, Chh. Sambhajinagar DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-babasaheb-amedkar-university-campus-chh-sambhajinagar/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG-20260321-WA0010.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260320T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260320T083000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260323T111148Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T111638Z UID:10516-1773988200-1773995400@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Campus Bird Walk at New Govt. Girls College\, Khairagarh\, Chhattisgarh DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/campus-bird-walk-at-new-govt-girls-college-ch/ CATEGORIES:Campus Bird Count,Past Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/f-3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T160000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T180000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260306T110113Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T115714Z UID:9917-1773590400-1773597600@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Lodhi Garden\, New Delhi DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-lodhi-garden-new-delhi-5/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-15-at-18.43.06.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T213000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260304T072052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T123358Z UID:9833-1773559800-1773610200@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at TS Chanakya\, Navi Mumbai DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-ts-chanakya-navi-mumbai-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-19-at-17.59.18-2.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T093000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112802 CREATED:20260309T080111Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T114813Z UID:9998-1773559800-1773567000@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Rabindra Sarobar Safari Park\, Kolkata\, West Bengal DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-rabindra-sarobar-safari-park-kolkata-wb2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/10.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T093000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112803 CREATED:20260305T063721Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T113942Z UID:9844-1773559800-1773567000@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Sims Park\, Conoor\, Tamil Nadu DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-sims-park-conoor-tamil-nadu-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-15-at-10.07.52.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T093000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112803 CREATED:20260304T073541Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T113332Z UID:9837-1773559800-1773567000@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Bhandup Pumping Station\, Mumbai\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-bhandup-pumping-station-mumbai-maharashtra/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_20260315_091539926.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T090000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112803 CREATED:20260310T062736Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T112700Z UID:10048-1773558000-1773565200@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Pashan Lake\, Pune\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-pashan-lake-pune-maharashtra-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC04869.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T090000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112803 CREATED:20260309T081535Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T110508Z UID:10004-1773558000-1773565200@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Vadavali\, Thane\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-vadavali-thane-mh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG-20260315-WA00801-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T090000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112803 CREATED:20260306T064626Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T105934Z UID:9909-1773558000-1773565200@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Chidikhon Wildlife Sanctuary\, Narsinghgarh (MP) DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-chidikhon-wildlife-sanctuary-narsinghgarh-mp2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-15-at-12.21.44.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T090000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112803 CREATED:20260306T062950Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T105517Z UID:9898-1773558000-1773565200@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Sondekoppa Lake\, Bangalore DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-sondekoppa-lake-bangalore-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG20260315071144-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T090000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112803 CREATED:20260304T070806Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T103911Z UID:9827-1773558000-1773565200@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-vetal-tekdi-pune-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_20260315_072923-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T083000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112803 CREATED:20260309T144914Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T103518Z UID:10026-1773556200-1773563400@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Vaderahalli Lake\, Bengaluru DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-vaderahalli-lake-bengaluru-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PXL_20260315_020518958-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260315T083000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112803 CREATED:20260309T073831Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T103017Z UID:9987-1773556200-1773563400@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Bhilkheda Village Bhoj Wetland\, Ramser Site \, Bhopal\, MP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-bhilheda-village-bhoj-wetland-bhopal-mp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_20260315_073310-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260314T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260314T210000 DTSTAMP:20260429T112803 CREATED:20260309T072317Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T102233Z UID:9979-1773471600-1773522000@079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Love Kush Vatika\, Dholpur\, Rajasthan DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at ARAI Hills\, Pune\, Maharashtra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 5 April\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Ksheetij Pandey\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills\, better known to many Punekars as Vetal Tekdi\, rises like a wild green island above the city—a rare stretch of open hillscape where Pune still feels close to its natural roots. Reaching about 2\,600 feet above sea level\, this elevated urban landscape forms part of one of the city’s most important biodiversity zones\, with a mosaic of dry deciduous scrub\, rocky grassland\, scattered woodland\, seasonal water bodies and exposed basalt slopes. In the monsoon\, the hills soften into green with seasonal herbs\, grasses and flowering plants; in the dry months\, the terrain reveals its tougher\, more dramatic character. Native shrubs\, hardy grasses\, fig and neem\, acacia and other dryland trees share space with planted and invasive species\, creating a layered habitat that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of a fast-growing city. Pune’s own biodiversity surveys have repeatedly highlighted ARAI and nearby hills as ecological hotspots\, underlining just how much life survives here despite the urban setting. \n \n \n \n For birders and nature lovers\, ARAI Hills can be rewarding at almost any hour\, sunrise often brings raptors\, bulbuls\, warblers\, babblers\, sunbirds\, shrikes and woodpeckers\, while rocky edges and quarry patches can attract an entirely different cast of birds and small wildlife. The hills also support butterflies\, reptiles\, small mammals and a broader web of urban biodiversity that makes every trail feel quietly alive. Yet this beauty remains fragile. Construction pressure\, road expansion\, habitat fragmentation\, invasive planting\, erosion\, heavy footfall\, litter\, free-ranging dogs and poorly planned “greening” efforts all threaten the ecological balance of the hill. Conservation here is not just about planting more trees\, it is about protecting the rocky grassland ecosystem itself\, safeguarding natural drainage and watershed functions\, and ensuring that one of Pune’s last great urban wild spaces remains open\, healthy and biodiverse. ARAI is not just a viewpoint; it is a living hill\, and one of the city’s most valuable natural lungs. \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Ksheetij PandeyKshitij Pandey is a Master’s student at Banaras Hindu University and a Mumbai-based birdwatcher with 2.5 years of birding experience. Passionate about wildlife photography\, he brings a sharp eye for birds and a naturalist’s curiosity to every outing. \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of ARAI Hills \n \n \n \n ARAI Hills is a remarkably rewarding birding patch\, with 283 bird species recorded overall\, and even its more commonly seen birds reflect the variety of habitats packed into this urban wilderness. Open scrub and rocky slopes often hold birds such as the Paddyfield Pipit\, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark\, Black Drongo\, and Laughing Dove\, while wooded patches and shaded trails can surprise you with species like Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher\, Rufous Treepie\, Large Gray Babbler\, Purple Sunbird\, and the ever-familiar Red-vented Bulbul. Overhead\, Black Kites circle on warm air currents\, and tree cover may reveal Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets\, Greater Coucal\, or even a watchful Spotted Owlet tucked away in the daytime. Seasonal wetlands and water edges add a completely different layer to the birdlife\, attracting birds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Common Moorhen\, White-breasted Waterhen\, Little Cormorant\, Indian Cormorant\, Little Egret\, Indian Pond-Heron\, White-throated Kingfisher\, and Pied Kingfisher. Together\, these species make ARAI feel wonderfully dynamic—part grassland\, part scrub forest\, part wetland\, and always alive with the possibility of something interesting just around the next bend. \n \n \n \n \n Paddyfield Pipit \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Tickell's Blue Flycatcher \n \n \n \n Rufous Treepie \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Common Moorhen \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n White-breasted Waterhen \n \n \n \n Little Cormorant \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Purple Sunbird \n \n \n \n Laughing Dove \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n White-throated Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Pied Kingfisher \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Indian Cormorant \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The ARAI Hills bird walk saw 16 participants join Kshiteej Pandey for a dynamic exploration that recorded 41 species across this biodiverse urban hill habitat. The walk began with introductions and a discussion on habitat\, seamlessly blending learning with observation as the group moved through the landscape identifying birds by both calls and visual cues.\n \n \n \n \n Key highlights included sightings of Eurasian Sparrowhawk\, Paddyfield Pipit\, Small Minivet\, and Grey Junglefowl. A particularly engaging aspect was the discussion around pipit identification and how to differentiate between similar-looking species. The walk also stood out for its inclusive spirit\, with even passersby being encouraged to observe birds—spreading awareness and curiosity beyond the group. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-love-kush-vatika-dholpur-rajasthan-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://079de6d7-41c5-454b-96aa-6f38bde5c651.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-14-at-09.46.32.jpeg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR