Top 5 Bird Watching Destinations Around Pune

Pune is really blessed to have picturesque locations such as hill temples, great forts and dam backwaters. The city has as many trekking places and best sites for bird watching, Birding is one of the most pleasant hobby for most of the Punker’s. Pune is home to 160 species of local birds and also attracts large number of migratory birds in the backwaters of Khadakwasla Dam, Mulshi Dam, Veer Dam and Ujjani Dam.

1. Pashan Lake

Pashan Lake is located around 12 km from the city center near the suburb of Pashan. The lake and surrounding area is a popular spot for bird watchers in Pune city and also attracts migratory birds such as Common coot and Black winged stilt.

2. Kharadi Dam

Its not actaully a Dam, The river flows through a small dam like structure at Kharadi, The small dam is located at backside of EON IT park and had been a paradise for birds for a while. However over the last few months, this place has become a dumping ground and its very difficult to visit because of bad smell and drainage system.

List of Birds Spotted in Kharadi Dam Area are:

River Tern
Sandipper
Grey Heron
Purple Heron
Spot Bailed Duck
Black Winged Stilt
Painted Stork
Red Wettled Lapwing
Pond Heron
Black Naped Ibis
Swallo
Pied Bush Chat
Rock Chat
Long Tailed Shrike
Blank Drongo
Black Kit
Purple Moorhen
Kingfisher
Great Egret
Cattle Egret

3. Veer Dam

Veer Dam is located around 60 km from Pune city near Shirwal on Pune Bangalore national highway. The backwater of Veer Dam is famous for migratory birds including Demoiselle Crane, Bar Headed Goose and Brahmin Duck.

4. Kavadi Pat

Kavadi Pat is famous for winter season wetland birds, located about 20 Km from Pune. The small bridge on river is one of the best place in Pune for practice bird photography. Birds found in Kavadi Pat area are Common Teal,Spot billed duck,Brahminy Duck and Northern Shoveler and Common coot.

5. Bhigwan – Diksal and Kumbhargaon

Bhigwan is known as Bharatpur of Maharashtra, The small village of Diksal and Kumbhargaon are paradise for wetland birds. The backwaters of Ujaini dam attracts 230 species of bird including migratory Flamingos,Bar headed goose,Comb Duck and Northern pintail duck.

Birds Photography at Kumbhargaon Sanctuary

Flamingoes
Spoonbills
Grey Heron
Brahminy Kite
Red Naped Ibis
Painted Strokes
collared Pratincole
Black Winged Stilt

Kumbhargaon and Diksal are two villages on the backwaters of Ujaini dam, Best time to visit Bhigwan is December January and early February. Contact Nagare family at kumbhargaon village and he will arrange everything lunch and boats for you.