BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ataavi - ECPv6.12.0.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://checkout.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:20260215T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T080000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260204T105529Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T115609Z UID:8752-1771135200-1771142400@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Zilmili Lake\, Gondia\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-zilmili-lake-gondia-mh-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG_20260215_082634-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260214T090000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260219T112000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260219T133217Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260221T022721Z UID:9251-1771059600-1771500000@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Campus Bird Count at RV University DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/campus-bird-count-at-rv-university/ CATEGORIES:Campus Bird Count,Past Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Great-Backyard-Bird-4.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260214T080000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260214T100000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260204T120451Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T103656Z UID:8782-1771056000-1771063200@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Rabindra Sarobar Lake\, Kolkata\, WB DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-rabindra-sarobar-lake-kolkata-wb/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG-20260214-WA0021.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260214T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260214T213000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260209T064725Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T114100Z UID:8818-1771054200-1771104600@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Vasai-Gass Road\, Vasai\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-vasai-gass-road-vasai-mh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG-20260214-WA0056-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260214T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260219T083000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260313T083141Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T084836Z UID:10115-1771050600-1771489800@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk for LCIT College of Science\, Bilaspur\, Chhattisgarh DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/campus-bird-count-at-lcit-college-of-science-cg/ CATEGORIES:Campus Bird Count,Past Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/f.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260214T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260214T083000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260205T111459Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T092142Z UID:8802-1771050600-1771057800@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Humayun's Tomb\, Delhi DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-humayun-tomb-delhi/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-14-at-09.20.52-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260214T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260214T083000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260204T125846Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T112526Z UID:8787-1771050600-1771057800@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Tumariya Dam\, Maldhan\, Ramnagar\, Nainital DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-tumariya-dam-maldhan-ramnagar-nainital/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-16-at-3.43.05-PM.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T161500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T181500 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260128T111342Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T073403Z UID:8606-1770567300-1770574500@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Karave Wetland\, TS Chanakya\, Seawoods\, Navi Mumbai DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-karave-wetland-ts-chanakya-seawoods-navi-mumbai-1/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-08-at-18.57.19.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T080000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T220000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260203T064433Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T134600Z UID:8666-1770537600-1770588000@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Akshi Beach\, Alibaug\, Raigad\, MH DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-akshi-beach-alibaugh-raigad-mh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG-20260208-WA0002-sanket-raut-1.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T093000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260203T063113Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T140619Z UID:8660-1770535800-1770543000@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Rabindra Sarobar Safari Park\, Kolkata\, WB DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-rabindra-sarovar-safari-park-kolkata/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Birding_group_5-Sounak-Dutta-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T071500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T100000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260203T070418Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T072631Z UID:8678-1770534900-1770544800@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Gora Village\, Bhoj Wetland\, Ramsar Site\, Bhopal\, MP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-gora-village-bhoj-wetland-bhopal-mp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/f-1-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T090000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260203T065604Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T130048Z UID:8674-1770534000-1770541200@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Sanjay Van\, New Delhi DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-sanjay-van-new-delhi/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/f-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T090000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260129T145030Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T124544Z UID:8648-1770534000-1770541200@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Doddaballapura Forest Patch\, Bengaluru DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-doddaballapura-forest-patch-bengaluru/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/f-34-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260208T090000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260128T102904Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T120522Z UID:8596-1770534000-1770541200@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Van Vihar National Park\, Bhopal\, MP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-van-vihar-national-park-bhopal-mp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/f-33-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260207T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260207T213000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260128T112842Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T135548Z UID:8610-1770449400-1770499800@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Viva Wetlands\, Virar\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-viva-wetlands-virar-maharashtra/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG-20260207-WA0135-Sukh-Kohli-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260201T071500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260201T091500 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260127T074727Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T100759Z UID:8502-1769930100-1769937300@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya\, Bhopal\, MP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-indira-gandhi-rashtriya-manav-sangrahalaya-bhopal-mp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_20260201_090912.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260201T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260201T090000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260122T075708Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T100102Z UID:8468-1769929200-1769936400@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Bhadbhada Dam\, Bhopal\, Madhya Pradesh DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-bhadbhada-dam-bhopal-mp-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG-20260201-WA0057-Kritalee-Chindarakar-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260201T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260201T083000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260127T080437Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T102347Z UID:8507-1769927400-1769934600@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Vibhutipura Kere\, Bengaluru DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-near-vibhutipura-kere-bengaluru-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PXL_20260201_020813216-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260131T140000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260131T160000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260121T170132Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T095205Z UID:8449-1769868000-1769875200@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Baruipur Marshes\, West Bengal DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-baruipur-marshes-west-bengal/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG-20260131-WA0005.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260131T074500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260131T214500 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260122T071922Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T101059Z UID:8463-1769845500-1769895900@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Karave Wetland\, TS Chanakya\, Seawoods\, Navi Mumbai DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-karave-wetland-tschanakya-seawoods-navi-mumbai/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG-20260131-WA0021-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260131T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260131T090000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260123T092358Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T093702Z UID:8491-1769842800-1769850000@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Chandreshwar Parvat\, Paroda\, Goa DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-chandreshwar-parvat-paroda-goa/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-02-at-12.28.44-PM-1.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260126T153000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260126T173000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260114T071519Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T123837Z UID:8335-1769441400-1769448600@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Madhapur\, Telangana DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-madhapur-telangana-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-28-at-2.55.12-PM-untap-insights.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260126T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260126T213000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260116T100224Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T084838Z UID:8355-1769412600-1769463000@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Bhopar Grasslands\, Thane\, Maharashtra DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-bhopar-grasslands-thane-mh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/f-29-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260126T071500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260126T091500 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260113T144844Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T172326Z UID:8296-1769411700-1769418900@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Thol Bird Sanctuary\, Ahmedabad\, Gujarat DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-thol-bird-sanctuary-ahmedabad-gujarat-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/thol.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260125T090000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260125T110000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260114T062445Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T171624Z UID:8307-1769331600-1769338800@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Chidiyatapu Biological Park\, Andaman and Nicobar Islands DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-chidiyatapu-biological-park-andaman-and-nicobar-islands/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/f-30.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260125T080000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260125T220000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260113T131520Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T124810Z UID:8264-1769328000-1769378400@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Chandu Budhera\, Gurugram DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-chandu-budhera-gurugram/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/chandu-budhera-1.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260125T080000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260125T100000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260113T141705Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T170117Z UID:8281-1769328000-1769335200@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Daulat Baroda Lake\, Indore (MP) DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-daulat-baroda-lake-indore-mp-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/f-28.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260125T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260125T093000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065039 CREATED:20260114T073156Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T172719Z UID:8273-1769326200-1769333400@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Kopra\, Bilaspur\, Chhattisgarh DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-kopra-bilaspur-chhattisgarh-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/f-31.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260125T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260125T093000 DTSTAMP:20260418T065040 CREATED:20260113T143324Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T084936Z UID:8289-1769326200-1769333400@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Khairbana Dam\, Chhattisgarh DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-khairbana-dam-chhattisgarh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-25-at-19.02.35.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260125T071500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260125T091500 DTSTAMP:20260418T065040 CREATED:20260119T132549Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T125224Z UID:8377-1769325300-1769332500@checkout.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Narsinghgarh Wildlife Sanctuary\, Rajgarh\, MP DESCRIPTION:Bird Walk at Vetal Tekdi\, Pune \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pune\n \n \n \n \n 28 February\, 2026\n \n \n \n \n Samarth Kedilaya\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi in Pune\, Maharashtra\, is a leafy natural gem rising above the city as part of the Vetal Hill complex — a spur of the Western Ghats that forms Pune’s highest point and stretches across sprawling grassland and scrub habitats interwoven with dry deciduous woodland. Traditionally a grass-scrub ecosystem\, the hill today supports a rich mix of native trees\, shrubs and herbaceous flora\, alongside some exotic plantations\, and boasts remarkable biodiversity for an urban landscape. Its abandoned stone quarries and monsoon ponds attract a variety of life\, from reptiles and invertebrates to mammals\, but it is most celebrated for its varied birdlife\, with birding events regularly recording over 150 species\, including resident woodland birds and seasonal migrants such as flycatchers\, bee-eaters and raptors. Locals and naturalists alike relish early morning walks here\, enjoying the calls of woodshrikes\, orioles and parakeets amid the scrub and forest edges\, as well as sightings around the quarry waterbody that draw keen birders. \n \n \n \n Despite its natural charm\, Vetal Tekdi faces mounting conservation challenges typical of urban green spaces. Proposed infrastructure projects from new roads and transit routes to slope development threaten to fragment its habitats\, cut down significant tree cover and disrupt groundwater recharge zones that sustain the hill’s vegetation and wildlife. Environmental surveys have shown a diversity of tree species\, shrubs\, climbers and fauna that could be severely impacted by such development\, prompting strong opposition from residents and activists who argue the hill’s ecological value outweighs short-term urban gains. There’s also concern about invasive plant species and unplanned afforestation altering the native grassland character\, and human pressures like unregulated trails and disturbance around water bodies. Protecting Vetal Tekdi means balancing Pune’s growth with sustained conservation\, community stewardship and habitat management to preserve this urban biodiversity hotspot for future generations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Partnered with \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird Guide - Samarth KedilayaSamarth is a passionate birder with nearly a decade of field experience and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action. With a strong interest in endemic species and their adaptations\, he aspires to build his future research around birds or reptiles. \n \n \n \n \n \n Bird walk Location \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common birds of Vetal Tekdi \n \n \n \n Vetal Tekdi is a vibrant haven for birdlife\, with an extraordinary 284 species recorded so far\, making it one of Pune’s most rewarding urban birding destinations. Its grasslands\, scrub\, wooded slopes\, and quarry waterbodies host a rich mix of birds—from water-associated species like Indian Spot-billed Duck\, Eurasian Moorhen\, Little and Great Cormorants\, Indian Pond Heron\, Little Egret\, and Common Sandpiper\, to open-country and scrub specialists such as Red-wattled Lapwing\, Laughing Dove\, Spotted Dove\, and Greater Coucal. Raptors like the Black Kite\, Black-winged Kite\, and Booted Eagle soar above the hill\, while evenings may reveal the cryptic Indian Nightjar and the watchful Spotted Owlet. Colour and sound come courtesy of Asian Green Bee-eaters\, Asian Koel\, and a striking trio of parakeets—Alexandrine\, Rose-ringed\, and Plum-headed—alongside familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon and the occasional Indian Peafowl. This remarkable diversity\, packed into a single hill complex\, highlights Vetal Tekdi’s importance as a living refuge for birds within an ever-growing city. \n \n \n \n \n Indian Spot-billed Duck \n \n \n \n Indian Peafowl \n \n \n \n Spotted Dove \n \n \n \n Asian Koel \n \n \n \n Asian Palm Swift \n \n \n \n Red-wattled Lapwing \n \n \n \n Common Sandpiper \n \n \n \n Little Egret \n \n \n \n Eurasian Moorhen \n \n \n \n Indian Pond Heron \n \n \n \n Black Kite \n \n \n \n Spotted Owlet \n \n \n \n Asian Green Bee-eater \n \n \n \n Alexandrine Parakeet \n \n \n \n Rose-ringed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Plum-headed Parakeet \n \n \n \n Black Drongo \n \n \n \n Red-vented Bulbul \n \n \n \n Greater Coucal \n \n \n \n Common Myna \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Summary of Walk \n \n \n \n The bird walk at Vetal Tekdi in Pune was led by bird expert Samarth Kedilaya and saw an impressive participation of 19 birders. Covering forest patches\, a quarry\, and grassland habitats\, the group recorded 46 species. Key sightings included Taiga Flycatcher\, Blyth’s Reed Warbler\, Black-winged Kite\, Common Sandpiper\, and a close view of a male Shikra perched overhead. \n \n \n \n Samarth explained how habitat differences influence bird diversity and guided participants in identifying birds through plumage details such as eye color and wing patterns. He demonstrated effective binocular use and discussed nesting behavior\, including observations of Coppersmith Barbet activity. The interactive session extended beyond its scheduled time due to enthusiastic participation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Number of Participants \n \n 0 URL:https://checkout.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-narsinghgarh-wildlife-sanctuary-rajgarh-mp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://checkout.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-25-at-16.39.20.webp END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR