BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ataavi - ECPv6.12.0.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://mail.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:20260222T080000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T100000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260211T084721Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T130507Z UID:8951-1771747200-1771754400@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Tirthan Valley\, Gushaini\, Himachal 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-tirthan-valley-gushaini-himachal-pradesh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20260304_165343-Ankit-Sharma-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T093000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260218T074247Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260228T180145Z UID:9241-1771745400-1771752600@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Maharashtra Nature Park\, 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-maharashtra-nature-park-mumbai-5/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-22-at-1.08.21-PM.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T093000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260216T063252Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T103401Z UID:9090-1771745400-1771752600@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at TS Chanakya\, 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-t-s-chanakya-birding-area-navi-mumbai-4/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG_20260222_094912662-Ishaan-Prabhudesai.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T071500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T091500 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260211T084146Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260228T175820Z UID:8948-1771744500-1771751700@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Suraj Nagar Backwaters\, 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-suraj-nagar-backwaters-bhopal-mp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-22-at-12.12.17-PM.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T090000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260212T062531Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T095440Z UID:9040-1771743600-1771750800@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Poomala Dam\, Thrissur\, Kerala 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-poomala-dam-thrissur-kerala/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-22-at-9.56.55-AM-1.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T090000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260211T125034Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T093103Z UID:9013-1771743600-1771750800@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Morlem Gad\, 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-morlem-gad-goa/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-23-at-9.23.19-PM-1.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T090000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260211T092613Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T092244Z UID:8960-1771743600-1771750800@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Ayarpatta Hill\, Nainital\, Uttarakhand 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-ayarpatta-hill-nainital-uttarakhand/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20260222_090533-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T090000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260211T072604Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T090154Z UID:8930-1771743600-1771750800@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Van\, 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-pandit-deen-dayal-upadhyay-van-bhopal-mp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-22-at-12.29.17-PM.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T083000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260212T071314Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T101232Z UID:9047-1771741800-1771749000@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Sultanpur National Park\, Gurugram (Delhi NCR) 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-sultanpur-national-park-gurugram-delhi-ncr-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PXL_20260222_025953841-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T083000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260211T135451Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T094947Z UID:9031-1771741800-1771749000@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Velur Kasba\, Thoothukudi\, Tamil Nadu 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-thoothukudi-tamil-nadu/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG_20260223_095218_832-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260222T080000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260211T081026Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T090836Z UID:8939-1771740000-1771747200@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Maguri Wetland\, Tinsukia\, Assam 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-maguri-wetland-tinsukia-assam/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-22-at-12.57.41-PM-1-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260221T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260221T213000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260217T050620Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260228T174110Z UID:9097-1771659000-1771709400@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Kavesar Lake\, 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-kavesar-lake-thane-mh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG-20260221-WA0033-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260221T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260221T093000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260216T060548Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260228T174727Z UID:9077-1771659000-1771666200@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Bhandup Pumping Station\, Mumbai\, 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-bhandup-pumping-station-mumbai-maharashtra01/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG20260221080628-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260221T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260226T090000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260313T110102Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T111848Z UID:10201-1771657200-1772096400@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Campus Bird Walk at IIT Roorkie 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/campus-bird-count-at-iit-roorkie/ CATEGORIES:Campus Bird Count,Past Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/With_IIT-R-students_RohitJha.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260221T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260221T090000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260211T063452Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T085548Z UID:8910-1771657200-1771664400@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Agacaim Mudflats\, 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-agacaim-mudflats-goa-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-23-at-9.19.57-PM.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260221T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260221T083000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260211T070357Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T105155Z UID:8923-1771655400-1771662600@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Narrai\, Jabalpur\, 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-narrai-jabalpur-mp/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-21-at-5.28.31-PM-1-e1772173748821.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260221T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260221T080000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260212T135423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T102549Z UID:9057-1771653600-1771660800@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Nelliyampathy Hills\, Palakkad\, Kerala 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-nelliyampathy-hills-palakkad-kerala-1/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-23-at-11.14.25-AM.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260220T093000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260313T091455Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T092613Z UID:10127-1771140600-1771579800@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Campus Bird Count at FLAME University\, Pune 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-for-flame-university-pune/ CATEGORIES:Campus Bird Count,Past Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/FLAME-f-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T093000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260204T115227Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T125118Z UID:8774-1771140600-1771147800@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird walk at Bhandup Pumping Station\, Mumbai\, 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-bhandup-pumping-station-mumbai-mh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG-20260215-WA0044-1.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T073000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T093000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260204T113714Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T093032Z UID:8768-1771140600-1771147800@mail.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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-indira-gandhi-rashtriya-manav-sangrahalaya-bhopal-mp-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG-20260215-WA0113.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T071500 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T091500 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260209T071948Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T130758Z UID:8825-1771139700-1771146900@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Kaliyasota Dam River View\, 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-kaliyasota-dam-river-view-bhopal-mp-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG-20260215-WA0111-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T070000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T210000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260204T104627Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T095403Z UID:8691-1771138800-1771189200@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at India Lake\, Kesarbagh\, Dholpur\, Rajasthan 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-india-lake-kesarbagh-dholpur-rajasthan/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG-20260215-WA0108.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T083000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260209T081058Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T101721Z UID:8831-1771137000-1771144200@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Jugibeel\, Golaghat\, Assam 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-jugibeel-golaghat-assam-3/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-17-152700.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T083000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260205T123140Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T091220Z UID:8809-1771137000-1771144200@mail.ataavi.org SUMMARY:Bird Walk at Qutub Minar Complex\, 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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-qutub-minar-complex-delhi/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PXL_20260215_031606095-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T060000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260215T080000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260204T105529Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T115609Z UID:8752-1771135200-1771142400@mail.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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-zilmili-lake-gondia-mh-2/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.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:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260219T133217Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260221T022721Z UID:9251-1771059600-1771500000@mail.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://mail.ataavi.org/event/campus-bird-count-at-rv-university/ CATEGORIES:Campus Bird Count,Past Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.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:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260204T120451Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T103656Z UID:8782-1771056000-1771063200@mail.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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-rabindra-sarobar-lake-kolkata-wb/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.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:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260209T064725Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T114100Z UID:8818-1771054200-1771104600@mail.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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-vasai-gass-road-vasai-mh/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.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:20260601T031933 CREATED:20260313T083141Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T084836Z UID:10115-1771050600-1771489800@mail.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://mail.ataavi.org/event/campus-bird-count-at-lcit-college-of-science-cg/ CATEGORIES:Campus Bird Count,Past Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/f.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260214T063000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260214T083000 DTSTAMP:20260601T031934 CREATED:20260205T111459Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T092142Z UID:8802-1771050600-1771057800@mail.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://mail.ataavi.org/event/bird-walk-at-humayun-tomb-delhi/ CATEGORIES:Birding Bharat ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mail.ataavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-14-at-09.20.52-scaled.webp END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR