Bird Walk at T.S. Chanakya Birding Area, Navi Mumbai
- Navi Mumbai
- 4 January, 2026
- Shmes Sufyan
About T.S. Chanakya
T.S. Chanakya in Seawoods, Navi Mumbai, is a serene green pocket nestled between urban development, mangroves, and tidal wetlands, offering a refreshing natural escape for residents and nature enthusiasts. Once known for the maritime training institute located here, the area has gradually transformed into a favored birding and walking spot thanks to its mix of freshwater pools, grassy patches, and scattered trees. The sight of sunrise over the wetlands, with distant mangrove silhouettes and gentle ripples on the water, lends the place a peaceful charm that contrasts beautifully with the bustling city around it.
Today, T.S. Chanakya stands as a cherished recreational and ecological space where walkers, joggers, and birdwatchers cross paths with fishermen and locals enjoying quiet moments. The tidal influence from the creek and the mix of wetland habitats draw a variety of wildlife, particularly during the migratory season when the site comes alive with the calls and movements of visiting birds. Efforts by local naturalists and birding groups have helped highlight the ecological significance of the area, encouraging appreciation and awareness for conserving this rare green-lung space amid rapid urban growth.
Bird Guide: Shmes Sufyan
Birding guide with 10+ years of experience, holding a Master’s in Biodiversity, Wildlife Conservation, and Management. Skilled at not just spotting birds but also explaining their ecology, behavior, and habitats in a simple, engaging way.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of T.S. Chanakya
The wetlands and open grasslands around T.S. Chanakya support a rich variety of birdlife, making it one of Navi Mumbai’s popular birding spots. Large waders such as Lesser and Greater Flamingos gather in impressive numbers, often joined by Painted Storks, Grey-headed Swamphens, and Spot-billed Ducks along the shallow pools. The edges of the water bustle with activity from Wood Sandpipers, Little Stints, Eurasian Curlews, and Common Sandpipers, while Whiskered Terns skim gracefully over the water surface. The marshes and trees around the site host Little and Great Egrets, Little Cormorants, and charismatic kingfishers like the White-throated and Common Kingfisher. In the surrounding scrub and grassland, birdwatchers can spot smaller but equally charming species including the Bluethroat, Eurasian Hoopoe, Ashy Prinia, Ashy Drongo, and White-eared Bulbul, making the area a vibrant mosaic of wetland and woodland birdlife.
Northern Pintail
Spotted Dove
Painted Stork
Eurasian Curlew
Common Kingfisher
Black-winged Stilt
Common Sandpiper
Common Woodshrike
Indian Pied Starling
Asian Palm Swift
Jungle Babbler
Little Cormorant
Grey-headed Swamphen
Green Sandpiper
Black-headed Ibis
Pheasant-tailed Jacana
Bronze-winged Jacana
Great Egret
Oriental Magpie Robin
Ashy Drongo
Summary of Walk
The bird walk at the TS Chanakya Birding Area, led by Shmes Sufyan, brought together 11 participants for an engaging and interactive learning experience. Although the walk started a bit late due to some participants arriving after the scheduled time, it began with introductions followed by a fun bird-naming exercise that encouraged everyone to think more closely about bird names and identification. This activity helped break the ice and set a thoughtful, curious tone for the walk.
As the group moved through the birding area, they recorded close to 50 bird species, making the walk highly rewarding. Notable sightings included Red Avadavat, Isabelline Shrike, Greater Flamingo, Little Cormorant, along with various egrets, bulbuls, and kingfishers. The walk sparked lively discussions, with many questions around how to spot birds, understand their ecology, and recognize different habitats. The session concluded with participants sharing suggestions for the app and reflecting on the satisfaction of observing such rich bird diversity, leaving everyone with a strong sense of accomplishment and enthusiasm for birdwatching.
Number of Participants
0
