Bird walk at Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal, MP
- Bhopal
- 8 February, 2026
- Kritalee Chindarkar (Tarang Ecotours) and MP Tourism
About Van Vihar National Park
Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal stretches along the shimmering edge of Upper Lake, where forested hills roll gently into water and city noise dissolves into birdsong. Though compact in size, the park feels like a green amphitheatre—dry deciduous woodland, rocky slopes, quiet grass patches, and lakefront marshes all folding into one another. Visitors wandering its cycling paths often feel the city fall away behind them, replaced by spotted deer grazing in the shade, wild boar rustling through leaf litter, and raptors circling lazily above the lake’s silver skin. Its unique model—part zoo, part free-ranging wildlife sanctuary—creates a landscape where rescued animals find safe refuge and wild species move freely across the terrain.
For nature lovers and birdwatchers, Van Vihar is a dependable haven. The lake’s edge draws herons, cormorants, storks, and winter ducks, while the forest hosts barbets, parakeets, drongos, peafowl, and a chorus of woodland songbirds. Morning walkers often witness the slow unfurling of the park’s rhythm—the sun easing over the hills, langurs leaping between branches, and the air turning alive with calls from tree and water alike. As Bhopal expands, Van Vihar remains a breathing space for both wildlife and people, reminding the city that its most treasured calm still comes from these protected pockets of green.
Bird Guide - Kritalee Chindarkar
She is the Founder of the Tarang Eco Tours where they organize nature trails and camps focused on sustainable tourism and to create environmental awareness among people.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Van Vihar National Park
With 264 species recorded, Van Vihar National Park offers a dazzling blend of lake-loving birds, woodland regulars, and open-country specialists. Along the water’s edge, watchers frequently spot Black-winged Stilts, Bronze-winged Jacanas, Purple Swamphens, White-breasted Waterhens, Moorhens, Spot-billed Ducks, and an elegant lineup of herons and egrets—from Pond Heron to Grey Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Egret, and Great Egret. The tree-lined paths stay lively with Purple Sunbirds, Coppersmith Barbets, Rose-ringed Parakeets, Common Ioras, Cinerous Tits, Jungle Babblers, White-browed Fantails, and the yellow flare of the Golden Oriole. Open patches draw Green Bee-eaters, Indian Robins, Oriental Magpie Robins, Ashy and Plain Prinias, while raptors like the Shikra keep a quiet watch overhead. Add in Indian Peafowl, Woolly-necked Storks, Red-vented Bulbuls, Spotted Doves, Large-billed Crows, Baya Weavers, and two striking kingfishers—the White-throated and Common—and Van Vihar becomes a richly layered theatre of birdlife all year round.
Asian Openbill
Asian Green Bee-eater
Black-headed Ibis
Baya Weaver
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Coppersmith Barbet
House Crow
Ashy Prinia
Asian Openbill
Lesser Whistling Duck
Paddyfield Pipit
Oriental Magpie Robin
Grey-headed Swamphen
Grey-backed Shrike
Black Drongo
Indian Golden Oriole
Eurasian Collared Dove
Red-wattled Lapwing
Pheasant-tailed Jacana
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Summary of Walk
The bird walk at Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal, led by Kritalee Chindarkar in collaboration with Tarang Ecotours and MP Tourism, brought together seven enthusiastic participants for a refreshing morning amidst lush forest trails and wetlands. The walk began on a delightful note with the sighting of four Grey Hornbills feeding on fig fruits, setting the tone for an eventful day. Over the course of the walk, the group recorded an impressive 48 bird species, including exciting winter migrants like the Ruff and Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher. Woodland sightings featured birds such as Yellow-throated Sparrow, Greenish Warbler, Hume’s Warbler, Jerdon’s Leafbird, and the majestic Indian Peafowl, adding depth and variety to the experience.
As the trail transitioned into the wetland zones, participants were treated to rich avian encounters with Painted Stork, Lesser Whistling Duck, Spot-billed Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Oriental Darter, and multiple kingfisher species. Special moments included observing Bronze-winged Jacana chicks expertly camouflaged on floating vegetation and active nesting sites of Grey Herons, Great Cormorants, and Little Cormorants. The walk concluded on a high note with the distant but thrilling sighting of eight Sarus Cranes through binoculars. For some, the walk marked a joyful return to birdwatching, made richer by Kritalee’s engaging insights into bird behaviour, migration, and ecology. The morning unfolded as a shared journey of learning, rediscovery, and quiet wonder, leaving participants inspired and deeply connected to nature.
Number of Participants
0
