Bird Walk at Akshi Beach, Alibaug, Raigad, MH
- Alibaug
- 8 February, 2026
- Sanket Shrikant Raut
About Akshi Beach
Akshi Beach near Alibaug is a serene stretch of coastline along the Arabian Sea, known for its relatively undisturbed and natural character. The beach extends over a broad sandy shoreline with gently sloping intertidal zones, mudflats exposed at low tide, and scattered coastal vegetation such as coconut palms and grasses. This mix of beach, mudflat, and nearshore marine habitat supports a rich variety of flora and fauna, from crabs and molluscs to fish and insects that form the base of the coastal food web. Akshi is especially important for birdlife, emerging as one of the most significant shorebird sites on the Maharashtra coast. During winter, large numbers of migratory waders, gulls, and terns arrive to feed on the productive mudflats, making the beach a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts seeking a quieter alternative to more commercial beaches.
Despite its ecological value, Akshi Beach faces growing conservation challenges. Increasing tourism pressure, plastic and solid waste pollution, disturbance from vehicles and recreational activities on the shore, and threats such as sand mining can degrade fragile intertidal habitats and disrupt feeding and roosting birds. Unregulated development along the coast also poses long-term risks to natural beach dynamics and biodiversity. Protecting Akshi’s ecological character will depend on responsible tourism, effective waste management, safeguarding intertidal zones, and greater awareness of the beach’s importance for migratory birds and coastal ecosystems.
Bird Guide: Sanket Shrikant Raut
Sanket is a bird enthusiast and writer. He has participated in various bird and wildlife surveys and also contrubuted for wildlife reserach project.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Akshi Beach
Akshi Beach, Alibaug, is a magnet for coastal and migratory birds, with an impressive 266 species recorded, and its winter shoreline often feels alive with movement and sound. The open sands and tidal flats host elegant shorebirds such as Tibetan Sand-Plover, Greater Sand-Plover, Kentish Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Little Stint, Ruddy Turnstone, Terek Sandpiper, and the occasional Eurasian Whimbrel, all busily probing the sand for food. The waters and tideline are dominated by large flocks of gulls, especially Brown-headed and Black-headed Gulls, with striking visitors like Pallas’s Gull adding to the spectacle. Overhead and offshore, Little, Gull-billed, Lesser Crested, and Great Crested Terns patrol the waves, while Little Egret and Great Egret stalk the shallows. The scene is often crowned by a soaring Brahminy Kite, and even inland-edge species like the Red-wattled Lapwing make appearances. This rich mix of waders, gulls, terns, and coastal birds makes Akshi Beach one of the most exciting and visually rewarding birding destinations along the Maharashtra coast.
Kentish Plover
Tibetan Sand Plover
Little Egret
Brahminy Kite
Little Cormorant
Brown-headed Gull
Eastern Cattle Egret
Gull-billed Tern
Asian Palm Swift
Barn Swallow
Eurasian Curlew
Black-tailed Godwit
Black-headed Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Little Stint
Curlew Sandpiper
Ruddy Turnstone
Common Greenshank
Common Redshank
Terek Sandpiper
Summary of Walk
The bird walk led by Sanket Shrikant Raut brought together 7 enthusiastic participants for a rewarding morning of birding and learning, during which a total of 51 bird species were recorded. Despite starting the walk during low tide, the wetlands were alive with activity, especially with plovers and other small waders, offering an excellent opportunity to discuss their identification features. A special highlight was the successful sighting of tagged birds, which led to an engaging discussion on bird tagging, its methods, and its importance in understanding bird movement and conservation.
As the walk progressed towards a nearby grassland patch, participants observed a variety of urban and grassland bird species, leading to discussions on long-distance migrants, short-distance migrants, and passage migrants. The walk also included sightings of several butterfly species, sparking conversations on unpalatable butterflies and their survival strategies. The experience concluded with the sighting of a drongo, which naturally led to a fascinating discussion on acoustic mimicry in birds, making the walk an enriching blend of observation, learning, and discovery.
Number of Participants
0
