Bird Walk at Maharashtra Nature Park, Mumbai

  • Mumbai
  • 22 February, 2026
  • Shmes Sufyan

About Maharashtra Nature Park

Located in the heart of Dharavi, Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP) is Mumbai’s unexpected green miracle, a thriving man-made forest that rose from a former dumping ground. Inaugurated in 1994, with its first sapling planted by the legendary Dr. Salim Ali, MNP today is home to over 160 species of birds, 80+ species of butterflies, and and countless insects and amphibians, playing a key role in preserving biodiversity. It’s not just a birding hotspot, it’s a living example of what ecological restoration and community effort can achieve in the middle of a busy city.
Spread over 37 acres, MNP now features dense plantations, nature trails, bamboo groves, mangrove patches, and a central pond that attracts a variety of birds and butterflies. Amidst the chaos of Mumbai’s urban sprawl, this regenerated woodland offers a peaceful refuge for walkers, birdwatchers, students, and nature lovers. It also serves as an outdoor classroom for environmental education, especially for children from neighboring low-income communities. Ecologically, MNP acts as a vital green lung for the city—moderating temperatures, aiding groundwater recharge, improving air quality, and buffering against floods through its vegetation and wetlands.

Partnered with

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 Maharashtra Nature Park

With over 160 bird species recorded within its 37-acre expanse, MNP has emerged as a critical avifaunal refuge in the heart of the megacity. The park’s blend of dense woodland, open clearings, mangroves, and wetland patches creates diverse microhabitats that sustain both resident and migratory birds across seasons. Common residents like the Coppersmith Barbet, Rose-ringed Parakeet, White-throated Kingfisher, and Red-vented Bulbul are frequently seen and heard along the trails. The central pond attracts Indian Cormorants, Black-winged Stilts, Pond-Herons, and seasonal visitors such as Whiskered Terns, Temminck’s Stint, and Green Sandpipers.
MNP also hosts raptors like the Black Kite, Shikra, and the elusive Greater Spotted Eagle—indicators of a balanced urban food web. Occasional sightings of Painted Storks, Glossy Ibises, and River Terns highlight its importance for migratory species. With its surprising bird diversity in the heart of a dense metropolis, the park plays a vital role in supporting urban wildlife, offering nature-based learning, and reminding the city of its wild side worth conserving.
Shikra
White-breasted Waterhen
Black Crowned Night Heron
Black-winged Stilt
Asian Koel

Indian Cormorant
Indian Paradise Flycatcher
Coppersmith Barbet
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher
Eurasian Curlew
Common Tailorbird
Oriental Magpie Robin
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Indian Pond Heron
Coppersmith Barbet
White-throated Kingfisher
Red-vented Bulbul
Purple-rumped Sunbird
Greater Coucal
Red-wattled Lapwing

Summary of Walk

The bird walk at Maharashtra Nature Park, led by Shmes Sufyan Ansari, brought together a small but enthusiastic group of five participants for an engaging morning amidst urban wilderness. The park’s unique blend of woodland patches, scrub, and wetland habitats provided an excellent setting to observe a variety of resident and migratory birds. With a smaller group size, participants enjoyed personalized guidance, learning to identify birds through field marks, calls, behavior, and habitat preference. The interactive discussions encouraged everyone to slow down, observe closely, and appreciate the biodiversity thriving within the city landscape.

Overall, the walk offered a refreshing escape into nature while highlighting the ecological importance of urban green spaces. Participants left with improved bird identification skills, a deeper understanding of local ecosystems, and a renewed appreciation for conserving natural habitats within metropolitan areas. The intimate group size allowed for meaningful conversations and a memorable shared learning experience.

Number of Participants
0
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ATAAVI Bird Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between people and the avian diversity of India. Through advocacy, education and conservation efforts, we strive to increase awareness and appreciation for birds across communities.

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