Bird Walk at Bavdhan Tekdi, Pune
- Pune
- 18 January, 2026
- Arjit Jere and Kamlakar Bhopatkar
About Bavdhan Tekdi
Bavdhan Tekdi, located on the western edge of Pune, is a prominent hill ecosystem that forms part of the northern Western Ghats landscape. Characterized by rocky slopes, open scrub, grass patches, and scattered trees, the tekdi acts as an important green buffer amid rapidly expanding urban development. Seasonal changes strongly influence the habitat, with lush vegetation during the monsoon and open grassland and scrub conditions in the dry months, supporting a variety of flora and fauna adapted to these conditions.
The hill is especially valued for its birdlife and serves as a refuge for several resident and migratory species commonly associated with scrub and grassland habitats. It is also an important space for nature education, morning walks, and birdwatching for local communities. However, increasing pressure from construction, road expansion, and recreational disturbance poses challenges to the ecological integrity of Bavdhan Tekdi, emphasizing the need for sensitive management to balance conservation with public use.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Bavdhan Tekdi
Bavdhan Tekdi supports a characteristic assemblage of common scrubland and grassland birds that thrive in its open slopes, rocky patches, and seasonal grass cover. Ground-dwelling and open-habitat species such as Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Red-wattled Lapwing, Rufous-tailed Lark, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Paddyfield Pipit, and Tree Pipit are regularly observed, particularly in grassy and exposed areas. The presence of Eastern Cattle-Egret and Laughing Dove reflects the influence of nearby human-modified landscapes, while Indian Silverbill occurs in flocks foraging on grass seeds.
The tekdi also provides suitable habitat for insectivorous birds and raptors. Species such as Common Hoopoe, Asian Green Bee-eater, prinias, Dusky Crag-Martin, and Eastern Red-rumped Swallow are commonly seen feeding on insects in open airspace and vegetation. Predatory birds including Oriental Honey-buzzard and other diurnal raptors use the hill for soaring and hunting, while Black Drongo and Long-tailed Shrike act as resident predators. Tree-associated birds like Coppersmith Barbet, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Purple Sunbird, Red-vented Bulbul, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Common Myna, and Large-billed Crow complete the avifaunal community, highlighting Bavdhan Tekdi’s importance as an urban scrub-grassland refuge for diverse bird species.
Yellow-wattled Lapwing
Oriental Honey Buzzard
Red-wattled Lapwing
Eurasian Hoopoe
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Asian Green Bee-eater
Eastern Cattle Egret
Coppersmith Barbet
Black Drongo
Long-tailed Shrike
Large-billed Crow
Ahy Prinia
Red-vented Bulbul
Purple Sunbird
Paddyfield Pipit
Common Myna
Eastern Red-rumped Swallow
Yellow-eyed Babbler
Pied Bushchat
Indian Silverbill
Bird Guide - Arjit Jere
An animal ecologist turned nature educator from Pune. He has been birding for research and education since half a decade. He enjoys engaging with public through these colorful marvels through bird walks.
Bird Guide - Kamlakar Bhopatkar
An ex-educationist in computer science with 20+ years of experience, an amateur birder since three years with ebird count of around 300 bird species.
Summary of Walk
A bird walk was conducted at Bavdhan Tekdi, Pune, led by Arjit Jere and Kamlakar Bhopatkar, with 13 participants, at this ecologically important green buffer on the western edge of the city, characterized by rocky slopes, scrub vegetation, and open grasslands. The walk was planned with the hope of spotting resident and migratory grassland species as well as raptors, and the group was pleasantly surprised by both the diversity and quality of sightings. Most participants came equipped with binoculars, and a few were already active birders, which led to engaging discussions and shared observations right from the start.
As the group began ascending the hill, birds such as sunbirds, Indian Robins, shrikes, and drongos were spotted along the scrubby slopes. Higher up, the open grasslands revealed Siberian Stonechats, Black Kites, and excellent views of Yellow-wattled Lapwings in their preferred habitat. The major highlights included a Eurasian Kestrel, Small Minivets, and sightings of an Indian Roller by some participants. Overall, the trail turned out to be highly rewarding, offering not only the species that were hoped for but many additional sightings, reinforcing the importance of Bavdhan Tekdi as a valuable birding and biodiversity hotspot within Pune.
Number of Participants
0
