Bird Walk at Gora Village, Bhoj Wetland, Ramsar Site, Bhopal, MP
- Bhopal
- 8 February, 2026
- Ankit Malviya and MP Tourism
About Bhoj Wetland
Bhoj Wetland near Gora Village, a designated Ramsar Site, is one of central India’s most significant freshwater ecosystems, spread over an expansive landscape formed by the Upper and Lower Lakes of Bhopal and their surrounding marshes. This vast wetland complex supports a rich mosaic of habitats including open water, shallow marshes, reed beds, submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation, and adjoining agricultural and scrub landscapes. The diverse plant life—ranging from aquatic macrophytes and reeds to shoreline trees—creates ideal conditions for an extraordinary range of fauna. Bhoj Wetland is internationally renowned for its birdlife, hosting hundreds of resident and migratory species each year. During winter, the wetland transforms into a spectacular birding destination, with large congregations of waterfowl, waders, raptors, and wetland-dependent passerines, making it a magnet for birdwatchers, photographers, and researchers alike.
Beyond birds, Bhoj Wetland supports fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, while also playing a vital role in groundwater recharge, climate moderation, and livelihoods for surrounding communities. However, this ecological jewel faces mounting conservation challenges, including pollution from urban runoff and sewage, eutrophication, invasive aquatic plants, encroachment, and pressure from unregulated tourism and fishing. Climate variability and declining water quality further threaten habitat integrity and biodiversity. Ongoing conservation efforts focus on wetland restoration, water-quality management, community participation, and sustainable use practices. Protecting Bhoj Wetland is essential not only for conserving its remarkable biodiversity but also for safeguarding a Ramsar-recognized ecosystem that underpins the environmental health and cultural heritage of the Bhopal region.
Bird Guide: Ankit Malviya
He is a naturalist, bird guide, wildlife photographer from Bhopal. Birding since last 7 years and loves to share exciting bird stories and knowledge with everyone.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Bhoj Wetland
Bhoj Wetland is a spectacular haven for birdlife, with an impressive 239 bird species recorded, and its open waters, marshes, and grasslands are alive with activity throughout the year. The lakes host graceful waterbirds such as Spot-billed Ducks, Ruddy Shelduck, Red-crested Pochard, Little Cormorant, Grey Heron, and elegant River and Little Terns skimming the surface. Shorelines and mudflats attract Little Ringed Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, and alert Red-wattled and Yellow-wattled Lapwings, while reed edges and open fields support Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, Skylark, and Long-tailed Shrike. The air above the wetland is animated by Barn, Wire-tailed, and Swift Swallows, along with hunting Black-winged Kite and Black Drongo, while perches flash with colour from Indian Roller and White-throated, Pied, and Common Kingfishers. Seasonal movement adds further richness, with Grey, White-browed, and White Wagtails frequenting the water’s edge, and familiar species like Eurasian Collared Dove and Laughing Dove completing a vibrant bird community that makes Bhoj Wetland one of central India’s finest birding destinations.
River Tern
Grey Wagtail
White-browed Wagtail
Long-tailed Shrike
Indian Roller
Black Drongo
Ruddy Shelduck
Red-crested Pochard
Little Ringed Plover
Pied Kingfisher
White-throated Kingfisher
Common Kingfisher
Eurasian Collared Dove
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Laughing Dove
Little Cormorant
Grey Heron
Wire-tailed Swallow
Red-wattled Lapwing
Indian White-eye
Summary of Walk
The bird walk at Gora Gaon, Bhoj Wetland (Ramsar Site), Bhopal, led by Ankit Malviya in collaboration with MP Tourism, brought together 16 enthusiastic participants for a scenic morning along the village landscape. Gora Gaon, seamlessly linked to the vast Bhoj Wetland, offered breathtaking views of open water, marshes, and surrounding habitats that immediately set the tone for an enriching experience. Participants were delighted by the diversity of birds encountered as they recorded over 30 bird species, with key sightings including Marsh Harrier, Bluethroat, White-browed and Grey Wagtails, Little and Cattle Egrets, Little and Great Cormorants, Spot-billed Ducks, Common Coots, Little Grebe, Red-crested Pochard, River Tern, Little Tern, Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, and White-throated Kingfisher. The landscape itself—calm waters, open skies, and wetland vegetation—added to the joy of birding and photography.
Some of the most exciting moments came from standout sightings such as the Marsh Harrier gliding low over the wetland, vibrant views of the Blue-throat, and elegant River Terns in action. The distant but unmistakable call of the Sarus Crane added a special thrill, even though it remained unseen. Woodland and village-edge species like Green Bee-eater, Laughing Dove, Spotted Dove, Black Drongo, Greenish Warbler, Jungle Babbler, White-browed Fantail Flycatcher, Pied Bushchat, Indian Robin, Oriental Magpie Robin, House Sparrow, and vocal encounters with Coppersmith Barbet further enriched the checklist. Led with engaging insights by Ankit, the walk became a memorable blend of bird diversity, serene wetland views, and shared excitement—leaving participants happy, inspired, and deeply appreciative of the Bhoj Wetland ecosystem.
Number of Participants
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