Bird Walk at Punit van, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- Gujarat
- 3 October, 2026
- Solanki Dhaval Rajeshkumar
About Punit Van
Punit Van is a well-maintained green space in the heart of Gandhinagar, developed by the Gujarat Forest Department in 2005. Designed around the traditional concepts of Nakshatra Van, Rashi Van, Navgraha Van and Panchvati Van, the site combines planted vegetation with open spaces, flowering plants, shrubs and small water bodies. Although surrounded by an urban landscape, its vegetation provides an important refuge for a variety of birds and other urban wildlife. The mix of trees and dense patches offers feeding, nesting and roosting opportunities for species that have adapted to city environments. Birdwatchers can encounter birds such as Indian Peafowl, Asian Koel, Purple Sunbird, Red-vented Bulbul, Jungle Babbler, Ashy Prinia, Black Drongo, parakeets, munias and bee-eaters, among others. Early mornings are particularly rewarding, when bird activity is high and the calls of different species can be heard across the park.
The value of Punit Van lies not only in its bird diversity but also in the role such green spaces play within an increasingly urban Gandhinagar. Its trees, flowering plants and relatively quiet corners create small ecological pockets that support insects, pollinators, reptiles and birds. Seasonal changes can bring noticeable differences in bird activity, with breeding behaviour, feeding activity and migrant or locally moving species adding variety at different times of the year. The presence of ponds and other water sources further enhances its habitat value. For birdwatchers, the site is particularly useful for observing common species closely and understanding how birds use urban habitats. At the same time, increasing recreational use and human activity highlight the importance of maintaining vegetation, limiting unnecessary disturbance and protecting quieter sections of the park. Punit Van demonstrates how thoughtfully managed urban green spaces can contribute to biodiversity conservation while remaining accessible to city residents.
Bird Guide: Solanki Dhaval Rajeshkumar
Wildlife photographer and nature enthusiast with 9 years of experience exploring and documenting birds and wildlife across Gujarat. Passionate about bird identification, behaviour, habitats, and creating engaging experiences for fellow nature lovers.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Punit Van
Punit Van offers a rewarding mix of woodland, open-ground and wetland birding within Gandhinagar’s urban landscape. The green spaces and vegetation support a good variety of resident birds, from colourful White-throated Kingfishers, Indian Peafowl and Purple Sunbirds to familiar urban species such as Common Myna, House Sparrow and Rock Pigeon. The denser vegetation is particularly lively with Jungle Babblers, Red-whiskered Bulbuls, Red-vented Bulbuls and White-eared Bulbuls, while Baya Weavers and Indian Silverbills can be spotted around suitable grassy and open areas. The presence of water and open patches also adds diversity, with Grey Heron, White-breasted Waterhen, Knob-billed Duck and Red-wattled Lapwing representing some of the wetland-associated species recorded here.
For raptor enthusiasts, Black-winged Kite is an interesting sighting, while Black Ibis and Rosy Starling add further variety to the bird list. The mix of native and planted vegetation, open spaces and water makes Punit Van a useful urban birding site where both common and more specialised species can be observed. Early mornings are particularly productive, when bird activity is at its peak and the park comes alive with calls and movement.
White-throated Kingfisher
Indian Peafowl
Grey Heron
Indian White-eye
Jungle Babbler
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Red-vented Bulbul
Purple Sunbird
White-breasted Waterhen
Common Myna
House Crow
House Sparrow
Baya Weaver
Indian Silverbill
Black Headed Ibis
White-eared Bulbul
Rock Pigeon
Large-billed Crow
Red-wattled Lapwing
Rosy Starling
Summary of Walk
Eight nature lovers joined guide Solanki Dhaval Rajeshkumar at Punit Van in Gandhinagar on 3 October for a refreshing walk through one of the city’s most beautiful green spaces. The forest-like setting of Punit Van, with its tall trees and shaded trails, offered a welcome change of pace, and the group moved gently through the woodland, listening for calls and scanning the canopy. Together they recorded 16 species, and while the list was compact, it was full of quality sightings. The Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon delighted the group, its soft green colours blending so well with the foliage that spotting it was a real accomplishment. The Indian Grey Hornbill, with its curved bill and slow, deliberate movements, drew admiring looks as it moved through the trees, and the White-bellied Drongo showed off its elegant forked tail as it hunted insects from a low perch. Another welcome sighting was the Lesser Whitethroat, a small and lively migrant that signals the start of the winter birding season, and it was a pleasure to find it so early. A Jungle Babbler sporting an unusually short tail also caught the group’s attention, adding a touch of character to the morning. Dhaval shared helpful insights about how to identify woodland birds by their calls and their way of moving through the trees, and the small group atmosphere meant that every participant had space to ask questions and take their time with each sighting. By the end of the walk, the group left with a deeper appreciation for the birds that live within the city’s green spaces, and a promise to come back as more migrants arrive.
Number of Participants
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