Bird Walk at Shivkuti, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
- Allahabad
- 4 October, 2026
- Shreeta Agrahari
About Shivkuti
On the northern edge of Prayagraj, Shivkuti runs down to the banks of the Ganga, where old ghats and the ancient Shivkoti Mahadev temple look out over the river. The landscape changes with the seasons. When the monsoon floods recede, they leave wide sandbanks, silty floodplain, riverside grassland and seasonal pools behind. Old neighbourhoods, mango and guava orchards, and large peepal, neem and banyan trees fill the land above the river. Farmland and scattered groves add to the mix. Gangetic fish, turtles and frogs live along the river’s edge, and the old trees shelter owls, squirrels and fruit bats.
For birders, Shivkuti offers river and garden birds in one walk. Cormorants, herons and egrets fish along the shore. Lapwings and bee-eaters use the open banks, and flocks of starlings and mynas feed on the fields. Barbets, treepies, bulbuls and flowerpeckers are busy in the groves. In winter, migrant ducks, gulls, terns and waders arrive on the Ganga, and warblers stop off in the trees. Like much of the Ganga, though, this stretch is under strain. Untreated sewage and waste, plastic and ritual litter all reach the river. Sand mining, riverfront construction and heavy crowds during bathing festivals disturb the sandbanks where birds rest and nest. Old trees are also being cut as the city grows. Protecting the floodplain and sandbars, keeping the old groves, and cleaning up the river are essential for Shivkuti’s birds.
Partnered with
Bird Guide - Shreeta Agrahari
A passionate birdwatcher with 7 years of experience, I’ve found birding to be both emotionally grounding and mentally enriching. I’m driven to share the joy and transformative power of birding with others, helping more people discover and connect with the natural world.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Shivkuti
Shivkuti’s old trees hide a small, fierce predator: the Jungle Owlet. This finely barred little owl often calls and hunts in broad daylight. Nearby, the tiny Pale-billed Flowerpecker, one of India’s smallest birds, darts between mistletoe clumps. The Greenish Warbler stops over on its long migration from the Himalayas. Coppersmith and Brown-headed Barbets call endlessly from the canopy. Rufous Treepies glide between the trees on long tails, and Asian Green Bee-eaters swoop out after insects in shimmering green. On the open ground, pied black-and-white Indian Pied Starlings forage alongside the Bank Myna. As its name suggests, the Bank Myna nests in holes in riverbanks, and it has bright orange skin around its eyes. Jungle Babblers chatter in noisy groups, and Red-whiskered Bulbuls show off their crests. The Oriental Magpie-Robin sings sweetly, and the Indian Robin cocks its tail. Common Tailorbirds, Ashy Prinias and Purple Sunbirds keep the shrubs busy, while Black Drongos and Rose-ringed Parakeets watch from above. Along the river, Little Cormorants, Indian Pond-Herons and Eastern Cattle-Egrets fish the edges, and Red-wattled Lapwings keep a noisy watch.
Jungle Owlet
Pale-billed Flowerpecker
Greenish Warbler
Coppersmith Barbet
Brown-headed Barbet
Rufous Treepie
Asian Green Bee-eater
Indian Pied Starling
Bank Myna
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Jungle Babbler
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Indian Robin
Common Tailorbird
Ashy Prinia
Purple Sunbird
Black Drongo
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Little Cormorant
Indian Pond-Heron
Summary of Walk
Four nature lovers joined guide Shreeta Agrahari at Shivkuti in Prayagraj on 4 October for a calm and personal morning of birdwatching near the river. The riverside landscape of this part of the city brings together open banks, grassy stretches, scattered trees and quiet water, a combination that tends to attract a wide variety of birds, and the group moved along at an unhurried pace, watching the sky, the shoreline and the branches for signs of life. Riverbank areas like this are often home to egrets, herons, wagtails, bulbuls, kingfishers and bee-eaters, and the small group had an excellent chance to observe each of them closely, noting how they move, feed and call. Shreeta’s deep familiarity with Prayagraj’s birdlife and her friendly guidance made the walk a pleasure, as she helped participants understand how to identify species by their shapes, flight and sounds, and how to pay attention to the small details that make each bird unique. With such an intimate group, there was room for long conversations, careful observation and shared moments of delight, and every participant had the chance to ask questions and share their own experiences. The soft morning light, the gentle sounds of the river and the quiet companionship of fellow birders created a restful atmosphere that stayed with everyone. It was a wonderful reminder that birdwatching does not need a big crowd or a long list of species to be meaningful, and that a small group on a quiet riverbank can discover plenty of beauty. The participants left feeling refreshed, grateful and eager to join the next Ataavi walk in their city.
Number of Participants
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