Bird Walk at Punit van, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- Gujarat
- 11 October, 2026
- Madhukar Mohan
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: Madhukar Mohan
He is a recently retired Executive Director at ONGC and a passionate bird photography hobbyist. At 60, he continues to embrace the outdoors, with a love for trekking, exploring nature, and capturing the beauty of birds through his lens.
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
Twelve birders joined guide Madhukar Mohan at Punit Van in Gandhinagar on 11 October for a morning of discovery in one of the city’s best-loved green spaces. The garden’s tall trees, shaded paths and open clearings make it a wonderful place for birds, and the group recorded a delightful 38 species as they explored. One of the stars of the morning was the Indian Golden Oriole, a bird whose brilliant yellow plumage seems to glow among the leaves, and whose fluting call echoed through the canopy. The Common Cuckoo was another highlight, its distinctive call drawing the group’s attention before it finally showed itself, and the discussion about its long migration and its habits kept everyone engaged. Around the trees, the usual cast of resident birds went about their morning routines, with bulbuls, babblers, parakeets and sunbirds adding colour and sound, and the group enjoyed learning to separate them by call and shape. Madhukar guided the walk with a friendly, welcoming approach, helping beginners learn how to use binoculars, follow movement in the foliage and make sense of what they were seeing. Participants were encouraged to ask questions and to share their own sightings, which gave the walk a lively, conversational feel. By the end of the morning, people were identifying birds with increasing confidence and heading home with a fresh enthusiasm for the next walk. It was a lovely reminder that a city garden can be a sanctuary for birds and a classroom for those who take the time to look and listen.
Number of Participants
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