Bird Walk at Bhondsi Forest, Gurugram, Delhi NCR

  • Gurugram
  • 11 October, 2026
  • Sandy Khanda

About Bhondsi Forest

Bhondsi Nature Park (also called Bhondsi Forest) is a lush patch of the Aravalli foothills about 15 km south of Gurugram city centre, on Sohna Road. It spans roughly 100 acres of forested terrain (although some sources cite up to 558 acres when including adjoining forest land) that includes semi-evergreen woodland, rocky outcrops, scrub, dry foliage, seasonal water bodies, and native tree species like dhak, salai, kadam, and basa. This area is a rich birding spot, hosting nearly 46% of Haryana’s bird species, including both resident birds and seasonal migrants. Notable sightings include the Indian Pitta, Indian Paradise Flycatcher (a summer visitor), Fire-capped Tit (a rarer winter visitor), Grey-winged Blackbird, drongos, kingfishers, and many other warblers and forest-edge species.
However, the park faces several threats. Human intrusion during nesting seasons, especially by photographers who use playback calls or crowd around nests—is causing disturbance and even nest abandonment among ground-nesting species. Other threats include encroachment, road littering, garbage dumping, road-side disturbance, and games or activities being allowed in sensitive bird-nesting zones. Conservation efforts are underway: forest department efforts have included restoring water bodies, afforestation and removal of garbage, fencing roads to reduce disturbance, and proposals to regulate trekking and visitor movement. Also, authorities are pushing for better signage and enforcement of rules against disruptive activities (playback calls, approaching nests, etc.).

Bird Guide: Sandy Khanda

He is an enthusiastic bird guide with 2 years of birding experience and a deep passion for wildlife and natural habitats. He strives to make every birdwatching walk educational, enjoyable, and memorable for participants.

Partnered with Green Pencil Foundation

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Bhondsi Forest

Bhondsi Nature Park in Gurugram is a remarkable birding hotspot, with 254 species recorded, making it one of the most bird-rich sites in Haryana. Its mosaic of scrub, dry deciduous patches, water bodies, and forest edges supports both resident and migratory species. Common residents like the Common Myna, Jungle Babbler, Indian Peafowl, Red-vented Bulbul, Rose-ringed Parakeet, and Indian Robin thrive in its varied habitats, while wetland-associated birds such as the Eastern Cattle Egret, Eurasian Moorhen, White-breasted Waterhen, and Little Grebe use its water features. The park also hosts colorful woodland species including Asian Green and Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, Rufous Treepie, Brahminy Starling, Ashy Prinia, and Indian Silverbill, adding vibrancy to the landscape. Raptors such as the Shikra, Black Kite, White-eyed Buzzard, Oriental Honey-buzzard, and Black-winged Kite indicate a healthy food web, while owls like the Spotted Owlet and Indian Scops-Owl underline the richness of its nocturnal avifauna.
easonal migrants further elevate Bhondsi’s importance, with species like the Greenish Warbler, Hume’s Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Western Crowned Warbler, and Blyth’s Reed Warbler frequenting the park in winter. Flycatchers such as the Taiga Flycatcher, Verditer Flycatcher, and Red-breasted Flycatcher, along with wagtails and swallows, add seasonal variety. Even rarer or habitat-specialist birds like the Sirkeer Malkoha, Indian Gray Hornbill, Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon, and Indian Paradise-Flycatcher have been observed, reflecting the park’s diverse niches.
Common Myna
Jungle Babbler
Indian Peafowl
Eastern Cattle Egret
Asian Green Bee-eater

Spotted Owlet
Coppersmith Barbet
Black Drongo
Eurasian-collared Dove
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Rufous Treepie
Ashy Prinia
Grey Francolin
Eurasian Moorhen
Purple Sunbird
Black Kite
Shikra
Indian Pond Heron
Red-wattled Lapwing
Asian Koel

Summary of Walk

A warm, intimate walk unfolded at Bhondsi Forest in Gurugram on 11 October, where guide Sandy Khanda explored the trails with a single participant and a few family members in tow, turning the morning into a personal and heartwarming experience. With just a handful of people, the pace was unhurried, and there was plenty of time to stop, listen and watch each bird properly. Together they recorded 19 species, a lovely tally for the scrub and woodland that make up this part of the Aravalli landscape. Among the highlights was the Asian Koel, whose rising call carried through the trees, and the Oriental Magpie-Robin, a cheerful songster with crisp black and white plumage that perched in plain view. A barbet called steadily from above, its repetitive note a constant companion on the trail, and the Grey Francolin and Rufous Treepie added to a list that showed how varied the habitat is. The walk was also a lovely reminder that birdwatching is as much about sharing time with the people we care about as it is about counting species. Walking the trail with family made the experience even more special, and the group enjoyed noticing the unique calls, colours and behaviours of each bird as the morning went on. Sandy used the quiet setting to explain how to identify birds by sound and shape, and the conversation moved easily between birds, forest and the importance of protecting the green lungs of the region. It was a gentle, joyful morning that showed how rewarding a walk can be, whatever the size of the group.

Number of Participants
0
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ATAAVI Bird Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between people and the avian diversity of India. Through advocacy, education and conservation efforts, we strive to increase awareness and appreciation for birds across communities.

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