Bird Walk at Green Sunrise Hill, Pune, Maharashtra
- Pune
- 11 October, 2026
- Kamlakar Bhopatkar
About Green Sunrise Hill
Tucked away on the outskirts of Green Sunrise Hill, this scenic hillscape unfolds as a tranquil escape from the city’s fast-paced rhythm. Characterised by open grasslands, rugged rocky patches, and clusters of hardy native trees, the hill supports a dynamic and resilient ecosystem. During the monsoon, the slopes transform into a vibrant mosaic of wildflowers and fresh greenery, while in the drier months, sun-baked grasses and shrubs continue to sustain a web of life. This mosaic of habitats provides shelter and food for insects, reptiles, and small mammals, making it an ecologically significant green pocket within an increasingly urbanised region.
For birding enthusiasts, Green Sunrise Hill offers an immersive experience where the boundary between urban and wild blurs beautifully. Early mornings are particularly rewarding, with raptors like kites riding thermals above, while bulbuls, prinias, and bee-eaters animate the shrub layer with movement and calls. The hill’s relatively undisturbed patches make it ideal for observing both common and slightly elusive species in a natural setting. However, like many such urban biodiversity hotspots, it faces mounting pressures from expanding infrastructure, habitat fragmentation, and littering. Protecting and preserving spaces like Green Sunrise Hill is crucial—not only for conserving biodiversity but also for ensuring that future generations continue to experience the quiet magic of nature within city limits.
Bird Guide - Kamlakar Bhopatkar
An ex-educationist in Computer Science with 20+ years of teaching experience and an amateur birder(eBird count - 375+) who is on a mission to share the joy of birding.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Green Sunrise Hill
A vibrant mix of woodland specialists and urban-adapted species, this checklist captures the dynamic birdlife of the landscape. The majestic Indian Peafowl, with its striking presence and calls, adds a touch of wilderness to the habitat, often seen moving gracefully through open patches. The secretive Greater Coucal slips through dense vegetation, while the melodic notes of the Asian Koel and the persistent calls of the Common Hawk-Cuckoo echo across the area. Open grounds are brought to life by Red-Wattled Lapwings, while raptors like the agile Shikra and soaring Black Kites dominate the skies above.
Adding bursts of colour and activity are species like the vivid Asian Green Bee-Eater, the electric-blue White-Throated Kingfisher, and the rhythmic Coppersmith Barbet. Social birds such as House Crows, Common Mynas, and Large Gray Babblers create a lively atmosphere, while smaller species like Indian White-Eyes, Ashy Prinias, and Common Tailorbirds quietly animate the shrubbery. Together, these birds paint a rich and balanced picture of biodiversity, making the space both engaging for beginners and rewarding for keen birders.
Greater Coucal
Asian Koel
Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Red-Wattled Lapwing
Shikra
Black Kite
Asian Green Bee-Eater
White-Throated Kingfisher
Coppersmith Barbet
Rose-Ringed Parakeet
Small Minivet
Indian Peafowl
Asian Tit
Common Tailorbird
Ashy Prinia
Red-Whiskered Bulbul
Red-Vented Bulbul
Indian White-Eye
Large Grey Babbler
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Summary of Walk
A walk planned at Green Sunrise Hill on 11 October moved to Harantale Lake in Pune, a change made in the interest of the participants, and it turned out to be a delightful choice. Guide Kamlakar Bhopatkar welcomed two first-time birders who were treated to an astonishing 47 species, a result that surprised everyone. The lake gave them a mixture of habitats, with water, shoreline, grassland, scrub and fields all within easy reach. They began with local ducks such as Spot-billed Ducks, Eurasian Coots and egrets, and soon found migratory visitors including sandpipers and Siberian Stonechats, a sure sign of the season. A bold Common Kingfisher sat close by and did not mind the attention at all, giving the newcomers an unforgettable view of its brilliant blue and orange. The group also enjoyed some fascinating behaviour: cormorants drying their wings in the sun, Red-naped Ibis nesting on a mobile tower, an Indian Silverbill courtship dance followed by mating, Eurasian Coots with chicks feeding, and a Western Marsh Harrier gliding over the field. Kamlakar patiently explained how to read these behaviours and what they reveal about the lives of the birds, making each sighting a story. It was especially heartening to hear how the Ataavi app helped a participant from Chennai attend his very first bird walk in Pune, a reminder of how far the community now reaches. The walk was a perfect example of how flexibility and enthusiasm can turn a change of plan into a morning full of discovery and wonder.
Number of Participants
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