Bird Walk at Kukrail Picnic Phase – I, Lucknow, UP

Eight birders joined guide Abhishek Singh at Kukrail Picnic Spot, Phase I, in Lucknow on 18 October for a walk through one of the city’s most cherished green spaces, and the forest delivered a superb 50 species. The tall trees, shaded paths and quiet corners of Kukrail make it a haven for birds, and the group moved at an easy pace, listening carefully for calls and scanning the canopy. Among the highlights was the Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher, a tiny, vivid songbird with a grey head and a bright yellow body that flits through the foliage with a sprightly energy. The White-bellied Drongo, with its glossy dark plumage and forked tail, was another stand-out, perched confidently on a branch and giving the group excellent views. Around them, the forest held a lively community of woodland birds, from babblers and bulbuls to barbets, flycatchers and warblers, and the group enjoyed learning to separate species by their calls and movements. Abhishek led the walk with warmth and clear explanations, helping newcomers learn how to use binoculars, spot movement in the leaves and listen for the calls that give birds away. With eight participants, there was time to discuss every sighting and answer every question, and the conversation flowed easily between the birds and the wider story of the forest. A tally of 50 species in a single morning is a fine achievement for a city forest and shows just how valuable such green spaces are for birds and for people. The group left with new species on their lists, happy memories and a strong wish to return, binoculars in hand.