Bird Walk at Maharashtra Nature Park, Mumbai
- Mumbai
- 17 August, 2025
- Sushant Pawar and Abhiram Khekale
About Maharashtra Nature Park
Located in the heart of Dharavi, Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP) is Mumbai’s unexpected green miracle, a thriving man-made forest that rose from a former dumping ground. Inaugurated in 1994, with its first sapling planted by the legendary Dr. Salim Ali, MNP today is home to over 160 species of birds, 80+ species of butterflies, and and countless insects and amphibians, playing a key role in preserving biodiversity. It’s not just a birding hotspot, it’s a living example of what ecological restoration and community effort can achieve in the middle of a busy city.
Spread over 37 acres, MNP now features dense plantations, nature trails, bamboo groves, mangrove patches, and a central pond that attracts a variety of birds and butterflies. Amidst the chaos of Mumbai’s urban sprawl, this regenerated woodland offers a peaceful refuge for walkers, birdwatchers, students, and nature lovers. It also serves as an outdoor classroom for environmental education, especially for children from neighboring low-income communities. Ecologically, MNP acts as a vital green lung for the city—moderating temperatures, aiding groundwater recharge, improving air quality, and buffering against floods through its vegetation and wetlands.
Partnered with
Bird Guide - Sushant Pawar
A math educator and public policy professional with a deep love for birds and nature. Birdwatching has brought a constant joy in his life for over six years, and its his way to stay connected with nature. He always wanted to contribute to conservation, and believes that even small, consistnet efforts like observing and documenting birds can make a difference.
Bird Guide - Abhiram Khekale
UI designer with a deep appreciation for nature. A lifelong lover of Hindustani Classical music and a flautist, he recently found himself drawn to birds and their quiet presence in the natural world. Birding has become a way for him to stay connected with nature.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Maharashtra Nature Park
With over 160 bird species recorded within its 37-acre expanse, MNP has emerged as a critical avifaunal refuge in the heart of the megacity. The park’s blend of dense woodland, open clearings, mangroves, and wetland patches creates diverse microhabitats that sustain both resident and migratory birds across seasons. Common residents like the Coppersmith Barbet, Rose-ringed Parakeet, White-throated Kingfisher, and Red-vented Bulbul are frequently seen and heard along the trails. The central pond attracts Indian Cormorants, Black-winged Stilts, Pond-Herons, and seasonal visitors such as Whiskered Terns, Temminck’s Stint, and Green Sandpipers.
MNP also hosts raptors like the Black Kite, Shikra, and the elusive Greater Spotted Eagle—indicators of a balanced urban food web. Occasional sightings of Painted Storks, Glossy Ibises, and River Terns highlight its importance for migratory species. With its surprising bird diversity in the heart of a dense metropolis, the park plays a vital role in supporting urban wildlife, offering nature-based learning, and reminding the city of its wild side worth conserving.
Black Kite
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Common Myna
Large-billed Crow
Asian Koel
Indian Cormorant
House Crow
Coppersmith Barbet
House Sparrow
Grey Heron
Common Tailorbird
Oriental Magpie Robin
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Indian Pond Heron
Eurasian Moorhen
White-throated Kingfisher
Red-vented Bulbul
Purple-rumped Sunbird
Greater Coucal
Red-wattled Lapwing
Summary of Walk
At Maharashtra Nature Park, 14 enthusiastic participants braved the heavy rains, arriving with raincoats, umbrellas, and binoculars in hand. The drizzle only added to the charm, and for many first-timers, the thrill of spotting birds through binoculars made the morning especially memorable. The energy of the group was lifted further by curious kids, whose questions and excitement brought a playful spirit to the walk.
Guided by Sushant and Abhiram, the group not only discovered the joy of birdwatching but also learned about the importance of conservation, citizen science, and practical tips for identifying birds in the field. Among the highlights were the nests of the White-breasted Waterhen, a Common Sandpiper resting by the wet edges, the graceful Black Kite, the stealthy Indian Cormorant, and the ever-familiar House Sparrow. By the end of the walk, the group had recorded an impressive 34 bird species, leaving everyone inspired by the resilience of birds and the beauty of observing them even in the rain.
Number of Participants
0
