Birds of Pune ~ feathered friends around...

Pune, having the blessings of the nature, being surrounded by the western ghats hills, also has huge catchment areas for dams, ever-flowing rivers and arid grasslands resulting in a very rich and diverse wildlife, specially the birds. It is a popular destination for migrating birds too making Pune a special treat in winter time.


Few places around Pune that are rich in avian life :
1. ARAI hills in Kothrud.
2. kavadi Pat on Pune-Solapur Highway
3. Bhigwan (Kumbhargaoo) on Pune Solapur Highway
4. Veer Dam near Shirwal on NH4
5. Bhuleshwar Temple, Saswad grasslands
6. Sinhgadh Valley
7. Tamhini Ghat

Explore more Birding Hotspots on eBird too.

Don't forget to check out this facebook group "Birds of Pune" that connects and shares the love for birds among people in pune.

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The baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus)
ARAI hills, Kothrud, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 300mm, 1.4 TC, F5.6, 1/250s, ISO 320, Ev +1/3

The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) - a rare passage migrant to Pune.
Dive Ghat, Saswad, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 500mm, 1.4 TC, F8, 1/500s, ISO 200, Tripod.

The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii)
kavadi Pat, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 300mm, 1.4 TC, F5.6, 1/320s, ISO 320, Ev +2/3

The purple heron (Ardea purpurea) with a fish in its beak.
kavadi Pat, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 500mm, 1.4 TC, F8, 1/400s, ISO 160, Tripod

The European roller (Coracias garrulus) - Passage Migrant to Pune's grasslands
Dive Ghat, Saswad, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 500mm, 1.4 TC, F8, 1/400s, ISO 250, Tripod

The yellow-wattled lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus) in rain.
Bhuleshwar, Saswad, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 300mm, 1.4 TC, F5.6, 1/1000s, ISO 250, -1 Ev, Handheld.

The rock bush quail (Perdicula argoondah) taking a dust bath.
Dive Ghat, Saswad, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 500mm, 1.4 TC, F5.6, 1/800s, ISO 200, BeanBag.

The northern shoveler (Anas clypeata)
kavadi Pat, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 500mm, 1.4 TC, F5.6, 1/2000s, ISO 250, Tripod

The Indian river tern (Sterna aurantia) pair skimming the water for food.
kavadi Pat, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 500mm, 1.4 TC, F5.6, 1/640s, ISO 320, Tripod

The red-headed bunting (Emberiza bruniceps)
Bhuleshwar, Saswad, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 500mm, 1.4 TC, F5.6, 1/2000s, ISO 250, Tripod

small Indian pratincole (Glareola lactea)
Veer Dam, Shirwal, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 500mm, 1.4 TC, F8, 1/1250s, ISO 250, -1/3 Ev, Tripod.

The little egret (Egretta garzetta) landing.
Kumbhargao, Bhigwan, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 500mm, 1.4 TC, F5/6, 1/1600s, ISO 250, Tripod.

The rufous-tailed lark (Ammomanes phoenicura)
Dive Ghat, Saswad, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 500mm, 1.4 TC, F5.6, 1/1250s, ISO 250, +1/3 Ev.

The whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybrida) in flight.
kavadi Pat, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 500mm, 1.4 TC, F5.6, 1/1600s, ISO 250, Tripod

The Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope)
kavadi Pat, Pune.
Canon 7D, canon 500mm, 1.4 TC, F5.6, 1/1600s, ISO 250, -1/3Ev.

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