‘Monsoon is a great time to go birding in Gurgaon’s many natural habitats’

From bird watching and counting local species to avian photography, new and seasoned birders have been heading out every week to observe monsoon birds in Gurgaon. “Monsoon is a great time for birding in the city as many local and migratory birds are nesting and are super active,” say Gurgaon birders.

A pair of Indian Pitta spotted by Amit Sharma

‘Birding is a great way to de-stress'
Kanwar B Singh, founder of the birding community Indian Birds and a seasoned bird watcher, shares, “This is an interesting time to go birding as many birds are breeding in and around Gurgaon. Gurgaon has a thriving bird-watching community, and we meet every weekend. Birds breed in many habitats in the monsoons – forests, wetlands and scrubs. Birds like Indian pitta, Indian paradise flycatcher, Indian golden oriole, and Jacobin cuckoo are some birds that are usually found in forest habitats, on the trails in the Aravalli. Quails, larks, red munia, and tri-coloured munias are some of the open-area birds that breed in grasslands during this time of the year. In wetlands like Sultanpur Jheel, or areas like Chandu Budhera, Najafgarh Jheel, Basai, many resident water birds breed in these areas. You can spot the little cormorant and many species of ibis and storks here.”

Amit Sharma, a seasoned birder and avian photographer, says, “Gurgaon has multiple habitats. Starting from Damdama, going to Bhondsi, then Sakatpur and Shikohpur, there are many places to do birding. Go for a leisure walk and you will find birds. It is one of the best ways to de-stress, as you come closer to nature. One gets to use all the senses while birding – to observe birds, hear calls and understand their behaviour. It helps in developing cognitive skills too.”

‘Gurgaon’s birding community is growing’
Birding has become popular among young nature lovers in the last few years. “The birding community is growing steadily, with more people joining. Typically, birders spend around 5-10 hours a week on birding activities, though this can vary. Weekends often see a higher turnout, as people have more free time to dedicate to their hobby,” says Udiyaman Shukla, who is birding since 2008.

Birding guide for beginners
“For a new birder, the initial investment can be quite flexible. Time-wise, it’s about dedicating a few hours each week to learning and exploring. Equipment-wise, starting with a decent pair of binoculars and a good field guide is essential. Over time, many birders choose to invest in a camera with a telephoto lens to capture their sightings,” suggests birder Udiyaman.
• Start from your nearby park to develop an interest in birding
• Early mornings and late afternoons are the most popular time to go birding when birds are the most active
• Because of the breeding season, bird calls are more prominent in monsoon
• Buy a handy bird guide to learn about local birds
• Buy a decent pair of binoculars
• Join a birding group or go birding with a guide
• Download apps like eBird to record bird songs and calls
• Join Facebook groups like Indian Birds for info on birding events
• Patience is key, and so is observation

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