Exploring the Bhopar Shrublands: A Free Monthly Bird Walk

Location: Bhopar Shrublands, Dombivli

As part of our commitment to community awareness, Jungle Buddies recently hosted a free monthly bird walk at the famous Bhopar Shrublands. Located right here on the outskirts of Dombivli, this unique habitat has long been a premier birding hotspot for enthusiasts across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

The Habitat: A Birder’s Paradise

Situated perfectly parallel to the Central Railway’s local tracks and right opposite the Ulhas River, Bhopar offers an incredible ecological mosaic. The area features a dynamic mix of stubble fields, open grasslands, and seasonal wetlands. This diverse terrain makes it a perfect training ground for any birder looking to pursue and hone their birdwatching hobby.

While the area faces ongoing challenges from rapid urbanisation and habitat loss, it resiliently remains a vital refuge, supporting a rich population of both resident species and winter migrants.

Trail Highlights: Grasslands & Wetlands

Our participants had a fantastic session in the field, navigating the different micro-habitats that Bhopar has to offer.

Shrubland & Grassland Sightings: The open scrub and grassy patches yielded excellent views of well-camouflaged and colourful species alike. Highlights included:

• Red Avadavat
• Paddyfield Pipit
• Tree Pipit
• Yellow Wagtail

Wetland Wonders: As we moved toward the water bodies, the bird activity shifted entirely. We were treated to the sight of large groups of shorebirds actively feeding in the shallows. Key wetland sightings included:

• Northern Pintail Ducks
• Common Teal
• Glossy Ibis

Star of the Day: The Bluethroat

The undisputed highlight of the walk was the peak activity of the Bluethroat. These incredible birds are winter visitors, travelling all the way from parts of Europe and Central Asia to winter in our local scrub. They are commonly seen darting across the reed beds of the Bhopar region, and our group was incredibly lucky to spot at least two distinct individuals!

Learning on the Field

Beyond just ticking species off a list, the tour was a highly enriching educational experience. We took the time to discuss specific bird identification rules for wetland species and the ecological importance of protecting migratory hotspots like Bhopar.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this wonderful morning out in the field! Stay tuned for upcoming bird watching tours by visiting the Jungle Buddies website.