Bird Watching near Mumbai Feb 2026 - Mumbra Hills

Free Raptor Walk at Mumbra Hills

Mumbra Hills, a small hillock on the banks of river Ulhas in Mumbra is one of the most visited places by bird watchers and photographers alike to spot resident and migratory raptors. With its unique ecosystem, this place serves as an ideal habitat for a lot of migratory birds while passing through the region.

 

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Description

About the birding site:

Mumbra Hills are part of the Parsik Hill Range that separates the suburbs of Mumbra and Navi Mumbai. Steep rocky cliffs, volcanic outcrops, and patches of dry deciduous scrub forest characterise the terrain. The hills are rugged and offer a high vantage point overlooking the creek and the plains below. The rocky vertical cliffs are a unique geological feature in the Mumbai region, creating a specialised niche for cliff-dwelling species. While other sites are famous for forest or wetland birds, Mumbra is the “Raptor Hotspot” of the central suburbs. It is one of the few places near Mumbai where you can get “eye-level” views of soaring eagles and falcons as they glide along the hill slopes.

Birding in the Hills: What to Expect

  • The Cliff Walk: Birding here usually involves walking along the ridges. The primary focus is scanning the sky and the rocky ledges. The high altitude allows birders to look down on soaring birds, which is excellent for photography.

  • Scrubland Patches: The lower slopes and the pathways leading up are filled with thorny scrub. This is the perfect place to find “Warblers” and “Pipits” that are often missed in denser forests.

  • Morning Thermals: The best action happens after 9:00 AM. As the sun warms the rocks, rising hot air (thermals) carries large raptors upward, providing spectacular flight displays.

Bird Diversity

Mumbra is specialised for rock and sky dwellers:

  • The Raptors (Stars of Mumbra): Shaheen Falcon (a resident species), Bonelli’s Eagle, Booted Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, and the Eurasian Kestrel.

  • Rocky Terrain Specialists: Look for the Indian Eagle-Owl, Blue Rock Thrush, and the Dusky Crag Martin.

  • Forest & Scrub Birds: Small Minivet, Common Iora, Yellow-eyed Babbler, and various species of Sunbirds and Flowerpeckers in the flowering trees.

  • Winter Migrants like Indian and Greater Spotted Eagles, Steppe Eagle, Steppe Buzzard, Black Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Laggar Falcons, Montague and Pallid Harrier, etc.

What is the plan?- 15 February 2026

  • Meet Jungle Buddies Expert Mr Prathamesh Desai at Mumbra Railway Station (East Side) at 7.30 AM.
  • Birding as we climb the stairs up to the temple area.
  • End the tour by 10.30-11 AM with a group picture and happy memories with Jungle Buddies.

PS – This tour requires participants to climb a good number of stairs to the Mumbra Devi temple, but hiking or trekking is not involved. 

Pricing: Free Entry

Nearest Railway Station: Mumbra (Central Line).

Travel Time: Approximately 10 minutes from the station to the base.

How to Reach: Exit at Mumbra West. Walk toward the Mumbra Bypass Road.

Landmark: The most common meeting point is the Mumbra Devi Temple Entrance at the base of the hill. The steep rocky cliffs are visible from the station itself, making it hard to miss!

Group Size: 15 Participants

How to Register: Click on Join Our Tours Tabs on 8 Feb (Sunday) at 9 PM.

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