I was looking for half day trip nearby Pune and then we decided to visit Sinhagad Bird valley. Being a bird watcher, I always like to visit Bird valley in the winter and fort is most popular weekend destination for local people. In Bird valley, you can spot too many bird species. Many armature and professional photographer visit this place during winter.
About Sinhagad Bird Valley and Sinhagad Fort:
Sinhagad Bird valley is an amazing place for bird watching. You can spend 2-3 hours along with your camera and binocular. More than 40 bird’s species can be found in this valley.
It is a fortress located roughly 30 kilometers southwest of the city of Pune. The fort has been the site of many important battles. It is a popular weekend destination for many residents of Pune, with some enthusiasts trekking to the top of the fort from the base near Sinhagad village. The site also houses a memorial to Tanaji as well as the tomb of Rajaram, Shivaji’s younger son, who also died here.
There are two ways to reach Sinhagad bird valley/fort. One is Kothrud, Pune – Rajaram Bridge – Take right turn at the end of bridge – fallow the main road – (Do not turn at national highway bypass flyover, follow Sinhagad road only) – Khadakwasla - Donaje Phata – Do not take right for Panshet Dam.
Another route is Kothrud, Pune – Warje Malwadi road – Uttam Nagar – Near Khadakwasla Dam there is a junction – Take left (Straight road will take you to peacock bay) for Khadakwasla - Donaje Phata – Do not take right for Panshet Dam.
Go straight from Donaje Phata till the base village parking. There is a Road which will take you ll the way up to the fort parking area. From base village parking area you need to take the road which leads to the top of Sinhagad by foot. The point where the road starts climbing to the top from the right there is a similar road which leads to the left. This road will take the valley.
Dec 2014 – March 2015: Sinhagad Bird Valley:
We started from home at 5:30 AM and reached at base village by 6.15 AM. It was still relatively dark and cold. We had our coffee & breakfast in base village. The valley is a modestly wooded area and is famous for sightings of such attractive bird. As we ambled along, Main attraction of Sinhagad valley is Asian Paradise Flycatcher. Bird watching being the first love, I clicked very few snaps and did more of watching.
After spending good amount of time nearby water stream, we headed further into the forest. The place fell silent. We saw too many species when we went inside deep forest in valley. After spending an hour we decided to move back near water stream.
Here is the list of some of the birds found in Valley:
It was quite bright now, and we slowly made our way back to start of our trail. Lots of bird-photographer were at the water stream site and busy with their work. We left this place and took pit stop at Khadakwasala Dam. You can spot few wetland birds.
Here is the list of some of the birds found in Khadakwasla:
Below are snaps taken during my various visits to Sinhagad valley and Khadakwasla
If you are planning to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city lives on a weekend exploring these beautiful sites then for what you are waiting for.
Happy traveling.
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| Way to Sinhagad bird valley |
About Sinhagad Bird Valley and Sinhagad Fort:
Sinhagad Bird valley is an amazing place for bird watching. You can spend 2-3 hours along with your camera and binocular. More than 40 bird’s species can be found in this valley.
It is a fortress located roughly 30 kilometers southwest of the city of Pune. The fort has been the site of many important battles. It is a popular weekend destination for many residents of Pune, with some enthusiasts trekking to the top of the fort from the base near Sinhagad village. The site also houses a memorial to Tanaji as well as the tomb of Rajaram, Shivaji’s younger son, who also died here.
There are two ways to reach Sinhagad bird valley/fort. One is Kothrud, Pune – Rajaram Bridge – Take right turn at the end of bridge – fallow the main road – (Do not turn at national highway bypass flyover, follow Sinhagad road only) – Khadakwasla - Donaje Phata – Do not take right for Panshet Dam.
Another route is Kothrud, Pune – Warje Malwadi road – Uttam Nagar – Near Khadakwasla Dam there is a junction – Take left (Straight road will take you to peacock bay) for Khadakwasla - Donaje Phata – Do not take right for Panshet Dam.
Go straight from Donaje Phata till the base village parking. There is a Road which will take you ll the way up to the fort parking area. From base village parking area you need to take the road which leads to the top of Sinhagad by foot. The point where the road starts climbing to the top from the right there is a similar road which leads to the left. This road will take the valley.
Dec 2014 – March 2015: Sinhagad Bird Valley:
We started from home at 5:30 AM and reached at base village by 6.15 AM. It was still relatively dark and cold. We had our coffee & breakfast in base village. The valley is a modestly wooded area and is famous for sightings of such attractive bird. As we ambled along, Main attraction of Sinhagad valley is Asian Paradise Flycatcher. Bird watching being the first love, I clicked very few snaps and did more of watching.
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| Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker |
After spending good amount of time nearby water stream, we headed further into the forest. The place fell silent. We saw too many species when we went inside deep forest in valley. After spending an hour we decided to move back near water stream.
Here is the list of some of the birds found in Valley:
Red-throated Flycatcher | Black-winged Kite | Crested Bunting |
Asian Paradies Flycatcher | Red vented Bulbul | Indian Robin |
Ticklle’s Blue Flycatcher | Purple Sunbird | Red Munia |
Ultra-marine Flycatcher | Black Drongo | Common Iora |
Fan-tailed Flycatcher | Common Kingfisher | Small Minivet |
Golden fronted Leaf Bird | Pied Kingfisher | Jungle Babbler |
Red-rumped Swallow | Cattle Egret | Jungle Mynah |
White-breasted Kingfisher | Green bee-eater | Tree Pipit |
Blue naped Monarch flycatcher | Little Bee eater | Yellow Sparrow |
Crested Serpent Eagle | Tailor bird | Ashy Prinia |
Oriental White-eye | Marsh Harrier | Jungle Prinia |
Orange Headed Thrush | Eurasian Black bird | |
Pied Crested Cuckoo | Magpie Robin | |
Scaly breasted Munia | Grey Babbler | |
Red whiskered Bulbul | Dove |
It was quite bright now, and we slowly made our way back to start of our trail. Lots of bird-photographer were at the water stream site and busy with their work. We left this place and took pit stop at Khadakwasala Dam. You can spot few wetland birds.
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| Oriental white eye |
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| Oriental white eye |
Here is the list of some of the birds found in Khadakwasla:
Northern Shoveler | Ruddy Shelduck | Black Drango |
Pueple Swamphen | Spot-billed Duck | River Tern |
Common Moorhen | Common Coot | Sandpiper |
Red-Wattled Lapwing | Comb Duck | River tern |
Yellow-Wattled Lapwing | Pochard Duck | Cormorant |
White Throated Kingfisher | Eurasian Wigeon | Pond Heron |
Common Kingfisher | Tufted duck | Cattle Egret |
White-breasted Waterhen | Green bee eater | Large Egret |
Pied Kingfisher | Wire-tailed Swallow | Yellow Wagtail |
Below are snaps taken during my various visits to Sinhagad valley and Khadakwasla
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| Bulbul in Stream |
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| Oriental white eye |
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| Dove |
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| Red throated flycatcher |
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| Shikra |
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| Red throated flycatcher |
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| Yoga time! |
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| Iora |
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| Eurasian Wigeon at Khadakwasla |
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| Eurasian Wigeon |
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| Tufted Duck Record shot at Khadakwasla |
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| spot billed duck |
If you are planning to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city lives on a weekend exploring these beautiful sites then for what you are waiting for.
Happy traveling.
Regards,
Pritesh Kulkarni.
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