“Navi Mumbai remains the top destination for bird watching enthusiasts, especially during the monsoon season until winter, as it attracts a wide variety of migratory birds, including flamingos. Additionally, there are wetlands in Mumbai, as well as in the far north and central suburbs, where birdwatchers can explore and spot different bird species. For all the bird lovers out there, here is an updated list of locations in 2021 where you can prepare your cameras and enjoy observing these beautiful feathers.”
Updated List of Bird Watching Spots in Navi Mumbai
To date, around 100 various species have been captured in photographs. Some of the species that have been discussed in reviews include the Famous Flamingos, Bristled Grassbird, Spoonbill, Northern Shoveler, Caspian Plover, Forest Owlet, Laggar Falcon, Red-necked Phalarope, and Pied Avocet.
Before detailing anything further, I hope you will like to know about the upcoming Trombay Jetty Flamingo Spot for tourists.
I suggest you be cautious and check out the Mapped location of Flamingos, where you can also spot other birds. The exact location and address are mapped.
- Uran, Dongri Road, Panje, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400702
- TS CHANAKYA Wetlands, Palm Beach Road, Karave Village, Sector 36, Nerul, Seawoods Station, Navi Mumbai, 400706
- Seagull Birds Point (South Mumbai), Bhaucha Dhakka, Princess Dock, Mumbai Port Trust, Mazgaon.
- CBD Valley, Sector 9, Forest Area, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
- DPS Lake near NMMC office, Near Sector 58, Sector 52, Sector 32, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, 400706. Here waders comes in around October and stays back till May.
- Vastu Vihar, Sector 16, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, 410210
- Bird Sanctuary Palava, Nilje Gaon, 421204
- Gavlidev Bird Watching, Mahape, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400701 (Mije Ghansoli). Also a Waterfall.
- Sunrise Sunset Point: Sector 8, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 402107
Other Best Birding Locations in Mumbai
Numerous bird species from India and other countries migrate to Mumbai every year, seeking suitable weather and surroundings for their mating season. People in the city, including bird photographers, professionals, and weekend bird enthusiasts, flock to various locations within and around the suburbs of Mumbai to observe both familiar and unfamiliar species. The increasing number of active members joining bird-watching groups has resulted in a greater variety of breeds being spotted and captured through digital cameras, mobile phones, and binoculars.
Every year, ‘Yuhina EcoMedia’ and other organizations arrange special annual events for bird watching activities at various locations in the city. These events attract active naturalists who are eager to spot both new and familiar bird species. This event is called ‘Annual Bird Race Event‘.
Various species such as Step Eagles, Copper smith Barbet (also known as ‘Tambat’), Sun bird, White Crump Vultures, Flamingo watching, Orioles, and many others can be observed at Maharashtra Nature Park. You can also visit Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a renowned organization that actively supports and participates in bird watching groups at these popular sites.
More Places to See Migratory and Local Birds
There are around 8 to 10 well-known places in Mumbai, located within the suburbs. These are the top sites to visit, but if you venture further into the villages, you might come across unique new species leaping among the branches of small and large trees.
Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP): Located in the heart of the bustling city of Mumbai, near Sion Dharavi road, the Mahim Nature Park, also known as Maharashtra Nature Park, is a haven for nature enthusiasts. This park is home to a variety of beautiful birds, including the Laughing Dove, Shikara, Greater Coucal, Great Egret, Purple Sunbird, Eurasian Wry neck, Blue throat, Little Green Bee Eater, Barn swallow, and Black kite. While some of these birds migrate seasonally for their ideal mating season, this park is a must-visit for any bird watcher or photographer in Mumbai. To learn more about Maharashtra Nature Park, you can visit Maharashtra Nature Park.
Karnala is a bird sanctuary located about 50 to 60 kilometers from Mumbai. It covers an area of 4 to 5 square kilometers along the Konkan coast in Raigad district. The sanctuary is well-known for its fort. The best time to observe birds in this sanctuary is from October to March. In addition to birds, you can also enjoy seeing other animals and go trekking during the monsoon season. Some of the bird species you can spot at Karnala include the King Vulture, Crested Serpent Eagle, and Peregrine Falcon.
Shilonda Trail at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SNGP): This park is situated in Borivali (East) and is connected to the Western Express Highway in Mumbai. Shilonda Trail is a popular natural spot for birds, especially woodland species. It is recommended to spend around 2 to 3 hours exploring this beautiful location. Some of the bird species to look out for here are babblers, cuckoo, and cooper-smith. There are other locations within or near this national park worth visiting, such as the Kanheri Caves hilly area, Tulsi road, the South Gate (famous during the Mumbai Bird Race days), and locations near Vihar lake where you might spot some rare birds. You can find more information about this National Park in Borivali. If you are in Thane or Yeoor hills, the trail connected to this national park will be one of the best sites to visit.
Tungareshwar at Vasai: Tungareshwar is renowned for its waterfall and Shiva Temple. It is also famous for its waterfalls during the monsoon season and the presence of rare mountain bird species. This place is situated on the western express highway, north of Mumbai, and is close to the well-known Vasai Road station.
Sewri: Located in the central railway of Mumbai, Sewri is known for its unique feature of being a habitat for a particular bird species called ‘Flamingos’. These beautiful birds can be spotted in the vast 5-acre flat mud land, which transforms from a black landscape to a milky white with red spots during November. This phenomenon attracts photographers who flock to this location every year. The flamingos come in thousands to help maintain the eco-surroundings of Mumbai.
However, their presence lasts only until the monsoon arrives and floods the mud flat lake. Visitors are allowed to use binoculars and engage in photography, but it is advisable to check the boards for security guidance and permissions. In addition to flamingos, other bird species such as Gulls, Waders, and Terns can also be observed if they are available. There are plans to develop a dedicated infotainment park in the Sewri mud belt in the near future.
Uran: The Navi Mumbai, situated in the southernmost part of 2nd Mumbai, has recently witnessed the presence of stunning birds. Discover more about this developing area, which is gradually replacing open lands with sand. Despite the changes, it remains a great place to visit, conveniently close to Mumbai city.
Colaba’s Sagar Upvan: The Botanical garden at Colaba, also known as Mumbai Port Trust, is renowned for its tranquil atmosphere and the delightful melodies of birds. Sagar Upvan is a haven for tree enthusiasts, and it is no surprise that it attracts beautiful birds with its collection of rare trees. This makes it a popular bird watching spot in South Mumbai. For further information, visit Sagar Upvan.
A New Bird Park: If you are a frequent visitor to this blog or if you are here for the first time, you should know that Borivali Essel World has recently opened a new Bird Park in August 2017. According to them, it is the first dedicated park of its kind in Mumbai, India. You can find more information about it on this link.
Other Known Locations: There are several other sites to visit in Mumbai, such as Mumbai Byculla Zoo, Matheran Hills, Kalva, Palm beach road, Phansad, and other sites near Ratnagiri and Pune borders connected to Mumbai.
- Areas in Eastern Suburb: Thane Creek, Sweri, Bhandup Mangroves (also called Pumping Station), Trombay, Mahul, and the National Park are all connected to the Thane location.
- Western Suburb and surrounding areas offer a variety of attractions. Some notable places include the renowned Borivali National Park, the picturesque Vasai Creek (especially the area between Vasai and Naigaon, accessible via Naigaon station west for flamingos), the scenic Gorai Jetty, the tranquil Malad Creek, the charming Uttan Village, the vibrant Versova, and the serene Oshiwara Mudflat.
- Other Spots: Other bird enthusiasts also visit places such as Mumbra (near Thane), Murbad, and Dombivali to discover and document new bird species.
Bird Watching at Vasai Virar (North Of Mumbai)
Below are the details of the railway stations in Vasai Virar and its surrounding area. These stations are located after the Western suburbs and have attracted bird and nature enthusiasts. They have spotted various new species in these locations, which are complete with lush greenery, farms, and open green plots. These areas are home to rare species that cannot be found anywhere else in Mumbai. Here are the details of the locations and stations:
Virar Arnala and Agashi road sites: Virar is experiencing rapid growth, yet its lush greenery continues to attract tourists, day-trippers, and various bird species. Arnala, famous for its beach, Agashi, known for the jain temple, Bolinj, Navapur, and Umbergothan are just a few of the 50 to 60 villages in the Vasai Virar area that boast stunning scenic locations, traditional villages, charming bungalows, and vast fields and farms. These natural surroundings naturally draw in a diverse range of sparrows, pigeons, parakeets, flamingos, and many other bird species.
Pradyavant Mane, Kuldeep Choudary, MV Bhakta, Sachin Marti, Amol Lopez, Leonard Rebello, and Franklyn Gonsalves, seven local nature enthusiasts, discovered over 150 different species at Arnala and Agashi. They spotted various birds, reptiles, crawling creatures, and butterflies, including the Fan-throated Lizard, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Thick-knee, Watercock, Oystercatcher, and Bar-tailed Godwit.
Bhuigaon : This scenic green zone is an interior village in the West. The nearest railway stations are Nalasopara and Vasai. It is connected to Gass road via Vasai and Nirmal Village via Nalasopara station. The village is surrounded by farms, flower and vegetable plantations, and bungalows with less concrete. There have been over 130 different species of birds discovered here, including Plum Headed parakeets, Ashy woods wallow, and Osprey.
Suruchi Beach Site: Head towards Vasai from the Bhuigaon location and you will find a local beach called Suruchi in Vasai. Remember Janki Cinema as a landmark. In addition, you can spot around 80 to 90 species such as Black Kingfisher, Crab Plover, and Common Buzzard. Vasai fort area and the open green belt near the court are also worth exploring for more sights.
Vasai Fort: This ancient fortress has many stories to tell and sights to behold along the coast and expansive green fields. From here, you can catch a glimpse of the distant local trains, as this entire area is a haven for birds and reptiles on untouched land that is rarely visited by humans. If you explore the surroundings, you may spot creatures like the Grey Mongoose, Indian Jackal, and Jungle Cat. Moreover, there are over 100 different types of butterflies and birds that can be observed in this place.
Naigaon : The station after Vasai is Naigaon, which has a low population density due to the presence of salty water and extensive salt pans. However, there are a few areas in Naigaon that attract a particular bird species, which is also a popular sight in Sewri – the flamingos (Refer to the picture above for the actual location image). Umela, a village within Naigaon, is home to salt pans and open green areas that can be observed from local trains. Many bird species, including the Black-headed ibis, Flamingos, Painted stork, Ruddy shelduck, and Pied Avocet, inhabit this village.
Dongri: Dongri, a coastal village located on Bhayandar Uttan Road, is the next station after Naigaon. It is home to around 50 different species of birds, including Honey Buzzards and Flycatchers.
See Also : Vasai Virar Tourist Spots.
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