Field Notes: Pashan Lake, Pune Birdwatching

Aug 30

3 min read

On 30th August 2026, 7.30 AM

I decided to go for my first birdwatching trail in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Destination: Pashan Lake which is a scenic man-made lake roughly about 12 Kms from the city centre of Pune. Entry to this space is free and I carried my trusted Canon R10 along with the 100-400mm telephoto lens. This lake has both paved and unpaved walking/jogging trail (around 3.2 km) lined with bamboo groves and trees. The best time to visit it is around winters as migratory birds arrive but if you're not looking for any special species and just want to enjoy the biodiversity around you, you can go anytime between 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM which are its opening hours. If you don't like photography, carry your binoculars to be able to spot birds and enjoy birdwatching. I carried my ZIESS TERRA ED 8x42 binoculars.

This walk was led by Naturalist Yashraj who is a great-storyteller with lovely insights on the birds around. Our group ventered out on an Ataavi Foundation Organised Walk. There were people from various walks of life, from young kids, to youth and adults and everyone enjoyed alike.

While this was mainly a bird walk, I couldn't help but also notice the biodiversity in general that also included insects and vegetation. I usually make an ebird list for every trail and upload interesting insect, plants on iNaturalist for further information on the species.

If you're a beginner or a family with kids looking for safe places to go observing nature together the Pashan Lake is a must-go.

Field Noted: Let's get walking at Pashan Lake, shall we?

We started by observing Purple sunbirds, who I like to call India's own tiny version of humming birds since we don't have those in India. They have a curved beak, that allows then to feed on the necter of flowers. Following which we also observed a pair of Small Minivets with their gorgeous orange plummage, an Asian tit, Bulbuls and of course the Spot-breasted Fantail.

Now, the fun had begin, with the whole group which consisted of first-time birders, myself and young birders starting to look in every direction for the next bird. Then we saw Gray Indian Hornbill, to our delights enjoying berries on a leafless tree.

Indian Gray Hornbill enjoying berries at Pashan Lake

Figs and berries and trees that produce them are an extremly critical food source for many birds that are frugivores and enjoy fruits. This makes it essential to protect such trees and learn their importance.

Three Coppersmith Barbets at Pashan Lake

Our keen observation and admiration of the Indian Hornbill was interrupted by a constant distant bird call, a sound that resemnles the hammering of a metal smith, often this bird is heard way before it is seen. The Coppersmith Barbet. To our delight, we spotted one and ended up observing three.

As we walked further, we spotted another bird, which just like the Coppersmith Barbets, is heard first and spotted later but ironically this bird didn't grace us with its famous "Brain-fever" call. However, thanks to Yashraj we got a great look at the shy Common Hawk-Cuckoo.

Nature always has interesting stories to tell and to show for anyone who's watching or listening. Today we watched some and listened some more! Birds, however cannot exist in the anbsence of the food chain they rely on for sustenence. Naturally so, I was tempted to look for interesting insects in and around the area.

I happen to happily observe two species of Damselflies, The Blue-tailed Damselfly and the Coromandel Marsh Dart, While I was busy clicking them, Yashraj spotted a Tawny Coaster Butterfly. Which is one of my favourite butterflies. Oh, how happy I was.

We moved closer to the lake, and were greated by Indian spot-billed ducks. Purple Swanp hens, Pond Herons and four Grey Herons and one Painted Stork. Expected near a lake but still a waaaoh moment for first-time birders. I definitely heard a kid say, "This is so huge! Is it even a bird?"

As the bird walk was nearing its end, Yashraj showed us a Wooly-necked Stork overlooking its Nest! Which was a pure delight to watch.

And last but not the least, Fun Fungi and Insects.