Pune: City Records Second Highest Bird Species Sightings in Maharashtra During Great Backyard Bird Count 2025

Pune city has emerged as a hotspot for bird enthusiasts, recording the second-highest bird species sightings in Maharashtra during the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2025. With 248 bird species documented, Pune showcased its rich biodiversity, contributing significantly to Maharashtra’s total of 418 species out of 1,077 recorded nationwide. The event, held from February 14 to 17, saw enthusiastic participation from over 200 birding enthusiasts who joined more than 20 bird walks across the city.

Key Highlights:

• Rare Sightings: The European Honey Buzzard, a rare species, was spotted at Vetal Tekdi, marking an emotional highlight for participants. Other unique sightings included the Peregrine Falcon, Steppe Eagle, Forest Wagtail, and Bluethroat.
• Top Hotspots: ARAI-Vetal Tekdi recorded the highest number of bird species (114), followed by Bhigwan (104), Kumbhar Gaon Bird Sanctuary (103), Mula River in Baner (97), and Kavadi Pat (95).
• Citizen Science Initiative: This year marked the 12th edition of GBBC, a global event encouraging citizens to document bird species in their surroundings. Pune submitted 3,672 checklists, with 422 identified as hotspots.
• Community Participation: Bird walks were organized at multiple locations, attracting participants from all age groups. The initiative also highlighted the need to protect stressed habitats like Vetal Tekdi and Ram-Mula Confluence.
• Future Goals: Participants expressed interest in expanding the initiative to map plant, flower species, and microorganisms in Pune’s wetlands and urban forest areas.

Quotes:

Ranjeet Rane, a coordinating member for GBBC in Pune, shared, “Sighting the European Honey Buzzard was an emotional crescendo. Each sighting has a story, and this year’s GBBC was a testament to Pune’s thriving birding community.”

Significance:

The GBBC not only bridges data gaps in biodiversity but also emphasizes the importance of conserving urban green spaces and wetlands. Pune’s active participation underscores its role as a key contributor to Maharashtra’s ecological diversity.