Reminiscing the good old days when we used to travel – sometimes planned sometimes impromptu. It has been more than 3 months at home. The things we can do is to plan, do virtual tours, read books or recall memories by looking at the photographs. So, today I was going through the last trip we did just before the lockdown was to Sinhagad Valley – Birders’ Paradise! This post is the combined experience of our multiple visits to Sinhagad valley.
Sinhagad Fort is the most popular tourist spot in Pune because of the stunning views and delicious Pithla Bhakri. Those who love trekking take the Sinhagad Paytha (Base) for starting their trek and the nature enthusiasts as well as Bird lovers choose to go to Sinhagad Valley.
Bird watching needs a lot of patience and determination. The story of the last visit to Sinhagad Valley is quite interesting! Do you remember Dalgona Coffee? Yes, I made the coffee on a Friday night which fortunately or unfortunately kept me awake for the whole night! We just love being in the lap of nature and mostly never miss a chance to get lost in the wilderness. So at 4 AM, this weird impromptu plan came on to my mind to go for bird watching and trust me that was the best decision!
We have been there multiple times so without the second thought, we got ready in jiffy and loaded our camera gears. Super excited and without any plans we just started driving at 5 AM in pitch dark and it felt so good to go out so early. Empty streets, cool breeze, chirping birds and the fresh air motivated me to get up this early everyday!
After parking the car, and a walk of half a km, we settled down at our favourite spot. As I said, patience is the key for bird-watching. Don’t get hyper, don’t move much, don’t talk loudly as it disturbs the birds. Sit at one place and if you can not capture in first go, don’t get upset as the birds frequently come to the same place. If you want to keep it in your heart forever, just take no photographs.
Those who want to take photographs, there are a couple of spots where you can camouflage, sit and capture the beautiful feather friends. You can spot varied flycatcher, eagles, munias, monarch, pipit. If you are lucky you can spot so many bird species on your first visit. The valley is a hub for bird-watching. But the most gorgeous, popular and photogenic bird is The Asian Paradise Flycatcher which translates to एशियाई दिव्यलोकी कीटमार also known as दूधराज या सुल्ताना बुलबुल in hindi and स्वर्गीय नर्तक in marathi. It is so beautiful that seeing it for the first time seems like a dream! When it flies it feels like a feather floating in the air! The crown says it all…
Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Close-up, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Asian Paradise Flycatcher Male, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Asian Paradise Flycatcher Bird, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Sinhagad Valley, Pune
Did you know? Asian Paradise Flycatcher is the state bird of Madhya Pradesh.
You can enjoy the flora and fauna around the valley. The rising rays of sun bring all the joy. Birds start to come near water bodies to drink water and bathe.
The most playful and cute bird is the Female Red Breasted Flycatcher. It is quite camera-friendly and attention-seeker. LOL. Even if you try to capture the other birds it will come and pose and you won’t be able to resist but click. The male is shy but the bright blue color is worth clicking!
Red vented Bulbul, Red Whiskered Bulbul are quite common on sight.
Red Vented Bulbuls taking bath, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Red Whiskered Bulbul, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Red vented Bulbul sitting, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Red Vented Bulbul, Sinhagad Valley, Pune
The Scaly Breasted Munias are too shy and they can be seen just for few minutes.
Scaly Breasted Munia, Male, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Scaly Breasted Munia Female. Sinhagad Valley, Pune
After some time we spotted Yellow wagtail. It spends a lot of time walking and running on the ground with its tail wagging from time to time.
Yellow Wagtail, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Yellow Wagtail Bird, Sinhagad Valley, Pune
Playful but shy Oriental White Eye is another beautiful creature. As the name suggests, you can see a perfect white circle around its eyes. So pretty!
Oriental White Eye sitting, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Oriental White Eye Birds, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Oriental White Eye, Sinhagad Valley, Pune
This fluffy ball is so cute!
Brown Rock Chat, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Brown Rock chat bird, Sinhagad Valley, Pune
If you are fortunate, you can capture Owls, Serpent Eagle, Shikra, Rufous Treepie, Scaly Breasted Munias. We also spotted Serpent Eagle’s huge nest!
Shikra, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Rufous Treepie, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
White Breasted Kingfisher, Sinhagad Valley, Pune
Have you seen Angry Bird in real life? Here you go….This little naughty creature has the natural angry face! This is fantail for you. Haha…
White Throated Fantail, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
White Throated Fantail bathing, Sinhagad Valley, Pune
The most sweet vocal artist is the Oriental Magpie Robin. The day starts with it singing in multiple voices. It is purely magical.
Oriental Magpie Robin bird, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Oriental Magpie Robin, Sinhagad Valley, Pune
There are other birds also which are gorgeous and you are lucky enough to capture them.
Verditer Flycatcher, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Tailor Bird, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Indian Black-Lored Tit, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Pipit, Sinhagad Valley, Pune 
Orange Headed Thrush, Sinhagad Valley, Pune
Also, past 9 AM, you can see a group of langurs coming.
After so many visits, we realised there is a certain time range when you can see particular birds. It is surprising, but that is our observation.
There was not much activity after 10 AM so we left, had breakfast on the way and this sudden plan to Sinhagad Valley was the last visit to any destination before lockdown. I can’t wait for everything to get back to normal so that I can again see my feather friends.
Nanchi.blog 
Your love for nature and birds is evident from this post. Brilliant photography, Madam..!! Loved the details and the precision of your photographs.. 😊😊
Hope to learn some of that skill from you.. 😊😊 I loved the photos of the Asian flycatcher and the langoor. I like langoors and not the monkeys, which are irritating and can prove to be vermin sometimes.
Great work, Madam..!! Waiting for your Friday post.. 😊😊
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Thank you so much, Abir. I am glad you liked the photos and the details. Asian Paradise Flycatcher is beautiful!
Yeah….You will see it tomorrow. I am so glad you await for the Nanchi’s Fun Facts Friday. 😊
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This is literally a paradise!!
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Yes, absolutely heaven for Bird lovers and Photographers! 😊
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Bird love 😍. The photographs are stunning. Enjoyed your tour.
The red whiskered bulbul has given birth again in my garden. 😊🌻
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Beautiful birds wonderfully photographed. I’ve never seen such beautiful birds outside of captivity. How lucky to get to see them in the wild. The Paradise Flycatcher is especially wonderful.
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Beautiful photos
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Thank you so much Sri. 😊
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I once visited their, beautiful place.
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Is it? Wow. I am sure you too had a nice time then. 😊
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Yaa
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Beautiful pictures of flora and fauna…excellent sharing!
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Thank you, Indira. My heart is where the nature is. I am glad you liked it. 😊
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Your stunning bird pics show you have plenty of patience when out bird spotting! Great last trip before shutdown if ever there was one!
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Haha…Yes, one needs a lot of patience for Bird Photography. We still are in shutdown 😦 But I am helping myself by going through the photos of the trip. Thank you dear! 😊
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Beautiful pictures 😍😍
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Thank you Ranjini! 😊
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Most welcome !
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Beautiful …… the birds and photographs. It’s just the place I would love to go to. The Asian Flycatcher is really attractive. Hope to visit this place someday soon 🙂 I like all the cute, roundy-poundy birds that you saw. They are a fun to watch and just like you said oodles of patience pays
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Thank you Monika. I am glad you liked it. 😊 We too love Sinhagad Valley. Hai na!? Asian Paradise Flycatcher takes my heart away, everytime! Haha…Those fluff balls are so cute. I want to pick them up and pamper. LOL.
Bird photography boosts your patience! Thank you once again, dear! 😊
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Happy Birding to us 🐦😄😍💖
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Great photos!
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I loved all of the different colourful birds we saw in India, but we were rarely able to get pictures. Your’s are incredible!! And the flowers too.
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Thanks a lot. I am so glad and fortunate to click these wonderful birds! 😊
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I am in awe with the variety of birds. Wonderful captures.
A must visit place 🙂
Did you eat pithala n bhakri? n dahi 🙂
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Wow…
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Great pictures. So many beautiful birds. They can easily light up a dull day.
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Last …and a beautiful one,love the beautiful birds.
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Absolutely stunning pictures of flora &n fauna. Crisp!
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Oh wow! Amazing photos. The red breasted fly catcher reminds me of a robin.
I am planning to take my son bird watching next week. It will be my first “proper” trip out since lockdown began (not including local walk). I’m even more excited after looking at your stunning photos.
Thank you for sharing with #AdventureCalling. Truly lovely.
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What a beautiful array of pretty little birds an flowers..
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Wow, beautiful photos. Your bird captures are gorgeous! I think it takes both patience and skill with the camera!
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Thank you for your kind words, Peter. Yes, I agree…Bird photography needs a lot of patience and skills but it is worth it. 😊
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Birds and bougainvilleas, i love them both. Thank you for sharing.
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The colorful bougainvilleas and the sweet chirping of birds can cheer anyone up! 😊😊
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Such beautiful pictures
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Thank you so much, Ishita! 😊
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There’s some great photography here!
Em
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Wow! I love your photographs, I think my favourite was the Oriental White eye. Lots of incredible pretty birds. Fingers crossed it won’t be too long before you can go on adventures again.
#AdventureCalling
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Thank you dear! I am glad you liked the photographs! All the birds are so beautiful. Oriental White Eye is gorgeous too. 😍😍 Yeah….Can’t wait to travel again! Thank you for your kind words. ❤
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These are some amazing creatures! I’m so glad you shared them with us!
‘My Corner of the World’ is happy to see you this week! Thanks for linking.
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Thank you Betty! Yes, these birds are so beautiful! ❤
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Beautiful photos.
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Thank you so much, Jim!
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So many beautiful photos, Nanchi! That paradise flycatcher is stunning! I am sure that you are so ready to travel again. I hope we all can do so with ease once again. Thanks for sharing and linking up, my friend,
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
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What a beautiful gallery! I especially like the photo of the Kingfisher. But my absolute favourite is the Angry Bird. It looks funny 🙂
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Stunning photos! Thank you for sharing!
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Are all these clicks by you? Brilliant
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Yes, all clicks are by us. Thank you so much my dear! 😊🤗
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Wonderful
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Beautiful photos! So many different birds out there! Amazing! 🙂
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What beautiful photographs, especially of that red-throated flycatcher! It looks like your early morning paid off 🙂
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Haha…Yes, Absolutely. Thank you for your kind words, Emmalene.😊 I am glad you liked the photographs. The Red Throated Flycatcher is the cutest of them all. 😁😁
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Photographs are wonderful 👌
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Thank you so much dear Amruta! ❤
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Oh my goodness I love your photos! I’m a real bird geek, so loved learning all these new (to me) species. So much more colourful than the ones in my garden. Thank you so much for linking up with us #AdventureCalling
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It was such a wonderful experience to watch them in person. All the birds are so colorful and beautiful. Thank you for visiting my blog. 😊
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Hi Nachi,
Ver interesting travel blog you have here.
I’ve been meaning to come by for a while.
Taking off for a birding trip in the wee hours of the morning on a whim sounds so much fun.
In work in the wildlife-eco travel sector, and still learning the ropes of birding.
I’ve taken to it recently with my 12 year old.
Your sightings are fabulous. 🙂
Would love to have you join us sometime on #WordlessWednesday
https://natashamusing.com/category/wordlesswednesday/
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Thank you Natasha! I am glad you liked my blog.
Bird-watching is a great stress buster! Birding needs a whole lot of patience which we eventually learn. It is all about perseverance and persistence. Thank you so much for your kind words. ❤
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