Birding Expeditions in Delhi NCR
Think Delhi is just concrete? We are documenting rare migratory birds and local raptors in the city's last hidden wetlands and grasslands. Join our field team to see the wild side that lives right next to us.
A Lesser White-fronted Goose in flight. This vulnerable species is a rare find, and this sighting was the first eBird record for Gurugram.
A Lesser White-fronted Goose flies past a web of power lines, a stark reminder of the dangers migratory birds face in urbanized wetlands.
A Red-naped Shaheen, an extremely uncommon falcon in the Indian subcontinent, which we were thrilled to spot and observe at Najafgarh Lake.
After searching since October, we finally spotted this stunning male Merlin in January, a lifer for one of our team members.
The West Himalayan Bush Warbler, a species whose wintering grounds are known from only a few locations in India. Najafgarh Lake may be one of them.
An Asian Desert Warbler, a lifer for our whole team and a first record for Gurgaon, discovered in one of the city's last remaining grasslands.
Another shot of the Asian Desert Warbler, a passage migrant, as it forages on the ground in the farmlands around Delhi NCR.
About this collection
My birding expeditions are not about just ticking off a list. We spend hours at sites like Najafgarh and Sultanpur wetlands, using professional spotting scopes and eBird tracking to find elusive species like the Merlin or the Asian Desert Warbler. You will learn to interpret avian behavior and identify subtle field marks, turning a simple sighting into a genuine piece of documentation.
Birding in Delhi NCR is more than a hobby. It is an exploration of the city's disappearing wild edges. We focus on the areas most at risk, from the farmlands of Gurugram to the rocky outcrops of the Aravallis, scouting these locations weekly to see what is currently passing through.
Why join our expeditions?
- Real Field Mentorship: Whether you are learning to handle a long lens or figuring out how to distinguish a Warbler's call, we teach you how to approach wildlife without disturbing it. We treat every walk like a research trip.
- Access to Hidden Hotspots: We take you beyond the main tourist gates. We track migratory raptors, waders, and resident species in the untamed parts of the city that most people drive past.
- Conservation-Focused Data: We document everything. By contributing to platforms like eBird, we help create a data footprint for these habitats, which is crucial for their protection against urban sprawl and development.
Practical Details
- Gear: While a long lens is helpful for photography, your patience is your most important tool. I provide shared access to professional spotting scopes so everyone can see distant waterfowl clearly.
- Timing: Winter is the prime season for migrants, but our resident raptors and owls are active year-round. We run these sessions during early morning hours to maximize both lighting and bird activity.
- Ethics: We operate on a 'nature-first' principle. If a bird is nesting or stressed, we observe from a distance. Respect for the species always comes before the photograph.
Yatin Verma
I'm Yatin. I have spent years getting muddy in Delhi’s wetlands to track the city’s secret avian life. My friends and I love showing people the raptors and migrants hiding in plain sight. If you want to see the real Delhi wild, let's head out together.
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