7 Amazing Bird Sightings at Dhanauri Wetlands UP Earth Walks near Delhi
Deciphering the avifaunal culture of Dhanauri - A report of the Uttar Pradesh Earth Walks organised in Dhanauri Wetlands
Date: 12 April 2026
Location: Dhanauri Wetlands
Trail Theme: Feathers of Summers: Dhanauri Wetlands
Trail leader: Mr Rohit Sharma
Trail Coordinator: Salil Dutta
No. of participants: 40
Dhanauri Wetlands, over the years, have established themselves as a significant site for not only supporting rich biodiversity but also being an important centre for ecotourism within the state. A vital site for the Sarus Crane, this area, which spans over a little 110 hectares, is home to more than 273 species of birds, including both resident and migratory birds. It was with these factors in mind that Asian Adventures, in collaboration with the Global Wildlife Fair, Uttar Pradesh Tourism, and Uttar Pradesh Ecotourism, had organised an Earth Walks in the Dhanauri wetlands. The walk began with the walk leader explaining the region's significance, followed by his introduction. The participants then introduced themselves one by one, highlighting various factors such as what motivated them to take time out of their schedules and take up birding as their hobby, and how birdwatching has enabled them to travel to various places, how, for some, their children acted as a source of inspiration for birding, etc.
These stories helped the people to connect more as the love for nature became the common ground for them to share this platform. The walk became even more important for Earth Walks as the SDM of Ghaziabad, Mr Deepak Singhanwal, had even joined us for this birdwatching trail. Beginning the walk, participants observed an Indian Pied Starling tucked within the bushes, requiring a 3-5 minute wait for it to become visible to cameras and binoculars. The wait was absolutely worth it, as the bird sat quietly as if posing for the pictures. It was then that the walk leader explained the site was both recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International and has even been recognised by the Bombay Natural History Society as a key ecological habitat for various species.
Right in the middle of this conversation, sharp sounds were heard. To see the magnificent sight of 2 Crested Larks, the participants looked towards the sky. The swings and the dives they were making to attack one another were nothing less than a visual treat for the photographers. The fight, which was for the claiming of the territory, became one highlight of the walk. As the walk proceeded, the participants were lucky to encounter the star species of Dhanauri - the Sarus Crane. The majestic species were basking in the early sunlight, giving perfect panoramic shots for photography. Throughout the walk, 9 Sarus Cranes were spotted, making the walk a sighting-rich experience. Just when the group thought the sighting could not get much better, they spotted the Baillon’s Crake, an indeed rare sighting which emerged as another highlight of the walk. The wetlands are located in such a place that during the early hours, it felt like the place was aloof from any visible signs of civilisation. It was later, as the sun’s rays started to become penetrating in the heart of the wetlands, that the crowd noticed a bullock cart and realised the human activities that existed in the nearby areas.
The people were kind enough to offer freshly produced Butter Milk to the participants while taking them to their home and extending their hospitality. The participants were amazed when the owner of the house shared that they run a cottage business and sell A2 milk products to the nearby areas. After getting glimpses of the village life around Dhanauri, the participants began their walk towards the starting point, where they posed for a group picture. While returning, species like the Asian Wolly-necked stork, Zitting Cisticola, and wood sandpiper were spotted. Overall, the walk was a huge success, where the participants not only spotted and photographed exotic species but also had fun exploring the wetlands with Rohit’s perfect precision in bird recognition, with or without the binoculars and the immense knowledge that he possesses about the behavioural patterns of the birds. It would not be wrong to call him a living bird encyclopedia. People enquired about the upcoming walks, as well as how to become a part of the upcoming outdoor workshops of the Global Wildlife Fair.
The enthusiasm of the people was the actual highlight for us. Earth Walks does more than just share information about birds, their species, and the ecosystem. The place where you learn without missing out on the fun. You can even become a part of this outdoor learning adventure by connecting with us and converting your Sundays into meaningful mini-getaways. To join us, click here https://asianadventures.info/p/af0725/
Bird List
- Kalij Pheasant
- Common wood-pigeon
- Oriental turtle-dove
- Spotted Dove
- Himalayan Cuckoo
- Great Barbet
- Brown-fronted woodpecker
- Gray-headed woodpecker
- Himalayan woodpecker
- Long-tailed Broadbill
- Black-winged cuckooshrike
- Himalayan shrike-babbler
- Maroon Oriole
- Red-billed blue-magpie
- Barn Swallow
- Eastern red-rumped swallow
- Striated Laughingthrush
- Bar-tailed treecreeper
- Rufous-bellied Niltava
- Ultramarine Flycatcher
- Verditer Flycatcher
- White-tailed Nuthatch