Birding watching is a rejuvenating and recreational activity. Bird Watching gives you an insight of the diverse biodiversity of The Himalayas. The Himalayan city of Dehradun is a paradise for Bird Watchers. Dehradun is home to a number of bird species. Bird Watching can be one of The Best Things to Do in Summers in Dehradun, so today we have a for you of some the most amazing Birding Spots In & Around Dehradun.
1. Rajaji National Park
Rjaji National Park is located at Haridwar at a distance of 61 km from Dehradun. It has a diverse range of wildlife so if you’re planning to go on a Bird Watching Trip Near Dehradun then Rajaji National Park will not disappoint you. There are a variety of species of birds at Rajaji National Park like Peafowl, Jungle Fowl, Kalij Pheasant, Hornbill, Woodpecker, Thrush, Kingfisher, Parakeet, Warbler, Barbet, Finches, Indian Roller, Oriole and so much more. To enjoy Birding Adventure In & Around Dehradun travel to Rajaji National Park as it is home to 384 species of birds belonging to 57 families. You will easily find Migrant Birds Around Dehradun at Rajaji National park along with residential, altitudinal , local migrants and some unknown species like White-Napped Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Northen Gorshawk, etc. So visit Rajaji National Park for Watching Birds in Dehradun.
2. Jhilmil Jheel
The Jhilmil Jheel is located 20 minutes from Haridwar city. It is a well known destination for nature enthusiast and a paradise for Bird Watching near Dehradun as it is well known for its swamp deer and the great diversity of birds. The Jhilmil Jheel is one of the unexplored bird watching destination near Dehradun which isn’t explored by many bird watchers. Research has shown that the place has about 120 species of birds. There are number of threatened species as well which roost here such as the Bristled Grassbird and species of vultures. Other rare birds like the Paradise Flycatcher, Oriole, Scarlet Minivet, Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Leafbird, Plum-Headed and Rose-Ringed Parakeet, Oriental Magpie Robin, Emerald Dove, Green Pigeon, Spot-Billed Duck, Asian Open-Bill, Woolly-Necked Stork, four species of kingfisher and many species of ducks are in plenty in this reserve which makes it an amazing Birding Destination Around Dehradun.
3. Rishikesh
Rishikesh is one of the most visited towns in the state of Uttarakhand. It lies at a close proximity of Dehradun, at a distance of 46 km. Rishikesh is not only the Yoga Capital of India but its also home to a number of adventure activities like river rafting, camping and bird watching. The Eastern part of the Ganges in Rishikesh falls under the Rajaji National Park and therefore is a delight for Watching Bird Around Dehradun. The place houses a large species of birds with the water birds being high in numbers like Gull, Little Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Ruddy Shelduck and other river terns. The whole region is a perfect habitat of Himalayan Birds Near Dehradun. Slaty Headed Parakeet, Himalayan Bulbul White Throat-ed Fantail, Yellow Bellied Fantail,Red- Billed Blue Magpie, Oriental Magpie Robin and many more.
4. Devalsari
Deolsari or Devalsari is a village at an altitude of 1800 m and is the gateway to the Nag Tibba Trek. It can be approached through Mussoorie which is at a distance of 35 km from Dehradun. The people who love to bask in the beauty of nature and go bird watching will love this area. The changing terrain of Devalsari makes it a perfect Place of Bird Watching Near Dehradun. Here you will find various birds like Collard Owlet, Hodgson’s Treecreeper, Blue Throated Barbet, Common iora, Khalij Pheasant, Wedge Tailed Pigeon, Grey Headed Canary Fly Catcher, Golden Bush Robin, Spot-Winged Grosbeak, Cinereous Vulture, Chukar Partridge, Mountain Scops Owl, Rufous-chinned laughingthrush, Black-Faced Warbler, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker and so many more birds. The route you can follow id Mussoorie– Suwakholi (12Km) – Thatyur (21 km) – Devalsari (10Km)
5. Thano
Thano lies in the eastern part of the Doon Valley and is covered with Sal-mixed forests of Shivalik Himalayas. The place is loaded with orchards, agricultural fields, scrub jungles that help to increase the diversity of the birds. being in a close proximity of Rishikesh (20 km), you can visit Rishikesh as well if you’re looking forward for Spots for Bird Watching Near Dehradun. The area covers a large habitat of birds like Common tailor bird, Plum Headed Parakeet, White Capped Bunting, Long Tailed Minivet, Indian Black Lored-Tit, Fire-Breasted Flowerpecker, Greater Flame Back Wedge Tailed Green Pigeon, Greater Yellownape, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Crested Kingfisher, Indian Pitta, Sirkeer Malkoha, Maroon Oriole and many more. Best Areas for Bird Watching in Dehradun are Thano & Maldevta. The Forest Rest House, Sal forest covering village area,Kalu Sidh Temple, upper Ranikhet village, near by Maldevta and Lachhiwala jungle is also a prominent Birding Area in Dehradun
6. Asan Conservation
The Asan Conservation Reserve (400 m) in Dehradun at the bank of river Yamuna is India’s first conservation Reserve built in 2005. Situated at the junction of the Yamuna and Asan river it is listed as an Important Bird Area of Dehradun (BirdLife International in Dehradun). Its is popular for winter migrated birds. If you’re looking for Birding Spots In Dehradun, the Asan Conservation Reserve is the suitable destination. Here you will find more than 250 bird species including 80 water birds. Here you will find birds like Brahminy ducks, Rudely Shel duck, Dabbling Duck, Diving Duck. Birds; Herons, Egrets, storks, Ibises are Geese, which are seen during winter season (Nov to Feb). You can go for a 3 km walk at various spots near the wetlands. At Rampur Mandi, 1 km Jungle trail has more forest birds. The Yamuna river edge also showcases the Variety of Birds in Dehradun.
7. Lachhiwala
Lachhiwala is located at a distance of 20 km from Dehradun. It is a very famous picnic spot in Dehradun, along the banks of Song River and a great Place to Spot Birds in Dehradun. The Sal Forest near Lachhiwala is a perfect place to catch the glimpse of birds like the woodpecker species, including the Rufous-bellied Woodpecker. In addition, one may see Eurasian Treecreeper, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Bar-tailed Flycatcher Shrike, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch and Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch. The under storey here may yield Puff-Throated Babbler, Indian Pitta and Chestnut-Bellied Rock Thrush. At the Rickety Bridge when you cross the tributary of the Song River you may find Multicoloured Birds of Dehradun like The Plumbeous Redstart, White-capped Water Redstart and if lucky, Brown Dipper and many more.
8. Maldevta
Maldevta is located at a distance of 19 km from Dehradun. To reach there one has to turn left at the junction at the end of Rajpur Road. The area is more hilly and rocky and has a large variety of Dehradun Birds in Maldevta to be seen. Although when Birding in Dehradun, you can spot birds like Egyptian Vulture or Oriental Honey Buzzard, Little Cormorant soaring over the bare seasonal riverbed and the roadside canal called the Kalanga Canal at Maldevta. At a further distance at the Maldevta Village is the Kumalda Village at a short distance which has mango orchards that is a Paradise of Birds in Dehradun as it has birds like the Plum-Headed Parakeet (in winters) and Slaty-Headed Parakeet. Other popular birds found here are Red-billed Blue Magpie, Grey Treepie, Crimson Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, White-Crested Laughing thrush, Eurasian Cuckoo, Pied Bushchat, Asian Paradise Flycatcher (summer) and many more Birds of Doon.
9. Chakrata, Kanasar Deoban Birding
Chakrata is a pristine hill station perched at an altitude of 2100 m and is located at a distance of 98 km from Dehradun and 73 km from Mussoorie. Chakrata is not just a trekkers delight but also a delight for Bird Watching Around Dehradun. Chakrata has large forest covers of rhododendron, conifers and oak trees so you can find a number of Birds at Chakrata near Dehradun in Tiger Fall, Deoban, Kanasar, Budher cave and hill tops surrounded by Deodar forest, passing through villages Nyari and Chauthina. In Chakrata you will find Beautiful Dehradun Birds which are of various species like Yellow-Crowned Woodpecker, Himalayan Woodpecker, Brown Headed Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Oriental Turtle Dove, Grey Treepie, Blue Whistling Thrush, Chukar Partridge, Cinereous Vulture, Speckled Piculet, Wall Creeper, Bar-tailed Tree Creeper and many more.
10. Rio Resort
If you’re a birding enthusiast and you are looking for Bird Watching Spots in Dehradun then the Rio Resort located at Garhi Cantt is a perfect place to satisfy the Ornithologist within you. In the Rio Resort you would be living within the wooded areas of the region which is home to a variety of Birds in Dehradun. This area include a variety of migratory and resident birds which are famous amongst the bird watchers. Since the resort is nestled amidst green mountains and a lot of foliage, you can spot many Beautiful Birds of Doon within the resort premises too. Some of the Popular Birds Found in Dehradun are Marbled Teal, Bar-headed Goose, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Mallard, Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Black-chinned Babbler, Red-billed Leiothrix; Large billed Crow, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Cuckoo, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Green Sandpiper, Streak-Throated Sparrow, Paddyfield Pipit, Steppe Eagle, etc.
These were some amongst our favourite Birding Spots In & Around Dehradun, if you have any of your personal picks for Bird Watching In & Around Dehradun, then do mention it in the comments below.