WINGS 2025: Birdwatchers unite across Maharashtra, species numbers on decline

The much-anticipated WINGS – Birds of India event, sponsored by HSBC and Tata Chemicals, took place successfully across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and various parts of Maharashtra on Sunday. This year’s event saw participation from nearly 69 teams, comprising over 300 bird enthusiasts who explored the diverse avifauna of the region.

Participants hailed from various districts, including Akola, Amravati, Nagpur, Wardha, Baramati, Yavatmal, Mahabaleshwar, Raigad, and Pune, showcasing a collective passion for birdwatching. A total of 271 bird species were recorded during the event, a slight decrease from last year’s tally. Particularly concerning was the drop in the number of species sighted in the Mumbai region, which fell to 215 from 237 in 2024.

Key coordinators Sunjoy Monga and Ravi Vaidyanathan expressed their concerns regarding the declining numbers of both resident and migratory bird species.

“The rampant pace of developmental projects, including road construction, redevelopment, and the destruction of wetlands and grasslands, has severely impacted bird diversity and populations across various zones”, they said.

Participants from across Maharashtra echoed these sentiments, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. Monga and Vaidyanathan aim to expand the event to include more districts next year to gather comprehensive data on the decline in bird species.

Despite the overall decline, the event also witnessed the sighting of some uncommon bird species. A notable highlight was the observation of a Greater White-fronted Goose at a wetland site near Pune, marking a rare find for the region. Other less frequently reported species included the Imperial Eagle, Bar-headed Goose, Knob-billed Duck, Common Pochard, Brown Crake, Pied Avocet, Bar-tailed Godwit, White Stork, Black Eagle, and Indian Blue Robin. However, sightings of larks, woodpeckers, and various game birds were notably low, as were reports of many winter migrants.

The WINGS programme also featured two informative talks during the evening gathering. Dr. Dhruba Saikia delivered a comprehensive presentation on the avifauna of the IIT campus, while Ms. Vrusha Patel discussed the bird-rich Lokhandwala Lake. Both presentations underscored the rich diversity of birdlife in the region and the increasing threats faced by these species.

Throughout the day, participants covered a wide range of habitats, from plains to hilly zones, forests, scrublands, grasslands, coastal and inland wetlands, as well as urban sites. A total of 120 bird checklists were uploaded to the programme’s dedicated page on the online eBird platform, contributing to valuable data documentation for future conservation efforts.