With over 130 species of birds, many local and a few fascinating like the Chatak that migrates from South Africa, the University of Pune is a haven for birdwatchers

Following the famous statement by Jim Corbett- ‘Before you spot a tiger, be sure that the tiger has already spotted you’, a micro version of the jungle life exists right at the heart of the city. Experience can be more enriching for people whose day remains incomplete without a jog in the University of Pune if they just lift their heads and take note of a world that exists on the trees.

The University of Pune, besides being a dynamo of international researches has also been a home to over 130 species of birds- some common, some uncommon and a few even migratory. "The first time I visited UoP was in 2003- 04. Just a look at the variety of trees, bushes and even ponds was enough to guess that this place is a birds' paradise. And like my true friends, birds confirmed their existence too," says Dharmaraj Patil, researcher, Center for Environment Education (CEE) who has been a regular visitor since then.

"University garden, IUCAA road, Main Building, area surrounding the Environment Department are some of the areas where I have witnessed nesting as well as roosting of many birds. Crows, Mainas, Sparrows, Parakeets and Pigeons are the most common ones. In addition to these, there are Red Vented Bulbuls, Red whiskered bulbuls, both the species of Sunbirds- purple and purple rump, Oriental white eye and so on that I encounter regularly. In fact the smallest bird in the city- Pale Billed Flowerpecker which is just about eight cm long can also be seen sometimes," says Patil.

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