You do not have to leave the city to see good birds. On a quiet winter morning at a wetland in Navi Mumbai, with apartment blocks reflected in the water, we found a Painted Stork hiding in the bushes, Black-winged Stilts wading in the shallows, gulls resting in long white lines and an egret fishing alone.
The Painted Stork in the Bushes
The star of the morning stood half hidden behind leaves at the water’s edge: a Painted Stork, with its heavy yellow bill, bare orange-yellow face and a wash of pink on the back. It is a big bird, but it stood so still among the branches that it took a while to notice.
Painted Storks feed by wading slowly with the bill half open in the water, snapping it shut when it touches a fish. See our earlier Painted Stork in Navi Mumbai post for more.
Black-winged Stilts: Long Legs, Still Water
Black-winged Stilts are easy to recognise: black and white body, needle-thin bill and very long pink legs. They walk slowly through shallow water, picking food from the surface, and their reflections make lovely pictures on a calm morning.
Gulls and an Egret
Further out, gulls rested in neat rows on the water, all facing the same way. Every few minutes a few would lift off, circle and settle again. Closer to the edge, a single egret stood fishing, its white reflection almost as sharp as the bird.
Tips for Birding at Navi Mumbai Wetlands
- Go between November and March, when winter birds are here.
- Arrive soon after sunrise. Birds are active and the water is calm.
- Check the tide. Wetlands near the creek fill and empty with the tide; mid to low tide often brings birds closer.
- Walk slowly along the edge and scan the bushes too, not just the open water.
- Carry binoculars and a lens of 300 mm or more for the birds on the far side.
Questions People Ask
Where can I see Painted Storks near Mumbai?
In the wetlands of Navi Mumbai and the creeks around Mumbai, especially in winter. Look along the edges of the water and in the bushes beside it.
What is the best time to visit Navi Mumbai wetlands for birds?
November to March, early in the morning.
Read next: Gulls of Mumbai Harbour · Birds at Kihim Beach, Alibaug