Karnala Bird Sanctuary 

Karnala Birdwatching is a short trail in Karnala Bird Sanctuary located near Panvel. The Sanctuary hosts more than 250+ species of resident and migratory birds. Karnala Bird Sanctuary located in Panvel Taluka of Raigad District, outside Mumbai, India near Matheran and Karjat. The sanctuary is quite small with an area of 12.11 square kilometres however besides the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Tungareshwar sanctuary is also one of the few sanctuaries to be undoubtedly within reach from the city of Mumbai.

Even though Karnala Bird Sanctuary is not only home to over 200 species of resident birds but also 47 species of migratory birds. In addition to the former, some rare birds such as Ashy Minivet, Three-toed kingfisher and Malabar Trogon are occasional visitors of the park. The sanctuary itself comprises moist deciduous forest furthermore the forest department has put efforts in order to educate the visitors by tagging several trees inside the forest.

About the Park: 

While it is a bird sanctuary, similarly other wildlife also exist. To begin with Wild boars, langurs and rhesus monkeys are common here. There are particularly four trails inside the sanctuary for example Hariyal, Mortaka are comparatively common. The two distinct seasons for bird-watching are monsoons & Winters. Monsoons are specifically known for Malabar whistling thrush, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Indian Pitta and paradise flycatcher and on the other hand winters are when you can spot the migratory birds such as blue throat, black headed cuckoo-shrike, blue-headed rock-thrush, blackbird, heart spotted woodpecker, pygmy woodpecker, and red breasted flycatcher. 

Karnala Bird Sanctuary is without doubt a vivid & diverse forest. Although the vegetation of the forest is purely moist deciduous, it remains green till the dry season. Perhaps this is what makes it a great hot spot for bird watching. Among 1200+ bird species of India, 220+ species have been reported in Karnala. The Forest is rather blessed by some rare and endemic species listed below.

The above image was clicked by one of our participants Dr. Murali Poduval on a recent trail (12th August 2022) who was kind enough to share this image with us. While you can follow his work on Instagram.

Highlights of the trip:

The below is the list of some of the rather uncommon birds observed once in a while. 

• Brown Cheeked Fulvetta
• Malabar Whistling Thrush
• Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher
• Indian Pitta
• Great Hornbill
• Heart spotted woodpecker
• Blue headed rock thrush
• Red breasted flycatcher

The Trail:

Hariyal: The trail begins right after we enter the park main gate. It is quite a dense cover of Mango, Bamboo, Teak at the beginning of the trail. Initial part of the trail is great for Bush/garden birds such as Sunbirds, Flycatcher, Bulbuls, Munias, thrushes & warblers. As we walk further until we reach a small wood bridge to cross over a stream along. Shortly after we make an small uphill ascend, we reach a relatively open space surrounded chiefly by teak wood trees. A watch tower to overlook the Karnala Forest & the canopy.

Additionally to the watch tower the view from this plain is fairly open and generally good for forest birds. To name a few Orioles, Leafbirds, Shikra, Shrikes, Cuckoo, Koel, Drongos, Crested hawk eagle aka changeable hawk eagle, robins, kites. However all these birds are seen in different seasons, although the ones that are resident are sighted on keen observation. 

The trail merges into a forest trail paved by marble blocks & surrounded by Teak wood trees explicitly. 

Check out our other trails around Mumbai such as Nagla Block, CEC, Shilonda, Butterfly Walks

Quick Details:

Type:                     Birdwatching

No of days:         01 (4-6hrs) 

Grade:                  Easy

Region:                 Panvel
Range:                 Matheran

Trail time:            2 – 3Hrs

• Entry fees of Bird Sanctuary
• Professional wildlife Naturalist host of the experience
• GST 5%
• Convenience fees

• Any other transport from origin of participant to meeting point.
• meals or snacks
• Any expense of personal nature
• Parking fee of vehicle (Without transport - coming by own vehicle)
• Any other item specifically NOT mentioned in includes.