Out of top 10 birding hotspots, 9 are threatened by various factors. Some of the factors are habitat destruction, encroachment, government policies, urbanization, environmental conditions & human behaviors.

1. Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary:

The Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Sangareddy district. It was established in 1989 and covers an area of around 20 square kilometers. The sanctuary is named after the Manjeera River, which flows through it. The area is known for its dry deciduous forests and is home to a variety of flora and fauna.

It’s the most frequently visited birding hotspot. More than 300 bird species are reported till now from this region. During winters, the place attracts lot of wintering bird species. There are many small lakes around the sanctuary where numerous winter visitors visit every year.

List of species: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3286789

This place is threatened by habitat destruction, urbanization, encroachment & fishing.

Red-necked Phalarope – Rare Passage Migrant
Red Avadavat/ Red Munia – Resident
Bar-headed Goose – Winter Visitor
Forest Wagtail – Winter Visitor
Bristled Grassbird – Winter Visitor
Red-headed Bunting – Winter Visitor
Pheasant-tailed Jacana – Resident
Pied Harrier – Rare Winter Visitor

2. Osman Sagar Lake

Osman Sagar Lake, also known as Gandipet, is a man-made lake located in the Indian city of Hyderabad, Telangana. It was constructed in 1920 by damming the Musi River, and is spread over an area of 46 square kilometers.

The lake is also a popular birding destination as it’s near to city. A total of 290 bird species are reported till now from this hotspot. During winters, the place attracts lot of wintering bird species. Many resident birds breed in the backwaters of this hotspot, making it one of most ideal hotspot to observe breeding behavior.

List of species: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3169524

In recent years, however, the lake has faced issues with pollution, encroachment, abandoned fishing nets, and removal of GO 111 restrictions which has led to concerns about its long-term sustainability. GO 111 is a government order issued by the Government of Telangana in 1996. The order pertains to the protection of certain areas around the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs, which are located near the city of Hyderabad. Under Telangana GO 111, a “prohibited area” has been established around the two reservoirs, covering a radius of 10 kilometers from the full tank level of the reservoirs. Within this prohibited area, various activities such as construction of new buildings, industrial and mining operations, and the expansion of existing activities are prohibited.

Common Kestrel – Winter Visitor
Rain Quail – Resident
Montagu’s Harrier – Winter Visitor
Peregrine Falcon – Winter Visitor
Lesser Kestrel – Winter Visitor
Bar-headed Goose – Winter Visitor
Isabelline Wheatear – Winter Visitor

3. Ameenpur Lake

Ameenpur Lake is a freshwater lake located in the Ameenpur village of Sangareddy district. The lake is situated about 20 km from the city of Hyderabad. The lake was previously a popular spot for fishing and boating. It is the first water body in India to be recognized as a Biodiversity heritage site in the urban area.

Ameenpur Lake is a thriving ecosystem, home to a variety of plant and animal species, including several migratory bird species. It has become a popular destination for birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and local residents, who can enjoy the natural beauty of the lake and its surroundings. A total of 284 bird species are documented from this place.

List of species: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2666940

In recent years, the lake is facing severe encroachment issues. Largescale development activities surrounding the lake reduced the bird population in this hotspot. It had become highly polluted due to sewage and other waste being dumped into it. This is one hotspot which was drastically reduced from being a major birding hotspot to a waste dumping yard.

Greater Flamingos – Local Migrants
Northern Shovler – Winter Visitor
Pied Kingfishers – Resident
Bluethroat – Winter Visitor
Pied Avocet – Rare Winter Visitor
Grey Plover – Rare Passage Migrant
Black Bittern – Resident

4. Anantagiri Forest

Anantagiri Forest is a picturesque and dense forest located in the Vikarabad district. It is situated approximately 75 kilometers away from the state capital, Hyderabad. Anantagiri Forest is known for its serene beauty, lush greenery, and diverse wildlife.

Anantagiri Forest is also known for the Ananta Padmanabha Swamy Temple, a famous Hindu pilgrimage site located amidst the forest. The trek to the Anantagiri Hills provides an opportunity to explore the wilderness and witness the rich flora and fauna of the region. Till now a total of 273 bird species are reported in ebird. Anantagiri is a major birding hotspot to see forest species in our state. It’s home to Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Black-naped Monarch, Brown Fish Owl, Mottled Wood Owl and different types of Nightjars can be seen here.

List of species: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2676577

There are plans to convert this forest into urban forest on similar lines of Narsapur forest. Converting a forest into an urban forest often leads to the loss of biodiversity as natural habitats are disrupted or destroyed. Many species that depend on the forest for their survival may struggle to adapt to the altered environment or may disappear altogether. Also Anantagiri forest is a popular place film shoots, wedding shoots, weekend getaway. All are welcome to visit, but the forest department always puts additional conditions for bird watchers who want to document birds and getting permission to conduct a bird walk is always a problem.

Indian Paradise Flycatcher – A Resident Flycatcher
Mottled Wood Owl – A Resident Owl
Brown Fish Owl – Resident Owl
Jungle Nightjar – Resident Bird
Spot-breasted Fantail – Resident
Whit-throated Kingfisher – Resident
Red-breasted Flycatcher – Winter Visitor

5. ICRISAT Campus

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is located in Patancheru, Hyderabad. The ICRISAT campus is known for its diverse birdlife. The campus provides a suitable habitat for several bird species. Indian peafowls are seen very good numbers along with water birds like Pelicans, Storks, Herons, Egrets and Rollers are residents birds. Prior permission is need for bird watching.

Since the campus is restricted, it provides a favorable environment for birdwatching. But in the last few years, bursting of crackers is done daily to scare birds in the campus. Loud noises from crackers cause significant stress and disturbance to birds. The development surrounding the campus is happening at a rapid pace which is also affecting the diverse birdlife inside the campus.

List of species: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3140635

6. Narsapur Forest

The Narsapur Urban Forest is a popular green space located in the outskirts of Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is situated in the town of Narsapur. This place is known for its lush greenery, diverse flora and fauna and peaceful surroundings.

The Narsapur Urban Forest is created in an effort to preserve and promote the ecological balance in the region. But the conversion of this forest into an urban forest lead to the loss of biodiversity as natural habitats are disrupted or destroyed. Many known resident species once seen regularly are not to be seen or their population reduced drastically. Some of the species are Mottled Wood Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Changeable Hawk-Eagle and Crested Serpent Eagle which are seen regularly before are rarely seen now.

List of species: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3202452

Eurasian Hoopoe – Resident Bird
Taiga Flycatcher – Winter Visitor
Plum-headed Parakeets – Resident
Red-rumped Swallows – Resident

7. Uma Maheshwaram Temple

The Uma Maheshwaram Temple is located in Achampet. It’s situated in the foothills of Amrabad Tiger Reserve. The serene surroundings of the Temple provide an ideal habitat for many forest species. This hotspot is very popular among bird watchers of it’s distinct bird species seen here. Yellow-throated bulbul, a globally vulnerable species is seen in good numbers. Emerald dove, Yellow-footed green-pigeon, Green Imperial-pigeon are often seen. An amazing place to see eagles and owls. Black eagle, Bonell’s eagle, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Short-toed snake eagle are seen gliding in these hills. Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, Brown Hawk Owl, Indian Scops-Owl, Oriental Scops-Owl, Jungle Owlet are reported from this hotspot.

This amazing place is threatened by development activity happening at the temple. The construction of temple steps and lighting setup disturbed the owl activity at night. The spot-bellied eagle-owl moved away from the temple premises.

List of species: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3773416

Yellow-footed Green-pigeon – Resident
Yellow-throated Bulbul – Resident. A Vulnerable species
Verditer Flycatcher – Migrant
Green Imperial Pigeon – Resident
Blue Rock Thrush – Migrant

8. Pakhal Lake

Dusky Eagle-Owl – Resident. A rare bird for Telangana.
White-rumped Shama – Resident
Indian Pitta – Local Migrant
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater – Local Migrant
Brown Crake – Resident

9. Himayat Sagar Lake

Painted Francolin – Resident
Little Terns – Local Migrants
Oriental Pratincole – Resident
Painted Snipe – Resident
Rain Quail – Resident

10. Amrabad Tiger Reserve

Jungle Owlet – Resident
Oriental Scops Owl – Resident
Changeable Hawk-eagle – Resident
Painted Spurfowl – Resident
Emerald Dove – Resident
Greater Flameback – Resident