Birds of the University of Pune

Overview

The University of Pune campus (~160 hectares) sits in northwest Pune. It was once the summer residence of the Governor of the Bombay Presidency and became a university in 1948. Today, its mix of open drylands, scrub, deciduous patches, evergreen pockets, and farmland sustains a diverse bird community.

Dominant vegetation includes extensive stands of Dalbergia melanoxylon, alongside banyan, silk cotton, rain tree, gulmohur, neem, copper pod, mango, peepul, and more. Three seasons shape the campus (summer, monsoon, winter) with ~1000 mm annual rainfall, mostly June–September.

Common mammals: Bandicoot Rat, House Rat, Small Indian Mongoose, Three-striped Squirrel, Hanuman Langur, and Flying Fox. Jackals have disappeared in recent years. Reptiles recorded include 14 snakes, a skink, and a garden lizard.

Observations & References

Observations span June 1997 – June 1999, across all campus habitats. Species listed were personally sighted. Nesting records are marked with an asterisk (*); species seen fewer than three times are flagged as rare.

Primary identification references: Compact Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan (Ali & Ripley), with field use of the Pictorial Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent.

Threats

Habitat loss, fragmentation, and disturbance threaten campus birds. New buildings and manicured lawns reduce nesting/foraging space; dead trees (nest sites for barbets and hornbills) are often removed. Ground nesters like lapwings are impacted by converted walkways. Rising vehicular and pedestrian traffic during peak bird activity further disturbs wildlife.

Unusual Sightings & Nesting Notes

• Blue Rock Pigeon: year-round nesting on inaccessible terraces (IUCAA).
• Red-wattled Lapwing: ~10 nests; repeated layings due to high disturbance.
• Dusky Crag Martin, Golden Oriole: nesting records.
• Red-vented & Red-whiskered Bulbuls: multiple nests; tolerant of human activity.
• Black Redstart: winter sightings (1998–2000) near Ficus benghalensis.
• Purple-rumped Sunbird: concealed nest (July 1998) at IUCAA.
• White Eye: nest with 3 eggs in IUCAA housing (July 1999).
• Spotted Munia & Baya Weaver: repeated nesting; high predation by cats noted for munia.
• Mottled Wood-owl: single record (Dec 1997) mobbed by crows.
• Roller: single campus record from IUCAA rose garden.

Feedback

Comments and corrections are welcome.