Summer 2026: Hyderabad’s Birdwatchers Are Chasing Sunrise and Silence This Summer

While Hyderabad’s summer heat keeps many indoors, birdwatchers and wildlife photographers across the city are doing the opposite—heading out before sunrise with binoculars and cameras in search of resident birds. Though migratory birds have largely left for the season, summer remains active with sightings of kingfishers, owls, herons, parakeets and peacocks during early morning walks. Communities such as Hyderabad Birding Pals and Deccan Birders organise regular birding trails across lakes, parks and forest patches, drawing enthusiasts almost every weekend. For many, birdwatching has become a way to slow down and reconnect with nature before the city fully wakes up. Hyderabad Times caught up with city-based wildlife photographers, birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts who shared their favourite sightings, memorable moments and why these early morning outings have become an essential part of their routine.

Summer birding hotspots in & around city

• Ameenpur Lake
• Narsapur Forest
• Ananthagiri Hills
• Osman Sagar
• Mokila lakeside stretches
• KBR Park Botanical Garden

‘Sometimes, I just leave the camera aside and watch’“After spending weekdays in the IT world, birdwatching is what helps me completely disconnect from the noise and slow down. I usually wake up before sunrise and spend hours quietly walking through forest trails or lakesides without music, calls or distractions. Sometimes I even leave the camera aside and simply observe the birds with my own eyes because some moments feel better experienced than photographed,” says Abhishek Garikipati, an IT employee and a wildlife enthusiast. “There are days when I stand in the water for hours or walk barefoot through the grass just to feel more connected to nature. For me, these early morning outings are less about getting the perfect frame and more about the calmness and silence they bring after a hectic work week,” he adds.

Birdwatching basics:

• Best time to spot birds: 5:30 am to 8.30 am
• Carry water, a cap and comfortable shoes
• Wear muted colours to avoid disturbing birds
• Keep your phone on silent during walks
• Binoculars help, but patience matters more

‘Summer is when Hyderabad’s resident birds come alive’
“Most people assume summer is not a great season for birdwatching because migratory birds are fewer, but this is actually the best time to observe Hyderabad’s resident birds. Since it’s their breeding season, birds become far more vocal during early mornings, and across parks, lakes and forest patches, they are busy collecting nesting material and building nests before the monsoon arrives,” says Hyderabad-based wildlife photographer Sriram Reddy. “Even small green pockets inside the city suddenly feel alive with birdsong during this time. What’s nice is that birdwatching has also become a growing community activity in Hyderabad now, with regular Sunday bird walks encouraging more people to step outdoors and connect with nature,” he adds.

‘Every Sunday morning, we’re out birdwatching without fail’
“Through birdwatching, we’ve discovered a quieter side of Hyderabad that many people don’t usually notice,” says Rajeev Khandelwal, general secretary and co-founder of Hyderabad Birding Pals. “Every Sunday morning, we meet before sunrise and head to different birding spots across the city and outskirts. Even with Hyderabad experiencing harsher summers in recent years, we haven’t missed a single bird walk,” he adds.

- Sanjana Pulugurtha
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