Delhi is undoubtedly a place steeped in history and culture. The city has several major landmarks for visitors to see, such as the India Gate and the Red Fort. Did you know there are places to go birding in Delhi? Yes, even this bustling megalopolis has green spaces that attract a variety of birds. Okhla Bird Sanctuary, on the eastern edge of the city, is one such spot. But birding at the Lodhi Gardens, located more centrally, is also a worthwhile endeavour, especially for those on short visits or simply stopping over while en route to other destinations.
Birding at the Lodhi Gardens, New Delhi, India
In October 2025, Birdwatching Asia visited Lodhi Gardens for two separate birding sessions. This article is a simple summary of our visits and provides some information for anyone interested in visiting this delightful urban park.
Background information
Our visit to Lodhi Gardens was part of our participation in the inaugural Global Wildlife Fair, held at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. These birdwatching sessions were organised as part of the fair programme and were open to fair delegates to sign up. Needless to say, we didn’t need a second invitation to put our names on the list!
We were privileged to have been guided by two of the most eminent Delhi-based birders during our sessions. For our first day (10/10/25), we were led by Mr Pankaj Gupta. He is an eBird regional reviewer for the National Capital Region of India. On our second outing (11/10/25), our group was guided by Dr Rajesh Kalra, a Delhi-based surgeon and one of the capital’s most seasoned birders.
Intro to Lodhi Gardens
But what are the Lodhi Gardens? This is a public park located in the southern part of New Delhi city centre, about 2 km south of the famous India Gate and Kartavya Path. This is no ordinary urban park, though. The Lodhi (or Lodi) Gardens are steeped in history, as the monuments within attest.
The historical monuments within the gardens are:
- Sikandar Lodi Tomb – Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, second ruler of the Lodi Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. The tomb was built between 1517 – 1518 after he died in 1517.
- Shish Gumbad – A tomb from the Lodi Dynasty, dating back to circa 1489 – 1517 CE (refer to title image)
- Bara Gumbad – a monument of uncertain function, also from the Lodi Dynasty, built in 1490 CE. Adjacent to this monument is a mosque which was built in 1494/1495 CE.
- Shah Tomb – Tomb of Muhammad Shah IV, a monarch of the Sayyid Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate (1414 – 1451 CE).
All of these monuments are important to Delhi’s history and are therefore protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Birding at the Lodhi Gardens
The gardens are a manicured park with plenty of open spaces, surrounded by lush greenery (trees, ornamental shrubs, and flowering plants). We observed numerous birds by simply strolling along the garden paths. At the northern side of the park (near the Sikandar Lodi Tomb), there’s a small lake where we saw several types of water-loving birds. Moreover, there were spots scattered throughout the park where the caretakers left some bird seed and water containers for the birds to eat, drink and bathe.
Since the park is so well patronised, the birds here are quite used to people. Thus, we found it rather easy to observe the birds, sometimes quite closely. And bird photographers will enjoy this park, since the birds here are quite agreeable to being photographed!
Additionally, the gardens are a great place to go for sightseeing, exercise, yoga classes, or a stroll. Indeed, during our visits, we saw many city residents utilising the gardens for these exact reasons. Best of all, despite the crowds, it was obvious to us that birdlife in the gardens was still plentiful and thriving.
As noted earlier, several historical monuments are scattered throughout the park. Due to time constraints, we were unable to visit all of them. Nevertheless, we did enjoy viewing the following historical landmarks:
- Shish Gumbad
- Bara Gumbad
Birds that we saw while birding at the Lodhi Gardens:
During our two visits, we saw the following species (this list isn’t exhaustive):
- Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha). These medium-sized waterfowl are rather attractive due to their colourful bills.
- Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis). These mid-sized aquatic birds were seen fishing in the lake.
- Red-naped Ibis (Pseudibis papillosa). Unlike other ibis species in India, these prefer drier areas and even urban centres. In the gardens, we observed a few birds probing the soft earth for food.
- Black Kite (Milvus migrans). Many of these urban scavengers were seen perched in trees within the park or soaring overhead.
- Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris). It’s always nice to see hornbills in the middle of a city! We saw a pair of these birds nesting in a tree hollow, right above a busy pathway.
- Brown-headed Barbet (Psilopogon zeylanicus). Medium-sized barbet with a streaky brown head, orange-yellow eyering and reddish beak.
- Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense). Rather similar in appearance to the Common Flameback that I’m familiar with back in Malaysia. Similarly loud and bold, too.
- Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria) and Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri). Noisy and colourful inhabitants of the gardens.
- Jungle Babbler (Argya striata). A common bird in India. Nevertheless, their antics are quite entertaining to watch, as they travel in raucous flocks near the ground.
- A couple of migratory warbler species, including the Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides). These were hard to identify, if not for their calls. Thankfully, we had veteran birders to guide us.
Photos of Birds at the Lodhi Gardens
Some info on how to go birding at the Lodhi Gardens:
Since we were in Delhi as participants of the Global Wildlife Fair 2025, our transport to the gardens was pre-arranged. But for anybody interested in going birding at the Lodhi Gardens, fret not, as the park is quite easy to get to.
Getting here:
For visitors to Delhi, the easiest way to reach the gardens is by using public transport. Taxis, autos, or e-hailing services are probably the most convenient options, as they are easy to hail and relatively inexpensive. You can also arrange a taxi from the hotel where you’re staying.
The nearest metro station is Jor Bagh (Yellow Line), about 1 km away from the Ashoka Gate (southern gate) of the garden. You can either walk or take an auto from the metro station exit.
Admission fees:
As a public urban green lung, access to Lodhi Gardens (and the historical monuments within) is free. That’s right, no admission fees!
Opening times:
The gardens are accessible every day, year-round. Open from 6 am to 8 pm (Oct-Mar); 5 am to 8 pm (Apr-Sept).
Conclusion
Birding at Lodhi Gardens is a good way for nature lovers to spend a morning in Delhi. This is especially true for those on short visits or simply stopping over while en route to other, more exciting nature destinations. And as a bonus, visitors will enjoy learning about the long history of the gardens and marvel at the centuries-old monuments that stand within.
In summary, birders and nature lovers visiting Delhi will find birding at Lodhi Gardens an easy yet rewarding experience.