Migratory birds at Bhigwan in Maharashtra : Bhigwan, a paradise for migratory birds is situated 100 kms away from Pune in the state of Maharashtra. Here, the backwaters of Ujani Dam at Kumbhargaon in Bhigwan serve as an ideal habitat for several species of birds that travel thousands of Kms to assemble here during winter each year.
Touted as the Bharatpur of Maharashtra, bird aficionados armed with their camera gears plan their trip here. Usually to coincide and celebrate the arrival of these incredibly impressive avian.
So, not to miss this opportunity, you too along with your Nikon D850 and 200-500mm tele-lens, decide to become a part of this celebration.
Before leaving, you contact Mr. Nagare, a well-known local organizer at Bhigwan. He not only organised the boat safaris but also arranges home stay just at the banks of these backwaters. At Rs.900 per day per room, the offer is undoubtedly alluring; extra for meals albeit.
On the fixed day your driver reports early and you then proceed for a 4 hour long drive to Bhigwan via Mumbai-Pune Express Highway. A enthusiast relative is happy to give you his company.
Kumbhargaon – Bhigwan
On reaching at Kumbhargaon, you find Nagare has planned three safaris for you. Two safaris are by boat; one at later in the evening and the other the following morning. The third is the night Safari that’s to be undertaken on foot into the nearby jungle.
Interestingly, a couple of attractive jungle fowls perched on the tree outside home-stay seem to be waiting to welcome you as you arrive.
First, you take some rest in your allotted room. Then at 4 pm it’s time to wade in for the initial Safari. You can choose between an hour long Safari or the two and half hour long one. The longer one returns you back after the sunset wherein you get opportunity to shoot birds while sun slides down the horizon.
1st Safari
After choosing the two and half hour long safari, Ganesh, Guide cum Boatman for the day guides you towards his small boat. As you walk towards the shore, just couple of hundred meters away from the home-stay, you find scores of beautiful Flamingos (Greater) scattered all around. There are other avian too.
Even before you climb the boat, there is an attractive Grey Heron with her presumably hungry juvenile perched nonchalantly on the upper edge of one of the boat’s hull.
So then, after a few good clicks of this pleasant demanding juvenile you climb the allotted boat. Soon Ganesh starts the motor of his boat and takes you deeper into the lake. As you move around, he introduces you to various species of water birds that come along.
Incidentally, the receding water level has resulted in the formation of few small islets here and there. The migratory birds use them intelligently by scouting for food in shallow waters surrounding these islets. Moreover, they even enjoy a cool nap over their dry portions.
Flamingoe flying
Ibis
So, while cruising from one place to another, you keep clicking pictures of these amazing birds. For instance there are : Greater Flamingos along with Grey herons, Eurasian Spoonbills, Black-headed and Glossy Ibis, Asian Open Bill, Pond Heron, Little and Great Egrat and some other water birds. You soon appreciate why this place has attracted scores of people each year.
Asian Open Bill
Grey Heron
Eurasian Spoonbill
Glossy Ibis
Black headed Ibis
Black headed Ibis flying
Little Egret
Great Egrat
Black headed Ibis group
Pond Heron
Grey Heron with Black Winged Stilt
Eurasian Spoonbill
Glossy Ibis in flight
Great Egret
Little Egrat
Eurasian Spoonbill
The Sun is now set to set; the soft golden light has thus turned the landscape look surreal and incredibly charming. Similarly, the color of the birds feathers have become increasingly vibrant. The tinge of golden hue has begun to reflect from the feathers.
Hence, no one can miss to capture this alluring vistas. Just then, you see few other boats with visitors doing exactly what you have come here to do. Capturing images of these fascinating avian as a real thrill.
Flamingoe open mouth
Barheaded Goose
Grey Herons & Cormorants
Glossy Ibis
Sunset scene
Boat Silhouette
The darkness has begun to engulf the area, the birds have thus resumed their return journey. Hence Ganesh too turns his boat towards the shore.
Night Safari
After freshening-up, you have a quick drink by the time Ganesh is ready to take you for the night safari. So as you walk in to this eerie forest nearby, Ganesh with his torch scouts for species of night birds or insects around.
Soon he finds a timid looking Indian Nightjar sitting silently under a bush. As he directs his torch to light the bird, you waste no time to capture its image in your camera.
Little further up the hill you see a beautiful green color Indian Chameleon holding on to a tiny tree branch. Same procedure is followed. Ganesh carefully directs the torch light towards it and your camera does the rest.
Indian Nightjar
Pied Bushchat
Indian Chameleon
Termite Hill Gecko
Following this you see Pied Bushchat sitting in a small chasm up the hill and finally is a Termite Hill Gecko resembling a lizard that keeps move around a rock.
It is time now to get back for dinner. Ganesh then carefully guides you back through the dark; he is well aware of this terrain, unsurprisingly.
Day 2
Now that you have had your dinner, next is to go to bed so as to get up early next morning for the second safari.
So the moment Sun rises from behind the far off hills overlooking the lake, you observe various species of birds flying back towards the lake. This time presumably to hunt for a quick breakfast.
As they position themselves, you too position yourself to shoot them with your camera. Taking care nevertheless to ensure not to shoo them away. Nikon D850 with 200-500 mm lens ensures that you get some amazing pictures of these avian in action.
Visitors at Bhigwan
Lesser Flamingos
Greater Flamingoe
Asian Open Bill
Flamingo with water dripping from mouth
Black headed Ibis pair flying
Occasionally, a bunch of Greater Flamingos take to sky. Their run-up to the flight is so well synchronized that you are awe struck by their unmistakable chemistry. The scene is incredibly striking and spectacular.
Further you see few fishermen trying to pull their nets out and gather catch. Ganesh approaches one of them and advises to purchase few medium size fishes. So you do.
Painted Storks
With these fishes, now Ganesh turns his boat towards the area where some full-size Painted Stroks have assembled.
Once there, Ganesh begins to throw these dead fishes, one by one, close to them. The Storks seem too happy to take them and fly. However, as they relish this easy catch, you get to click some incredible pictures of them with fish in their beak.
Just as your two and half hours are about to be over, Ganesh gets a call. The caller informs him of the advent of Lesser Flamingos in the area. It is a significant development as coming of lesser flamingos at Bhigwan it is a rare phenomenon.
Lesser Flamingos
so without delay you rush to the advised spot. On reaching, you see hundreds of smaller size Flamingos assembled. However, as the boat approaches them, they get disturbed and take to the sky. You obviously follow them.
This time you find them standing mixed-up with a group of Greater flamingos. The size of the two flamingo’s is quite discernible thus creating no room to make mistake between the two.
Then there are a few other attractive birds like Western Marsh Harrier, Black (eared) Kite and Greater Spotted Eagle around.
Greater Spotted Eagle is supposedly a rare bird found here. Unfortunately she does not allow you to come near her, instead flies off before you are anywhere near. But Ganesh follows her persistently. This in turn helps you to capture her images in different location, and various angles.
After having spent nearly 5 hours in the lake, it was now time to leave. The short but delightful time spent here gets embedded in your memory.
As you leave, you wish these amazing new winged friends a happy sojourn at Bhigwan and hope they enjoy the choicest delicacies of this terrain as long as they choose to stay here.
Before driving back, you have lunch, make necessary payment, pack your bags to return back to Mumbai (Navi-Mumbai).
Anonymous
5
Tarlok SINGH LUGANI
Absolutely mesmerising, thoroughly enjoyed the trip and going through the blog have revisited Bhigwan once again.
No doubt Bhigwan is a paradise for bird aficionados
S S Dutt
Great! Your text is 3D – seems we are on the spot!
Congratulations.. Great Going!!
Shyamsundar
Hi,
Bhupiji when you have visited is any accommodation available if pl share the contact now or mail.i.d.
Anonymous
Contact Sandeep Nahee +919960610615
Anonymous
3.5
Anonymous
Really Good pictures , good place to visit . 👍
Narinder siNGH
Such a beautiful n exotic nature ! Unbelievable!! Incredible India indeed!!!
Anonymous
Very well presented with excellent photography.
Subhash
Beautiful description of a birding heaven.. Thank you Bhupender for lovely photographs. It’s a real life experience going through your blog. I was in kumbhargaon last month for these days…I felt I visited the spot once again after reading you’re blog… Birders and nature lovers will feast on your article.
harminder
Excellent pics and nice story telling
Ronak
Excellent
Anonymous
Lovely blog as usual. You explained each an every thing with so much effort it’s like being there . Kiddos to you. Keep going 👍🏻😊