Sunday 13 January 2013

Diksal-Bhigwan Bird watching trip

From last 5-6 years, I visit Bhigwan once in a year for bird watching and this year was not an exception to my activity. This was my first trip from the year 2013 and that too with bird watching event. I and Renuka decided to visit this place on 13 Jan and my friend Tejas Katke and his wife Mayuri accompanied us. The plan was to spend 4-5 hours in Bhigwan (the main location is known as Diksal village) and come back home by late afternoon.

Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo

Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo

About Bhigwan Bird sanctuary:
            Bhigwan, a catchment area of Ujani Dam, is about 105 km from Pune on the Pune-Solapur highway (NH-9). An area of about 18000 hectares has been proposed as a sanctuary for migratory birds. The water catchment area is spread across around the town of Bhigwan. It is an amazing place to see wetland migratory birds like Bar-Headed Goose, Greater Flamingo, Ruddy Shelduck, many spices of ducks and many more birds.
            To reach Diksal village (near Bhigwan), the easy way is Pune – Hadapsar – Join Solapur highway – Drive your vehicle 100km from Pune on Highway – Do not use Bhigwan flyover – Take a left at Bhigwan square on the highway – Drive 3 to 3.5km – Take right for sanctuary. How to identify correct right turn is; you can spot water tank tower (yellow coloured) on that T junction at the left-hand side of the road. Otherwise, ask local villagers about Diksal / “where can we see Rohit bird (Marathi name of Greater Flamingo bird)?”
You can spend half day or full day along with your camera and binoculars. More than 60 bird’s species can be found in this backwater.

Travelers for this trip were Me, Renuka (My wife) and my friend Tejas and his wife Mayuri.

13th Jan 2013: Bhigwan Bird sanctuary (Total distance travel by car: 230km):
              As we had to cover around 105-110km so we decided to left Pune by 5-5.15 AM and we managed to leave on time. Soon we touched Solapur highway. I was aware of highway issue as last year it was under construction and I was hoping it to be almost in the same condition. But surprisingly road condition beyond Choufula Phata was excellent. Due to the wide and smooth road, we were able to reach Bhigwan in less than 2 hours. We skipped our breakfast and had some bread-butter during the journey itself. We all were excited to see migratory birds.
            When we reached the village at around 7 AM, I was shocked! No backwater and farming were in progress on land where we were supposed to see massive backwater and a huge quantity of birds. I didn’t want to go back without watching bird’s beauty. With the hope, we drive further for some km and local fisherman started asking for boat drive for bird spotting. I was aware of this bird spotting by boat and we decided to take a chance with a boat ride. When we asked him about water level; we got to know water level was at dead stock level due to less rainfall and summer is going to be harsh this time. All birds went far inside for food and will only able to see it after the 1.5hr ride. We were ready and after 30 min we were on the boat for birds. During the journey, we got to know that after 1993, the first-time water level went at such low level.

Painted Stork
Painted Stork

BLACK KITE

My Catch!!!

Sandpiper
Sandpiper

          We shared our boat with one old doctor couple. Once boat sailed, we started spotting many wetland birds like Oriental White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Black Ibis, Asian Openbill Stork, 2-3 types of Pond herons, River Tern, Painted Stork etc. but still missing Greater flamingo! (Check the Bird list below which we saw in Bhigwan) We were busy with our Camera and binocular. Boatman promised us to show at list 1000 Flamingo and we were too excited. It has never happened to me that I have returned home without spotting Flamingo from last 5-6 years. I was worried for my wife and friends as they hadn’t seen Flamingo till date. After 1 hour’s journey, we saw many birds expect Flamingo, Ruddy Shelduck (aka Brahmini Duck), Northern Shoveler, Garganey Duck and Comb Duck.


Grey Heron
Grey Heron

River tern
River tern

Black-headed gull
Brown-headed gull

          When we were about to give up, Boatman showed us direction where we saw Greater Flamingo.  It was like small lake joined main water stream with small water channel. When we entered in that small lake through the channel, we were stunned by a large number of flamingo. We were in front of at least 1500 Greater Flamingo. What a treat to our eyes. We spend a lot of time while watching their activity without disturbing them. 2 boats were already in the lake and few more joined us. All boatmen were taking care that no one will make any noise and we can enjoy beautiful nature treat. Besides Flamingo, we spot Ruddy Shelduck (aka Brahmini Duck), Northern Shoveler, Garganey Duck and Comb Duck.

Bar-headed Goose
Bar-headed Goose

Bar-headed Goose in flight
Bar-headed Goose in flight

Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo

Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo in Flight

Ruddy Shelduck aka Brahmini Duck
Ruddy Shelduck aka Brahmini Duck

Ducks & only Ducks!

            After some time one boat moved closed to birds (all members from the boat were carrying big lens camera and for better photographs then went ahead) all of sudden all the birds flew away and we saw their colour spreading flight. When they were flying in the sky, most of the boats were moved out from that area and we started watching the activity of ducks with a safe distance. What kind of luck we were carrying as half of the flamingo came back on their original spot and we enjoyed that time.

Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo

Bird List which we saw in Bhigwan:


Pueple Swamphen
Ruddy Shelduck
Little Cormorant
Common Moorhen
Spot-billed Duck
Common Kingfisher
Small pratincole
Common Coot
White Throated Kingfisher
Glossy Ibis
Comb Duck
Pied Kingfisher
Black Ibis
Garganey Duck
Wire-tailed Swallow
Oriental White Ibis
Pallas Gull
Common Swallow
Asian Open bill Stork
River Tern
Red Rumped Swallow
Painted Stork
Gull billed Tern
Purple Rumped Sunbird
Woolly Necked Stork
Grey Heron
Yellow Wagtail
Common Sandpiper
Purple Heron
Grey Wagtail
Spotted Sandpiper
Pond Heron
Greater Flamingo
Curlew Sandpiper
Cattle Egret
Osprey
Black Tailed Godwit
Median Egret
Western Marsh Harrier
Black Winged Stilts
Large Egret
White-breasted Waterhen
Northern Shoveler
Eurasian Spoonbill

       
           It was quite bright now, and we slowly made our way back to the village by boat. On the return journey we saw Osprey and black eagle. Our trail ends on a good note. Once we came at the village, it was 12 in the clock and we decided to leave this beautiful place. I was very happy that my wife and friends able to see flamingo closely, in huge quality for the first time and their satisfied faces told me the success story of our trip.
         During our return journey, we had our lunch at Dhaba and returned home by 3 PM. If you want to witness the beauty of migratory birds (Our guest) then what you are waiting for.

  • Car Petrol: INR 1300/- (Avg INR 72/Lit, Total distance cover by car was 230km)
  • Toll on NH-09: INR 30/- (Return toll)
  • Boat ride: INR 225/- per person (It is between 200-250/- per person)
  • Lunch: approx. INR 100-120/- per person (for starter + Meal + Rice)
Happy travelling.


Regards,
Pritesh Kulkarni.

47 comments:

  1. Great post Pritesh. Very well written. I didn't knew that you too are into bird watching.. Even we went to Bhigwan in first week of Jan. We didn't find any Bar headed Geese then.
    I remember we went there in 2009 when the waters were almost touching the road surface near Diksal, I had seen many pairs of Purple Moorhen but this time we couldn't find any. As the swamps had disappeared.
    Once agn, well written article.. looking for more of such interesting work from u..

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  2. Hi Thanx for a detailed post .. I am planning to go with my wife & Daughter...Thanx in advance for info....
    Sameer Pendse

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  3. Maintain any hobby is really difficult and that is why what you are succeeding in visiting this place since last 5-6 years and could see flemingos in spite of several hurdles. Keep it on. Very nice photographs and information. - GP Ghospurkar

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  4. It was really nice experience....
    saw thousands of Flamingos...

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  5. Thanks for posting your experience in detail.We plan to go over weekend, Do we have to book for boat ride earlier there ? Can you post any of contacts out there.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for comment...please check your inbox for my inputs!

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  6. Is November good time to visit?

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  7. Mid Dec to Feb end is good time to visit there.

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  8. Nice post, I am planning to visit the place in Jan first week, Can you share the contact details for Boat booking and guide, to reach there as I am new to Pune.
    Regards,
    Anuj

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Anuj....Boatman name from Diksal-Bhigwan area is Bharat
      Bharat: 9766292989.
      Happy traveling...!!!

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  9. Thanks Man, I will share my post soon... :)

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  10. Hi..good post..even I visit Bhigwan every year..planning to go tommorw ..hope to see some nice waders..any1 interested may join..

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    Replies
    1. forgot to mention my name..Vidyanand Joshi :)

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    2. Thanks vidyanand Joshi... I have dropped you mailed regarding your invitation. I was in Tamil Nadu in Feb for my long vacation.
      Happy traveling.

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  11. Good info Prits.. Will visit :)

    Thanks!
    Ravi Dharmaram

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Ravi for your comment. Happy traveling

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  12. Hi Pritesh,

    Nice post with detailed info and lovely pics! I am planning to visit the sanctuary soon. I heard there are two places of interest @ Bhigwan for Bird watching. One is Diksal village and the other is Dalaj. Which of these two places would you recommend for a better view?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Spartan, I have sent you an email regarding your query.
      Happy traveling

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  13. Prits,

    I have made a few trips to Bhigwan, but never in Early May!
    Whats your view or current info if there are large numbers of birds to view this time of the year?

    Thanks,
    Abhijeet

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  14. Very informative article.

    Thanks!!
    Reshma

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  15. Great pics!
    We went there..bud sadly did not have a good lens. Loved the place, though the camera results are not good enough :-(
    http://www.tickingthebucketlist.com/2014/08/bhigwan-shooting-birds.html

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    Replies
    1. Nice blog on Bhigwan...very well written...
      Soon i will upload 2015 photos of birds from bhigwan area

      Delete
  16. Hi Pritesh,

    Thanks for sharing the information on the sanctuary along with some really awesome pictures.

    I am planning to visit the sanctuary around 15th March this year. Would that be too late or still good time to catch good sightings? Also, which would be the recommended places for good sightings within the sanctuary?

    Thanks, best

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    Replies
    1. yes u can visit Dikasal-Bhigwan area by mid march... May be you will not be able to spot Ducks but Flamingo will be there for sure.

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  17. Hi pritesh,

    do you have any contact who can give confirmation about flamingo arrival in Bhigwan this year (DEC 2015 -JAN 2016.)We want to visit Bhigwan till mid JAn 2016.

    Thanks and regards

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    Replies
    1. Thank you very much for comment
      Bharat From Bhigwan: 9766292989. Hen can help you for an updates

      Regards,
      Prits Kulkarni

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  18. I am planning to visit Bhigwan. Can you please tel me best time to visit and can we stay over night. Kindly reply me on mayurgupta31@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Bharat From Bhigwan: 9766292989. He can help you for an updates, stay arrangement etc

      Pritesh Kulkarni

      Delete
  19. Excellent and detailed info looking forward to the visit

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    Replies
    1. Thank you very much for comment

      Regards,
      Prits Kulkarni

      Delete
  20. No Flamingos this time....

    I visited Bhigwan yesterday, and could spot only 4-5 small flamingo birds. Local boatman told us that because of lack of enough rains this year the water level has gone down drastically and because of which this time migratory birds are very few in numbers.

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    Replies
    1. yes that's true...I was in Bhigwan on 1st Jam 2016. We saw less no of Flamingo but other birds came in good numbers. I an regular visitor Bhigwan from last 8-9 years and for this year, water condition is horrible. Hope we all will learn lesson from this and will start caring our mother nature.
      Pritesh Kulkarni

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  21. Hii Pritish...
    ur blog is informative about flamingos and other birds at Bhigwan. Can I kindly know if it is good to visit during evenings as well? How great/safe are the stay options for lone female travelers?
    Surya

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Bhigwan is Safe for solo Female traveller. For stay option you can contact Datta Nagare (08087767691) OR Bharat (9766292989)

      Delete
  22. Hi Pritesh,

    Beautiful information, excellently narrated. Bhigwan is the Birds Paradise. Bird Watching around Bhigwan,Diksal & Kavdi in winter season is treat for bird lovers.

    Your blog really helped me while planning my trip to Bhigwan.

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  23. Post that i was looking from long time.. Nicely written. Thank you

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment... Hope you got right details to visit the place

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  24. Hey this is very helpful blog.
    I am planning to go out to travel such place. N bhigwan seems really very nice place.. i love bird watching..
    And want to visit bird sanctuary!
    I want to know which months are best season to visit? Is it fine in march?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment...Best time to visit Bhigwan is from End of Nov to March end.

      Delete
  25. Hey,
    How is the place in monsoons I was planning to visit around month end .. Is is worth going at this time ?

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    Replies
    1. Better not to visit in Monsoon...Winter time will give you high chances to spot birds

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  26. Pritesh, your blogs are very valuable and you cover every insights required for any traveller. Thank you so much!

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  27. Nice information
    Thanks ....keep going for 20 yrs then write a book on your experiences . That will be for record as history of Bhigwan ...good luck

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  28. Hey this is very helpful blog.
    I am planning to go out to travel such place. N bhigwan seems really very nice place.. i love bird watching..
    And want to visit bird sanctuary!
    I want to know which months are best season to visit? Is it fine in march?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Best time to visit Bhigwan is Nov to March mid. You may find less quantity of Birds but you can spot till March end

      Delete
  29. Hi Pritesh,

    I am planning to visit the sanctuary around 25th December to 26th December this year. Could you please share the information about the stay and boat safari contact numbers as well. Because I read your every blogs related to your traveled till date. You will share the information about the Hotel Stay, Lunch Home, and Toll details with important contact numbers of the particular trips.

    Please do the needful.

    tejaspathare@gmail.com this is my email Id share with you.

    Thanks, best

    ReplyDelete