“Bhigwan” – a town situated along the backwaters of Ujjani Dam, has become a well known spot to watch thousands of migratory birds. Nature India was one of the 1st to start birding trips to Bhigwan long back and with very good rains this season, the birding looks promising at this Magical Place.
Date: 2nd to 3rd Mar, 2024 (Saturday & Sunday)
The bookings for Bhigwan trip is on…..register NOW to get your seats, before it gets Houseful as usual ……. Please See complete details (Itinerary, Logistics, Charges etc) at the end of this Blog…..
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BHIGWAN – The Big One for Waterbirds
Imagine a water body full of ducks, waders, storks & other waterbirds, and not just one but many such water bodies!! This amazing place is called “Bhigwan”. Bhigwan is known among bird-watchers with many nick-names like, “Mini-Bharatpur of Maharashtra”, “Big-one for waterfowls” (indicating abundance of water birds) etc..
North Indian wetlands like, Bharatpur, Sultanpur etc. are known for huge influx of waterfowls, especially ducks, as compared to South India. But Bhigwan is an exception. This place is “One of the largest wetlands in South Central India” that offers immensely satisfying birding with absolutely huge congregations of waterfowl….. It has become a ritual of sorts now for birdwatchers to visit this amazing place every year. Moreover, quite a few rarities have been recorded here in recent years including Spot-billed Pelican, Grey-lag Goose, Red Phalarope, Greater White-fronted Goose etc.
Bhigwan is a small town approx. 110 kms from Pune on the Pune – Solapur road (NH-9) and is surrounded by the backwaters of the mighty Ujjani Dam on the river Bhima. It is already been declared as a Bird Sanctuary for migratory birds, an area of about 18000 hectares. The backwater area is spread across and around the town of Bhigwan……..This is probably the best spot in South Central India to see ducks in enormous numbers.
Bhigwan is a heaven for wintering waterfowl like the Spoonbills, Gulls, Ducks, Storks, Herons, Egrets, Coots, Ibis, Pochards, Harriers, Osprey and a huge variety of waders and birds like Pratincoles, Pipits, Larks, Chats etc that abound in the surrounding dry countryside…..a small population of Greater flamingos, also winter here regularly and can be presently seen…..Being an open habitat, it is also very easy to spot the birds and for photography.
A Large congregation of Bar-headed Geese and Demoiselle Cranes winter in and around Kumbhargaon near Bhigwan, where locals have started eco-tourism initiatives. A couple of homestays are now available that provides decent stay facility and delicious local food. The village youths are trained in Bird-watching and boating facility is made available. Photographing birds closely in now possible, thanks to the boating facility. The experience of watching the Golden Sunset from Boat as the flocks of bird fly to their roosting is one of the most scenic views.
With most of the water-bodies drying up elsewhere, Bhigwan remains as a stronghold for wintering migrants till the end of March. It is one of the best places in Maharashtra to see Comb Ducks, Painted Storks, Brahminy Ducks, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Eurasian Spoonbills, Small Indian Pratincoles, Eurasian Wigeons, Common Teals, Northern Shovellers, Northern Pintails, Common Pochards etc. A weekend trip to this “now famous” wetland is highly recommended to view and learn about birds.
The surrounding scrub-land comes alive during the night as plenty of insects are available as food source. In a typical night trail you can come across some interesting species including Indian Nightjar, Spotted Owlets, Indian Chameleon, Termite Hill Geckos and sometimes even an Asian Palm Civet, Jungle Cat or even an occasional Black-naped Hare. However, flash photography is discouraged.
For more information on this site and for some delightful trip reports of past trips with Nature India, please click the links below:
http://niveditakothare.blogspot.in/2016/07/migration.html
http://natureindia-tours.blogspot.com/2009/07/final-trip-reports.html#bhigwan
http://green-indians.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html
http://www.travelwithacouple.com/?p=1234Â
http://alokbhave.blogspot.com/2008/01/bhigwan-jan-2007.html
Nature India has meticulously planned a weekend batch to this amazing place – Bhigwan, from 2nd to 3rd March, 2024
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COMPLETE TRIP DETAILS:
Dates:
2nd Mar 2024 (Saturday) Morning 6.15 AM to 3rd March 2023 (Sunday) 10.00 PM.
Mode of Travel:Â Â AC Tempo Traveller
Travel Details: Tempo Traveller (AC) from Sion @ 06:30 am (Near Hotel Aparna, Sion Signal) Via Chembur – Vashi – Pune – Bhigwan
Planned Itinerary: (Mumbai to Mumbai)Â
Day 1- 2nd March, 2024 (Saturday): Morning 6.15 AM departure from Mumbai (Sion) – Chembur — Vashi (Breakfast @Hotel Navratna) – Belapur — Pune – Solapur Road – Reach Bhigwan by 02:00 pm -Lunch – Check-in homestay – Evening Boat Safari (3 Hrs) – Dinner – Short Night Trail (1 hour) – Overnight Stay in Homestay
Day 2- 3rd March, 2024 (Sunday): Early morning (07:00 AM) Boat Safari for 3 Hrs – Late Breakfast – Check-out – Birding trail around Kumbhargaon – Lunch – Start at 2.00 pm to return back to Mumbai – reach Mumbai at approx. 10.00 PM.
Important Note:Â This trip involves long bus travel, so be prepared
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Trip charges: (Mumbai to Mumbai)
Rs. 10200 /- only
(Includes non- A/C basic room stay in Agnipankh Homestay, Kumbhargaon, Bhigwan on twin sharing basis, Travel charges from Mumbai to Bhigwan & back in an AC tempo traveller, simple and local Veg / non-veg meals & Breakfast, Information articles, Entry charges, Guide fees & on board snacks and mineral water)
This does not include any charges other than the above.
In case you are boarding from Pune (bypass road) or if you are coming to Bhigwan in your own vehicle, then the charges are same as the bus has to be booked from Mumbai.
Stay Arrangement: Agnipankh Homestay, A Basic Non AC stay on Twin Sharing. They serve typical and delicious Maharashtrian food.
Registration: You can register by sending a confirmatory mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non refundable Advance of Rs.6000/- immediately after getting a registration mail from us….. (The seats will only be confirmed after receiving the advance amount) …..the balance amount (Rs.4200) can be given later during the trip or can be transferred along with the advance amount…….
Resource Persons: Mr. Adesh Shivkar / Mr. Mandar Khadilkar
Mode of Payment:Â You can either
1) Transfer the non-refundable advance money directly to HDFC A/c (Will be mentioned in registration mail).. please mention your name, date and other details….
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.6000/- as advance amount (Address will be given to those who register)
Please Note:
- Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 6000/- is strictly non-refunadable
- Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on all Nature India Tours
- Nesting photography is prohibited.
- Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with Nature India’s rules and policies.
http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html
Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification ……
For any other queries we are available on 9820455713 / 8779599356 (Adesh) or 9930318665 / 8369427283 (Mandar)
Thanks for your patience.
Hope to see you for this wonderful trip !!
Warm Regards,
Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
Nature India 