Bhigwan: A heaven for birds (and birders)

Saturday, 3rd February, 6:30am, Pune - Bhigwan

Today our destination was Bhigwan, on Pune-Solapur road. The Ujjani dam backwaters, close to Bhigwan is a fantastic birding site, especially for water birds. After a brief stop for breakfast and tea, we reached the fork to the left on the highway, which is a short-cut for Diksal, our final destination near Bhigwan.

As soon as we left the highway, we could see birds around in the small water pockets, much before the actual backwaters started. A couple of Eurasian Spoonbills flew past us.

Eurasian Spoonbill

A Purple Heron sat still on a tree top. A little further on the way to Diksal, there was a small bridge with some more bird activity on both sides. A good number of Purple Swamphens were feeding out in the open and I saw them so close and nice for the first time.

Purple Swamphen

They were accompanied by Black Tailed Godwits, few Glossy Ibis and a couple of Grey Herons around. A Western Marsh Harrier flew over the waters continuously aiming at the flocks of ducks in the air or other smaller birds and fish in the water.

Finally, we reached Diksal. Just at the beginning on the main bridge, we saw our first lifer for the day, a Curlew Sandpiper and some more Common Sandpipers, Black Tailed Godwits and more waders.

River Tern

On the right, were a couple of heronry's with a lot of Asian Openbill Storks settled in along with some Grey Herons and Little Cormorants. A couple of Comb Duck females too were seen there. A little further down the bridge, we reached the fishermen houses from where we took a boat ride. As per our information, flamingos were yet to arrive at Bhigwan and we were delighted when the boatman told us that they had indeed arrived a couple of days ago and he knew where they were. We set off and enjoyed sights of plenty of birds on the way.
There were very good numbers of Common Coot, Northern Shoveler, Glossy Ibis, Pallas Gulls, Brahminy Ducks and the list goes on. A Marsh Harrier or two were constantly seen in the sky once in a while diving downwards and scaring off the birds.

Pallas Gulls resting

A little ahead we could see a lot of gulls near the bank, all facing away from the sun. Was a cute sight to watch.

Some Brahminy Ducks and two male Comb Ducks had also joined them in the same position.

Comb Duck

And then in the front we could see a flock of Greater Flamingos, sleeping! They all had their necks curled up with their beaks and heads tucked inside and were standing on one leg. After a little while, they probably realised our presence and one by one woke up.

Greater Flamingos alert

We were still near a tree and they turned back and started fishing. We decided to go a bit nearer and in better light for a few snaps and though we tried to overtake their flock from a distance, they minded it.

Greater Flamingos taking off

Poor things, they all got alert and soon took off.

Greater Flamingos in flight

Good thing was they didn't leave their fishing spot. They simply rounded our boat and landed behind us.

Greater Flamingos landing

It was as beautiful a sight as it always is to see these huge still beautiful birds walk, take off, fly and land, all with an unmatched elegance.

Photos:



Birdlist:

Pueple Swamphen
Common Moorhen
White-breasted Waterhen
Glossy Ibis
Black Ibis
Oriental White Ibis
Asian Openbill Stork
Painted Stork
Woolly Necked Stork
Common Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Curlew Sandpiper
Black Tailed Godwit
Black Winged Stilts
Northern Shoveler (m + f)
Ruddy Shelduck (aka Brahminy Duck) (m + f)
Spot-billed Duck (m + f)
Common Coot
Comb Duck (m + f)
Garganey Duck (m + f)
Pallas Gull
River Tern
Gull billed Tern
Grey Heron
Purple Heron
Pond Heron
Cattle Egret
Median Egret
Large Egret
Eurasian Spoonbill
Little Cormorant
Common Kingfisher
White Throated Kingfisher
Pied Kingfisher
Wire-tailed Swallow
Common Swallow
Red Rumped Swallow
Purple Rumped Sunbird (m + f)
Yellow Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Greater Flamingo (25 nos)
Osprey
Western Marsh Harrier

Travel Information:
Bhigwan is a small town, two hours from Pune. It is best to have your own means of transport. There isn't any decent place for overnight stay and no good restaurants for breakfast/lunch and it is recommended to carry your own food, water, etc.

Distances:
Pune - Bhigwan: 100kms (2 hours)

Boat ride:
Available at Diksal via local fishermen. They charged around Rs 300 for 4 persons.