Bird paradise Bhigwan, a 4-hour drive away from Mumbai, is where you can spot exotic migratory birds found only in the wetlands of North India

Bird paradise Bhigwan, a 4-hour drive away from Mumbai, is where you can spot exotic migratory birds found only in the wetlands of North India

When it comes to seeing migratory birds, the wetlands of the north have very little competition.

"Or so I thought, until I had a chance to visit Bhigwan," says Nayan Khanolkar, bird photographer and BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society) researcher.

Called the Bharatpur of Maharashtra, this is a bird watcher and photographer's wet dream come true.

Lake for the shutter-happy

The moment you start driving towards Bhigwan Lake, bird sightings grace your eyes. Rollers, bee-eaters, coppersmith babblers, crow pheasants, gray hornbills appear along the way.

Take a left towards one of the biggest hotspots in that area Diksal; you encounter one small bridge with water bodies on both sides and can immediately spot migratory water birds Ducks, Terns, Twany Eagles, Cotton Pigmy Geese, Lesser Whistling Teals, Ruffs, Clamorous Warblers, Marsh harriers, Comb ducks, More Ruddy Shelducks, Common Kestrels.

Photographers can stand on the bridge and take flight shots at eye level of terns, harriers, egrets, herons. Even a basic zoom lens will yield great shots of coots, shovellers, ruddy shelducks.

After the bridge is a long pathway with water bodies on either side. The path is wide enough for just about one vehicle to pass, and there are bird sightings on either side.
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"This is photography made easy because the models are hardly camera shy if you stay in the car.

You'll get plenty of pictures and see at least 50-60 species here," says Nayan, who leads wildlife and bird photography tours through University of Experience, his experiential travel company.

He conducts workshops on photography and basics of birding and bird photography before every trip, with on-trip hands-on guidance on clicking birds given to participants.

A little further are the village homes. If you are lucky, you can take a boat ride with the villagers (Rs 150 to Rs 200 per person) to see ducks and flamingoes at eye level.

Sign up for a photography tour

"If you can get in the rhythm of the bird's flight, you can take home some brilliant flight shots," says Nayan.
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Get guidance from him on shooting birds in motion on a special one-night-two-day tour to Bhigwan that's scheduled for January 30.

The evening light in the Diksal region will set the mood for the first session on capturing terns, gulls, egrets and raptors in flight.

The second session focuses on shooting waders, ducks, storks, forest birds and raptors along the path abutting the lake.

To register for a birding and photography tour to Bhigwan on January 30, Call 9987318191 or visit https://www.universityofexperience.in/

How To Get There

CAR: A drive to Bhigwan takes 4 hours. Take the Solapur Road and continue for 100 km on NH9. Take a left turn to go to Diksal village and continue for 8 km to reach the water bodies. Take a right to the untitled old bridge.

TRAIN: About 5 trains halting at Bhigwan depart from CST station every day of the week; Sleeper Class fare ranges from Rs 88 to Rs 155. The train journey takes 5.13 to 7.20 hours, depending on the train you board. Siddheswar Express (2115), which departs at 10.35 pm and reaches at dawn, is the fastest and most practical option.

CAB: If you are heading in a group, travel in an Indica (4 passengers) or Qualis (6). Charges: Rs 3,100 and Rs 3,900 respectively (approx.)

Birds You'll Spot

Ducks, Terns, Twany Eagles, Cotton Pygmy Geese, Lesser Whistling Teals, Ruff, Clamorous Reed-warblers, Marsh-harriers, Comb ducks, Ruddy Shelducks, Common Kestrels, Eurasian Wigeons, Gadwalls and Shovellers

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