(1st batch) Bhigwan - For Ducks & Waterfowl - 5th to 6th Feb'2011

Dates: 05th Feb, 2011 (Saturday) to 06th Feb, 2011 (Sunday) - Mumbai to Bhigwan & back. The bookings for Bhigwan trip is on…..book your seats NOW to get your desired batch ....... Please See complete details (Iterinary, 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", "Waterfall of 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.

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 a proposed 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, 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.....there is also a huge colony of Painted storks (believed to be in few thousands) roosting and nesting near "Badalwadi"…… Being an open habitat, it is also very easy to spot the birds and for photography.

With most of the waterbodies 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 Pigmy Goose, Eurasian Spoonbills, Small 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.



For more information on this site and for some delightful trip reports of last year, please click the links below;

http://green-indians.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html

http://addithebirdie.blogspot.com/2005/12/bhigwan-big-one-for-ducks-and_21.html

http://www.rakeshdhareshwar.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=42

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/birdsofbombay/message/9179

http://alokbhave.blogspot.com/2008/01/bhigwan-jan-2007.html

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/birdsofbombay/message/9177

http://natureindia-tours.blogspot.com/2009/07/final-trip-reports.html#bhigwan



Nature India has meticulously planned a weekend trip to this amazing place – Bhigwan, from 05 to 06th February, 2011 the details are given below.
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Tour Iterinary & Other Details:

Dates:5th Feb 2011 (Saturday) Morning 6.30 AM to 6th Feb 2011 (Sunday) 10.00 PM.

Mode of Travel: Non AC Minibus

Stay on 05th Feb' Night: Hotel Amardeep: 22 kms from Bhigwan on the Baramati MIDC road.: it's the only decent hotel around. for staying on twin sharing basis……

Route & Iterinary:

5th Feb'11: Mor. 6.30 AM departure from Mumbai (from Dadar Chandu Halwai - Dadar East) – Sion - Chembur -- Vashi (Breakfast @Hotel Navratna) – Belapur -- Pune – Solapur Road – Lunch at Bhigwan - Birdwatching in evening at Diksal, Bhigwan – Eve. proceed to Hotel Amardeep– Revision and discussion on Birds – Delicious dinner- Overnight Stay

6th Feb'11: Early morning (6.00 AM) checkout from Hotel Amardeep and departure to Bhigwan – Birdwatching at Kumbhargaon & Dhalaaj , Bhigwan – "Mouth watering" Lunch at Hotel Sagar, Bhigwan at 1.30 PM (a-la-carte) – Start at 2.30 PM to return back to Mumbai – reach Mumbai at approx. 9.30 PM.

Important Note: This trip involves long bus travel, so be prepared

Trip charges: Rs. 3200 /- only (Includes non- A/C room stay in Hotel Amardeep, on twin/sharing basis, Travel charges from Mumbai to Bhigwan & back in a non-AC minibus, 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.

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmation mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non refundable Advance of Rs.2000/-after our registration mail confirmation …..The remaining amount will be collected on the day of travel.

Resource Persons: Mr. Adesh Shivkar / Mr. Mandar Khadilkar

Mode of Payment: You can either

1) Transfer the advance money directly to HDFC A/c (Please call Mandar @ 9930318665 or 9967518665 for A/c No.).. please mention your name, date and other details….

2) Courier a cheque of Rs.2000/- as advance amount to the following address

Name: Mr. Mandar Khadilkar

Address: B/702, Neha Apartments, Ashish Complex, CS Cross Road No.4, Dahisar (East), Mumbai-400068

Please Note:
1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 2000/- is strictly non-refunadable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours

3) Please read carefully Nature India Policies: http://natureindia.ning.com/notes/Nature_India_Policies

Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification …...also sign up on http://natureindia.ning.com/ to know more about Nature India & to get regular updates.

For any other queries we are available on 9869071091 or 9820455713 (Adesh) and 9930318665 or 9967518665 (Mandar)

Thanks for your patience.

Looking forward for a very rewarding trip with you all !!

Warm Regards,

Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
Nature India
Appreciate, Respect & Conserve
http://natureindia.ning.com