The Ujani backwaters in Maharashtra, where flamingos, ducks and waders gather in winter on open water and mudflats.
Bhigwan birding takes place on the Ujani backwaters in Maharashtra, near Bhigwan town, between Pune and Solapur. Ujani is a large reservoir on the Bhima River, with open water, mudflats, reed beds and village tanks around it. In winter it becomes a popular birdwatching destination, because the backwaters hold large numbers of migratory waterbirds in a landscape that is otherwise dry farmland.
The star birds are greater flamingos, which gather in large flocks on the backwaters, plus bar headed geese, ruddy shelducks, northern pintails, shovelers, teals and a long list of waders, including black winged stilts, avocets, sandpipers and plovers. Painted storks, spoonbills, ibises and herons work the shallows, while marsh harriers, ospreys and other raptors hunt over the water. Boat trips on the backwaters give close views of flamingos and ducks that are hard to get from the bank alone.
Bhigwan birding suits winter wetland birders, photographers who want flamingos in morning light, and travellers on a Maharashtra birding trip from Pune or Mumbai. It pairs with Mayureshwar and other grassland sites near Pune, and with a longer Maharashtra wetland trip. A full morning boat trip, plus an afternoon bank walk, gives a much better list than a short roadside stop.
November to February, with December to January best for flamingos.
Pune, with Mumbai as the larger option.
Pleasant winters, hot summers, dry through winter.
Monsoon June to September, about 600 mm a year, with backwaters fullest after monsoon.
Boat birding on Ujani backwaters, morning and late afternoon, with a local boatman and guide, for flamingos and ducks. Walking birding on banks and mudflats for waders and storks. No jeep safari is used for Bhigwan birding, and most birding is by boat and on foot on flat bank trails.
By train, Bhigwan station is the nearest railhead, with Pune and Solapur as larger rail hubs. By road, Bhigwan is about 100 km from Pune by road on the Pune to Solapur highway. By air, Pune airport is the nearest airport, followed by road to Bhigwan.
November to February is best, with December to January best for flamingos on the Ujani backwaters.
Which birds are Bhigwan known for? range of waders.
Fly to Pune, take a train to Bhigwan station, then drive about 100 km from Pune on the Pune to Solapur highway.
Yes, boat trips on the Ujani backwaters are the best way to see flamingos and ducks closely, plus bank walks for waders.
Yes, Bhigwan pairs well with Pune grassland and hill birding, giving wetland birds plus open country birds in one Maharashtra trip.
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A journey through Bengal where festival traditions, wetlands and wildlife come together.
A journey through Bengal where festival traditions, wetlands and wildlife come together.
A journey through Bengal where festival traditions, wetlands and wildlife come together.
