Birding at its best. EDIT: December 2015 updates! Its been couple of years now that I wanted to visit Bhigwan but could never manage it in time. This year, I had promised my wifey that come whatever, we will visit the place. Even Mayans and their prediction can not hold a candle. We decided to visit the place on 15th Dec 2012 but the lens I was looking for was not available by then. Finally, 30th Dec 2012 was shortlisted since some of my wifey's friends wanted to join us for the treat.
So finally 30th Dec arrived and I woke up at 3 AM. Wifey and her friends had packed all the food items like cakes and wafers just in case if we can not find a good eatery. The car was washed and cleaned up one day prior to the trip. I also tanked her up since we would be living Pune very early in the morning.
We started at 4 AM from my place and dropped our 8 months old son to my parent's place. He was all awake by 4 AM and was smiling at us as if he is also invited. We decided against taking him to Bhigwan since the place is not very friendly for toddlers. Most of the time we would be in boat so it would be difficult for us to manage him if he starts throwing tantrums.
At 4:30 AM we hit the Pune - Solapur highway and were cruising comfortably at 70-80. The road till the Loni toll is descent and then it improves further. The only hiccup is that the road widening work is in progress and at times you can find people in your lane from opposite direction. Its difficult to see when the Pune bound traffic is diverted into your right lane. Be careful while travelling on this road specially between Loni and the 2nd toll booth. Post this booth its a nice 4 lane tar road which invites you to go faster. I still rank the Pune - Banglore highway way above this road as far as safety and quality of road is concerned.
By 6:30 AM we reached one hotel just before Bhigwan (10 KM) which was open. There were no hotels opened on this route except this one. The temp outside was around 8-10C and it was cold like anything. We had a nice tea and home made egg curry with bread. Finally by 7 AM, we started for Bhigwan.
You have to get off the highway at Bhigwan which is well marked. Further after this exit, you have to take left for "Diksal" village. The road from here is a typical single lane village road. At around 4-5 KMs from Bhigwan turn, there is a right turn which goes to the older railway bridge which is now used as a normal road. The railway line is shifted and so its open for vehicles. After this bridge one has to take left and park your vehicle. From here you can board a boat. The fishermen have started this side business of taking people into the "Bhima river" (Ujani dam) backwaters.
From here the fun starts. Even before you get on board of a boat, you can start spotting Egrets and Herons. They are in ample numbers to outnumber the people getting on the boats. The attraction of Bhigwan is the most beautiful bird "Flamingo". These guys travel thousands of KMs to reach Bhigwan and similar low water lakes. The shallow water makes it easy for them to feast on the fish and other water bugs. The birds which are dominantly present in Bhigwan are: Flamingo, Egrets, Herons, Ducks, Wagtails, Shrikes, Storks, Kingfisher, Gulls etc.
The distance from my place to Bhigwan turned out to be 115 KMs one way and it took me 2.5 hrs in the morning and 2 hours while returning. Be very careful while you travel on the Pune-Solapur road. Trucks easily outnumber cars on this road and they drive insanely at some places. The best birdning time is from 7 AM - 11 AM and then 4 PM - 6 PM. Make sure you reach in time and if possible avoid weekends. On any weekday the boatmen are happy to take you into water for hours together. We were charged 900/- for 2 hours for 5 people. Make sure you bargain as I think I could have managed it in 600-700/-. Dont disappoint them too much since its in their hands to take you to places which are exotics for Flamingos. There are no motorboats and for very good reason. These birds are extremely shy and would fly away if the boat comes 50-60 feet closer to them. If you have a DSLR, make sure you have a good lens (100-400/300/400/500 etc). I was surprised to see a shop in Bhigwan which had a board saying lenses for rent. I rented Canon 100-400mm lens from a known source in Pune for 1000/- a day. Points to ponder:
1. From Pune this place is around 100 KM on Solapur highway. Bhigwan marking is very well put up on the highway. Get off at this point from the highway.
2. There are NO good/descent hotels on this highway and if you are traveling early in the morning (Which you have to), make sure you have enough food with you.
3. The birding spot is in Bhigwan (Diksal) where you can get boats to go into the backwaters for birding. Bargain with the fishermen. Typically you should pay 150/- per head for couple of hours ride.
4. Have a good lens handy. You might visit this place once in a year, so make the most out of it. You can spend the entire day here if you are not fuzzy about packed food.
5. Drive very carefully on this road in the early morning. There are sections where the Pune bound traffic is diverted in the right most lane.
6. The birds are extremely shy so avoid taking kids who get louder as you get closer to birds.
7. If possible have binoculars for people who are not into photography.
Pictures to follow in the next thread. If you want any information, drop me a PM.
Last edited by neoonwheels : 2nd January 2013 at 13:34.
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