Massive nesting activity in Bhigwan draws photographers, birdwatchers this summer

Pune: Prolonged summer and receding water levels have turned the wetlands of Bhigwan into a thriving habitat for migratory and resident birds this year. Many birdwatchers and photographers have been visiting the region to get a glimpse of the massive nesting activity.“Birding activity has surged across the backwaters and marshlands as exposed feeding grounds have led to sightings of many unique birds as well this year. Last year, activity was muted as the nesting period was shorter,” said Karan Majumdar, a birdwatcher from Mumbai.Apart from some resident flamingos that can be spotted, naturalists and photographers are seeing painted storks, herons, wader species and snipes. “This year we have spotted the collared pratincole, which is unique. It was absent last year due to the short nesting period. Due to the early arrival of the rains, birding activity was also muted,” said Sandip Nagare, conservationist and owner of Agnipankha, which organises boat-tours for bird watching at Kumbhargaon.Lack of water has exposed Bhigwan’s muddy shoreline and attracted hundreds of waders who are commonly found around shorelines and mudflats foraging for food. It has also benefitted some birds that prefer nesting on barren rocks or shoreline.Sneha Tamhankar, a wildlife photographer, said, “I visit Bhigwan often and this is the best season to photograph because the colours of the plumage are vibrant right now. Snipes are visible in huge numbers.” Some birds visible right now at Bhigwan include painted snipe, oriental pratincole, Kentish plover, little tern and black winged stilt.Many resident ducks and birds such as egrets, storks and cormorants, who depend on vegetation for nesting, have also been spotted. “Water levels are low, so we took the jeep to drive around the backwaters. We had good sightings of the wetland birds. We also spotted some hatchlings,” said Manisha Dhariwal, a resident of Hadapsar.Wildlife enthusiasts are also visiting Bhigwan and Saswad grasslands to spot the Indian grey wolf, striped hyena and Bengal fox. “There are many enthusiasts who come in the summer to spot these grassland animals. We have to take the jeep deep into the grasslands to capture good photographs,” said a guide in the area.