So, this was my first experience of Bird Race in Mumbai. All it started from decisions, planning, permission, lying, enthusiasm, spirit and some other things. Don't you think these words somewhat irrelevant? Yes, I am going to explore these all and along with my 12 hours meeting with birds around Mumbai.
Being a nature and wildlife photography enthusiastic, I always look for any event or trip whenever I get time for it. My photography friend Mr.Ravi Vaidyanathan (Renowned Photographer) informed me about this Mumbai Bird Race 2009 event, and what to say, it was a home come opportunity for a garden insect like me. The Bird Race was planned on 22nd Feb, 09. The concept was, "To spot and log as many
as birds around Mumbai in 12 hours of day light."
The main milestone was to take permission from my dad for 1 night and 1 day outing. Yes, generally taking permission from my dad, is like completing half of an event at home itself. I was sure about "NO". So why to go for it. The best option was "An Industrial Visit" at Pune. Now ask me why I chose this, because when there is anything related to my academics, he always says "YES". So finally I got permission for 2 days Industrial Visit. Where Industrial Visit stands for Bird Race.
All things got packed up and finally we started our journey with the gang of 12 to our first destination KARJAT (Around 100 Km from Mumbai). The stay was at jungle resort "VAN-VIHAR", more like a village experience. After a tummy got filled with a spicy and tasty food, we had a night walk around the resort in search of Owl or any other night birds. But even after a long 30 minutes walk, we didn't spot any bird. Came to resort again and went for a sleep.
The day started at 05.30 am and 'NightJar' bird inspired us for the race with its sweet voice and of course it was our first spotting. With some cup of a tea, our gang headed to the nearest down side area surrounded by hillocks. Which was famous for bird spotting and was already traced by senior members of our group. After going at the place we first spotted 'Brown Fish Owl' sitting on the top bark of a tree, a pretty big bird which we observed through binocular and it really became a 'Bird of the day'. After a good sunrise and its light, every one became ready with their gadgets, yes with their DSLR, biggy powerful lenses, Super-zoom cams and binocs. And as sun was rising gradually we started spotting lots of species like 'Kingfishers', 'Egrets', 'Herons', 'Drongo', 'Indian Robin', 'Treepie', 'Flycachers', 'Pipits', 'Shrikes', 'Doves', 'Falcun', 'Sunbird', 'Cormorent' etc. Please don't mind as I didn't mention specific names of these birds, because this was my first meeting with birds, simply I was a FRESHER among other EXPERIENCED Bird Watchers. There were many such moments where we needed to run behind birds and follow them where they sit and where they generally go. The experience with 'FALCUN' was great and that bird gave a lots of its time for taking photos and observation. Till the time we return from that place, we had logged around 50-60 species of birds in our log book.
We then returned to our resort and ate some POHA and had a TEA. After a breakfast some senior members preferred to take a rest and juniors like me and some other went again outside the resort to find if we spot any birds in surroundings. Literally this session after breakfast was a bonus. In just an hour, we spotted around 10-15 species like 'White-Rumped Shama', 'Puff-Throated Babbler', 'Verditer
Flycatcher' etc. We came back to resort and again packed up all the things and became ready for next destination NILJE near Dombivali. Our fleet started the journey, suddenly Ravi spotted a bird sitting on the tip of the almost dry tree, which was then identified as 'White-Eyed Buzzard'. Our car was first in the fleet, so we suddenly got off the car and took some zoomed photos. But unfortunately our other group members missed that moment as it fled away. Next, while on the run, again we found one bird flying high in the sky, we got off the car and took some photos. The bird was 'Montagu's Harrier' (Photo1, Photo2 - By Ravi). Really. that bird had very pride flight.
Further the next spot we stopped at the small lake near Neral. There we spotted some 'Pond Herons', 'Kingfisher', 'Wagtails', 'Cormorent' was right sitting on the pole at middle of the lake. Also we saw some 'dab-chicks'. In the journey we spotted many 'Kites' too. Further, we stopped looking at birds aside the road and saw 'Drongo', 'Indian Roller' sitting up on telephone cable. Next halt was NILJE, a pretty big lake near Dombivali, which was full of some water birds like 'Purple Moorhen', 'Swamp-Hen', 'Spot-Billed Ducks' etc.
After a stay of 30 minuts at NILJE Lake, we headed towards an important destination near Kalyan, a 'GANDHARI Creek' which is literally a heaven of Water and Sea Birds. After walking aside railway
tracks we reached at the observation place. We were continuously introduced by many species like 'Sea Harrier', 'Sea Gulls', 'Terns', 'Sand Pipers', 'Black-winged Stilt' etc. The flight of 'Sea Harrier' and 'Northen Shoveler' were point of discussion. So, after spotting birds for an hour a Gandhari Creek we stepped backed for return journey. While on the way, we spotted 'Red Munia' and some like species in dry bushes. It was our last spotting of the day. Then we started journey to 'Bombay Natural History Society' near Sion. There we spotted a 'KOYAL' which we were waiting for whole day. There were around 100 Bird Race Groups gathered for ceremony. We logged around 106 species in 12 hours.
So, at the end I learned lots of things about Birds, their habitat, their place of stay and How to identify them. I request you all to conserve these natural gems and help government to maintain flora and fauna. Birds won't come at your door steps, so leave your home and have an experience of birds' world and refresh yourself with their sounds, flying, colors, chirping etc etc. I have provided some links to photographs clicked by me and Ravi wherever possible.
Thanks for visiting my website and reading my Bird Race report.
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