Bhigwan

Bhigwan is a small town located on the Pune-Solapur highway about km away from Pune. Towards the south of Bhigwan exist the widespread backwaters of the Ujani Dam. During winter these wetlands become the hotbed of a host of migratory and regional birds.  Popularly known as ‘Bharatpur of Maharashtra’, more than 230 species of birds are found in Bhigwan. A birder’s paradise, Bhigwan attracts thousands of birdwatchers and nature lovers from all over India every year.

There are two main areas in Bhigwan where you can see migratory water birds, namely the Diksal-Parewadi area and the Dalaj– Kumbhargaon area. One of the main highlights of the migratory season at Bhigwan is the arrival of Greater Flamingos. Birders and wildlife photographers flock to Bhigwan between the months of December and February to capture these fascinating birds on their cameras. Sometimes, more than 1000 flamingoes can be spotted here.

Besides Greater Flamingos, other birds spotted at Bhigwan include Painted Storks, Open Billed Storks, Bar Headed Geese, Herons ( Gray Purple Pond), Egrets (Little and Great), Rudy Shell Ducks, Spotted Bill Ducks, Black Winged Stilts, Common Coots, Gulls (Brown Headed and Pallas), Terns, Ibis (Black-Headed, Glossy, Red-naped), Sandpipers, Godwits, Spoonbills, Pheasant Tailed Jacanas, Kingfishers, Wagtails, Larks, Bush Chats, Indian Rollers, Black Drongos, Green Bee Eaters, Babblers, Hoopoes, Kites, Marsh harriers and many more.

Bhigwan can be visited for a one day trip as well as for longer weekends. You can stay overnight at homestays and campsites near the lake. There are also a nice few resorts in the vicinity. You can appoint guides who will accompany you for the boat rides and take you to the locations where birds flock in huge numbers. The best time for boat rides in early in the morning and in the evening, just before sunset.