Exploring the Western Ghats and Bhigwan

Jungle Buddies recently hosted two private birding tours in and around Bhigwan, showcasing the region’s incredible biodiversity to guests from Singapore and the United Kingdom. Our team of expert birding guides, Milind Ganatra and Rajesh Poojary, crafted unique experiences, leaving our guests with unforgettable memories.

Exploring Diverse Habitats:

One tour, led by Milind, began with an exploration of the Tamhini region, revealing endemic species of the Western Ghats, including the vibrant Yellow-browed Bulbul, Crimson-backed Sunbird, and Vigors Sunbird. The following days were dedicated to Bhigwan, a true birdwatcher’s paradise. Four grassland safaris yielded sightings of fascinating mammals like Striped Hyenas, Indian Foxes, and Indian Gazelles, alongside a stunning array of grassland birds, such as Barred Buttonquails, Steppe Eagles, Short-toed Snake Eagles, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, and Rock Eagle Owls.

The Magic of Bhigwan’s Wetlands:

A boat safari in Bhigwan proved to be the highlight of this tour. Thousands of birds graced the waters, creating a spectacle of colour and sound. Greater Flamingos, Bar-headed Geese, Ruddy Shelducks, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Black-tailed Godwits, and Small Pratincoles gathered in impressive numbers, offering a truly magical experience.

Adding to the Life List:

Another tour, guided by Rajesh, welcomed renowned birding enthusiasts from the UK. Their goal: is to add to their already impressive life list of over 6,000 bird species. Bhigwan delivered, providing sightings of two exceptional species: the Indian Courser and the Tawny Lark. The tour documented 68 bird species, including highlights like the Steppe Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Painted Francolin, Rock Bush Quail, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, and Eurasian Sparrowhawk.

Day Trip to Tansa in search of Forest Owlet 

After birding in the grasslands of Bhigwan, Van & Sweta ventured into the tropical deciduous forest of Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary in search of Forest Owlets and other forest birds. The activity in the morning was dull, with no activity of Forest Owlet, but we did hear multiple individual of Jungle Owlets, came across a few Red Breasted Flycatchers and finally after a while we spotted the mascot of Tansa, the Forest Owlet. 

A Shared Passion for Birding:

Both tours showcased the rich biodiversity of Bhigwan and the surrounding grasslands, leaving a lasting impression on our guests. Whether witnessing the sheer scale of birdlife on the wetlands or spotting rare grassland species, these birding experiences offered a deep connection with nature and created memories that will last a lifetime. You can see the full bird lists from these trips here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/322792 and https://ebird.org/tripreport/324593 

Planing a private birding tour? Connect with Jungle Buddies today.