Pune: While the wetlands of Bhigwan are popular nesting locations for migratory birds, including flamingos, in the winter, the grasslands become a haven for birds and wildlife in the monsoon.Naturalists, photographers and tourists are making a beeline to both Bhigwan and Saswad grasslands to catch a glimpse of some of the unique birds of the season. Photographer Amit Dhorje has been visiting Bhigwan and surrounding areas for the last 20 years. “I got some good sightings of the monsoon birds in the grasslands, including the Indian eagle owl, painted sandgrouse, lark, and many more during my recent visit,” he said.Ajit Nagare has been a guide in the area for the last six to seven years. “There are many photographers, wildlife and birding enthusiasts visiting Bhigwan grasslands this year. We have had good sightings of the rain quail, barred button quail and painted francolin this year. We also spotted the Indian skimmer, which is rare. However, because of the sporadic monsoon, we are seeing some new birding patterns like early nesting playing out,” he said.Wildlife enthusiasts are also visiting Bhigwan and Saswad grasslands to spot the Indian grey wolf, striped hyena and Bengal fox as well. “These animals live in the grasslands and are visible when we take the jeep deeper into the grasslands. I have also been able to capture some good photographs of the wolves,” said Anirudh Kedia, a photographer.Rahul Kale, who has been a guide and is familiar with the grasslands for the last 15 years, said that these less-popular safaris are now gaining prominence.“Grassland safaris are also good for spotting many species of owls, such as the Indian eagle owl, short-eared owls, and rock eagle owls. Many other grassland birds like the brown caique and the brown snake eagle are found abundantly. In Saswad, we usually spot buntings, minivets, vernal hanging parrots, and more,” said Kale.Despite its “semi-arid wasteland” classification, the 6,000sqkm expanse of Bhigwan and Saswad is a thriving ecosystem teeming with over 350 bird species and 25 mammal species. “I visited the grasslands last year and saw fantastic sightings of the indian courser, yellow-wattled lapwing, greater grey shrike, broad-tailed grassbird, striolated bunting, rock-bush quail, rain quail, greater short-toed lark, Indian eagle owl, and the Indian peafowl. I plan to visit again this year,” said Manisha Sharma, a resident of Warje.Due to the early arrival of monsoon, naturalists and guides in the area said raptors started activity early this year. “There is also a clutch of resident flamingos that are visible, but a majority of the migratory ones went back,” said Swapnil Jarad, a guide at Bhigwan.
