Bhigwan’s unique geography—where the Bhima River backwaters meet the surrounding arid terrain—creates two distinct birding tracks: 1. The Backwaters (Wetlands) The Guide: The Backwater of Bhigwan - Roundglass Sustain
Hiring a local boatman is essential to navigate the backwaters and get close to the flamingos without disturbing them.
Bhigwan Birds Update: The Ultimate Guide to Maharashtra's Ultimate Birding Haven
Winter Birding at Bhigwan | A Raptor Paradise of Maharashtra bhigwan birds upd
Often seen in large flocks flying in V-formations. Ruddy Shelducks: Distinctive, bright orange-brown ducks.
: Northern Shoveler , Bar-headed Goose , and various species of gulls and terns.
Traditional Winter Average: ████████████████████ 1,500+ Birds Recent Winter Average: █ 20–30 Birds (Transient) Ruddy Shelducks: Distinctive, bright orange-brown ducks
Bhigwan’s "bird sanctuary" area is actually split across different parts of the Ujani backwaters, primarily focused around two villages:
Dropping water levels have exposed massive tracts of shallow mudflats and feeding grounds. This environment provides an easy, highly concentrated source of food for both wading birds and raptors.
If you're planning a trip, would you like information on or finding nearby accommodation ? Bhigwan Birdwatching Tour - Deccan Hikers and Outdoors The birds tangle
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), which has been conducting flamingo counts in the area since 2021, confirmed this trend. "We have recorded an average of over 1,000 bird visits each year, and the numbers have touched 2,000 as well," said Abhinav Nair, a Senior Project Fellow at BNHS. "But from June 2025 to April 2026, there has been a significant decrease in flamingos visiting the backwaters of the Ujani Dam".
The wetlands are teeming with Black-tailed Godwits , Small Pratincoles , and the elegant Pheasant-tailed Jacanas .
: For the most current information on bird sightings, weather conditions, and sanctuary updates, one might need to check official websites, social media groups dedicated to Bhigwan bird sanctuary, or forums for birdwatchers.
Needs open water. Drops nets where flamingos feed. The birds tangle, drown. No update mentions this. But the missing birds do.