While over a thousand Greater Flamingos turned the waters into a sea of pink earlier this year, current visitors are treated to a dense population of Painted Storks , Herons, and specialized waders . Notably, conservationists at Kumbhargaon have reported thriving populations of the elusive Collared Pratincole , a unique species that was completely absent last season due to a shorter nesting timeline. 🗺️ Exploring Bhigwan: Dual Ecosystems
If you are a photographer tracking Bhigwan birds upd , the changing environment demands gear changes.
+--------------------------+----------------------------+------------------------------------------+ | Bird Group | Key Species Present | Notable Current Behavior | +--------------------------+----------------------------+------------------------------------------+ | Rare Migrants / Waders | Collared Pratincole | Massive nesting on exposed banks | | Large Waterfowl | Painted Storks, Herons | High concentration feeding in shallows | | Aerial Hunters | Gull-billed Terns | Established active breeding colonies | | Grassland Specialists | Indian Courser, Harriers | Active foraging in adjacent dry plains| +--------------------------+----------------------------+------------------------------------------+ The Star Sighting: Collared Pratincole bhigwan birds upd
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 deep story of Bhigwan is not about rare species or record counts. It is about the terrifying, beautiful persistence of life in the margins of human indifference. The flamingo does not care about your dam release schedule. It will land anyway. The bar-headed goose does not fear Everest or the highway. It will descend anyway. While over a thousand Greater Flamingos turned the
The difference between a sighting and a great photo is the angle of light . For flamingos, the best light is from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM when the sun is behind you as you face the western backwaters.
: Receding waters have created temporary mudbank islands. These land structures are perfect for ground-nesting waders and shorebirds. The deep story of Bhigwan is not about
Bhigwan, located in Pune, India, is known for its bird sanctuary. It's a popular spot for birdwatching, especially during the migratory seasons. The area attracts a variety of bird species, both local and migratory.
The 2025–2026 migratory season has been one of the most talked-about and, for many, concerning periods in the sanctuary's recent history. The updates tell a story where climate patterns directly intersect with wildlife visibility.
Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary: The Ultimate Guide to Maharashtra's Flamingo Paradise