Sunday, January 1, 2017

New Year birding in the Uran area of East Mumbai

The New Year started on an auspicious note when we realized that we were to be taken for a local morning birding session by none other than Adesh. And when I say taken, I meant it literally.
 
Adesh at the helm!


The wetland area, or what is left of it, is a on the western coastal fringes of the peninsular India separated from the megacity of Mumbai by the Karanja creek.




We drove past the Palm Beach road in Navi Mumbai and headed for the rendezvous point at Dastaan Phata near Jasai village. There was a large water body with a flock of Pied avocets silhouetted against the rising sun making for a memorable sight. Other waders were also seen in good numbers.






Pied Avocets

We proceeded to the Panje village past the Sheva police station. This area which was once a thriving wetland has now been reclaimed, and is a dry grassy scrubland now. We did manage to see some green bee eaters and a majestic male Marsh harrier here on the way back.


The Panje wetland which has a motorable access and a nice bund road which appears to be tailormade for birdwatching.








The shallow marshes fed by the saltwater play host to several local waders and migratory ducks. The notable duck for the day was the majestic Common Shelduck.


Asian spoonbills


Green Heron


Reef egret

Whiskered tern

The area revealed a thriving population of common teals, shovellers and other waders. The Caspian terns also made an appearance. We got good views of the Green (striated) heron and western reef egret.

The area immediately adjoining this wetland has already been reclaimed and is now probably hosting some larks and plovers.



The highlight of the day apart from the common shelduck was the majestic pallid harrier who managed to flush out the entire flock of ducks by its mere presence!!
 
 


We topped up the birding with a visit to the iconic Cannon pav bhaji (of the best pao bhaji in India fame) outside the CST station. The placards exhort one to “lubricate the masala pav bhaji with cream lassi” for Rs 15 only. The Maoshi could not really tell me why the name was changed from Jai jawan pav bhaji to Cannon. It wasnt really that spicy…..perhaps I will find out in the next visit .










Traveler tips:
1.       The birding spots are near Dastaan Phata on the highway going from Vashi to JNPT and Panje village area beyond the Nhava Sheva police station.

2.       Access by public transport is not feasible.

3.       No food/water availability of any kind.