Ever since we went to Lonavla for a field trip with our
Ornithology class it has become our favorite Bird Watching site. Unlike
earlier, we have no time for Cooper’s chocolate fudge or sampling fruit candies
and buying chikki. But gigantic Bhaturas are something else, which you get at an eatery enroute.
The first time we went, we had a rare sighting of a Peregerine Falcon. A huge and majestic bird. It generated a lot of excitement in our bird watchers group.
Now we head straight for the Lonavla Lake, which unfortunately has shrunk so much that even in the monsoons there is little water. A quick scan with the field glasses reassures us that the White Wagtails, Kentish Plovers, Indian Robins and Sykes Larks are there, then we proceed to the water body, which is getting further away each year. Now we have to walk up to the Kanifnath temple to glimpse the water. Come winter and a fair number of water birds can still be seen.
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| Yes he ate it all by himself! |
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| Peregerine Falcon |
Now we head straight for the Lonavla Lake, which unfortunately has shrunk so much that even in the monsoons there is little water. A quick scan with the field glasses reassures us that the White Wagtails, Kentish Plovers, Indian Robins and Sykes Larks are there, then we proceed to the water body, which is getting further away each year. Now we have to walk up to the Kanifnath temple to glimpse the water. Come winter and a fair number of water birds can still be seen.
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| Indian Robin |
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| Kentish Plover |
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| White Wagtails |
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| Desert Wheatear |
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| Sykes Lark |
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| Common Sandpiper |
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| Common Sandpiper at Bhushy Dam |
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| Cattle Egret |
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| Common Teals |
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| Common Teal |
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| Common Kingfisher at Bhushy Dam |
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| Birds of a feather! |
Earlier going to Lonavla meant going to the Tata Power
garden, which is one of the most beautifully landscaped and maintained gardens
I have seen in these parts. Now, after the 26/11 incident public viewing has
been stopped. Here’s a sample of the garden in full bloom.
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| Painted Stork and Little Egrets in the Garden |
Time permitting we take a detour to Pavna Lake and Lohgarh
fort and if lucky see a few birds otherwise there is always the view of the
hills.
October 2013
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| The Duke's Nose |
This
year the monsoons were particularly heavy, so Lonavla had regained some
of its original beauty. The drive from Pune itself was beautiful with
yellow cosmos flowers blooming wild on both sides of the road, for as
far as the eyes could see. It was truly amazing! Then we found our
favourite breakfast joint "Gurudev Dhaba" looking very upscale and
spruced up but the 'stuffed parathas' tasting just as great. The most
delightful sight was the Lonavla Lake which was full up to the brim
after many years. This promises to be a good year for bird-watchers who
go to see the migratory birds in the winter.
Here are some pictures from the latest trip. |
| cosmos growing wild! |
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| This weaver bird will have a great view from its nest! |
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| E y E s |
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| Our favourite breakfast place |
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| All water bodies filled to the brim. Promising! |
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| These flowers were definitely the high point of the trip |
Reviewing refreshed the memories.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Didi. The Peregrine Falcon & the large-sized "bhaturas" are two things that made this trip really "memorable".
Deletecan you please Inform where is Gurudev Dhaba
ReplyDeleteIf you are driving from Pune to Lonavla on the old Pune-Mumbai Highway, then Gurudev Dhaba will come to your left about half-way down. It has now grown from a non-descript Dhaba to a reasonably fine eating joint and also has lodging facilities.
DeleteI dont think thats an indian robin, it might as well be a white browed wagtail
ReplyDeleteThanx Dhruvan that's definitely a white browed wagtail. I don't know how it has been masquerading as an Indian Robin for so long ; ). Thanx for pointing out.
ReplyDeleteHi, that is a Oriental Honey-Buzzard, not Peregrine Falcon :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not at all a Peregrine Falcon, it's a Grey-headed Fish Eagle(juevenille)
ReplyDelete