Almost on my fourth visit to this lesser-known bird sanctuary, with the stay @ home, stretched far too long, and the travel bug hits me hard, I am on my daycation to watch the fleet of birds, missing my own flight to travel, I am eager to watch these.
Welcoming the Local and Migratory Birds
On my earlier visits too, I wasn’t able to spot as many birds as the bird lovers say flock in the migratory season. Maybe I wasn’t there at the right time, so this time too I wasn’t very keen.
What pulled me out of my beauty sleep was my travel bug and this time I really was keen on the Ecosystem which is so favorable to the migratory Birds.
We were welcomed by the conservator of the bird sanctuary early morning around 6; 00 am from our early morning drive of 40km from Nasik in the wee hours. This is the time I was prepared to ask and know about the ecosystem and the Flora and Fauna of the Bird sanctuary.
We started our walk towards the first watchtower amongst the 4 installed for better viewing.
The view from the top was breathtaking, with the mist just settling down obstructing the vision, but close by we see the black ducks, it seems they are practicing a drill in a perfect circle and a rhythmic moment bending their necks to catch an insect or so.
ECOSYSTEM
Nandur Madhmeshwar reservoir was declared as the first wetland in Maharashtra, this man-made shallow reservoir on absolutely flat land was built in 1952 and it receives water from the Gangapur and the Nandgoa Dams. Water from Nandur Madhmeshwar is released for drinking and irrigation purposes to the neighboring areas like Aurangabad and Ahmednagar.
This being a reservoir when water is released along its course, it forms shallow islands of mud en route, depositing silt and lots of organic matter. Over a period of years making the ecosystem rich with reeds and algae.
The Variety of Birds
The Life cycle continues with building and developing rich aqua life, and the flora around it making it rich for migratory birds like Indian Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Common Pochard, Bristled GrassBird, Wooly-necked stork, White-rumped vulture, Indian vulture, and Egyptian vulture and threatened fish Deolali Minnow.
Birds of a feather flock together
The Ecosystem is a unique and complex one with the major water source as river Godavari, marshy shallow mud islands formed en route its flow, tall grass with other adjoining farmlands rich with the mineral and the dropped seeds.
This man-made reservoir converted into a wetland, attracts thousands of birds in the winters which makes it a much-frequented place at sunrise and sunset amongst the bird lovers and other tourists.
The Rich Deposits
Rich with my deposits of knowledge and the ecosystem, it makes me think about inclusive sustainability. How I share my space not only at home but with every being in nature. How very important it is, and what have I done to allow each to breathe freely.
The moment is of gratitude again for the gift of thinking, expressing, and penning my thoughts. I think of how I grunt and crib and keep a grudge and be vocal about a little discomfort.
I question myself how I have helped these beautiful winged creatures and in fact every breathing being on the planet to allow them to breathe freely.
Why do Birds Migrate
I have come here to see the Migration, it’s a wonderful sight to see the colorful flocks, but the reason they migrate is in search of food and to reproduce; I’m lucky enough to be stationed at my pad for all above.
Encroaching or poaching for pleasure are serious issues. The conservator tells us about many issues they face while maintaining the ecosystem.
It’s their Space…Leave it as it is for them
As I seek knowledge about the tall thick grass, the grunting frogs, the whispering insects, the whistling birds, the quacking ducks with the first golden hue of the sun I see myself standing there with my mind struggling about giving and sharing space.
I pledge to reduce carbon footprints by going more eco-friendly and start using biodegradable and organic products and to help protect these landscapes to survive and thrive.
Mindfulness
This time the birds were yet to arrive and could see few, the conservator asking us to visit a month later in the afternoon hours, but I was happy with what I could see and learn, with a promise to be back. As I write this I am content enough to leave the place to the winged folk.
I have made these changes to mine, try and make it to yours. They are minor but will impact nature in a major way.
- Recycled Stationery
- Wooden cutlery
- Sustainable fashion
- Organic Self Care products
- No to plastic.
- Reusable products (Cloth bag)
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Varsha Mahore Blogs. Enriching Lives through Travel.
Very good info on ecosystem…