Bhandup Pumping station: Unlocked a new realm to the bird's world

I am writing this post in the midst of the Aarey horrific incident where trees are been cut down for the development of metro car shed project. Being a nature enthusiast and visitor of Aarey colony, it sadden me to the core of my heart to see the video footage of the same on the news channel. However, i do believe nature in some or the other form will answer back let it be through climate change or flood.

At a glance
Bhandup Pumping Station is a bliss for bird watchers, what makes it more unique is that it is situated within the city premises. The landscape keeps evolving from salt pans, mangroves wet land, grass land to pond as you keep exploring different corners. Apart from that, there is a sewage treatment plant in the same range where all the dirty waters of Mumbai metropolis is treated.

Story
It was 29th December, 2018, early morning i boarded metro train from Azad Nagar to Ghatkopar. Once i reached Ghatkopar, i boarded central line local train to finally halt at Nahur Station. Upon reaching Nahur Station, i walked approximately 1.5 km to Bhandup Pumping Station. In between, i was greeted by lovely sunrise on the backdrop of Salt pan. 

Bhandup Bird Viewing Center is not properly located on google map, you have to figure it out by yourself which is quite easy. On the way, i saw few people burning the crop field. When i confronted them, the description they gave was ''Look like it accidentally caught a fire, due to cigarette light or something''. In fact to keep it real with you, i knew deep down in my heart that locals burn it purposely to kickoff with the new sowing season. It's a cheap alternative restricted by Government due to air pollution caused and it also affects the output of Agro-chemicals companies to certain degree. 

After a while, group of friends travelling in car saw me walking alone so they offered me a lift. They were little amazed by seeing me on my solo journey and were fascinated in knowing me. I gave them little insight about my blog and the reason about my passion for exploration. Once we reached the Bird viewing center, i walked my own path for bird photography, while they headed towards pond to spot flamingos. Before separating, we shared numbers with each other.

I had a hard time spotting birds but with little efforts and focus, i was able to spot some. Patience and observation is key to bird photography. Hobby like this can act as a catalyst to sustain in life and strengthen your knowledge bank about bird species. 

Bullbul

I was in a lookout for movement and audible clues like chirping to spot birds. Some of them were too fast to be captured and others preferred staying hidden.

Snowy Egret

One thing about birds is they are yet to gain a trust from humans. Instinctively, they are always in a alert mode as most of them are prey. Birds are a free species, always on a journey moving to different regions from season to season. Birds don't understand the concept of domination and punishment, whereas dogs and cats are opposite which has promoted them to develop a close relationship with humans.

Calidris

I was disappointed as i missed numerous bird shots until one colorful Coraciiformes came near my photography proximity. I had a butterfly feeling in my stomach watching him. It's like he was inviting me to snap. He stood there confidently on a wooden stand for good 4-5 minutes. 

Coraciiformes

I stood there looking at the 'long thin leg birds' standing on the shallow water. Water is considered to be a safe spot for birds to spend some time peacefully without being disturb from predators. Vibration of the waters sends a clear warning sign if any predator tries to attack them.

Later, i headed towards pond. At this point of time, the place was filled with many nature enthusiast. What amazed me the most was looking at the whole new world of bird photographers. They have camouflaged themselves flawlessly laying on the grass holding big lens camera like a sniper, patiently waiting for the best bird shots.   

Blue Kingfisher

I believe this place has lot more to offer than just a bird. Like after my bird observation and photography session.I sat near this beautiful pond in peace, closing my eyes and feeling the winter breeze.
In my life i barely revisit the same spot again, but this one i presume have lot more to unveil i.e new species of birds and insects.Also considering, it costed me less than a 100 rupees so i don't mind spending my weekend out here. . 

Visiting Bhandup Pumping Station has unlocked a new door for me. This door of bird observation is another extension to my fondness for nature, alongside with trekking, studying mind-blending plants and observing butterfly & dragonfly. This affection goes to the extent which sends vibration to my body whenever i see unfamiliar bird outside of my house window, i charge towards my camera to capture a mesmerizing picture of the visiting birds in the concrete space.

Nagla Block Trail: Solo trek

Introduction
Nagla block trail is a northern part of the SGNP divided by the Vasai creek. Entrance of the Nagla block trail is at a walking distance of 8.2 Km from Mira road station. Once you reach the entrance of Nagla block, it is a 3 km(1.5 km from one side)  Easy trek barely visited by anyone but naturalist for sighting of insects and Birds.

History
Nagla block has been famous for two tiger spotting back in the year 2003 which left the forest department in hurdle, this was the first time tiger was ever spotted in the region since 1929 near Tansa lake, sadly the tiger was killed at that time. Apart from that leopard pug-mark on the Nagla block trail is quite common.

Journey
I decided to visit this place on 28th November 2018, day before that i was on internet trying to figure out the exact route to this place so next day i woke up early in the morning boarded metro from Azad nagar to Andheri which costed me 20 Rs return ticket then local train to Mira road station which also costed me 20 rs return ticket, after halting at station i walked for 5 min to board AC bus which heads towards Ghodbunder road, one need to get down at Fountain hotel stop which will cost you 40 Rs.

Real journey started from here, then i carefully headed to Vasai creek bridge, as i was walking from the side i could literally feel the vibration of the bridge due to all the driving of the heavy vehicle, anyway early morning view of the creek was so astonishing specially the sunrise and country side, what disappointed me was telecom and electric tower installed in the green area and also i could see some mining activities taking place right out there just opposite to the gaumukh spot. I could't get my eyes off vasai creek with breeze and sunshine reflecting on my face. Then i took out my camera to capture the beautiful scenery.

View from Vasai creek bridge

Electric tower and Mining activity in Northern SGNP range

Telecom tower in Northern SGNP Range

There was bridge work going on the sidewalk with group of labors working around, i bypassed them then i noticed one of the labor guy was just looking at me, i walked couple steps away then i looked behind and this time he was looking at me in a way like 'I am going to get you', after 2-3 minute the same guy along with one of his friends ran towards me, at that time i was like 'Damn i am about to get robbed in broad daylight' i too pulled my sleeve up and was ready to brawl if something bad happen, then he approached me by saying '' Take our Pic also'' to which i replied OK, after that he shouted at his group ''come fast''.

Group of people who thought i was a Journalist.

After i snapped their pic, they had joy of happiness on their face.Probably they thought i was a news or film editor guy working on documentary.It was good to see i could bring smile on their faces, i told them i am going to upload this on my blog, after hearing this they looked quite confused and started looking at each other like 'what is blog?' i smiled and continued with my journey. This kind of things really pumps me up to get up early in the morning and travel solo.

Once i crossed the bridge, i was trying to figure out the entrance of nagla block trail but google map was showing the wrong route by directing the way before the bridge, which was clearly a glitch by google map.
 There was no one around, finally i saw group of 10-12 policemen right outside the gate where mining activities was taking place, they too had no clue about this and told me ''be careful, don't go too deep or wait till our saheb(3 Star officer) come'' then i went to resort, there also security guard had no clue about this place.I did back and forth for like 15 minute on highway asking people about the route, then i made my mind to keep on walking until i find the nagla block trail board, finally i was able to spot the entrance after couple minute - it is like 5 minute walk from indian oil petrol pump( In google map it is written as 'Ambika automobile petrolpump) just keep on walking you will come across green board which is on the right side.

Road to Nagla Block, Indian Oil petrol pump on the right side. 

Entrance to Nagla Block Trail

Once i entered, i was greeted by dog and the calm beautiful village with huts around. Then you will come across 'National information Center' where you have to pay entrance charge which was 53 Rs, i asked in-charge guy about the visitors frequency on weekday and weekend to which he replied ''During winter on weekdays -it is visited by no one, sometimes on weekends 10 to 15 people give a visit, while during rainy reason 20 to 30 people do give a visit though'' which was a clear indication that how hidden this place is.

Here i started with my first solo trek in forest, i was trying to spot species and in that process i did spotted some, below are some of the snaps - 

Hornet

Mottled emigrant

Common Tiger

Speckled Wood

I kept walking on the trail while observing the environment, and let me tell you this time forest was talking to me, with every step on those dry leaves it was making a crunchy voice, i started to feel like somebody was chasing me in stealth mode,' Grass and leaves started getting in contact with my body the more deeper i hopped in the forest, that made me feel like somebody is touching me, Butterfly and different insect were floating around every now and then,at that moment i felt like somebody just passed right beside me, Birds were constantly chirping like someone is calling me.At that time i realized even though forest is calm and silent but it comes out as a living being trying to convey something when you trek alone.It was a very different experience.

Nagla Block Trail

Solo Trek

There was a point where i came across a locked house which was standing on a small pillar creating a gap between ground and a house base , right there at that point i saw liquor bottle and burned ash along with woods probably used for cooking, maybe it was done by locals or outsider which was a sign of a concern, specially females out here should avoid trekking alone.

Locked House on the way

Finally i was greeted by this beautiful vasai creek, i mean it was not as clean as lake which was obvious but still beautiful enough with all those mangroves around, this was the same spot where tigers were seen back in 2003. I can assure you that less than 1 % of the Mumbai population might have visited this spot.
I took a break to drink water and eat orange, looking around,admiring the environment and getting lost in thought for 15 minute,  then i decided to head back.

Vasai Creek view at the end of Nagla Block.

Once i got out and reached the highway, i met the same group of policemen at that time i told them i was able to find the route to Nagla block trail, after that they started asking me about ''Where do you live?, What is the motive behind all this trek? Procedure of entering the Restricted area?'' and many things and advise me to be safe. After this i walked all the way to the Mira road station, then i used the same means of transport to head back home like i used while coming here.

Satpati: Secret lighthouse near Mumbai

Introduction
Satpati lighthouse stands at a 9.4 Km distance from palghar station, It is one of the few lighthouses which is accessible all the way to the top, apart from that there are 3 lighthouses in Mumbai - Dolphin rock lighthouse,Sun rock Lighthouse, Prongs Lighthouse all of them are inaccessible and restricted to public visit which very much make sense as main purpose of the lighthouse is to provide navigational aid to ships  and warn them of dangerous area, it's not a tourist spot.

Journey
During my teenage hood days, i would watch horror and war movies so whenever lighthouse was shown, i would start fascinating about lighthouse, On 25th December 2018 which was a Christmas day that fascination was going to turn in to reality and another thing was every Christmas i would explore new spots along with my friends, it's like a culture to me, this time i was all alone but that didn't stopped from stepping outside, so early morning around 5:20 am i took rickshaw till andheri station which costed me 20 Rs, then purchased Palghar return ticket which costed me 40 Rs, at 5:55 am i boarded local train, after descending at palghar station i took sharing tum tum till satpati village which costed me 15 Rs, satpati is the last stop, after reaching there, lighthouse was easily visible standing 115 feet tall.

Satpati Lighthouse right behind police station

After walking for 5 minute, i reached the entrance gate of lighthouse. I opened the gate, there were two central government employees who were in-charge, by looking at me early in the morning they were bit surprised. I told them i came here to explore the top of the lighthouse, view the whole surrounding and also to snap a pic. They asked me '' For what purpose?'' to which i replied i need to do blogging for my website where i write about my experiences to whichever place i visit. After hearing this one guy told me to look at the board so i did where it was written go at your own risk only after the discretion of assistant engineer/Station in-charge along with lighthouse timing which was 4 pm -5:30 pm, below that entry fee was written - 10 Rs for entry and additional 10 Rs for photography to which i agreed and told them i came all the way from andheri.

Entrance to lighthouse

One of the in-charge told me to remove the shoes and follow him, then he opened the lighthouse door, as soon as we enter i saw the spiral staircase which takes you to the top.

Spiral staircase

Then we reached the point where the surrounding view was getting blocked by window, so i told him to open the window but opening every single one of them was not possible, the reason he took me to the highest point of lighthouse.

To reach the highest point one have to climb the iron ladder like shown below.

Iron ladder leading to highest point

Once you reach the top you will be greeted by the 360 degree view of the surrounding, the early morning scenic view was quite pleasing with sun-shining on those palm tress, fogs around the land and yes the view of the sea was enough that really made my 2K18 Christmas.
I also realized why the in-charge guy comes along with you all the way to the top, first and foremost the highest point look like a perfect suicide point and second, visitor shouldn't do any harm to Light which is protected but still.

View from the Lighthouse 

I also viewed colorful boats in the sea, most of the villagers are very much dependent on fishing activities for their livelihood but due to various industrial activities like port and oil/gas pipeline fishing areas get restricted.

Colorful boat in the sea

On the right side one can also view telecom towers, even in my mobile when i checked the network there was no issue.

After this, we decided to go down, while i was stepping down the stairs that in-charge guy asked me ''Are you willing to purchase the toy which has been perfectly designed and replicate the lighthouse structure for 3K INR?'' to which i replied 'no', i am not carrying that much cash, to be honest even if i was carrying that much cash i wouldn't have purchased as i am not in to collectibles except rare and commemorative coins.
Back in the days when this lighthouse was newly constructed, there used to be queue, people of satpati village were crazy about it just to witness the 360 degree view of the surrounding.Once i was finished i gave him 20 Rs fee and walked off. It was still early morning, so i decided to visit shirgaon fort  just to kick some time before heading home, it was 3 km from the place i was standing so i decided to walk.
Taking a early morning walk solo in greenery really helps human as it releases endorphin chemical from your body which gives you a natural euphoric high, one don't need to abuse any substance for that.

Way to shirgaon fort

Once i reached shirgaon fort, i got that nostalgia feel about the time when i visited this 2 years ago with aakash and mandar during summer season. Unfortunately when i entered fort, it was in worst condition compared to my last visit when fort was in construction and redevelopment, at that time i thought it was a good sign but still to this day raw material were kept like as it is with no labor around, in fact some walls were broken.

Shirgaon fort

I am not going to write about this fort in description as i have already written a post about it, if you feel like checking it click on the title - Shirgaon fort.

I took a break in between sitting on the corner of the fort to drink minute maid while looking around, once finished i went outside, i took a sharing tumtum till palghar station which costed me 12 Rs, i used the same means of transport till home like i used while coming here. I was home till 12:30 pm.

Maharashtra nature park: Gems in the middle of Asia's biggest slum

Introduction
Maharashtra or mahim nature park falls in a dharavi range which stands at a walking distance of 2.5 km from mahim railway station. Opening time of the park is 8:30 am to.3:30 pm. It is closed on public holidays.
It is a 40 acre green land rich in flora which also includes herb quality plants and fauna like butterfly, dragonfly, insects, birds, reptiles - if you are lucky enough you might spot snake also. Main purpose of this park creation was to bring ' Children close to nature' as nowadays most of them are fascinated by Big towers, Skyscraper, Automobiles(Specially which runs on fuels), Malls and club, 'A big threat to environment'.

History
Pre 1977 this 40 acres land was a garbage dumping ground, then WWF India submitted proposal to MMRDA to convert this in to forest park land, finally proposal was accepted in 1980 then the work started to remove the garbage first, before spreading the soil and planting trees, according to locals and environmentalist it was a very tiring and painful task. First tree was planted in 1992, during this period Bombay and bhiwandi went through religious riot making the vision of turning this in to park more difficult,however  time went on along with this green land started taking it's shape. Finally in 1994, ironically the very same year i was born,  'Maharashtra nature park society' took over and this place was made accessible to public.

Journey 
I tried visiting this place along with my colony friends back in 2016 Christmas, unfortunately at that time the place was closed so after 2 years on 26th November 2018 i planned to gave a visit alone, so i woke up early morning to board metro to andheri station from azad nagar, the ticket costed me 20 Rs return ticket then i boarded local train to mahim station which costed me 10 rs return ticket then i walked all the way to Maharashtra nature park, in between i purchased minute maid which costed me 22 rs, while walking on the sidewalk what i  noticed was men's with a hangover roaming around, Tata metro project, Mahim water pipe line and old abandoned car. 

Entrance to Park (2nd Gate) 

When i reached the first gate of the park, guard told me ''this one is nursey home for people who want to purchase plants, if you came here for exploration and species photography go to 2nd gate'' so i went to 2nd gate registered my name and paid 20 rs entry fee plus additional 100 Rs for camera inside main building which is parallel to gate. 

Main Building

Then i got busy in butterfly photography, during the process of photography i also learnt about the behavior of butterfly - 'some are shy while some are quite open, some fly at the low altitude level while some at high altitude level, some like to beat around and float slowly while some move too fast'.

Below are some of the snaps of butterfly photography -

• Vanessa Cardui

This butterfly is quite popular and was available in abundance out here, what i noticed was varnessa cardui, they fly at low level altitude. The one i snapped above in the pic, probably was the adult one, as i saw him spending most of the time at ground.

•    Bluetiger Butterfly

Bluetiger butterfly was spending most of the time sucking nectar of the flower, they will switch up from one flower to another within 10-15 second however they flight slowly. This species of butterfly is quite popular in India right behind orange tiger butterfly  .

• Speckled Wood  

Speckled wood are mostly found in the Wood areas, which you can see in the above image also that 'brown color' - it quite resembles on their body skin also. They tend to spend most of the time on plants and tall grass were shades are around. This species of butterfly were not in abundance out here in the park.  Unlike Common mime which is popular in india,' speckled wood are mostly found in UK.

• Graphium agamemnon or tailed jay

They were pretty active constantly moving their wings so i had a hard time capturing them. As long as i remember, i had previously seen this butterfly while descending from kaldurg mountain during monsoon season. They tend to fly at higher elevation but in search of flower they come down. It is said that they are attracted to lights at night times.

• Common Mime

This butterfly was unattractive to me so i haven't really noticed the behavior and it looked young to me. According to wikipedia it they can be seen in developed area also ,as they got evolved through times, they were capable of turning their body which is distasteful in nature to protect themselves against predators..

Nature park and surrounding

Every year the park earn around 32-35 lakh Rupee before deducting all the expenses and taxes from it.

Rain water harvesting system has been installed which can be seen on the ground while exploring park, it is said that it can store up to 2.25 crore liter of water every year in the artificial pond built, this saved them a lot of money which used to incurred when they ordered water from BMC back in the days.

Trail of the park

I kept on walking exploring different parts of the park then all of a sudden i heard a bird chirping so i ran to later find out that it was a kingfisher hidden in the woods partly visible, by the time i changed the lens of the camera he was long gone.

Wader

Dowitcher

Seabird

One can view mithi river with all mangroves around from the park, i mean the view i would say is not quite attractive or fascinating but what important is it attracts birds. 
I tried capturing the best shot of those birds but they were too far away,  so photographers with big lens can get the best out of it.

Once you get your eyes off this mithi river and mangroves, you will get the view of BKC - NSE, IDFC, PNB, Deutsche bank are some of them which is very much visible from the park. 

I took a break for couple minute to drink minute maid, then i headed towards nursery home on the way i saw papaya tree, school student along with teacher and guide getting ready to explore the park.

Papaya tree

Nursery Home

There are more snaps and also the whole park is filled with trees, along with scientific name written on it so it would be impossible for me to post everything out here. It's better y'all experience by-yourself giving a visit.
After exploring nursery home, i decided to head back to mahim station.  Route shown by google map this time was shorter through gully. I was home till 12:30 pm.