Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary

Captains Log; Star Date 1101.2015

Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary, (GPS 20.007797, 74.103943) a habitat for wetland birds, comes alive in winters as migratory birds land.

The area around the wetland is completely agrarian. I could see a lot of sugarcane and onion and vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage and some grape wines.

The sanctuary is best approached from Nashik – about a 45 Km drive via SH 30 and Saikheda, in Niphad district. The tarmac on the SH 30 stretch is good. The road around Saikheda is patchy and bouncy.

The previous day, I had tried the Ghoti-Sinnar approach. Some sections were rough and patchy. GPS plotted me through Sinnar Gaon to the road heading to Niphad. I managed to get through the narrow maze in the middle of a Saturday bazaar just because people were super surprised to see a Thar! At one point a fellow popped his head in to say "sar gaadi mast ahe!".

Early in the morning the section right after the turn off the SH 30 was super fogged out. Couldn’t see beyond half a meter ahead of the bonnet. A few cars were waiting on the kerb for the fog to lift. I pushed on slowly and was delighted to see that it was foggy only up to the bank of the Godawari river.

I was surprised to see the crowd of people at the sanctuary, most of them from Nashik and unfortunately most of them with no connect with birding!

Don't miss this sign to get to the site at Chapadgaon!

Off road to the site at Chapadagaon

The Forest Dept. has set up watch towers around the wetland to view the birds. At Chapadagaon, two such towers can be accessed easily, another two-three depending on water level. They also have tents here for people who want to spend the night at the sanctuary. That’s about all the accommodation around here. A government rest house up ahead at Manjargaon was in a poor state.

Forest Dept. site at Chapadagaon

Reservations for the tents with the Forest Dept. can be done at Nashik - 0253-2505116/15/14. You could also speak with Gangadhar, a person from the Forest Dept. – 9326 992 411 / 9545 046 001 based at the site.

I think a good itinerary would be to reach Nashik before lunch, find a hotel on the A.B. Road, visit the sanctuary in the evening, come back to Nashik for the night and then go back to the sanctuary the next day early in the morning.

Super enjoyed the trip for a drive on a cold winter morning, agrarian surrounding, clear blue sky and of course birding.

Purple Swamphen

Another shot - Purple Swamphen

Eurasian Coot

Spot Billed Duck

Flight - Spot Billed Duck

Purple Heron

Bhraminy Duck

Painted Stork