{"id":2628,"date":"2016-09-09T22:37:24","date_gmt":"2016-09-09T22:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indiadestinationsblog.wordpress.com\/?p=2628"},"modified":"2020-04-28T12:18:44","modified_gmt":"2020-04-28T12:18:44","slug":"birds-vasai-virar-aquatic-vasai-birds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travelindiadestinations.com\/birds-vasai-virar-aquatic-vasai-birds\/","title":{"rendered":"Aquatic Birds in Vasai-Virar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In my previous post, I wrote about the history of Vasai<\/a> and how it has gradually become the Vasai as we know of today. So, in case you\u2019ve missed that part, or if you are interested in the history of this place, I would recommend you read that before you proceed. However, if you are a nature lover Vasai is one place to visit especially during the monsoon season. Now, there are no special areas in Vasai-Virar region so I cannot recommend any particular places which you should visit. The region is quite vast and open and there\u2019s a lot of greenery around which attracts the local and migratory aquatic Vasai birds to settle down here for some time before they continue their journey elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Before I proceed further let me share this with you. When I moved here a decade ago, I had no clue about the kind of biodiversity that I will get to experience here, but I must say I am so happy to be here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vasai-Virar region is one of the richest biodiversity regions voted by naturists and bird enthusiasts on the outskirts of Mumbai with more than 250 rare and common species of birds found and documented.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

While I haven\u2019t found them all, I have tried my best to compile all the pictures and information to bring you this post. In this part of the post, I and Sarah have covered the aquatic Vasai birds that we found and shot in Vasai. During the monsoon season, many empty spaces transform into lively lakes and ponds and attract plenty of aquatic birds that enjoy fishing in these tiny aquatic bodies. While most of these lakes and ponds are far away from the townships it takes some amount of patience to shoot these shy Vasai birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Little Cormorant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cormorant\"
Little Cormorant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cormorant\"
Cormorant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Little
Little Cormorant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A member of the cormorant family of seabirds this one is often confused with the Indian cormorant who looks identical. This one usually perches on the waterside rocks or tree stump or branches and spreads wings to dry out after taking a dive. It has a black plumage and is an expert fish catcher as he quickly dives in for his food. It is hard to spot the males from females as they both are black in color, but males are generally larger than females.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Little
Little Cormorant in Vasai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Many of my friends know that I usually have a tendency to make an \u201cexpert comment\u201d and I give \u201cnames\u201d to things in a funny way. When I saw this bird for the first time with the wings spread out, I instantly called it an \u201cSRK Bird\u201d. Now, Indians might be able to get what I\u2019m saying, but for my international audience let me explain. Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) is a Hindi movie star who fortunately shares his name with me, but he usually does romantic movies and has a signature pose which viewers adore for all these years.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"SRK
SRK and Cormorant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The breeding season is from July to September. You can find them across the Indian subcontinent including countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. They usually make a nest with egrets and herons in the same area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Egrets<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Little
Little Egret<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When you are in Vasai you might easily spot egrets enjoying their time. When I moved to Vasai in 2005, egrets fascinated me because you don\u2019t get to see egrets in Mumbai. Of course, you can head to the zoo and see them behind the cage. However, seeing them in the open in their natural environment flying around, picking up insects and fishes and resting on mangroves is more fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Egrets\"
Egrets looking for fish<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Egrets<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cattle
Cattle Egret<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cattle
Cattle Egret<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cattle
Cattle Egret<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cattle
Cattle Egret<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cattle
Cattle Egrets with Cattle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Egrets are the most commonly found birds around and they look so appealing with their spotless white plumage contrasting with the greenery around. There are many species in the egret family and you will end up finding Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Intermediate Egret and even Great Egret here. Consequently, you can find them in abundance in Vasai-Virar region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Egret
Egret Flying in Vasai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Intermediate
Intermediate Egret in Vasai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Little
Little Egret in Vasai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Vasai
Little Egret Hunting Fish<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Egrets feed in shallow water and on land and are very sociable birds. They usually hunt for fish, small reptiles and amphibians and even spiders, insects and worms. You can find egrets in Vasai throughout the year, except during the summer season when they cannot bear the scorching heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Reef Egret<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Western
Western Reef Egret<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We got to shot Western Reef Egret when we least expected it. I and Sarah were looking for other birds when we suddenly spotted this egret at a distance, so it was a lucky moment for us. Popularly known as Western Reef Heron, this is a medium-size egret that has a slate-grey plumage and is quite contrasting to the white egrets flying around. It is certainly very hard to photograph this bird because you don\u2019t get to see him all the time. However, like egrets you see them stalking their prey in shallow waters. They also stand on rocks and try to find fishes that swim between the rocks. The breeding season in India is from April to September. Western Reef Egret occurs as a vagrant in North America, the Caribbean, and South America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pheasant-Tailed Jacana<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pheasant
Pheasant Tailed Jacana in Vasai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Probably, the most difficult bird to shoot in this list is Pheasant-tailed Jacana. It is undoubtedly one of the shy aquatic birds and it took us more than two weeks to take a good shot. They can easily sense human presence from a certain distance and they are quick to fly off. So, I and Sarah chased it many times in an attempt to shot good pictures. Jacanas have wide feet and claws that make it easier for them to walk on shallow lakes and even on floating vegetation. It was surprising to see them walking so effortlessly on floating lotus leaves. Pheasant-tailed Jacana breeds in India, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pheasant
Pheasant Tailed Jacana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pheasant
Pheasant Tailed Jacana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pheasant
Pheasant Tailed Jacanas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They are usually black-brown in color, but the hind neck is golden. The golden color has this sort of iridescent effect which looks really great. As the name reveals, it has a pheasant-like long tail. These birds look incredibly beautiful when they fly as they have these white wings that contrast with their black-brown body. The tip of their wings and tail is black which adds to the beauty of this bird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially, I and Sarah thought it was a tern, and then we thought it was a gull, but on researching further we found it is Jacana. Phew! A lot of work has gone into finding this one for sure.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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