Bird Table India: Pune Bird Table 1: CME Wetlands

Black winged stilt

Grey Heron

I had the opportunity to attend Pune Bird Table 1, a group without membership, having only one rule, i.e, No Rules. No snobbish birdwatchers, only humble naturalists. No 'count', no 'race'. Only one aim, i.e to appreciate birds..Dr. Bharat Bhushan came up with this fantastic concept and was supported by others in Pune and within 2 weeks, first bird table meet was arranged at CME, hosted by Col. Ashwin Baindur. The response they got was staggering. 32 birders were present at the CME Entrance gate by 7 am on 29th Nov '09. 

A Spotbill in flight

Group comprised of a few veterans like Dr. Bharat Bhushan and Col. Baindur along with keen birders like Alka Yeraodekar, Pankaj Khorpade, a few members of Pugmarks, a few beginners, all very enthusiastic people. 

A River Tern in flight

There is an intersting story behind these wetlands. They were constructed to treat wastewater in an ecological way. The wastewater from nearby enters wetland 1 through reeds (phragmitis?) and is allowed to spread throughout the lake. T Later on, it is let into a 2nd lake further downstream where it is allowed to further settle down. In both of these lakes, the organic matter in the wastewater gets decomposed both aerobically as well as anearobically by bacterial action and a relatively pure water is let into a 3rd lake. 

We could visit 1st and the 2nd lake. First lake was inhabited by huge number of ducks comprising of Shovellers, Pintails, Spotbills, Dabchicks while the 2nd lake had populations of grey herons, painted storks, purple herons as well as a few ducks. This made me believe that the 1st lake is deeper than the 2nd one. Due to lack of time, I couldn't take many photos, and used the camera more as a binocs. I managed to get a few decent photos though.

A Coot in the 2nd lake

A Purple Moorhen

We assembled at a point after later and discussed future possibilities regarding the Bird Table. It was exciting to see a person from village Velhe ready to host a similar Bird Table at his village. This could be a start of a movement which would inculcate birdwatching within the culture of a region. I shall expand more on this later.

A Black Redstart, which was was perched on a tree, was extremely media savvy and obviously became center of attraction to all of the birders. 

As I write this, I learn that the next Bird table is on 6th Dec at Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar. I am sure more birders will join in.