A trip to Thane Flamingo Sanctuary !

             My New Year bucket list had this particular thingy since 2017 when I first watched a documentary on Flamingos as to how they flew from their breeding colonies during winters to warmer spaces and temporarily stayed back for a few months and survived and thrived consuming the algae and thereby deriving their Pink colour !! Yes , the juvenile Flamingos are a dark brown in colour as opposed to the adult which is bright pink in colour !

   So naturally my joy knew no bounds when after a lot of enquiry and searching about in December  , I finally found the perfect location to watch these beautiful migratory birds and capture them in action !! Okay! Enough build up done !! 😆😆😆😆😆 The place is right here beneath our busy noses at Airoli !! Yes , right below the Airoli bridge !! 😉 It is known as the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary as Airoli falls under Thane district ,but actually it is situated in Airoli . Details provided in the fag end of this blog.  One of the best places one could probably visit in the winters and have a lovely boat ride to witness these beautiful migratory birds from close quarters !!! ( If I can call this period as Winters 😆)

  Okay , so let me tell you about this place ! The Sanctuary has a small Bio Diversity Centre as well  which is incredibly interactive . The Graphic User Interface is so simple and provides information in detail about the various specie found in the creek.

I just loved this colourful collage ! 

         Now this Bio Diversity centre is open generally on all days .But it is closed in Feb on a few dates. Ideal to call up and go . The number has been provided at the fag end of my blog. Entry fee is 50 Rupees per head , in which one can have a look at the bio diversity centre and view a 20 min documentary ( English/ Marathi) about the various flora and fauna our Thane creek boasts of . The centre is relatively new , well maintained , clean , ventilated ( lot of a/c in each room ) and is interactive !! It brings out the child in each of us ( Except for people like me who are always child like 😋)

A small video showing the user friendly device .Informative and fun at the same time!!

Interactive GUI ! yeaay!!

So once you are done with the bio diversity centre , do watch the documentary. It is stunning !!

                We chose to visit the place on two different dates as we wanted to enjoy every aspect in detail .The tour takes 30 min ,followed by a 20 min video . The booking for the boat ride is done here in advance . There is also a knick knack store from wherein one can purchase small accessories like key chains, caps, bags etc with various bird motiffs ! Yeay! I purchased a nice key chain and a book 

on birds as a memorabilia! 😀 Abhi aayi hun toh kuch toh leke jaungi !

     

Happy us post the ride !

  Now the boat ride is of an hour .Govt approved centre for observing the Flamingos with a guide and a Security officer on board . Life jackets are provided . Totally safe .The boat only functions during low tide as the birds settle on the banks of the mangroves to eat algae then. 

Two options available - 24 Seater boat ( 330 / 450 Rupees per head on weekday / weekend respectively ) 7 Seater Private boat for 5,500/6,500 Rupees ( weekday/weekend) 

Lifejackets , Guide and Security personnel will always be there. 

    

The boat is relatively new and in good condition ,no shelter overhead though ! They start from Airoli and gradually proceed towards Bhandup and Vikroli .It is surreal !!! Watching the majestic birds in water from a boat ! Respectable distance is maintained and no birds are disturbed during such tours . A binoculars is advisable to enjoy the colours of the birds!  ( Guide has one in case you don't own one .) The boat doesn't rock , hence even children can be taken along ( provided parental watching is done ) . If you like photography , you are in for a treat !! There are so many varieties of birds one can view. From plovers, to herons , to cranes , to lesser flamingo's , to greater flamingo's , to ducks .... THIS LIST IS ENDLESS !! The gentle waves soothe our soul whilst the warm breeze caress our hair and face and one undoubtedly gets goosebumps at some point or the other during this journey !!! Few pointers - Wear full sleeved clothes and carry a cap / goggles as it can get quite hot in the afternoon.Try to visit early morning post sunrise or view the sunset . IT IS MAGICAL ! A flight of flamingos with their pink bodies turn the creek waters into A SEA OF PINK whilst their reflection glimmers as the early rays of the sun fall on them !!!  

Flamingos in action captured in slow motion ( courtesy Watsapp)  ....

 A few of my captures 😇

The Greater Flamingo (larger bird) with the Lesser Flamingo 

READY .... STEADY ... PO !! 

Watching A Greater Flamingo land was mesmerising !! We went on an early morning boat ride.

Plovers ! Scores of them ! What a breath taking sight it was !!

A solitary wader ! 

Woo hoo ! Captured in action 

All in all , as you can see from a few of my pictures that this place is indeed worth a visit !
So do call up the centre and have an amazing trip ! YOU CAN THANK ME LATER FOR THIS INFORMATIVE BLOG  ( I accept Thank you's in all kinds of gifts ,treats and cash only😈)


   AFTER ALL, ONE MUST OCCASIONALLY FIND SOME BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO GET LOST ! 


Address :
Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary ,
Mangrove forest, Coastal marine Biodiversity center, Airoli Creek, Diva Nagar Rd, Thane, Maharashtra 400708. 

Mobile number : 099876 73737
Website : https://thane-creek-flamingo-sanctuary.business.site/
Ample parking free of charge available.
Toilets available .