Nature trails to enjoy in the month of November in Mumbai

The winter bring with them a number of birds making the season perfect for bird watching! With the bird watching season setting in, a number of BNHS trails would focus on bird watching

Nature trails to enjoy in the month of November in Mumbai

The winter bring with them a number of birds making the season perfect for bird watching! With the bird watching season setting in, a number of BNHS trails would focus on bird watching. Here are some of the nature trails to enjoy in the month of November.

File pic

November 12, 2017
Karnala Bird Sanctuary
Take an enjoyable walk through the moist deciduous base forest of Karnala Bird Sanctuary. November is the perfect time to see both resident and migrant birds like Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Black-naped Monarch, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Small Sunbird, Nilgiri Flowerpecker, Rufous and Heart-spotted Woodpecker, White-bellied, Greater Racket-tailed and Bronzed Drongo, Crested Hawk-eagle, Crested Serpent-eagle, and Gold-fronted Leafbird.
Camp Charges: Rs. 900/- for BNHS members and Rs. 1,000/- for others.

Grade: Easy (2–3 km undulating walk)
Reporting: Bus will leave from Dadar T.T. (near Chandu Halwai) at 06:00 a.m., Chembur (near Diamond Garden) at 06:20 a.m., and Vashi (Vashi Jn) at 06:40 a.m.
Registration: Call at Hornbill House (022)-22871202/22821811, Mon-Fri 09:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. or e-mail at bnhs.programmes@gmail.com
Group leader: Asif Khan (9969798447)November 19, 2017

Shilonda Trail at Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Join BNHS for a morning at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). One can also see myriad small life forms, and large mammals like Spotted Deer and Sambar. The trail leads through fine forest dominated by bamboo. One can see birds like White-browed Bulbul, Purple-rumped Sunbird, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, and Black-rumped Flameback.

Grade: Easy (Simple walk for 1.3 km each way, however, the walk from the main gate to the trail is about 2 km.)
Charges: Rs. 300/- for members and Rs. 400/- for others. (Cost includes forest department charges and BNHS expertise)
Reporting: Members to meet inside SGNP, beyond the Ticket Counter under the large map of SGNP at 07:30 a.m.
Registration: Call at Hornbill House (022)-22871202/22821811 Mon-Fri 09:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. or e-mail at bnhs.programmes@gmail.com. Please carry adequate water and hat/cap.
Group Leader: Vandan Jhaveri (9167472698)
Note: SGNP gate opens at 7:30 a.m., participants will have to buy the entry ticket at the main gate. SGNP is usually crowded on Sunday, hence a long queue is unavoidable. However, entry tickets to SGNP can be purchased online from www.bit.ly/sgnponline; avoid bringing your own vehicle. Please carry packed breakfast, hat/cap, and adequate water. The trail will end at the first stream and the programme should conclude by 10:30 a.m.

November 26, 2017
Kanheri Upper Trail at Sanjay Gandhi National Park
A gradual climb through the wooded forest of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). November is the perfect time to see Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Shikra, Grey Junglefowl, and Indian Peafowl. The trail leads to the rocky, grass and Euphorbia strewn plateau near Kanheri Caves, which is excellent for viewing raptors like Crested Serpent Eagle, soaring on thermals, and spectacular views of the National Park. At the end of the trail, one can visit the ancient Kanheri caves, which date back to around 2,100 years. Carved out of volcanic rocks, there are around 109 caves. The caves and surrounding structures also harbour good biodiversity.

Grade: Easy to Moderate
Charges: Rs. 900/- for members and Rs. 1,000/- for others. (Cost includes: Bus from SGNP main gate, Forest Dept. permission charges, entry to SGNP, and BNHS expertise) Reporting: SGNP main gate at 07:15 a.m.
How to Reach: Sanjay Gandhi National Park is situated on the Western Express Highway about a kilometer away from Borivali Station (East)
Registration: Call at Hornbill House (022)-22871202/22821811, Mon–Fri 09:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. or e-mail at bnhs.programmes@gmail.com. The programme will conclude by 12:00 p.m. Please carry packed breakfast, hat/cap, and adequate water.
Group leader: Vandan Jhaveri (9167472698)