This trip was more of a leisure trip and a vacation that we planned along with a long drive in my old car.
Day 1: Drive from Hyderabad to Shirdi
11 hours of gruesome experience. Left Hyderabad at 5-30 AM reached Shirdi at 4-30 PM (inclusive of lunch breaks, loo breaks and fueling breaks). The road condition is tiring unless of-course you have a decent SUV - or maybe I'm getting old now.
Day 2: Drive from Shirdi to Pune to Lonavala
6 hours of drive, beautiful roads and at last when you reach The Machaan where we were planning to stay, you really enjoy the experience. The Machaan is a nice resort in Lonavala but it is always very crowded. Their upclass pricing was never a deterrent for the affluent class of Mumbai and Pune to come and spend their time there. One word of caution though - those like us who see the website and think it is a great resort for Birding - then please don't have your hopes high. The guide who took us to the nature walk had no idea about the birds - had a good idea about flora not fauna.
Day 3: Stay at The Machaan
Spotted a few birds and luckily one lifer atleast. Here are the shots.
Day 4: Drive from Lonavala to Hyderabad
13 hours of driving inclusive of all breaks (loo, lunch, dinner, fueling)
Started at 9-30 AM reached Hyderabad at 10-30 PM
Day 1: Drive from Hyderabad to Shirdi
11 hours of gruesome experience. Left Hyderabad at 5-30 AM reached Shirdi at 4-30 PM (inclusive of lunch breaks, loo breaks and fueling breaks). The road condition is tiring unless of-course you have a decent SUV - or maybe I'm getting old now.
Day 2: Drive from Shirdi to Pune to Lonavala
6 hours of drive, beautiful roads and at last when you reach The Machaan where we were planning to stay, you really enjoy the experience. The Machaan is a nice resort in Lonavala but it is always very crowded. Their upclass pricing was never a deterrent for the affluent class of Mumbai and Pune to come and spend their time there. One word of caution though - those like us who see the website and think it is a great resort for Birding - then please don't have your hopes high. The guide who took us to the nature walk had no idea about the birds - had a good idea about flora not fauna.
Day 3: Stay at The Machaan
Spotted a few birds and luckily one lifer atleast. Here are the shots.
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| Blue-capped Rock Thrush (lifer) |
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| Pallid Harrier |
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| Sunbird Female |
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| Long-tailed Shrike |
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| Asian Paradise Flycatcher Male |
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| Ashy Drongo |
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| Long-tailed Shrike |
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| White-browed Wagtail |
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| Red-whiskered Bulbul |
Day 4: Drive from Lonavala to Hyderabad
13 hours of driving inclusive of all breaks (loo, lunch, dinner, fueling)
Started at 9-30 AM reached Hyderabad at 10-30 PM
Hey man! Loved the blue capped rock thrush shot. I was planning on going to lonavala this June, could you suggest me some good areas where I might be able to sight a good amount of species. Raptors are nota priority, I was thinking since maybe I am going in the monsoons I will be able to spot quails and patridges.
ReplyDeleteI have not done a thorough birding trip to Lonavala yet, it was a vacation where i took out some time for casual birding. I suggest check out Singhad valley - that's the place to go for birding near Lonavala.
DeleteAlso what's yours instagram Id? Mine anujshah_6998
ReplyDeleteHi Anuj, sorry I don't use any form of social media accounts including instagram or facebook. I just stick with this blog and youtube (where i put all my birding videos).
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