Bird photography at the Godrej Mangroves in Vikhroli

MANGROVES AT VIKHROLI 19.11°N 72.94°E

The Yellow-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus goiavier

The Godrej family owns 2,000 odd acres of Mangroves at Vikhroli in Mumbai.

“This is Avicennia Marina or Grey Mangroves”, said the BNHS guide pointing out to the bushes sprouting out of the marsh.

The Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus axillaris or Australian Black-shouldered Kite

Avicennia Marina is the most common mangrove that grows in Mumbai and all of India. It does not mind the highly saline waters. And the polluted air.

“This is one of the best habitat that I have seen”, said one of the members. And indeed – it is.

206 species of birds have been spotted along these Mangroves. We came across about 5. Yellow-vented Bulbuls were spotted in large numbers. VERY large numbers.

(Above and Below) The Long-tailed Shrike or the Rufous-backed Shrike, Lanius schach

On the way out, we spotted this Coppersmith Barbet, Crimson-breasted Barbet or Coppersmith, Megalaima haemacephala

FIN