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       I selected the Bhandup Pumping Station (BPS) for my first solo Birding Walk on 15th December 2025 from Mumbai’s reputed Ebird Birding Hotspots because it was closest to my residence. The Bird track of BPS runs between mangroves and a storm water drain flowing into the Thane Creek – both habitats favored by birds. While I did find many birds, some of which are captured in pictures in this blog, it was tragic to see a large construction which having already swallowed a large part of the mangrove on one side of the drain was pumping effluent into the drain. Downstream of the discharge birds were virtually absent - even in the creek downstream of the drain mouth. What a tragedy!

       I was therefore delighted to read the news report a few months later that there is a proposal to declare the mangroves in Mumbai a Bird sanctuary.  The following birds are captured in this section:​​​

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• Red Wattled Lapwing

• Booted Warbler

• Western Yellow Wagtail

• Red Vented Bul Bul

• Great Egret           

• Indian Pond Heron

• Common Sandpiper

• Great Egret

• Painted Stork

• Grey Heron

• Eastern (Siberian) Stonechat

• Great Cormorant

• Little Egret

• Rose Ringed Parakeet 

• Spotted Dove​​​​

• Flying Cormorants