Although it’s already time for them to head back home, you can still watch these pink-hued beauties before they take their first flight (in batches) beginning April! It was a 3-year-old plan that I had been pushing under the impression that flamingos in Mumbai take flight back by February (usually that’s the narrative spread doing the rounds on social media to create urgency), but this time I visited in March and there they were – a lakh of these magnificent birds standing tall.

 

Dotting the creek with their vibrant colours that stood out against the green of the mangroves, there was never a dull moment as we witnessed these ‘gregarious avians’ grunt their worries to their congregation! Flaunting their striking pink plumage and goose-honking, these filter feeders were busy foraging brine shrimps, blue-green algae by swinging their uniquely designed bill to pump in the water and filtering out the excess after consuming the micronutrients and desirable crustaceans.

 

An hour’s leisurely boat ride will allow you a glimpse into their usual characteristics like how chattery the become, their banters, their eating habits and even how they took flight post a short run! It is an absolute delight to check these pink marvels in their natural habitat.

What is the flamingo season in Mumbai?

Predominantly the migration starts from October and continues till December so the best time to watch these waders are from January to March when the population is optimal. Or even, starting from November when a decent number already arrive for food and safe environment. They start their flight back from in April in steady flocks of thousands.

Best time to see flamingos in Navi Mumbai

Definitely from January to March. You may also consider from November provided they arrive in great numbers, but everything is subjected to seasonal change. You can always call Flamingo Sanctuary to check for details.

When booking tickets prefer the ones available early morning or evening when the levels of water are conducive for boat rides. As the day progresses water recedes, and the rides stop for a few hours, only to resume once the tide flows in.

What are the best places to spot the flamingos in Mumbai?

In fact, there are 6 spots to spot flamingos

1. Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary
2. Sewri Mangrove Park
3. Tawale Wetlands, Nerul, New Mumbai
4. Bhandup Pumping Station
5. TS Chanakya Birding Point
6. Mahul Creek (Near Chembur)

But the best among all is Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary which is easily accessible by road and then a boat ride to watch these magnificent birds.

Located close to the Bhandup Pumping Station which is best known as Asia’s biggest water filtration plant, the northern part of Thane Creek was declared as a flamingo sanctuary in 2015 and came to be known as Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary in Navi Mumbai.

Where do the flamingos in Navi Mumbai come from?

While majority of the flamingos make their way from the Great Rann of Kutch, some take longer flight from the far-off lands of Middle East, Iraq, and even Africa!

Here’s how to book tickets for flamingo safari at Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary?

1. Call Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary at +91 99876 73737 and check for available dates and time.

P.S. Call a week prior because all the seats get booked real soon.

2. They will ask you to send the below details on WhatsApp to the same number

• Name:
• Number of seats:
• Date:
• Time:

3. Share the details and send
4. A QR code will be shared on which you need to make a payment.
5. Share the payment receipt and a confirmed will be sent to you.
6. On the designated day, reach half an hour early, head to the ticket counter to pick up the physical tickets (extra charges for parking a four-wheeler or carrying a camera).
7. Proceed to the jetty and wait for your boat.

Price of the tickets: INR 530/ person (adult) – includes a boat ride

Parking Cost: INR 165 (four-wheeler)

Camera Charges (in case you are carrying one): INR 165

Entry Time: Open from 7 am to 6pm (closed on Saturdays & Sundays)

 

Types of Flamingos that You Find in Navi Mumbai

Although there are six species of flamingos in the world, Navi Mumbai becomes home to only two varieties: greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) who are a good 5-feet tall and lesser flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor) who are around 3-feet.

The other species of the flamingos include the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), the Andean flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus), the puna or James’s flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi), and the American or Caribbean flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber).

Why is Thane Creek an ideal habitat for flamingos?

A tidal inlet that separates the city of Mumbai from the mainland to the east, Thane Creek is an estuarine ecosystem that has taken shape due to the confluence of Ulhas River and Arabian Sea.

Influx of untreated sewage and industrial effluents that has been flowing into Thane Creek since the 70’s and 80’s as the city has been growing in population, supports the proliferation of algae and brine shrimp which are the waders’ primary source of food. When the tide recedes, mudflats are exposed which are the feeding grounds for flamingos and other migratory birds.

How to Reach Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary

The best way to reach is either by car or by train

By Train

The nearest railway station is Thane Railway Station which is around 9.8 kms from Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Centre, Diva Koliwada and falls under Harbour Line. Board a train and get off at Thane Railway Station, use Google Map and head to the flamingo sanctuary. You can also hail a cab.

By Car

Punch in Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Centre, Diva Koliwada on the GPS and drive to the flamingo sanctuary.

After the boat ride, on our way back from the jetty, we took a short detour and walked across a boardwalk that takes you through the mangroves and a little closer to viewing the flamingos from an elevated platform – a great way to look around for the inhabitants of the intertidal ecosystem.

There are several other local experiences that one might engage in, especially over weekends. If you are visiting Mumbai or live here and looking for experiences that are off-the-grid, then these city walks are something you should consider which can be booked here.