A Place called Durshet...

Nature at its best!

It was a surprise birthday gift from my husband - a couple of days at a place called Durshet. It took us about four to five hours of drive from Vapi, to reach there in the evening, just before sunset. Nestled in the picturesque Sahyadri hills, Durshet is quite close to Lonavala and Khopoli.  In fact, it is situated on the Khopoli - Pali Road.  The last 45 minutes of the drive for just 16 km, was quite torturous to say the least.  We almost missed the place, as the signboard had been blown away, due to the recent thunderstorm!

Once we entered the place it was beautiful, making me forget the torturous drive. Nature Trails is more of an adventure-sports resort, with various outdoor activities like Kayaking, Rappeling, Ziplining, Archery, Artificial Wall Climbing, etc., for the young and adventurous, which we are anything but! We were attracted and induced to visit the place as it was a forest lodge, surrounded by acres of jungle and greenery.

We were not disappointed. We stayed in a beautiful tent, which was clean and spacious.  It had a nice sit-out, facing a huge lawn and swimming pool (which was non-operational due to the pandemic), with the Sahyadri hills in the background. We woke up to the symphony of various melodious birds in the morning but it was too dark to see them just then.  

Being a bird-watcher, I was eager to get out with my camera and take a stroll in the grounds. This place is situated on the banks of the Amba river but it wasn’t visible from the resort. You have to climb down about 250-300 steps, to reach the river.  With me just recovering from the knee-replacement surgeries on both the knees it was a very daunting exercise, and I couldn’t even think of attempting it.  I didn’t mind it though, as there was so much to see and experience! The place was full of huge, tall trees that were home to multitudinous birds.

Asian Brown Flycatcher

Grey-breasted Prinia

Thick-billed Flowerpecker

The first one to reward me with an appearance was a cute little Asian Brown Flycatcher, followed by a bright yellow Golden Oriole, Black Drongo (Immature), the tiny Grey-breasted Prinia, which more than made up for its size with lively songs, the Barbets and Shikras, which were more heard in the distance, than seen. There was a sort of valley behind our tents, where there was a high tension power cable. I saw a flock of Ashy Woodswallows huddling closely on the cable, as is their usual habit.

But the highlight of this trip was the Sunbirds!  I had never seen so many species of Sunbirds in one place before this. There were Purple-rumped Sunbirds including the immature ones, Purple Sunbirds, Crimson-backed Sunbirds with their shiny iridescent colors and Vigors's Subnirds.  The last two are endemic to the western ghats.

Crimson-backed Sunbird

Vigors's Sunbird

I was delighted to sight the Purple Sunbird in its ‘eclipse’ or ‘non-breeding’ phase, for the very first time. The Sunbirds were having a gala time, on the flowering trees near our tent and I was having a field-day photographing them.  It was a veritable feast for me. They were particularly attracted to the blossoms of the 'Powder Puff' (Calliandra haematocephala) and the 'Kachnar' (Bauhinia variegata) trees. With so many flowering trees, there was a sizeable population of bees, beetles, butterflies, grasshoppers, etc., and then, of course, there were Green Bee-eaters!  The White-throated Kingfishers, Oriental Magpie Robins, Warblers, etc., were also putting in their attendance. 

Purple Sunbird (Eclipse Phase)

Purple Sunbird (Eclipse Phase)Ashy Woodswallow

Black Drongo (Imm)

Green Bee-eater

After Sundown, with the birds resting in their roosts, it was peace and tranquillity. The Moon rose majestically, right in front of me. It was Blue Moon eve, so it was almost a full moon with the brightly shining Mars giving it company. The absence of television was a boon. We spent the evening just relaxing in the sit out, reminiscing and playing some word-games….spending quality time away from the bustle of urban life and away from” technology”.... the network here was nothing to write home about!

Blue Moon eve on Oct. 30, 2020

The next day, after breakfast we went for an off-road drive to Chavni, along the Amba river. We stopped at a bridge on the river.  There was hardly anyone there, except for a small herd of cattle, which passed by lazily, their bells making gentle melodious music! We could see the famous 'Duke’s Nose peak' from the bridge. We spent a leisurely hour watching the antics of a couple of White-browed Wagtails, Little Egrets, Red-wattled Lapwings, Yellow-throated Sparrows (aka Chestnut-shouldered Petronia), and a brightly colored Common Kingfisher. The sight of the gently flowing stream was very mesmerizing and meditative. 

Common Kingfisher

White-browed Wagtail

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Chestnut-shouldered Petronia)

Red-wattled Lapwing

Little Egret

All in all, it was a very pleasant, brief holiday.  The food was wholesome and tasty, especially the Paneer (Cottage Cheese) was very soft and delicious. The staff was very courteous and helpful, a couple of them were very well-informed about the birds found there. I must thank Mr. Sunil, for suggesting the drive to Chavni. 

After spending almost 48 hours in the clean, unpolluted and beautiful lap of nature, we bade a reluctant goodbye to Nature Trails and embarked on our return journey. 

A wonderful birthday indeed!

Aditi Deshpande