BIS Mumbai
BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3450
NATURE TRAIL TO NERUL MANGROVES
By BIS Correspondent
NERUL-NEWMUMBAI, MARCH 15, 2013: The much awaited nature trail to Nerul Mangroves was on 
February 16, 2013. The eco club members of Don Bosco Senior Secondary School, Nerul went for a nature trail accompanied by their faculty teachers and Ms. Devyani and Mr. Aristo from Green line.
Around fifteen students and the teachers left from the school at 1.20 pm to Nerul Mangroves which was behind the NRI complex. The view of mangroves was breath taking. We were waiting for the high tide which was supposed to be around 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm.
First we spotted the lapwing whistling aloud to catch our attention 
and the Indian cormorant which was drying its wet feathers after a dive in the water. The flock of sand pipers and swifts caught our attention too. As the trail progressed we came across the green bee eaters, long tailed shrike, the butcher bird, the white checked bul bul, the cattle egret and the rosy starlings perched on the bush.
We also saw the hermit crab trying its best to hide inside an empty shell and the small blue king fisher calling aloud as it passed by. It was difficult to spot the mudskipper fish and the red crabs as they camouflaged well with the swampy soil.
As the trail moved further the view was just a treat for our eyes. The mangroves were bordered with thousands of bird. Devyani mam helped us to identify the black winged stilts purple herons and gull billed terns. The flocks of painted storks were wading in the serene water in search of food.
As we started to retrieve, soon came the osprey to flaunt its swooping skills. The harrier birds and eagles and 
the black kites were hovering around the sky while the pond heron was waiting all alone for its feed.
Aristo sir spotted the hopper bird with a different flight pattern as we were about to end our trial. The students came to know about a complete different world of mangroves which was just a stone throw away from the busy Palm Beach road.
It is a haven for bird watchers where thousands of migratory birds flock around. The students felt it's their responsibility to conserve and protect the mangroves. We reached home back with fond memories and enlightened mind.
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