Waquar Habib
The Chilika Lake is spread over an area of about 1100 square km. It hosts a gamut of migratory bird species ranging from Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Shovellers to Common Coot, Ruddy Shelduck, Wigeon, and many more.
Formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the Keoladeo National Park is an essential wintering ground for Palaearctic migratory waterfowl. It witnesses a huge congress of birds annually including Lapwings, Herons, Spoonbills, Magpie Robins, Sarus Cranes, and Water Hens, among others.
The Little Rann of Kutch is known for its extensive wildlife, biodiversity, and grassland ecosystem. It houses a variety of migratory bird species such as Houbara bustard, flamingos, Sociable Lapwing, Dalmatian Pelican, Collared Pratincole, European Roller, Lesser Florican, and Greater Hoopoe Lark, to name a few.
Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary is home to about 454 species of Himalayan birds. The rich list of birds includes Streak-throated Barwing, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Goldcrest, Tibetan Serin, and Spotted Laughingthrush, among others.
The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is also popular as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary. It hosts a plethora of birds, such as Siberian crane, egret, darter, heron, and teal, among others.
A go-to place to spot migratory birds in India, the Ranganathitthu Bird Sanctuary houses six isolated islets along the Kaveri River. Bird-watchers here can spot Painted Stork, Kingfishers, Cormorants, Darter, Herons, River Tern, Egrets, Indian Roller, Blackheaded Ibis, Spoonbill, Great Stone Plover, and Spot-billed Pelicans.
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is named after the great Indian ornithologist and naturalist, Salim Ali, the "Birdman of India." A great place to trace migratory birds in India, over here you can spot Rock Pigeon, Whimbrel, Little Cormorant, Straited Heron and many others.
Just 64 km from Ahmedabad, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary was built in the 15th century and is an expansive wetland. It shelters about 250 species of birds including pelicans, herons, egrets, flamingos, cranes, bittersn, grebes, and crakes. Wood Sandpiper, Straited Heron, Gray Francolin and others can be spotted.
A favourable place to spot migratory birds in India is the Pulicat Bird Sanctuary located in Nellore. In its 729 km square area, bird-watchers can expect to spot Marbled Teal, Painted Stork, Grey Pelican, Grey Heron, Egret, and Sea Gull, to name a few.
Nestled in the Okhla barrage along the Yamuna River, the Okhla Birds Sanctuary is home to a diverse range of about 320 bird species. During peak season between October and February, you can spot Shoveller Duck, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, and Gadwall Duck, among others.