Top 10 Places in India for Bird Watching

[rameshxavier]

Check these out ..

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttaranchal
Rajaji National Park, Uttaranchal
Keoladeo National Park - Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary - Kottayam, Kerala
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary - Kothamangalam, Kerala
Sultanpur National Park - Sultanpur, Haryana
Valley of Flowers - Chamoli District, Uttaranchal
Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary - Chittor, Andhra Pradesh
Kawal Sanctuary - Mancherial, Andhra Pradesh
Kinnerasani Sanctuary - Khammam District, Andhra Pradesh
Kolleru Bird Sanctuary - Vijayawada, West Godavari
Manjira Bird Sanctuary - Medak District, Andhra Pradesh
Neelapattu Bird Sanctuary - Chennai, Andhra Pradesh
Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary - Nandikotkuru, Andhra Pradesh
Sonai Rupai Sanctuary - Sonitpur District
Flamingo Colony - Khavda, Gujarat
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary - Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Porbandar Bird Sanctuary - Porbandar, Gujarat
Velvadar Bird Sanctuary - Bhavnagar, Gujarat
Overa Wildlife Sanctuary - Pahalgam, Jammu, Kashmir
Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary - Mysore, Karnataka
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary - Kozhikode, Kerala
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary - Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Happy Bird watching...

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Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park)

The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, one of the best bird sanctuaries in the world, (a World Heritage Centre by UNESCO) is located at a distance of 57 km from Agra, in Rajasthan, India. Keoladeo is basically the name of an ancient temple that is located at the center of the Bharatpur bird sanctuary.

In the year 1760 the Ajan Dam was constructed to save the town of Bharatpur from annual floods and the depression that came into existence after extraction of soil for building the dam turned into the Bharatpur Lake. This area was developed to serve as a duck shooting wildlife preserve for the royalty of Bharatpur. This area was declared to be a national park in the year 1982.

The 40 sq km swampy Bharatpur bird sanctuary is home to more than 300 species of birds (various species of pelicans, cranes, flycatchers, buntings, larks, pipits, wagtails, stints, eagles, hawks geese, shanks, ducks and warblers). The special feature of the Bharatpur bird sanctuary is that Siberian Cranes fly in and stay at this bird sanctuary during the winter months. Besides birds you can also spot animals such as the boar, Chital, Nilgai and Sambar. There are quite a few well-known forest trails at the Bharatpur bird sanctuary that can be traversed on foot or on cycle. Boat rides on the lake has good chance to see birds and animals.

Best Season : October to January.

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Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka

This 67 sq km wildlife park and bird sanctuary is situated quite close to the Vrindavan gardens in Mysore (19 km), India. This unique bird sanctuary is set on the banks of the river Cauvery and has a group of six islets. These islets are infested with aquatic organisms and insects during the monsoon season (prone to slight floods) that invite exotic birds to come and nest at the Ranganathittu wildlife park and bird sanctuary.

The Ranganathittu bird sanctuary is a perfect place to go bird watching as this sanctuary happens to be the nesting and breeding ground for several species of migratory birds. Birds found commonly are darters, white Ibis, spoonbills, cormorants, open bill storks, egret, river tern, heron, stone plougher, partridge, snake bird and a hoard of other exotic birds from Siberia and other countries. Local birds like peacocks and kingfishers are commonly visible. Boats that take you around the islets that offer a picturesque view of the region with myriad variety of birds flocking on the trees on the banks of the river.

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Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, Orissa

The Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary is an important winter home to a number of migratory birds (9 lakh/annum) that fly in from all over the world every year.

The Chilka Lake is known for its brackish water and has the distinction of being the largest tropical lake in Asia. This pear-shaped lake is a salt-water lagoon that is dotted with tiny islands that offer a perfect habitat for different bird species.

The Nalbana bird sanctuary that is considered to be the core area of this wildlife park is the main part of the Chilka Lake bird sanctuary. It lies in and around this lake is home to myriad species of birds that include white-bellied sea eagles, jacana, purple moorhen, greylag geese, herons and flamingos. The sanctuary is known for being one of the largest breeding ground for flamingos.

Besides the birds this wildlife sanctuary and park harbors a variety of aquatic wildlife such as the Irrawaddy Dolphin, prawns, crabs, the limbless lizard, crustaceans and more than 225 species of fish that include the Acentrogobius griseus, Alepes djedaba, Arius arius and the Elops machnata. Other interesting place nearby are Parikud and Malud islands.

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Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Ernakulam

Thattekkad is home to dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forests, grassland and around 500 species of exotic birds. The credit of making this bird sanctuary so popular and important goes to Dr. Salim Ali, the world famous ornithologist. Altitude 35- 523 m (Njayapilli peak).

The Thattekkad bird sanctuary is spread over an area of about 25 sq. km. and lies between the tributaries of the river Periyar. Some of the rare varieties of birds that can be spotted here are the Bee eater, Crimson-throated Barbet, Sunbird, Black Winged Kite, Shrike, Grey Jungle Fowl, Night Heron, Falcon, White-Breasted Water Hen, Ceylon Frog moth, Hornbill, Rose-billed Roller and Blue-winged Parakeet. The sanctuary has more than 250 species of birds. Thattekkad also boasts of extensive plantations of teak, rosewood and mahogany. The dense forest in and around the bird sanctuary is home to nearly numerous varieties of animals.

The Bhoothathankettu dam visit and boating will be quiet an enjoying experience. The best time to watch birds is the morning time.

How to Reach

Thattekkad is located 13 km north east of Kothamangalam on the Pooyamkutti road. There is frequent buses from Kothamngalam to Thattekkad and Kochi. Kothamangalam is on the Kochi-Munnar road.

Nearest Rail head : Aluva (48 km)
Nearest Airport : Kochi International (44 km)

Where to Stay

PWD Rest house near Bhoothathankettu dam, Private lodges at Kothamangalam, a 3 storied watch tower, forest inspection bunglow and a dormitory inside the sanctuary. Contact : The Assistant Wildlife warden, Kothamangalam. Phone :0485 588302.

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Vedanthangal bird sanctuary

Vedanthangal is the oldest bird sanctuary in the country with an area of 30 hectares. A tank having a compact grove of Barringtonia acacia nilotica trees and the dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests.

Breeding birds like the Cormorant, Egrets, Grey Heron, Open-billed Stork, Darter, Spoonbill, White Ibis, Night Herons, Grebes, and Grey Pelican visit the sanctuary each year. The population of migratory birds included Teals, Shovellers, Pintails and Sandpipers etc. Some of the resident birds listed are Coots, Terns and Moorhen. In all 115 species of birds have been recorded in this sanctuary.

How to Reach

Vedanthangal sanctuary is situated in the Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu (86 km from Chennai). Nearest Railway station Chengalpattu – 30 km away.

Best Season : November to February.
Accommodation : Forest Rest House at Vedanthangal with catering arrangements, P.W.D. Rest House at Karunguzhi.

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Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary

Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary has a large population of varied wildlife such as chital, wild boar, bonnet macaque, black Buck, flamingos, teals, gulls, terns, and plover. Special attractions are the encounters with dolphins and turtles, which often come quite close to the shore. It has 17.26 sq km aera surrounded by sea and shore, comprising forests of tidal swamps and forests of mangroves. Boats are available on hire.

How to Reach

Nearest airport Thiruchirappalli - 225 km away.
Nearest Railway station Thiruthuraipoondi – 42 km away.

Best season : November to February (water birds); Blackbuck and chital all the year round.
Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses at Point Calimere. Catering arrangements are provided.
Contact : The Wildlife Warden, Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, 110, Public Officers Road, Nagapattinam – 611 001.