New Delhi: India is a paradise for bird watchers. The diverse geography of the country has resulted in a wide range of biodiversity hotspots and homes to numerous species of birds. The varied geography of India ranges from the Himalayas to the tropical forests of the Western Ghats, making the country home to an incredible variety of bird life.
In India, one can some of the world’s most beautiful and exotic birds in their natural habitats, especially during winter. During the cold season, various kinds of migratory birds fly all the way from some parts of Europe and the freezing cold Palearctic regions in search of warmer climate, breeding ground and food source. Several places in India fall directly in their migration path and in this article, we will take a look at the best places in the country to watch birds during winter.
Top Winter Birdwatching Destinations in India
Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is the first national park in the country. In the park, over 586 species of resident and migratory birds have been witnessed, including the blossom-headed parakeet, the red junglefowl, crested serpent eagle, owls and nightjars. The habitats of the national park are diverse, from forests to riverine grasslands and well-known trails in the park include the Dhikala grasslands and the Ramganga riverbed.
Keoladeo National Park
The Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan is one of the most important bird-watching places in India. The park hosts thousands of native, resident and migratory birds, especially during winter when many different species fly to India to escape the cold of further north in Eurasia. In the national park, at least 400 avian species have been noted or observed. It has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exceptional avian biodiversity. With its large wetlands and diverse vegetation, it supports a large number of bird species. Among the birds most commonly seen there are Sarus Crane, the Asian Openbill and Painted Stork.
Chilika Lake
Chilika Lake is one of the the largest brackish water lagoon in the world and is one of the bird-watching hotspots in the country. In the Indian subcontinent, it is one of the largest wintering ground for migratory birds. It is one of the hotspots of biodiversity in the country. During the migratory season, the lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds and they come from as far as Lake Baikal, the Caspian Sea, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas. One can see numerous birds there including white bellied sea eagles, purple moorhen, greylag geese, flamingos and jacana.
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is the only bird sanctuary in Goa and is located on the western tip of the island of Chorao along River Mandovi. It is an estuarine mangrove habitat mangrove and has been aptly named after India’s best-known ornithologist. A variety of local and migratory birds can be found on this island. The common species of birds seen in the place include western reef heron and the striated heron. Other species include the black bittern, little bittern, red knot, jack snipe and pied avocet.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is located in Karnataka’s Mandya and it became a protected Ramsar site on February 15, 2022. In 1940, it became a sanctuary at the behest of Dr. Salim Ali. It is a paradise for bird watchers. Located on the banks of River Cauvery, it is the preferred nesting ground for several species of resident birds. During the winter, around 40,000 birds congregate there and some migrate from Siberia, Latin America and North India. During January and February, more than 30 species of migratory birds can be found in the sanctuary. Among the birds seen there are the painted stork, common spoonbill, Asian openbill stork, black-headed ibis and woolly-necked stork.
India offers unparalleled birdwatching opportunities, especially during winter when migratory birds arrive from across Eurasia. This article highlights five exceptional locations. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
