Vadodara is the Banyan City – a city with a rich cultural heritage, also known as the “cultural capital” of Gujarat. Although, its not a popular tourist place, the city has lot of prominent business companies, which brings the business traveler to the city.
I have been frequently asked for popular bird photography sites in and around Vadodara. There are quite a few places in & around Vadodara that one can visit for Bird Photography & Bird Watching (Birding). From my past 4 years’ experience with Bird Photography, I have listed down the most popular spots/locations in and around Vadodara.
1. Wadhwana Bird Sanctuary (Dabhoi)
The Wadhwana Lake Bird Sanctuary is an important wetland for its birdlife as it provides wintering ground to migratory waterbirds, including more than 80 species that migrate on the Central Asian Flyway. It’s a recent addition to the Ramsar Convention List (Aug 2021) in India.
[The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and suitable use of wetlands. Named after the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the Caspian Sea, where the treaty was signed on February 2, 1971. Wetlands under the Ramsar Criteria are selected on account of their international significance in terms of biodiversity and the uniqueness of their ecology, botany, zoology, limnology, and hydrology. In addition, the Criteria indicate that in the first instance, wetlands of international importance to waterbirds at any season should be included on the Ramsar List]
The Wadhwana Bird Sanctuary or Wadhwana Wetlands is a lake of about 2km radius, located about 50 kms. from Vadodara. It is a century-old tank, constructed by erstwhile King Gaekwad in 1909-10. This tank has a catchment area of 860 sqkm, deriving its water from the Orsang river. This tank provides irrigation to 25 villages. There are watchtowers placed at 1 km intervals on the periphery of the lake. Forest dept. has deputed personnel with fairly good knowledge about the local flora & fauna.
Some of the birds seen around the lake are: Coots, Ruddy Shelduck from Ladakh, Eurasian Wigeon Duck, Teal, Northern Pintail, Swamphen, Comb Duck, Little Grebe, Common Pochard, Greylag/Bar-headed Goose from Northern Europe, Glossy Ibis, Common/Pied/White-throated Kingfishers, Common Sandpiper, Openbill Stork, Little Cormorant, Darter, Pond/Purple Heron, Intermediate/Large Egret, Black-winged Stilt, Red-Wattled Lapwing are seen. Large numbers of Wire-tailed Swallows fly around the lake. The local Hoopoe, Paddyfield Pipit, and the migrants - Common Stonechat and White/Yellow Wagtails - including the scavengers - Black Kites and Marsh Harrier – are also seen.
The ideal time to visit is in the winter months when the Migratory birds arrive – from November to February. As per eBird, 260 species have been recorded here.
eBird is among the world’s largest biodiversity-related science projects, with more than 100 million bird sightings contributed annually by eBirders around the world and an average participation growth rate of approximately 20% year over year. A collaborative enterprise with hundreds of partner organizations, thousands of regional experts, and hundreds of thousands of users, eBird is managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/J6ogQXy9kUGZA4BVA
2. Timbi Lake (Waghodia)
This Lake is a manmade tank, which provides irrigation to the nearby villages. This lake is located 12 km east of the city in Waghodia taluka. The lake attracts a large number of migratory birds.
Some rare birds include Eurasian Wryneck, Black-necked Stork, Mallard ducks, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Garganey, Cinnamon Bittern, Sarus crane & Flamingo among others.
Timbi lake is a very good place for nesting and breeding. The Asian Openbill Stork, Baya weavers, Red Avadavat, Buntings, and House Sparrows are regular visitors to the lake.
As per eBird, 248 species have been recorded here.
Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/bQXMARMqDfvgnhmZ8
3. Sindhrot Nature Park Road (Sindhrot)
This is a side road from the Main Road that connects Sherkhi to Sindhrot. It is a serene place and has a densely wooded area. The main attraction during the summers (April to May) are the Blue-tailed Bee eaters. They have found the perfect mudbanks in this area for their breeding. In late May, one can see a lot of action with the adult feeding dragonflies/butterflies/insects to the young ones.
As per Wikipedia - They typically breed in April to May in India nesting colonially with closely placed nest holes in a vertical mudbank or even burrowing into gently sloping land. They tend to choose sandy and sandy clay loams but avoid heavier clay loams. They also prefer clear mud banks without any vegetation cover.
Besides the Bee-eaters, one can spot the regular birds like Spotted Owlet, Spotted Dove, White-throated Kingfisher, Green Bee-eater, Grey-breasted Prinia, Ashy Prinia, Laughing Dove, Brahminy Starling, Yellow-throated Sparrow, and occasionally Oriental Honey Buzzard.
As per eBird, 121 species have been recorded here.
Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/gC47U1rRrLMGoSVT7
4. Kotna (Mahi River)
This is a small beachfront on the banks of the Mahi River (16 kms away from the Vadodara city). It has become a popular hangout spot on the weekends, with Kayaking & Swimming options. The riverbank is accessible through a drive through the Kotna village.
In winters, this region is frequently visited by Siberian Stonechat, Northern Pintail, Mallard Duck, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Purple Heron, Cotton-pygmy Goose, River Tern, White-throated Kingfisher, White Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover, Coot, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Cormorant, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Bronze-winged Jacana, Grey-headed Swamphen, Sandpipers & Nilgai.
Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/zbVE7LE5e1ABDPZTA
5. Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary
This Sanctuary is located 70 kms from Vadodara. Besides the Sanctuary, one can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park.
The wildlife sanctuary consists of forested hills with teeming wildlife and avian species. Teak, mahua and bamboo thickets cover the length and breadth of the forest, which is occupied by wild boars, nilgais (blue bull), jackals, hyenas, barking deer, sloth bears, and chausinghas (four-horned antelope) and leopards.
There are a few zones, with Targol, Dhanpari & Bhat being the most prominent ones for Bird & Wildlife Photography.
The Bhat Eco Campsite is famous for the arrival of Indian Pitta in the months of May & June.
As per eBird, 165 species have been recorded here.
Bhat - Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/yofLsXkcnNe6rubf9
Dhanpari - Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/o6hxmjf1UJFgHoRg6
Targol - Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/Di3Ytn6HDMCc1V189
6. Luna (Padra)
Located about 15km from the city, this village in Padra taluka has a small pond, which is the breeding site for over 100 painted storks. One can find other species like kingfishers, cormorants, egrets, heron, common coots, rosy starlings, purple moorhen to scaly breasted munia.
Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/sJf2CLf9QXQXtP4S8
7. Javla Lake (Savli)
Located about 30km away from the city, Javla Lake is a water body, surrounded by lush green fields and tall grasses. It is yet another haven for the migratory birds because of its rich flora and fauna. This is a home to a variety of munia birds. From grey lag geese, black cormorants, pond heron, red munias, coots to blue rock pigeons, nearly 80 species are spotted here.
Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/m7LaQ6sb9hmq7UHL8
8. Pariej Wetlands
Pariej is situated in the Kheda district of Gujarat, near Tarapur, about 75kms from Vadodara. Diverse migratory and non-migratory birds draw photographers and birdwatchers from all over the country to this tranquil lake. Pariej is one of the eight wetlands in Gujarat that has been declared by the Central Government as wetland of national importance. It is home to a variety of birds like kingfishers, egrets, jacanas, cormorant, ducks, lapwings, bitterns, warblers, etc. and migratory birds like storks, pelicans, flamingos, spoonbills, ibis, ducks, sandpipers etc. Sarus crane is largest crane of region. Some reptiles like cobra, rat snakes, lizard and crocodiles are usually seen. And frog and many invertebrates are present here.
Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/Ej2SPnAvBzpTFnsw7
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