SET A DATE WITH FLYING VISITORS
We give you a lowdown on what’s new at some of the popular spots in the Capital that become temporary homes to migratory birds
It’s that time of the year when migratory birds come visiting the Capital. The wetlands of Delhi serve as temporary home to birds from the hill stations of Himachal and Uttarakhand. Bring out your binocular, hat, and a guide book and head to some of the spots mentioned below to catch the birds in action.
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
Located on the Gurgaon-Farrukhnagar road, this sanctuary has been home to birds such as whitebreasted waterhen, northern pintail, northern shovellor, shoveller and common teal. To reach the place, you need to keep looking to the left, if you’re driving from the Old Gurgaon road, to avoid missing the entry gate. “The sanctuary receives around 70-80 species of migratory birds every year. This time, since the winter is delayed, we have received around 49 of them till now.” Private guides, who are from the nearby villages, are available at the entrance. There is a resort next to the sanctuary that offers accommodation, so one can also plan a night halt.
Okhla bird sanctuary
If you’re coming from Delhi to Noida, through the Kalindi Kunj bridge, then just at the end of the bridge to the left lies the entrance to this sanctuary. The entry ticket costs a nominal ` 30. The official figure says that around 324 species of birds are found in the sanctuary, out of which 50% are migratory. About the new attractions to the park, range forest officer Ishar Chandra Singh says, “One watch tower has been repaired and another has been remade, and a company recently donated 12 bicycles that are rented out to visitors for ` 20 an hour.”
Delhi Zoo
There are four to five wetlands inside the Delhi zoo, where the migratory birds flock. Riyaz Ahmed Khan, curator of the zoo, says, “The migratory birds start arriving by September, but this year, they have started reaching only in December. Commonly spotted migratory birds include the painted stork, sarus crane, black-necked stork, black-tailed godwit and black-headed Ibis.”
Yamuna Biodiversity Park
Located at Yamuna Vihar, the park is a recent initiative to educate the public on nature. It has wetlands and green zones full of medicinal herbs and fruit-yielding plants. Spread over an area of 457 acres, the park is 15 km north-east of Connaught Place. Entry to the park is free and they provide a nature education officer to every visitor. The place, which is famous for college and school excursions, stays open from 10am to 4pm and is closed on Sundays.