Birding in India

Birding as hobby and industry is fast growing all over the World. In many countries in Europe and USA most of the participants are retirees some of them are older. This is because of availability time but this changing fast as even employed young men have begun to indulge in bird watching with ever increasing fervor.

In India too the hobby is on increase and the participants at this nascent stage are the younger lot with capacity to buy good optics. Many professional birders are there in this country and they travel on their own to consume their hobby.

Most of the tours organized for bird watching in India are inbound as people from Europe and USA arrive on package tours. They visit top destinations like Bharatpur and Corbett. Many visit Gujarat and Southern Indian destinations.

With thirteen percent of World's species the country is naturally in the wish list of the avian watchers. Many destinations attract hobbyists because of migrants whereas summer birding in some destinations are for resident species.

In winters enthusiasts spread all over the country in different hot spots to enjoy their passion. Most of the tours are organized by inbound tour operators and some are landing agents for big operators overseas.

The expeditions are usually of fourteen days and cover many destinations in the itinerary. A tour leader good managing the journey and hospitality accompanies the group. Local birders are employed depending upon their expertise of the destination in the itinerary.

The degree of difficulty of expeditions varies. Some of the destinations are in the Himalayas which experience snow and are at steep heights while many are in plains like the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Some bird watching destination are in dense forests of tiger reserves. These reserves are popular for tiger safari as well but contain more than two hundred fifty species.

Kanha National Park
Pench Tiger Reserves
Corbett
Periyar
Wyanad
Satpura
Namdhapha
Manas
Gir National Park (Asiatic Lion)
There many large wetlands like Nalsarovar in Gujarat, Chilika Lake in Orissa and Bharatpur in Western India. Shore birds are sought on numerous beaches of India and marine National Parks. Many holiday resorts like Pachmarhi, Amarkantak, Munnar, Chail, Sat Tal, Pangot and many more.

Grasslands like Velavadar, Karera and Sailana are also good for birding. There are many destinations in India where endemic avian species are found.

Chambal River Sanctuary is an ideal birding and boating destination a unique adventure awaits visitors.

A well planned expedition in India will offer sightings of targeted species and make an enjoyable tour.