If we had the task of designing a multi-purpose animal that could exploit many habitats, we would be hard pressed to improve upon the birds of the wetlands. We can see that they are at home in water, land and of course superb in the air. In places like the Nalsarovar and Thol Lake they are seen in great numbers, the sheer variety of shapes and sizes is rewarding by any standards.

Gujarat has some outstanding places for viewing birds of the wetlands. Just 80 km. from Ahmedabad is Nalsarovar, and Thol Wildlife Sanctuary is also just 40 km. from Ahmedabad. The lake is spread over an area of 115 sq. km. It is known to harbour more than 250 species of birds. The sheer variety that can be seen at such places is rewarding by any standards.

In winter the migratory birds descend on the Nal in there thousands. Here you will see kingfishers. Egrets, darters, storks and cormorants spear or catch fish with their dagger shaped beaks. You will also get to see jacanas, moorehens, coots, grebes and ducks feeding mainly on plants, straining water from their specially designed beaks and keeping the food in. You will see the flamingos using their bug necks and legs to probe the waters and snipes and godwits probing into mud for food with their long bills. Visitors are also ferried in small boats to experience a sunrise or a sunset while gliding gently through the silent waters, with birds silhouetted in the golden orange glow will lift any sagging spirits.

It is easy to notice the sheer variety of colour, pattern and a cacophony of sounds that these birds use for recognition and courtship. They can be seen using the same devices for threats and aggregation as they vie with each other for nesting and feeding space. There just cannot be any place where one can see so much wildlife in a single day! A pair of binoculars and a Person well-versed in local bird life will surely make this one of the best outing.

Contact
Conservator of Forests, Sector 16. Gandhinagar. Phone: 02712 - 21951

Accommodation
Forest Rest House at Nalsarovar.
Palace Utelia at Utelia. (Approx 10 Kms)
Phone 079 - 6445770