Visit 3 North India Birding Hotspots for 250 Species and Taj Mahal

Our birding tours in North India are easily our most fruitful and most successful, and for many reasons. A stunning variety of landscapes, birds, and mammals, unique cultural experiences, and the opportunity to visit the iconic Taj Mahal. All these make this the perfect tour for first-timers and seasoned birders alike.

Established as a bird sanctuary in 1972, Sultanpur National Park is home to a variety of wetland and forest birds, both resident and migratory. When combined with the surrounding grassland flats, Sultanpur offers an amazing birdwatching experience relatively close to Delhi.

Keoladeo National Park, more popularly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is a famous bird sanctuary in Rajasthan, India. The man-made wetland was created more than 250 years ago by Maharaja Suraj Mal, then the ruler of Bharatpur, as a duck hunting ground.

Bharatpur was designated as a bird sanctuary in 1976, and established as a national park in 1982. Over 230 bird species are known to be resident here, and many more visit in the winter. The park consists of a mosaic of habitats, including forest patches, marshland, lakes, and more. This variety in habitats results in a rich bird diversity.

The National Chambal Sanctuary is a protected area in northern India. Located on the tripoint border of the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, it is located on the Chambal River. One of the cleanest rivers in India, the Chambal is home to the endangered Gharial (or Fish-eating Crocodile), as well as the endangered Gangetic Dolphin. In addition, birding in Chambal is a delight, with a variety of wetland birds such as Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied and River Terns, and many more.

 A weeklong birding sojourn in North India

Being from North India, it’s no surprise that this is my go-to region when it comes to planning quick trips. Relatively leisurely birding and a variety of habitats always puts me at ease and destresses me completely.

My first stop on this trip was one that was not far from Delhi at all - the Sultanpur National Park. In fact, it is so close that I don’t even need to bother about looking for accommodation. I can return to the comfort of my own house after a day of birding here. While the actual designated park is a great wetland habitat, perfect for spotting waterfowl, raptors, waders, and even Nilgai, it is the grassland patches surrounding the park that are always my favourite. 

These tall grasses are like haystacks with beautiful needles hidden inside them. One such needle was the Sind Sparrow, a bird that has eluded me every time I go birding in Sultanpur National Park. This time, however, with the help of my guide, I was able to find a cute little pair, sitting in a thorny tree. My only regret was that by the time my camera focussed, the sparrows flew off into the grass, never to be seen again. Nevertheless, I was pleased with having seen them at all! Another elusive resident of the Sultanpur Flats is the White-browed Bush Chat, also known as Stoliczka’s Bush Chat. Unfortunately, it eluded me on this visit as well. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed my day here, with birds like Isabelline Shrike, Long-legged Buzzard, Red Collared Dove, and more to keep me happy!

My next destination was my all-time favourite place - Bharatpur. Bharatpur itself has an old city charm. Carved doors, intricate architecture and warm people make up most of the landscape of the city. Apart from the forts, palaces Bharatpur is also home to some of the most beautiful museums that showcase the history and heritage of the city and the relics and artefacts. Bharatpur is home to the Bharatpur Palace and Museum, the beauty of which blew me away. Many of the old havelis and palaces have now been turned into hotels or resorts, but they still retain much of their original structure and character. It’s really not difficult to imagine what Bharatpur must have been like a hundred years ago.

Birding in Bharatpur for two full days was bliss for my inner birder. From regal-looking storks and cranes, to scores of ducks, grebes, waders, and more, there was plenty to keep my eyes and camera busy! With the help of my guide, I even got a far away glimpse at a Dusky Eagle-Owl, a lifer for me, and even more special as I am partial to owls.

Much of my second day here was spent with a day trip to nearby Dhaulpur, and the Chambal River Sanctuary. 

Heritage, history and culture together form a major chunk of Chambal. Chambal is home to some majestic havelis and homes of the locals, some of which are still inhabited by the owners. There are many local villages that exhibit heritage values. One such village is Holipura, the locals there have stories to share, tales to tell about the city, their village. Chambal is a lot more than just being home to some of the most dreaded dacoits back in the day. The Havelis and Homes in Chambal are a mix of Mughal and Colonial architectural styles that exhibit the historic value of the place. 

Now if there is one group of animals I like as much as birds, it is the crocodilians, and Chambal is the best place to see the Gharial, a very special animal for me. The best way to explore is by boat specially provided by the Forest Department, and this Chambal river safari was the perfect way for me to get up close and personal with some of the more special river denizens for some amazing birding in Chambal. I managed to see some amazing wildlife, including my targeted Gharials, and birds like Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied and River Terns, and various waders.

Sadly, Chambal was my last birding stop on this particular journey. However, on the way home, I did have one more place to visit - the ancient city of Agra!

Living in Delhi, I’ve been to the Taj Mahal countless times, but every time I come here, it’s like seeing this monument for the first time. The breathtaking beauty and elegance of this structure and the gardens always makes me wish I could see it when it was first made, at the height of its beauty! I always make it a point to stop by here every time I come to Bharatpur!

So it was that another birding trip came to an end. I learnt how much difference a good birding guide could make, helping me spot elusive birds in the grasslands of Sultanpur, or even teaching me so much about the history of Chambal, something I’ve never really paid attention to.


Please Note, the Acronyms in Bird Species
R stands for Resident Birds
S stands for Summer
W stands for Winter