Khijadia Birding

Khijadia birding takes place in Khijadia Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat, near Jamnagar, on the Gulf of Kutch. Khijadia is unusual because it holds both freshwater lakes and saltwater creeks and mudflats in one small sanctuary, separated by a bund. That mix gives a very long bird list in a compact area, with ducks and freshwater birds on one side and flamingos, waders and gulls on the other.

The star birds are flamingos, pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, ibises and a wide range of ducks, waders and terns in winter. Freshwater sections add grebes, coots, moorhens and herons, while saltwater sections add greater and lesser flamingos, black headed ibis, Eurasian spoonbill and a long list of shorebirds. Raptors, including marsh harriers and ospreys, hunt over the wetlands, and the sanctuary is a Ramsar site, recognised internationally for its wetland importance.

Khijadia birding suits winter wetland birders, photographers who want flamingos and pelicans in good light, and travellers combining Gujarat birding with Little Rann of Kutch and Great Rann. It is a gentle, flat, easy birding destination, with short walks and watchtowers, and it works well as a half day to full day visit. Two mornings, one for freshwater and one for saltwater sections, give a much fuller list than a single short stop.