Mangrove waterways and mudflats in the Ganga delta, where kingfishers, eagles and waders live among tidal creeks.
Sundarbans birding takes place by boat in the mangrove forests of the Ganga Brahmaputra delta in West Bengal, around Sajnekhali, Dobanki, Sudhanyakhali, Netidhopani and Jhingekhali watchtowers. This is water birding in a tidal landscape, where creeks, mudflats and mangrove islands change with every tide, and where birds are seen from boats and watchtowers rather than from forest trails. The Sundarbans is also tiger country, so birding here is combined with a multi day boat journey, not a single day drive.
The star birds are kingfishers, including brown winged, collared, black capped and common kingfishers, plus white bellied sea eagles, Brahminy kites, ospreys, herons, egrets, waders and a long list of mangrove specialists. Masked finfoot, a very rare mangrove bird, is a sought after target, though sightings are extremely rare. Mangrove pitta, mangrove whistler, brown winged kingfisher and other mangrove species live in dense mangrove canopy, while open mudflats add sandpipers, plovers, stints and terns in winter.
Sundarbans birding suits birders who enjoy slow boat birding, photographers who want kingfishers and raptors in mangrove light, and travellers who want a delta journey with birds, tigers and village life in one trip. It pairs with Singalila for Himalayan birds, and with a longer East India birding trip. A two to three night boat journey, covering Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali and Dobanki, gives a much better bird list than a single day boat trip from Godkhali.
November to February, with November to March also good for migrants and winter birds.
Kolkata, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport.
Cool pleasant winters, hot humid summers, humid through monsoon.
Monsoon June to September, about 1,800 to 2,000 mm a year, with some areas inaccessible in monsoon.
Boat birding on Sundarbans creeks and channels, morning and late afternoon, with a local guide, for kingfishers, eagles and waders. Watchtower birding at Sajnekhali, Dobanki and Sudhanyakhali for mangrove and mudflat birds. No jeep safari is used for Sundarbans birding, and all birding is by boat and from watchtowers.
By train, Canning station is the nearest railhead for Godkhali routes, with Kolkata as the main rail hub. By road, Godkhali is about 100 km from Kolkata by road through Canning, followed by boat to Sajnekhali and other watchtowers. By air, Kolkata airport is the nearest airport, followed by road to Godkhali and boat to Sundarbans.
November to February is best, with November to March also good for migrants and winter birds in the Sundarbans.
Brown winged, collared and black capped kingfishers, white bellied sea eagles, herons, waders and mangrove specialists.
Fly to Kolkata, take a train to Canning, then drive to Godkhali and board a boat to Sajnekhali and other watchtowers.
Yes, Sundarbans birding is almost entirely by boat on creeks and channels, plus watchtower viewing at Sajnekhali, Dobanki and Sudhanyakhali.
Yes, Sundarbans and Singalila pair well, giving mangrove delta birds plus Himalayan ridge birds in one West Bengal trip.
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A journey through Bengal where festival traditions, wetlands and wildlife come together.
A journey through Bengal where festival traditions, wetlands and wildlife come together.
A journey through Bengal where festival traditions, wetlands and wildlife come together.
