How to reach Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary:
From Delhi/Gurgaon, take the NH-8 towards Jaipur > take a right from Hero Honda chowk, towards old Gurgaon > head straight until you hit SH15a > keep driving/riding on SH15a > cross a fly over and keep going straight > after few kilometers and small town one cannot miss Sultanpur sanctuary.
Gents: Please stop and ask for directions, if confused. It just makes life easier. Note that road towards Pataudi also takes you to Sultanpur, but, at places its road and at places its no roads. So best of luck with that. Below is a road map for your reference.
NOTE: Before I start up, pictures in the blog are contribution from Shubhodip and myself. Pictures taken from his camera, by him and some by me and pictures taken in my camera by me.
Its been quite sometime since I visited the Holy Mountains rightly named as "The Great Himalayas" and its gonna stay that way for at-least some more time. Some time back I was reading about this place called Khirsu and made a plan to drive to the same place along with Shubhodip and Vivek . As fate had it, Vivek backed out because of work and Shubhodip wasn't too keen on going, with just both of us. It was the second week of February 2011, 2 days before the great valentines day, when Shubhodip suggested me that we can go to Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. Apparently the sanctuary was full of migratory birds. So, it was the Saturday evening , the sun was setting down, creating a near perfect silhouette, to let me click a couple of pictures...
The migratory birds do love warmer climate, hence migrate, but after all most of these beautiful birds come from cooler countries, to enjoy the relatively less cooler weather of our country. So make a point, if you go there, reach before 7.00am. Once the sun get higher up, and weather gets really warm, these birds go hiding in shade. The enthusiast's were at the sanctuary by 7.00 am, and the picnickers were coming in when we were done with our trail inside the sanctuary.
Shubhodip picked me up at 6.30am and by time we reached the sanctuary it was 7:30am. Yeah we took the Pataudi road, since Shubhodip was sure of SH15a flyover being under construction. By the time we entered, many people were already in. But even then they dint go too far.
Please excuse me for my ignorance, but I don't know names of most of these birds. All I can tell you is, most of them were Cranes, Stokes and ducks. There were lots of Egrit's. OK thats it, I cant tell you no more, because thats all I know. Rest is for you to have a look at the pictures, identify the birds, if you can, and please if you do, do help me with their names.
Once you enter the sanctuary after paying 25/- for your ticket and 25/- for your camera, you see 2 paths. One going left and other going right. The right path is insignificant, seems like going nowhere. You have to cross a gate and pass next to a dirt dump spot, to get on to the left lane. The right one is pretty obvious. The hot spot to see these birds is a Swamp. There is this small island in the swamp, where you are most likely to find some of the most exotic birds. The left path takes you closest. The right one is more beautified, but really more away from the action.
So now you know the geography of the sanctuary and know which side to go to, lets get into the action.
Dont be hesitant to leave the trail and get into the huge grass, to get closer to action. No one would mind. Just be sure that you watch your feet and stay away from wetland.
A variety of Crane I presume, stood there for long time and let Me and Shubhodip takes some pictures of him.
Then we entered the jungle of golden yellow grass, to get closer to the variety of Stokes (probably).
We managed some good shots until we were hidden behind the grass.
But then there was this irritating bird/birds, which I have seen even in Suncity (place where I stay), making a hell lot of noise (keeekkk keeekkkk keeeekkkk = they are here, they are here) and warning these exotic visitors of our presence. No matter if we were hidden in the huge grass, or hidden under the tree cover, this irritating creature kept on warning every one (keeeekkkk keeekkk keeeekkke: they are here, fly away.. they are here, fly away...). Bluddy suncity bird (thats what we named him).
And now you know why they were flying.
Walking along the trail, there's a turn towards right from main path. You wont miss it!! This turn takes you closer to the main island in the swamp.
Dont know what should I call these birds, but they appeared as if they were standing on water.
Trying to get the best possible shot!!
Below is the panorama of the swamp and on the right is the main island.
I think this one is a variety of Stoke!! and the island is dominated by them.
They just wont let any other bird to sit on their trees. Taking advantage of their size, they dominated all other birds.
Nothing much to say, just tried to capture, them as much possible.
Then it was some time for FINE ARTS..
It was again time to get inside the grass to get closer to action. Shubhodip was all set and headed straight into the grass.
Apparently a kite in the dense tree...
Ducks, enjoying the day out in the sun.. trust me i was very hungry by then...but all I ate was Vegetarian food.
and then comes the Neelgai storming. All birds fly away at his sight...
Now done with our trails and photo sessions, we finally decided to climb up a watch tower, and relax for a while.. The view from up there is awesome, and the number of birds at the sanctuary was MASSIVE...
and we could not resist taking our pictures....
But on the way to the restaurant, there I saw a tree full of parrots. There were male parrots (the one with the ring around the neck) and there was a female one. They seemed to be love Struck, and actually theres a picture story of these parrots.
Waiting at the resturant for food, it took too long to come..
and finally when it arrived.. I pounced on it like a moster and ate it all in matter of few moments..
with tummy full I was back to 100% energy level, and it was time to go back home.We took the SH15a this time, and it was much better and quicker. The flyover was ready and it just took us lesser time in more traffic to reach home than in morning.
Sultanpur is a perfect way to spend a weekend morning, especially in winters, when migratory birds fly to these place. They give you enough opportunities to click them. Even if not, the peace at the place is AB solutely mind boggling. I am looking forward to ride to the place on my bike, when ever possible.
Checking out for now...
Happy Travelling...
