Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary

Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary is situated in Jhajjar district of Haryana State. A man-made wetland, the sprawling lake inside the sanctuary, has emerged as a major habitat for migratory birds in the country and also a major attraction for birdwatchers. It is a wonderful experience to see different species in large flocks in one large area which makes bird watching very easy.

It was established as a Bird Sanctuary by the Government of India in 3rd June, 2009. Constructed to store the excess waters of the Jawaharlal Nehru canal at the time of power failure of Lift Canal System, the Sanctuary is spread over an area of 1074 acres. There are many reasons to visit Bhindawas, the main one being is, one can see acres of yellow mustard fields along the road to this wetland, also one can spot innumerable species of water birds flock near a canal long before reach the sanctuary. And, finally, a trip here does not involve too much walking. A 12 km vehicle track goes all around the lake.

Due to the water problem at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan, over the past years, the sanctuary has become more ecologically important and made Bhindawas Bird sanctuary's lake as their alternate site to a number of migratory water birds. More than 30,000 variety of migratory birds belonging to over 250 species and resident birds visit Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary through the year. The number dips during the summer and picks up during the winter. Situated along the Jhajjar-Dadri approach road, there are small islands within the lake.

Some of the resident birds : Blue Peafowl, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, White-throated Kingfisher, Gray Francolin, Black Francolin, Shikra, Black Kite, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Eurasian Thick-knee, Bronze-winged Jacana, Purple Swamphen, Spotted Owlet, Spot-billed Duck, Greater Coucal, Little Grebe, Black-rumped Flameback, Coppersmith Barbet, Indian Roller, Common Hoopoe,Eurasian Collared Dove, Black Drongo, Plum-headed Parakeet, Rock Pigeon, Laughing Dove, Jungle Babbler, Oriental Darter and Rose-ringed Parakeet.

Migratory birds at Bhindawas bird sanctuary include Whiskered Tern, Greater Flamingo, Osprey, Eurasian Marsh Harrier, Pallas's Gull, Graylag Goose, Comb Duck, Mallard, Ruddy Shelduck, Great Cormorant, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Small Pratincole, Green Bee-eater, Pied Cuckoo, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Common Pochard, Great Egret, Crested Lark, Ashy Prinia, Oriental Pratincole, Yellow Bittern, Kentish Plover, Northern Lapwing, Bar-headed Goose etc.

Besides its rich avi fauna, one can also spot the Antelope Neelgai, Jungle Cat and Jackals in the Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary.