Birding places in and around Bhopal

[Mangru Minz]

2. Kaliasot Dam is now within the city and Kerwa dam is 5 km drive from the city both these dams are surrounded by forest ,hence apart from local common bird it has sighting of forest bird e.g. verdicter flycatcher, plum headed parakeet alexandrine parakeet, button quil, spotted dove, eurosian dove,treepie, coppersmith barbet, woodpecker , spotted owl etc.

3. Hathaikheda dam ( Ayodhyanagar lake) is going to be within the city in a one or two year . This lake was proposed to make a bird sanctury but how it could be done is a question mark. This lake is fully dependent on rain water and it varies widely 100% of lake areas in rainy season and almost dried up in summer or only 10% water remains in summer , water of this lake are being used for irrigation by local farmers . I use this lake mostly for birding & is nearest to my house . In winter ,this is the only lake where largest number of migratory bird come so far I have explored , many variety of waders and lake was full of different types ducks (in multiple of thousands) from December to end of February e.g. Spotted duck, ruddy shelduck, comb duck, northen shovler, northen pintail, common teal, mallard and white stork, open bill stork, painted stork, woolly neck stork, Black Ibis, white ibis etc.

4. Ghodapachhad dam is located just outskirt of city in eastern side. This is also a good place for birding for waders and prey e.g. eagle , krestel, black shoulder kite , ground birds like bush lark, sparrow lark ,crested lark ,stone chat , pranticole, crake and bittern too .

5. Ajnal Dam (Eco park) is about 10 Km from the city in eastern side towards Raisen road, this dam is ended with a canopy of two hill having moderate forest areas. This is also a good place for birding , verdicter flycatcher, tickells blue flycatcher and Ducks ,Herons and other forest birds found.

6. Halhali dam is located about 45 Km towards Sanchi road. This dam has largest catchment area and also serve as fish farming and supplies to Bhopal and other near by cities. This is also a good place for birding, some variety of Gull, Tern ,Ibis, Stork ,Red start, Rock thrush etc are found here . In winter several variety of gull and tern can be found here.

7. Sehat Ganj is located about 30 Km towards Raisen road. This place is covered with ups and downs barren land having trees and bushes ,which serve as a good shelter for bird . In rainy season due to ups /downs landscape, lot of small streams flows in different direction till end of November ,which also attracts local people for a very good place for weekend leading to lot of pollution (plastics and garbages) around, however this is limited to road side only . This is also a good place for birding, uphill places are shelter of Indian vulture, red headed vulture , egyptian vulture etc apart from this plum headed parakeet, Indian treepie , desert wheater, Yellow wattled lapwings, Indian courser, sand grouse and some raptors etc found here.