If
we had the task of designing a multi-purpose animal that could
exploit many habitats, we would be hard pressed to improve upon
the birds of the wetlands. We can see that they are at home in
water, land and ofcourse superb in the air. In places like the
Nalsarovar and Thol lake they are seen in great numbers, the variety
of shapes and sizes being simply amazing.Gujarat has some outstanding
places for viewing birds of the wetlands. Just 80 km. from Ahmedabad
is Nalsarovar, and Thol Wildlife Sanctuary is also just 40 km.
from Ahmedabad. 10 km. from Jamnagar is Khijadia Bird Sanctuary.
Within the Porbandar city itself is the Porbandar Bird Sanctuary.
The sheer variety that can be seen at such places is rewarding
by any standards.
Here you will
see kingfishers, egrets, darters, storks and cormorants spear
or catch fish with their dagger shaped beaks. You will also get
to see jacanas, moorehens, coots, grebes and ducks feeding mainly
on plants, straining water from their specially designed beaks
and keeping the food in. You will see the flamingos using their
long necks and legs to probe the waters and snipes and godwits
probing into mud for food with their long bills.
It is easy
to notice the sheer variety of colour, pattern and a cacophony
of sounds that these birds use for recognition and courtship.
They can be seen using the same devices for threats and aggression
as they vie with each other for nesting and feeding space. There
just cannot be anyplace where one can see so much wildlife in
a single day ! A pair of binoculars and a person well versed in
local bird life will surely make this one of the best outings.
Nalsarovar
is a seasonal lake spread over an area of 115 sq.km. It is known
to harbour more than 250 species of birds. In winter the migratory
birds descend on the Nal in their thousands. Visitors are ferried
in small boats and to experience a sunrise or a sunset while gliding
gently through the silent waters, with birds silhouetted in the
golden orange glow will lift any sagging spirits.
