Winter Visitors – Chandigarh

Painted Stork | Sukhna Lake | February 2021

Every year, with the Change in weather and the start of winter, winged visitors from far-off places like Siberia, Central Asia, China, Afghanistan, and also from Upper Himalayas start arriving at Water Bodies in and around Chandigarh. I have been birding for the last two years. Generally, these visitors start arriving here as early as November and can be spotted till March. There are two water bodies in Chandigarh one is Sukhna Lake and the other is Lake at Dhanas. There are other wetlands around Chandigarh which include Village Pond at Motemazra, Irrigation Dam at Perch, Jayanti Devi, Siswan, and Mirzapur.

This year, wetland birds have started to arrive in the month of October. I have already spotted Grey Heron, Great Egret, Black Crowned Night Heron, and Northern Shoveler at Sukhna Lake in the second week of October. In this week Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, and Gadwall have been clicked at Lake at Dhanas. I am sharing some of the beautiful pics taken by me of these migratory birds, taken this month as well as during the past. In my coming blogs, I shall share information and more pictures of these birds. I suggest that if you are living in Chandigarh or nearby areas, you must visit these wetlands and actually watch these beautiful birds, which have come long way to spend time in this city beautiful.