Khijadia Bird Sanctuary
Khijadia Bird Sanctuary Is a unique wet land area with Sea water on one side and
Fresh water on one side.
This area was declared as a Khijadia Bird Sanctuary
on 6th November 1982. Before independence, a check dam had been built for storing
the waters of the Ruparen River just near the sea, so gradually over the years with
fresh water of the rain and river on one side and salt water of the sea on the other
side, a unique area came up where both varieties of vegetation came up, gradually,
birds and animals also started flocking and roosting here. The area of this Sanctuary
is 605 Hectares.
Birding At Khijadia
Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is a unique wetland area with sea water on one side and
fresh water on one side. This area which is about 12 km from Jamnagar (Gujarat),
was declared as a Sanctuary on 6th November 1982.
Before independence, a check dam had been built for storing the waters of the Ruparen
river just near the sea, so gradually over the years with fresh water of the rain
and river on one side and salt water of the sea on the other side, a unique area
came up where both varieties of vegetation came up, gradually, birds and animals
also started flocking and roosting here.
The area of this Sanctuary
is 605 Hectares. There are 3 Watch Tower for bird watchers, as well as inspection
paths leading deep into the foliage There are also provisions for Paddle boats,
in the main as well as the Jamnbuda watch tower area.
One can find both types
of sea and shore birds. Watching the arrival of the Cranes during sunset for roosting
is a fantastic experience.
Some of the notable birds found here are
- Black Ibis
- Black-winged Kite
- Brahminy Kite
- Pheasant-tailed Jacana
- Great Thick-knee
- Common Greenshank
- Grey Francolin
- Imperial Eagle
- Indian Pond Heron
- Little Tern
- Black-tailed Godwit
- Comb Duck
- Common Crane
- Common Teal
- Dunlin
- Garganey
- Marsh Harrier
- Northern Pintail
- Shoveler
- Eurasian Wigeon
- Pale Harrier
- Demoiselle Crane
- Sanderling
- Darters.
The other wild life found here are Blue Bulls, Jackal, Wolf, Jungle Cat, Mongoose,
Rabbits, Cobra, etc.
In Khijadia, preferred method of birdwatching is just to
walk along the dam. Do not use jeep or any other vehicle, one full days birding
is recomended as no. of birds are more.
At Jamnagar. Hotel President, Hotel Aram
etc has rooms with all facilities, Do check out the
list of Jamnagar Hotels.