Chilka Lake Bird Sanctaury
Overview - Chilka Lake Bird Sanctaury
Located in Odisha, Chikla is Asia’s biggest internal salt-water pond. Studded with few tiny islands, Chilka Lake is alienated from the Bay of Bengal by one grimy point.
The pear shaped Lake extends diagonally 1,100 sq-kms area and has an exceptional ecology with a variety of aquatic flora and fauna, established in and around the lake’s salty waters.
An impressive collection of birds, including both resident and migratory creates Chilka Lake as one of the most exiting destinations in India for bird-watching.
Best Time to Visit Chilka Lake Bird Sanctaury
The summer is generally hot and humid with the temperature ranging anywhere between 24 degree to 36 degree Celsius. Although you won’t find a variety of winged species around during this time of the year you can definitely visit this place to catch a glimpse of the Irrawaddy dolphins. Chilika Lake region experiences heavy to very heavy rainfall by South West monsoon.
That being said, it is highly advisable that you don’t plan a trip during this time of the year as the lake isn’t sailable and you won’t find anything enthralling and worth capturing. The winter season is considered to be the best time to visit Chilika Lake as it is in this time of the year that you can capture an array of migrated species of birds.
Highlight Species - Chilka Lake Bird Sanctaury
- Greater Flamingo
- Glossy Ibis
- Oriental Pratincole
- Ruddy Shelduck
- Eurasian Wigeon
- Painted Francolin
- Red-necked Grebe
- Laughing Dove
- Banded Bay Cuckoo
- Crested Tree Swift
- Demosile Crane
- Indian Thicknee
- Black-billed Plover
- Pin-tailed Snipe
- Marsh Sandpiper
- Little Stint
- Temminick's Stint
- Eurasian Curlew
- Pheasant-tailed Jacana
- Caspian Gull
- White-winged Tern
- Indian Skimmer
- Lesser Adjutant
- Black-necked Stork
- Oriental Darter
- Spot-billed Pelican
- Great Bittern
- Cinnaman Bittern
- Greater Spotted Eagle
- Eurasian Marsh Harrier
Types of Safaris - Chilka Lake Bird Sanctaury
Boat Safaris : Explore major part of this lake by boat safaris in order to cover maximum species and also to reach as close to birds as possible. Observe a variety of species, compose some unique shots and also try your hand at birds in action. Late evening is a great time to compose some creative and silhouette shots against the setting winter sun.
How to reach Chilka Lake Bird Sanctaury
By Air : The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar located at 120 km away from where taxis, trains and buses are available towards the lake.
By Train : The nearest rail stations at Balugaon, on the Howrah-Chennai track. From Balugaon buses are available to the lake.
By Road : From It’s a 2 hours journey from Bhubaneswar, post which, one can drive to the sanctuary.
