We leave Sauraha before sunrise and reach the lakes as the mist lifts. The first hour is spent along the embankment, scanning open water for ducks and grebes in winter and wading birds along the edges: purple and grey herons, egrets, darters, and the lesser adjutant stork, a large, bald-headed bird listed as vulnerable worldwide. Kingfishers are everywhere, from the tiny common kingfisher to the stork-billed.
The walk then moves into the forest between the lakes, where the target list changes: oriental pied hornbills, woodpeckers, drongos, minivets and flycatchers in the canopy, and red junglefowl on the trail. Your guide uses calls and knows the regular spots for owls and nightjars resting by day. Many visitors also see spotted deer, rhesus macaques and the occasional rhino track.
A typical walk covers 4 to 6 km and lasts three to four hours, including a stop at the watchtower. Bring binoculars, a camera with a long lens, water and a snack. In the wet months after the monsoon, leeches appear on the trails, so tuck trousers into socks.
Good for
- Photographers
- Solo
- Couples
- Seniors
Questions travellers ask
What birds can I see at Bishazari Tal?
Storks including lesser adjutant and woolly-necked stork, herons, egrets, cormorants, darters, many kingfishers and, in winter, migrant ducks. In the forest, hornbills, woodpeckers, drongos, flycatchers and junglefowl. A good morning in winter can give 60 or more species with a skilled guide.
When is the best time for birding at Bishazari Tal?
November to March, when migrant water birds join resident species and the weather is dry and cool. Early morning is best. In April and May the heat drives birds into cover by mid-morning. The monsoon months are green but wet, muddy and full of leeches.
Do I need a guide at Bishazari Tal?
Yes, we recommend it. A local guide knows the trails, the best bird spots and how to stay safe around crocodiles and the occasional rhino or elephant. Hiring a guide from the community forest supports the local people who manage the wetland.
