Birdwatching Bliss: 10 Lesser-Known Spots Every Birder Should Visit in 2025 to India:

The end of the 20th century and we entered 21st century where we witness early advancement of technologies. We now love travel not only for witness as spectator but also as a creator. We all love wildlife and mountains but one thing always get our attention which is birds. We are curious about their lifestyle and now we become a bird photographer. So how to get to the best of the bests places where we can see elusive bird species.
Here's a curated list of Top 10 Lesser-Known Bird Watching Paradises in India, with a special focus on sanctuaries and wetlands teeming with avian diversity.
 
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1. Rashikbil Bird Sanctuary – Cooch Behar, West Bengal

Feruginous Duck

 

Habitat: Wetland surrounded by mixed forests and grasslands. It is a small part of Buxa Tiger Reserve but distant. Winter invites the migratory birds to this sanctuary and they stays there till march.

Key Species: Lesser Whistling Duck, Ferruginous Pochard, Common Teal, Openbill Stork, White Ibis, Kingfishers, and various owl species like the Brown Fish Owl.

Highlights:

  • A picturesque lake that attracts numerous migratory and resident birds.

  • Nearby heronry and forest patch support raptors and nesting colonies.

How to Reach:

  • Nearest town: Alipurduar (30 km)

  • Railway: Alipurduar Junction

  • Airport: Bagdogra (180 km)

    BOOK FOR HOTELS 

2. Gajoldoba Wetlands – Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

Habitat: Teesta Barrage floodplains and wetlands surrounded by forest patches. It has elusive mountain view as well and there is a beautiful park where you can have some fun with family. boating is available at 1200 RS or around 15 $.

Key Species: Bar-headed Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Brahminy Duck, Northern Pintail, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Osprey, and several waders and warblers.

Highlights:

  • Winter haven for migratory ducks and geese.

  • Boating available for close bird observation.

How to Reach:

  • Nearest city: Siliguri (30 km)

  • Railway: New Jalpaiguri (NJP)

  • Airport: Bagdogra (40 km)

    BOOK FOR HOTELS 

3. Mangalajodi Wetlands – Chilika, Odisha

Habitat: Freshwater marshes and reeds at the northern end of Chilika Lake. It is by far the best spot for watching various species of IBIS and Storks.

Key Species: Northern Shoveler, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruddy Shelduck, Whiskered Tern, and hundreds of waders.

Highlights:

  • Community-based ecotourism model.

  • Over 1 million birds seen during peak season (Nov-Feb).

How to Reach:

  • Nearest city: Bhubaneswar (70 km)

  • Railway: Kalupadaghat (5 km)

  • Airport: Bhubaneswar

    BOOK FOR HOTELS 

4. Purbasthali Oxbow Lake – Bardhaman, West Bengal

Habitat: Oxbow lake and marshland surrounded by paddy fields.

Key Species: Cotton Pygmy Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Bronze-winged Jacana, Comb Duck, and several flycatchers.

Highlights:

  • Excellent for kayaking while birding.

  • Rich diversity in a compact zone.

How to Reach:

  • Nearest town: Nabadwip (20 km)

  • Railway: Purbasthali

  • Airport: Kolkata (120 km)

    BOOK FOR HOTELS 

5. Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary – Odisha

Habitat: Hills, mixed deciduous forest, and Hirakud reservoir shoreline.

Key Species: Osprey, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, White-eyed Buzzard, migratory ducks, and shorebirds.

Highlights:

  • Overlooks Hirakud reservoir, offering waterbirds and raptors.

  • Lesser-known among tourists, offering serene experiences.

How to Reach:

  • Nearest town: Sambalpur (40 km)

  • Railway: Sambalpur

  • Airport: Jharsuguda (80 km)

6. Bhitarkanika Mangroves – Kendrapara, Odisha

Habitat: Mangrove swamps, tidal creeks, and estuarine rivers.

Key Species: Black-capped Kingfisher, Mangrove Whistler, Oriental Darter, Lesser Adjutant, and Collared Kingfisher.

Highlights:

  • India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem.

  • Ideal for spotting waterbirds and coastal species.

How to Reach:

  • Nearest town: Rajnagar

  • Railway: Bhadrak (80 km)

  • Airport: Bhubaneswar (150 km)

7. Jorepokhri – Darjeeling, West Bengal

 

 Habitat: Highland pond ecosystem with surrounding oak and pine forests. It has elusive mountain view and fills with variety of birds. there is a beautiful lake at Jorepokhri where you can see birds like lapwings.

Key Species: Satyr Tragopan, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-vented Tit, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie.

Highlights:

  • Overlooks majestic Himalayan views.

  • Excellent for high-altitude species.

How to Reach:

  • Nearest town: Darjeeling (20 km)

  • Railway: New Jalpaiguri (90 km)

  • Airport: Bagdogra

    BOOK FOR HOTELS 

8. Tampara Lake – Ganjam, Odisha

Habitat: Large freshwater lake adjacent to the Bay of Bengal.

Key Species: Painted Stork, Purple Heron, Spot-billed Duck, Terns, and gulls.

Highlights:

  • Often overlooked compared to Chilika, but equally rewarding in winter.

  • Sunset birding by the lake is a treat.

How to Reach:

  • Nearest town: Chhatrapur (4 km)

  • Railway: Chhatrapur

  • Airport: Bhubaneswar (160 km)

9. Raiganj (Kulik) Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal

Habitat: Riverine forest and marshland near the Kulik River. Once used to be a hotspot of birds but now they don't have that hype like before.

Key Species: Asian Openbill, Night Herons, Cormorants, Black-crowned Night Heron.

Highlights:

  • Asia’s largest heronry during monsoon.

  • Lesser explored despite huge nesting population.

How to Reach:

  • Nearest town: Raiganj

  • Railway: Raiganj or Radhikapur

  • Airport: Bagdogra (180 km)

10. Buxa Tiger Reserve – Alipurduar, West Bengal


 

Habitat: Subtropical forests, rivers, and hill terrain. It is called the queen of Dooars which is a region in North Bengal. Buxa Tiger River invites many migratory birds here and for the first time in Buxa Tiger Reserves known history we saw Mallards (a North American migratory bird).

Key Species: Long-tailed Broadbill, Sultan Tit, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Black Baza, and several migratory thrushes.

Highlights:

  • Rich in forest birds and butterfly species.

  • Great for forest treks and avifauna exploration.

How to Reach:

  • Nearest town: Alipurduar

  • Railway: Rajabhatkhawa or Alipurduar Junction

  • Airport: Bagdogra (190 km)

    BOOK FOR HOTELS 

🧭 Travel Tips:

  • Best Season: November to March for most wetlands.

  • What to Carry: Binoculars, field guide, camera with zoom lens, waterproof clothing.

  • Local Guides: Hire local guides or boatmen – they have intimate knowledge of hotspots.

    So Happy Journey in search for elusive bird species in these places and if you ever travel to these places then give me a comment. That can be both negative and positive. Namo Buddhaye🙏