Introduction:
Just a 20 minute drive from
the center of Kolkata towards the northeastern part of the city lies one of
the largest wetlands in India. Although used predominantly for commercial
fishery today, this huge drainage bowl attracts water birds in variety and
quantity. Waders dominate but ducks and other birds also find refuge here.
The marsh land starts within the city limits and spreads out in all
directions. I have recorded 70+ species over a short period of casual bird
watching, and that too from just the city edges. I estimate another 30
species can easily be found, making this a 100+ species area.
Salt Lake's Nalaban has a beauty in it's
simplicity. Although squeezed in on the edges by rapid urbanization, the vast stretches of
clear and shallow water gives a sense of serenity and openness.
Birds here make a home with hostile human
neighbours. As they primarily feed on the fish which is the only source of income for the
population, there is competition with the humans having the upper hand. Slings are the
instruments of aggression against the trespassers (although it is debatable who is
trespassing) and the birds have learnt to keep sling shot distance.
Large waders dominate this water body along
with cormorants. Great Egrets and Grey Herons are the star attractions and I have counted
upwards of 80 Grey Herons in the Nalban bheri itself.
How to reach: Salt Lake is easily accessed from the city. You can drive up to the
Technology Park and the water body is right across the approach road. It pays to go
straight up to the end of the road and walk along the the edges of the fish tanks. Another
approach is from near the water tank next to the Fisheries office. This part is more
pristine.
Best time: November to January when the temperatures dip. Early mornings (6.30
am) and late afternoon (3.30 pm onwards) are the best time(s) of the day.
List of birds noted:
|
Key:
Abundant |
Numerous/Common |
Few/single |
| |
|
|
| Gadwall |
Tufted Duck |
Northern Shoveler |
| Black-Rumped
Flameback |
Blue-Throated Barbet |
Coppersmith Barbet |
| Indian Roller |
Common Kingfisher |
White Throated
Kingfisher |
| Green Bee-Eater |
Asian Koel |
Greater Coucal |
| Rose-Ringed Parakeet |
Alexandrine Parakeet |
Asian Palm Swift |
| House Swift |
Spotted Dove |
Eurasian Collared
Dove |
| White-Breasted
Waterhen |
Common Coot |
Common Snipe |
| Green Sandpiper |
Wood Sandpiper |
Common Sandpiper |
| Temmink's Stint |
Black-Headed Gull |
Black Kite |
| White-Rumped Vulture |
Shikra |
Little Grebe |
| Little Cormorant |
Great Cormorant |
Little Egret |
| Intermediate Egret |
Great Egret |
Cattle Egret |
| Indian Pond Heron |
Grey Heron |
Purple Heron |
| Asian Openbill |
Pied Avocet |
Black-winged Stilt |
| Yellow Bittern |
Cinnamon Bittern |
Brown Shrike |
| Long-tailed Shrike |
Rufous Treepie |
Large-Billed Crow |
| Black-Hooded Oriole |
Black Drongo |
Red-Throated
Flycatcher |
| Bluethroat |
Oriental Magpie
Robin |
Chestnut-tailed
Starling |
| Asian Pied Starling |
Common Myna |
Bank Myna |
| Jungle Myna |
Barn Swallow |
Red-whiskered Bulbul |
| Red-vented Bulbul |
Plain Prinia |
Blyth's Reed Warbler |
| Clamorous Reed
Warbler |
Common Tailorbird |
Purple Sunbird |
| White Wagtail |
Citrine
Wagtail |
Yellow Wagtail |
| Grey Wagtail |
Paddyfield Pipit |
Baya Weaver |
| Black-headed Munia |
Scaly-breasted Munia |
Eurasian Golden
Oriole |
| Lesser Whistling-duck |
Ruddy-breasted Crake |
Brahminy Kite |
| Red Avadavat |
Common Starling |
Purple Swamphen |
| Striated Grassbird |
Painted Stork |
Common Shelduck |
| Pied Harrier |
Common Ringed Plover |
Darter |
| Blunt-winged Warbler |
Little Ringed Plover |
Baillon's Crake |
| Booted Warbler |
Siberian Rubythroat |
Rusty-rumped Warbler |
| Northern Pintail |
Yellow-bellied Prinia |
Garganey |
Sumit K
Sen
Kolkata, India
