Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (29 sq km), a former duck-shooting reserve of Maharaja of Bharatpur, is situated only 50 km west of Agra and 2 km from old town of Bharatpur. It is one of the best water bird breeding sanctuaries in the world. 249 birds belonging to 55 fami1ies have been listed, which were seen in or around the sanctuary, of which 95 are migratory. Bird banding has been goiug on, and the recoveries have revealed that these birds go as far as Siberia (U.S.S.R.). Rare winter visitors are Siberian cranes and Great black-headed gull, etc, Besides the avifauna, numerous other animals-like various fishes, snakes and mammals are found. Black buck, blue bull, spotted deer, sambhar, wild boar roam freely in the sanctuary. Pythons and scaly ant-eaters are occasional1y seen, as also the hog deers. The painted storks, openbilled storks, spoon bills, white ibis, cormorants, egrets, darters, jacanas. dabchick and waterhens come for breeding with the advent of monsoons in the sanctuary. Huge congregation of Migratory birds augment this number in winter. The sanctuary is a paradise for bird-watchers from monsoon to the beginning of summer. The season to visit the sanctuary is from September to February, and the best months are December and January, although the wild mammals can be seen ,all the year round. An electrified Forest Rest House with modern facilities, including arrangements for boarding and lodging is situated in the heart of the sanctuary. Boats can be made available for close approach to birds.