Kanha Birding

Flying Wonders

Kanha National Park, India’s finest protected area is home to exciting bird species. The park is situated in Central India or Madhya Pradesh near about 160 km from Jabalpur. More famous for tiger safaris the park boasts of impressive number of birds including migrants from far and wide. The topography is unique with verdant hills, valleys and grasslands on the plains. The diversity gives rise to niche habitats preferred by the birds. As per latest survey there are approximately 250 plus avian species.

Kanha is a Sal forest reportedly not good for birding. But Sal forests are only a part of the diverse ecosystem hence good birding zones are present in the Park. One should have a good idea of locations before birding. A very big advantage is location of Kanha Village Eco Resort which is in Buffer zone of Kanha Tiger Reserve in an area which is mixed forest with bamboo and other species and good water bodies. The best is to hire a birding guide which we can arrange with prior intimation.

Here is a check list of Birds found in and around Kanha National Park:

The best season for a bird watching trip to Kanha Tiger Reserve is winters., this is due to increased number augmented by migrants. April first and second week is very good to see local birds as Mahua and other local plants are in full bloom so bird sightings increase. With the confines of the reserve one can sight plenty of forest birds, but number of species increase if surrounding forests, grassland and scrub are visited. Our Wildlife lodge at Kanha has a locational advantage with a pond (Stop Dam) and forest nearby which increases the chances of seeing birds a lot.

For Bird and Wildlife Photography at Kanha National Park do bring a minimum 400 mm lens or higher. Best way of enjoying bird watching trip is to hire a local guide and trek in buffer zone of Kanha where you will get to see the most species. Do carry a Binocular and Bird Guide book with you being most important tools for bird watching. We at Kanha Village Eco Resort will be most happy to help in your birding trip where you will be accompanied by a naturalist along with a local tribal whom we are training in bird watching.

If you are planning bird watching tour to other parts of India also we can help you plan the same. Most birding tours to India include Keoladeo Ghanna Bird sanctuary at Bharatpur along with a tiger reserves of central India or other bird watching destination of northern India as well as southern India. Whole country has some good birding destinations be it any state in India, Uttranchal, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Orissa, West Bengal or other North Eastern Indian states. India is a vast country and with well known and not so well known destinations it is advisable to plan your birding tour to India well in advance with a good birding guide to enjoy your bird watching holiday to its best.

Come Celebrate Nature Celebrate Life ...........