Wetlands and Riverbanks: A Haven for Water Birds

The Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in situ is nestled in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh on the banks of the Girwa River, and is not only a home to tigers, elephants, and dolphins, but it is also a sanctuary to a varied and rich Birdlife. It is a bird watcher and ornithologist's heaven or paradise, where you can have that exclusive chance to see a huge number of resident and migratory birds in their native environments, such as rivers, wetlands, grasslands, and dense forests.

Katarniaghat is situated in 400 square kilometers in the larger Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and is in the Terai Arc Landscape, which is a spotlight destination of global biodiversity significance. It has a diverse topography and diverse climatic conditions, and therefore has a huge list of more than 350 bird species, which makes it one of the most desirable birding destinations in the northern part of India. Bird watching in Katarniaghat sounds like a feast with its rich colours of kingfishers and barbets, as well as haunting sounds of the owls and hornbills.

Wetlands and riverbanks of the Girwa River are particularly good birding areas. Asian Openbill, Woolly-necked Stork, Indian Pond Heron, Common Teal, Sarus Crane, and Lesser Whistling Duck are also some of the species commonly seen in the shallow waters as they forage. These wetlands provide a wintering ground to migratory birds in Central Asia and Europe, making Katarniaghat a seasonal bird watchers' paradise. Northern Pintails, Ruddy Shelducks, and Gadwalls can be observed peacefully flowing around on the surface of the waters, providing unforgettable photos to the photographers and people who love nature.

Katarniaghat has a variety of species that are found in its forest areas, such as the Great Hornbill, Indian Grey Hornbill, Coppersmith Barbet, Brown Fish Owl, Jungle Owlet, as well as the Green Bee-eater. The best time would be to go bird watching in the early morning and in the late afternoon, when activity in the forest is at its highest pitch as birds call to each other. Slow jungle walks with many bird watchers prefer to view the rare birds or watchtowers with a silent experience is very tempting, and river safaris in the Girwa river prove to be a great vantage point too.

A visit to Bird watching in Katarniaghat offers an opportunity to observe the Watch list species, the Critically Endangered Bengal Florican, a bird unique to Terai grassland. Though this rare and migratory species is sighted seldom, it has been noted sporadically in the sanctuary on open grassland patches. Equally, Red-headed Vultures and White-rumped Vultures, which are globally threatened species, have been reported in recent years as a result of conservation efforts.

The presence of Katarniaghat by the Indo-Nepal border further makes it of ecological significance in the migratory behavior of the various birds between the Himalayas and the plains. Other factors that make the sanctuary relatively inaccessible include the low number of tourist arrivals, which means the habitats of birds are not interfered with, and the sanctuary is very peaceful for birdwatching lovers. They have well-trained guides and an eco-tourism program with the guidance of the forest department, which assists the visitors in tracking the birds and how they fit into the ecosystem.

Summing up, the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is a secret paradise for a bird watcher wanting to discover the wildlife wonder of the Terai region. Be it a novice with a pair of binoculars or a professional birder with a long lens, Katarniaghat gives one heart-stopping birding experience in quiet forests, wetlands, and rivers. The sanctuary helps us remember that the beauty of wildlife is not always accommodated by big animals only; sometimes the breaking of a bird or the lashing of a bird is all you need to feel close to nature.