Gurgaon, the cyber city of North India is divided in two different cultures by NH8. I had never explored much about old Gurgaon because my office and home are close to cyber Gurgaon. I have been to sector 14, Palam vihar, Sadar bazar in Gurgaon. There I feel a different life compared to corporate and mall culture of town.
But today what I saw and felt was totally surprising. Just 14-15 km from main city going via sector 9 road I reached Sultanpur Bird sanctuary. I had heard and read about this place before. But I never believed of such a open, gree
n nature close to such a busy town.
We reached Sanctuary around 11:30 am. Didn’t found many cars in sanctuary parking. So i thought it might be not the right season for visit. then I asked guy at ticket counter about migratory birds in sanctuary. He told there are 11 migratory birds and many domestic species now and its just the beginning of season.
We entered in a lush green area following a foot-way around sanctuary. I went on top of a machan and sited few Sambhars (deer like species) and many birds in lake. Then we moved further and sited many beautiful birds and flowers. Its very peaceful and green area. You just forget busy life of Gurgaon. We spent a good time watching birds, taking snaps from machan. This place is truly a surprise land in Gurgaon. Not too far from cyber city. But still maintaining such a variety of flora and fauna.
Approx 250 species of Birds are found at Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. Some of these are resident, while others come from distant regions like Siberia, Europe and Afghanistan.
Name of some of the resident birds: Common Hoopoe, Paddyfield Pipit, Purple Sunbird, Little Cormorant, Eurasian Thick-knee, Gray Francolin, Black Francolin, Indian Roller, White-throated Kingfisher, Spot billed Duck, Painted Stork, White Ibis, Black headed Ibis, Little Egret, Great Egret, Cattle Egre
t, India Crested Lark, Red vented Bulbul, Rose ringed Parakeet, Red wattled Lapwing, Shikra, Eurasian collared Dove, Red collared Dove, Laughing Dove, Spotted Owlet, Rock Pigeon, Magpie Robin, Greater Coucal, Weaver Bird, Bank Mynah, Common Mynah and Green Bee Eater.
Every year more than 100 migratory bird species fly to Sultanpur in search of feeding and breeding place and to pass the winter season. In winters Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary provides a picturesque panorama of migratory birds such
as Siberian Cranes, Greater Flamingo, Ruff, Black winged Stilt, Common Teal, Common Greenshank, Northern Pintail, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Northern Shoveler, Rosy Pelican, Gadwall, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Eurasian Wigeon, Black tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Starling, Bluethroat and Long billed Pipit. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary has birds in summer too ,About 11 species of migratory birds such as Asian Koel, Black crowned Night Heron, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Comb duck, Blue cheeked Bee Eater, Blue-tailed Bee-Eater and Cuckoos come here.
Next to sanctuary there is Haryana tourism resort with rooms, restaurant and bar. You can enjoy some nice food with chilled beer here.
overall this place is a perfect getaway for a short break from hectic cyber city life.
