We have spoken at length about the mammalian diversity around our wildlife resort in Tadoba. With nearly 40-50 species of mammals large and small and several key species like the tiger, bear, dhole and all the different varieties of deer, a wildlife safari in Tadoba will seldom disappoint anyone.
What is not apparent on your first visit to Tadoba is that these environs also contain a rich selection of avifauna. Tadoba is home to over 300 species of birds, making it a delight for those who prefer traipsing around the jungle taking part in the more relaxed activity of birdwatching as opposed to taking in the sights and wildlife in a jeep.
Tadoba has several birdwatching hotspots throughout the entire range. Our resort in Tadoba is within close proximity to these hotspots, which makes things easier for you to get around when staying at our wildlife resort in Tadoba. Here’s a list of some of the birding hotspots in the region!
Irai Lake And Irai Dam:
The Irai Lake, one hour away from our resort in Tadoba, is the perfect place to head to if you wish to see a wide variety of wetland birds. Irai Lake and the subsequent dam is a gravity dam that was developed in 1983. It is an important source of water to the local communities although there have been a few flood alerts here in the past thanks to the low-lying nature of the dam.
Come winter, the dam turns into a haven for migratory birds. Flocks of Bar Headed Geese all the way across the Himalayas make their way to the waters in droves, along with Pelicans that move locally within the state to find nesting sites. You will also be a witness to the White Throated Kingfisher as it sits keenly over the water’s edge, looking for any signs of a meal moving in the lake.
Boating is a possibility on the Irai Lake with excursions organized by the Maharashtra Forest Department. Reach Irai early in the morning and head out on a boating trip so that you get the best chance of spotting birds without too much disturbance to them!
Agarzari:
The village of Agarzari is another hotspot for feathered friends. Agarzari is a zone close to Irai Lake that is also one of the entrances to Tadoba. If you wish, you can dedicate an entire morning outing purely for birding at Agarzari and Irai and then make your way to the safari post lunch at the Zari gate near our resort in Tadoba!
There is every chance to spot the uncommon Crested Serpent Eagle around Agarzari along with smaller species that prefer to live in the forests as opposed to the lake beds or in proximity to the villages. You may just see Paradise Flycatchers flitting around the bamboo thickets looking for insects or the drone of a Brown Fish Owl, and the screech of a Barn Owl as the sun goes down for the day.
Agarzari also features a Butterfly garden, one of the few of a kind in the country! The 5 acre butterfly garden gives you access to a different kind of winged beauty as you can get up close to some of the 174 species of butterflies in the region. There are host plants and food plants for these butterflies and watching their life cycles is also an enriching moment.
Zari Gate:
The region surrounding our own resort in Tadoba is also the perfect spot for birding if you don’t wish to venture too far away from the resort. With a completely isolated section far away from the other gates, Zari is perfect for sighting both megafauna and plenty of birdlife. This is where you may get a chance to spot rarities such as the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher or the more endangered Changeable Hawk Eagle. You will also find plenty of Bulbuls and Bushlarks near the villages, Spotted Owlets and the rare Forest Owlet, and much more. If you are staying at our resort in Tadoba, you can also enlist the help of expert naturalists who can take you on walks both during the day and night so that you can also get a taste of nocturnal life around our resort in Tadoba!
