Bird Walk at Baruipur Marshes, West Bengal
- Baruipur
- 31 January, 2026
- Tirthankar Roy Chowdhury
About Baruipur Marshes
Baruipur Marshes, nestled on the southern fringe of Kolkata in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, are a captivating tapestry of wetlands, shallow marshes, open water bodies, reed beds and grasslands that together create a dynamic habitat mosaic for wildlife and birds. While exact figures for the total area aren’t formally published as a protected park, this extensive marshy grassland landscape spreads across the peri-urban plains around Baruipur town and adjacent Chandipur, making it an accessible yet surprisingly rich natural refuge just beyond the city’s bustle. The mix of aquatic zones, marshy floodplain and tall grasses supports a remarkable variety of species — from resident birds like Lesser Whistling Ducks, Grey-headed Swamphens, Asian Openbills and Red/Tricoloured Munias to elusive grassland dwellers such as Bengal bush larks and even the vulnerable Bristled Grassbird that thrive in tall marsh vegetation. Enthusiasts also record rare visitors and winter migrants like Bluethroats, Chestnut-eared Buntings and other passerines, making it a year-round hotspot for birdwatching and photography.
Yet beneath the charm of dawn choruses and shimmering wetlands lies a story of conservation challenge. Unlike official sanctuaries, Baruipur Marshes are largely unprotected and interspersed with industrial plots, expanding infrastructure and proposed developmental land use, posing constant pressure on this delicate ecosystem. With grasslands and marshes at risk of conversion to concrete and human activity increasing — including troubling reports of bird trapping — the very habitats that sustain grassland-dependent species and migratory visitors are shrinking or degrading. Conservationists emphasize the urgency of safeguarding these wetlands through thoughtful land-use planning, community stewardship and awareness, so that the marshes continue to pulse with life and retain their role as a green gem for birders and nature lovers alike
Partnered with
Bird Guide: Tirthankar Roy Chowdhury
By profession he is an IT Engineer, at heart a nature enthusiast. He finds joy in observing life in all its forms- from tiny fungi to soaring birds. He lead nature walks that welcome everyone, inspiring children, underpriviledged and specially abled to discover the wonder of nature.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Baruipur Marshes
Baruipur Marshes in West Bengal host an impressive avian spectacle, with a rich mix of wetland, grassland and woodland birds contributing to a checklist of nearly 260 recorded species. Shallow waters come alive with Lesser Whistling Ducks, Eurasian Coots, Cotton Pygmy Geese, Purple Swamphens and elegant Bronze-winged Jacanas, while taller wetlands support Asian Openbills, Oriental Darters and stately Purple Herons. Along reedbeds and fields, small but lively birds such as Paddyfield Pipits, Zitting Cisticolas, Yellow-bellied Prinias, Tricoloured Munias and Bengal Bushlarks flit constantly, joined in winter by visitors like the Siberian Stonechat. The marsh edges and trees resonate with the calls of Greater Coucals, Spotted Doves and Long-tailed Shrikes, while splashes of colour come from Asian Green Bee-eaters, Common Hoopoes and the striking Stork-billed Kingfisher. Overhead, Black-winged Kites and seasonal Oriental Honey Buzzards patrol the skies, making Baruipur Marshes a vibrant, ever-changing birding destination where water, grass and sky converge.
Lesser-whistling Duck
Oriental Darter
Bronze-winged Jacana
Asian Green Bee-Eater
Long-tailed Shrike
Eurasian Coot
Paddyfield Pipit
Siberian Stonechat
Grey-headed Swamphen
Greater Coucal
Cotton Pygmy Goose
Purple Heron
Stork-billed Kingfisher
Spotted Dove
Common Hoopoe
Oriental Honey Buzzard
Black Kite
Indian Pond Heron
White-throated Kingfisher
Black Drongo
Summary of Walk
Despite being far from the city, 9 enthusiastic participants joined the afternoon bird walk at Baruipur Marshes, led by bird expert Tirthankar. The walk began with an unexpected bonus—sightings of monitor lizards, first basking and later actively stalking ducks. The wetland was buzzing with life, offering close views of Ferruginous Ducks, Purple Swamphen, Pheasant-tailed and Bronze-winged Jacanas, Eurasian Coots, Moorhens, and over 1000 Lesser Whistling Ducks, including two leucistic individuals.
As the group moved into the grassland habitat, they spotted Siberian Stonechat, Long-tailed Shrike, Zitting Cisticola, Bluethroat, wagtails, and Eurasian Wryneck. The most thrilling moment came towards the end when participants witnessed an intense aerial encounter between a Peregrine Falcon and two Pied Harriers, leaving everyone awestruck. With around 35 species recorded across habitats, the walk offered deep learning about ecosystems, bird behavior, and habitat conservation.
Number of Participants
0
