After several years, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary in district Gurgaon wears a busy look with the arrival of 5,000 migratory birds of various kinds. Their number is expected to increase considerably by the end of the season.

A spokesman of Haryana Tourism said that six species of birds have flown in from European countries, Siberia and Central Asia. Sanctuary officials are hopeful that the 100- odd varieties that used to flock to the park a few years ago may be seen again.

According to the spokesman, Sultanpur Lake is the point around which the bird sanctuary has been developed. The lake is a picnic spot, with boating facilities. The lake has a good number of reptiles, which attracts migratory birds during winters.

The spokesman said that the bird sanctuary is home to a large range of resident and migratory birds. Migratory geese and Siberian cranes spend the winter in Sultanpur. There are also the demoiselle cranes, ruddy shelducks, pelicans, flamingoes, bar-headed geese, grey lags, gadwalls, mallards, pochards, shovellers and teals. Local species includes plovers, red-wattled lapwings, herons, cormorants, white ibises, spoonbills and painted storks.

Other wildlife in the park includes blackbuck, nilgai, hog deer, sambar, wild dog or dhole, caracal, wild cat, hedgehog, mongoose, striped hyena, Indian porcupine, rattle/honey badger, leopard, wild pig, and four horned antelope. The sanctuary was a regular haunt of Dr. Salim Ali and innumerable bird watchers, who come to observe bird antics. There are hide outs, watch towers and a museum for those keen on serious study.

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