Bird Walk at Sukhna Lake Trail, Chandigarh

Name: Bird Walk at Sukhna Lake Trail, Chandigarh
Start: 2025-10-19T05:50:00+05:30
End: 2025-10-19T08:00:00+05:30

About Sukhna Lake

Sukhna Lake, located at the foothills of the Shivalik range in Chandigarh, is an iconic man-made reservoir created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe stream. Spanning about 3 km², the lake and its surrounding catchment area form a vital wetland ecosystem amidst the urban landscape. It supports a mosaic of aquatic, riparian, and grassland habitats that attract both resident and migratory birds. Over 221 bird species have been recorded here on eBird, including Bar-headed Goose, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Spot-billed Duck, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, and Pied Kingfisher. During winter, Sukhna becomes a significant stopover for migratory waterfowl arriving from Central Asia, making it one of northern India’s best urban birding hotspots. The adjoining Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary also provides refuge to forest birds such as Indian Peafowl, White-throated Kingfisher, Black-rumped Flameback, and Coppersmith Barbet.

Despite its ecological richness, Sukhna Lake faces multiple conservation challenges. Siltation from the Shivalik foothills, eutrophication from urban runoff, and human disturbance due to heavy recreational use threaten its long-term health. Encroachment, boating activities, and festive gatherings often disturb roosting and nesting birds. The Chandigarh Administration and Forest Department have undertaken desiltation projects, catchment afforestation, and pollution control measures to restore the lake’s ecological balance. Continued community involvement, strict pollution management, and regular biodiversity monitoring are crucial to ensure that Sukhna Lake remains both a cherished recreational hub and a thriving sanctuary for waterbirds and urban wildlife.

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Bird walk Location

Common birds of Sukhna Lake

Within the urban / semi-urban forest patch of Rajiv Smriti Van in Raipur, typical species recorded in eBird checklists around Raipur and Chhattisgarh urban‐forest interfaces include Red-vented Bulbul, White-throated Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Coppersmith Barbet, Indian Robin, Oriental Magpie Robin, House Crow, Large-billed Crow, Spotted Dove, Village Weaver, Tailorbird, Ashy Prinia, Purple Sunbird, Pied Bush Chat, Ashy Drongo, Koel, Greater Coucal, Shikra, Black Kite, and occasionally Asian Openbill (in wetlands or ponds nearby). If the Van has ponds or forest patches, waterbirds such as Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Indian Pond Heron, and Egrets may also visit; migratory insectivores (warblers, flycatchers) might pass through during seasonal migration.