Rooplekha Das
Set against Mumbai’s industrial waterfront, Sewri’s mudflats attract migratory flamingos in winter. Access to the traditional viewing area is often restricted, so check local conditions before planning a visit there.
Thane Creek’s mangrove-lined waters attract wintering flamingos near Mumbai. Guided boat safaris from the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre offer a chance to observe flocks from boats without disturbing them.
Near Pune, Bhigwan’s backwaters along the Ujani Dam become a winter draw for flamingos and other migratory waterbirds. Early-morning boat rides offer rewarding birdwatching across the wetlands before temperatures rise.
Every winter, thousands of flamingos visit Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest coastal lagoon, with Nalabana Island among its important bird habitats. The lagoon’s blue waters frame seasonal congregations of migratory birds.
In the Great Rann of Kutch, a remote breeding ground known as Flamingo City draws nesting flamingos to salt flats. The stark white landscape makes their pink plumage especially striking.
A shallow wetland near Ahmedabad, Nalsarovar attracts Greater and Lesser Flamingos through the winter. Boat excursions across its waters also offer sightings of pelicans, herons, and ducks during the season.
Straddling Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Pulicat Lake is a major winter stopover for migratory flamingos. Its brackish lagoon and annual Flamingo Festival make it a birdwatching draw for visitors.