Birding walk around the main lake

In the first light the lake is still and grey, and the sounds come first: the honk of ducks, the whistle of a kingfisher, the clatter of a purple swamphen in the reeds. The path from the highway leads into sal forest and along the shore, with gaps in the trees where you can stand and scan the water. Within a few minutes of leaving the highway, the traffic noise fades behind the trees. The light is soft, the air cool, and the birds are at their most active.

In winter the open water holds rafts of ducks and grebes, while egrets, herons and cormorants fish the edges and bronze-winged jacanas walk on the floating leaves. The forest behind holds woodpeckers, barbets, drongos and, with luck, a hornbill. Raptors circle over the lake as the day warms. Look for Eurasian otters slipping along the reed edges early in the morning. Raptors such as fish eagles sometimes perch in tall trees overlooking the water, watching for prey.

A local guide from the community forest group knows the paths and the best viewpoints. Allow two to three hours at a slow pace and finish with tea in Sukhad bazaar before continuing on the highway. The walk is flat and suitable for most ages. Bring binoculars, a bird app or field guide and a light jacket for the early start. Wear shoes that can cope with mud, especially after rain.