Sandi Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary in Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
This idyllic spot is located just 19 km away from the Hardoi-Sandi Road and 1 km from Sandi town, and is a must-visit destination for all bird enthusiasts.
Founded in 1990, the Sandi Bird Sanctuary was established to protect the natural habitats and aquatic vegetation for both the local residents and migratory birds. And let’s just say, it’s been doing a fantastic job!
This protected Ramsar site is known by its ancient name “Dahar Jheel” (which literally translates to “Lake”) and boasts an area of 309 hectares, with the River Garra (formerly known as Garun Ganga) running nearby.
This river serves as a pit-stop for migratory birds before they make their way to the sanctuary, which starts to come alive with feathered visitors from November until the end of winter.
From December to February, Sandi transforms into a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 40,000 individuals counted in 2018. You might even get lucky enough to spot the rare Siberian white crane (Grus leucogeranus), which has been spotted here in the past. This bird-haven is home to over 1% of the South Asian populations of common teal, red-crested pochard and ferruginous duck, and the vulnerable sarus crane with a population of 200 individuals within the sanctuary.
Getting to Sandi Bird Sanctuary is easy, with the nearest railway station located in Hardoi (just 19 km away). And with the amazing sights and sounds on offer, this is one bird watching adventure you won’t want to miss! So pack your binoculars, grab your cameras and get ready to be surrounded by a flock of flying wonders.