Bird Walk at Sharda Sagar Dam – Pilibhit Tiger Reserve Buffer Area, Uttar Pradesh

Name: Bird Walk at Sharda Sagar Dam – Pilibhit Tiger Reserve Buffer Area, Uttar Pradesh
Start: 2026-01-18T07:30:00+05:30
End: 2026-01-18T09:30:00+05:30

About Sharda Sagar Dam, UP

Sharda Sagar Dam, located within the buffer zone of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, forms a striking interface between freshwater wetlands and dense Terai forests. Spread across a vast reservoir fed by the Sharda River, the area is surrounded by a rich mosaic of grasslands, riverine forests, marshes and sal-dominated woodland, characteristic of the Terai landscape. This diversity supports an impressive array of flora such as sal, khair, shisham, tall grasses and aquatic vegetation, creating ideal conditions for wildlife. The buffer zone plays a crucial role in supporting mammals like tigers, leopards, swamp deer, nilgai and otters, while the dam itself attracts a remarkable concentration of waterbirds, raptors and migratory species. For birders, Sharda Sagar is especially rewarding during winter, when ducks, geese, waders, storks and fish-eagles transform the reservoir and its edges into a vibrant birding hotspot.

Despite its ecological importance, the Sharda Sagar Dam landscape faces ongoing conservation challenges. Fluctuating water levels, human disturbance, fishing pressure, grazing, and habitat degradation in the buffer zone can impact both aquatic and terrestrial species. Being outside the core area of the tiger reserve, the region requires careful management to balance livelihoods with conservation goals. Continued protection of wetlands, regulation of human activities, habitat restoration and strong community involvement are essential to maintaining the area’s role as a wildlife corridor and bird refuge. With mindful conservation, Sharda Sagar can continue to function as a vital ecological asset within the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve landscape, supporting both biodiversity and the larger health of the Terai ecosystem.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Sharda Sagar Dam, UP

The wetlands of Sharda Sagar Dam in the buffer zone of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve are alive with waterbirds, making the area a visual treat for birdwatchers, especially in winter. The open waters host elegant swimmers such as Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebes, Red-crested Pochards, Tufted Ducks and a colourful mix of migratory ducks including Lesser Whistling Ducks, Gadwalls, Eurasian Wigeons, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails and Common Teal. Along the reed-fringed edges and shallow marshes, Purple Swamphens, Eurasian Coots and Common Moorhens forage quietly, while Asian Openbill Storks and Red-naped Ibises stride through wet patches in search of prey. Striated and Purple Herons, Darters and Great Cormorants add a dramatic presence as they fish and perch along the banks, and in cooler months the reservoir is often enlivened by flocks of Black-headed Gulls resting on exposed mudflats. Together, these commonly seen species reflect the rich wetland character of Sharda Sagar and underline its importance as a key birding habitat within the Terai landscape.