Bird Walk at Sippighat wetland , Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Andaman
- 26 September, 2026
- Aldrich Franklin
About Sippighat Wetland
Sippighat Wetland, in South Andaman near Sri Vijaya Puram, is a diverse coastal wetland landscape shaped by shallow water bodies, tidal mudflats, grass-covered areas, mangroves, and adjoining agricultural and open lands. The wetland was significantly transformed following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, when seawater inundated parts of the former agricultural landscape and created areas of permanent or seasonal waterlogging. Today, this mosaic of habitats provides important feeding and resting areas for a variety of wetland and migratory birds.
Sippighat is recognised as one of South Andaman’s important wetland birding areas, with its combination of mudflats, stagnant shallow water, grassland, and mangrove habitat supporting considerable bird diversity. The wetland also lies close to human settlements and roads, making it accessible for birdwatching but subject to human disturbance. Reclamation, fishing, hunting, encroachment, and the gradual shrinking of wetland areas have been identified as concerns. Protecting its remaining wetland habitats and maintaining the natural character of its mudflats, shallow waters, grasslands, and mangroves are important for conserving its birdlife
Bird Guide: Aldrich Franklin
Aldrich have been birding in these beautiful islands of Andaman and Nicobar islands for almost 8 years now and he has covered more than 200 specifies of birds here. Presently in working with Shakti in his company : tribesmen.in as bird guide.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Sippighat Wetland
Sippighat Wetland supports a diverse assemblage of wetland and terrestrial birds, reflecting the variety of habitats found across the wetland landscape. Egrets are commonly associated with the shallow waters and wetland edges, while species such as Lesser Whistling-Duck, Grey-headed Swamphen, Eurasian Coot, Eurasian Moorhen, and White-breasted Waterhen make use of the aquatic habitats and surrounding vegetation. The presence of Cinnamon Bittern and Yellow Bittern highlights the importance of the wetland’s marshy and vegetated areas, where these secretive birds can find suitable cover and feeding opportunities. Long-tailed Parakeets add a forest and woodland element to the bird community, while Common Myna is well adapted to the more open and human-influenced surroundings. Yellow Wagtails can also be observed using open and wet areas, particularly during suitable seasonal periods. White-nest Swiftlets and Plum-toed Swiftlets represent the aerial birdlife of the area, adding another dimension to the diversity of species recorded here. Together, these birds demonstrate the importance of Sippighat Wetland as a habitat supporting waterbirds, marsh specialists, woodland species, and birds that forage in open areas.
Andaman Teal
Long-tailed Parakeet
Grey-headed Swamphen
Lesser Whistling-Duck
Eurasian Coot
Eurasian Moorhen
Cinnamon Bittern
Yellow Bittern
White-breasted Waterhen
White-nest Swiftlet
Plum-toed Swiftlet
Andaman Drongo
Common Myna
Yellow Wagtail
Eastern Cattle Egret
Great Egret
Little egret
Intermediate Egret
Asian Koel
Andaman Cuckoo Dove
Summary of Walk
Three participants joined guide Aldrich Franklin for a bird walk at Sippighat Wetland in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, spotting around 25 species across the morning, most of them waders making the most of the wetland’s shallow margins.
The group was lucky enough to spot a Little Cormorant and a Glossy Ibis, both rare sightings at this site, along with a pair of Andaman Teal — a species endemic to the islands. Most of the remaining tally came from waders, including stints, curlews and several varieties of sandpipers, giving the small group a rich and rewarding cross-section of Sippighat’s wetland birdlife.
Number of Participants
0
