The rich aquatic plant and animal life in the shallow, fresh-water marsh of Bharatpur has been attracting resident and migratory aquatic birds in thousands since times immemorial. It has a recorded history of 100 years of duck shoots. 353 species of birds belonging to 56 families, converge within the 29 sq km area of the National Park. Come winter and colonies of birds are formed on the treetops and amongst shrubs. The entire park is a medley of sounds, fluttering wings and a great to-do abount hunting for fish, acquatic roots and insects. Spoonbills, painted stortks, ibises, herons, egrets, flamingos, white breasted kingfishers,  snake birds and many other species of birds take wing, settle down or simply communicate with each other.

The rare near-extinct Siberian Cranes visit no other waters in India except the marshes of Keoladeo. It is easily accesibely from Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, both by road and rail, and a comfortable stay at the RTDC Hotel Saras make Keoladeo a popular destination for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Best Season: Aug to Feb. Access: Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal is the  rail-head and an attractive  stopover    from visitors arriving from New Delhi/Mumbai/Calcutta. From Jaipur, it it common to take a car/bus..