Winter on the Wetlands Mangalajodi
Mangalajodi: Community Conservation and Close-Up Birding
Mangalajodi in Odisha, one of the best winter birding destinations in India.
Imagine thousands of birds, hand-rowed boats, golden light, and some of the closest sightings you will ever experience.
Located on the northern edge of Chilika Lake in Odisha on India’s eastern coast, Mangalajosi is a vast freshwater–brackish wetland known for incredibly close bird sightings. What makes it even more special is its origin story. This was once a poaching hotspot and has since been transformed into a world-class birding destination through local community-led conservation efforts. The entire experience is quiet and intimate, with boatmen rowing by hand. There are no engines, no noise, only the gentle movement of a wooden boat through still water.
Winter brings an extraordinary concentration of birdlife. Between 150,000 and 300,000 migratory birds gather here. Northern pintail, Gadwall, Northern shoveler, Eurasian wigeon, Common teal, Asian openbill, Purple heron, Whiskered tern, Black-tailed godwit, and countless waders fill the marshes. Many ducks and shorebirds begin showing their breeding plumage as the season goes on.
The light during winter mornings is exceptional. Soft golden light, a thin mist rising from the wetlands, and perfectly calm water create ideal conditions for portrait-style bird images, silhouettes, and environmental frames. As the water level drops later in the season, the action becomes even more intense. Purple Herons and Sacred Ibises can be seen actively hunting snakes and bullfrogs. I will share more on that in a later post.
This photo set focuses on shooting into the sun and backlighting Whiskered Terns as they dip down to fish. These opportunities were made possible thanks to a trip led by Jayanta Guha, who arranged the perfect conditions. My pot belly kept me from getting as low as I had hoped, but the images were still well worth the effort.
Mangalajodi is a true hidden gem, and Odisha offers countless other surprises. Should you ever wish to experience these places in a more immersive and intentional way than the standard tours, I would be happy to help you plan or accompany you.