Sultanpur National Park

Sultanpur is small, around a square and a half kilometre of shallow lake, marsh and scrub within reach of Delhi, and its importance is as a stopover on the Central Asian flyway: through the winter, painted storks, greater flamingos, pelicans, cranes, geese, ducks and waders arrive in numbers well out of proportion to the site's size, with over two hundred and fifty species recorded. Nilgai, large antelope, wander the scrub alongside the resident birds. A path circles the water with hides at intervals. The lake depends on pumped water, and its condition varies year to year.

What you actually see

• The winter migrants - storks, flamingos, pelicans and waterfowl in numbers.
• The circuit path - a walk around the lake with hides at intervals.
• The nilgai - large antelope grazing the surrounding scrub.
• The proximity to Delhi - serious birding within an hour of the city.

When to go

November to February for migrants, with December and January the peak; birds thin out from March. The park closes on Tuesdays. Early morning is best for activity and light.

Honest expectations

The lake is small and dries or shrinks in poor years, sometimes with few birds. Delhi's winter smog can spoil visibility. Weekends bring crowds and noise that push birds away from the path.

Nearby

Gurugram lies northeast; Delhi is further northeast.