My Santragachi Jheel

Santragachi Jheel: The Lake extends over 32 acres/ 13, 75,000 square
feet and attacks 4000 / 5000 migratory winter birds, ducks and moorhens
to this safe haven between Decembers to February. Lesser Whistling-Ducks
 dominate this lake, as they do in most parts of the east. But by no
means is Santragachi a one duck pond. Regular winter visitors here
 include the rare Fulvous Whistling-duck, Swinhoe's Snipe,
 Ferruginous Pochard, Comb Duck and the more common Gadwall,
 Garganey, Northern Pintail, Northern Shovelers Common Moorhen,
 Cotton Pygmy Goose and others. Jacanas and bitterns are the resident
 breeders.

Earlier it was not beautiful as the surrounding train and green weeds
covered the jheel . But the birds more than make up in their variety,
numbers and in the  unconcerned way they make Santragachi a home. The
 key feature of Santragachi is the protection that these birds receive
 at this small lake. Unless you visit Santragachi and see the
 unconcerned way in which the normally wary birds move about,
you can never appreciate the miracle of Santragachi. And the credit goes to the Indian Railways who own and maintain the lake and more particularly to the local residents who take pride in protecting the birds. Now with the help of NGOs and locals it has been put under beautification and now it's the perfect picture scene

How to reach: Santragachi Jheel is easily accessed from the Kona Expressway which connects the second Hooghly Bridge with NH 6. It is just beside Santragachi Railway Station which is a 30 minute drive from esplanade, center of Kolkata. The Jheel or lake is right behind the rail tracks and a short walk from the station. One can reach there by Train too. Santragachi station is just 3 stations (15mins) away from Howrah Station.
Best time: December to February when the temperatures dip. Early mornings (6.30 am) and late afternoon (4.00 pm onwards) are the best time(s) of the day.