Earlier the Nalsarovar (Gujarat) and Point Calimer (Madras) were popular sites for these birds. Being a shy water bird, flamingoes don’t allow human beings proximity. At Baropal, one can see these birds at a distance of 30 metres. Seeing them with the help of a binocular or a telescope is a fascinating experience. Here these birds are often seen standing in the shallow brackish water of the lake in a meditative mood. Some times they can be seen collecting food from the bottom of the lake extending their long neck into the water. Their food comprises small molluscs, crustaceans, water hyacinth and algae— all of which are found in abundance here. While standing they are about 130 cm in size and they are easily recognised by their long neck and long pinkish legs. Whenever the flamingoes are disturbed, they leap into the sky in a row and in clear sunlight a combination of red, pink, black and white plumage is a feast for the eyes. Their colourful feathers when extended in flight seem like beautiful brocade. Flamingoes have a specialised beak for shifting its food from shallow waters and they can be seen pointing these beaks at the feet and moving it from side to side. At Baropal, one can see a large congregation of thousands of migratory birds performing their roles in nature’s vast amphitheatre. This lake has a typical setting of a vast expanse of water in contrast to sand dunes.

Besides flamingoes, Baropal lake and its adjoining wetlands attract a number of migratory ducks. Though a lot of information has been collected to trace the breeding place and migratory route of these avian creatures, still our knowledge about migration is fragmentary. With the help of ringing the migratory ducks and other birds, it has now been established that most of the water ducks migrate into India from Russia and Central Asia. Bombay Natural History Society is doing a noble job in this field. The wetlands of Baropal witness migration of many beautiful water birds. The major migratory species includes Demoiselle Cranes (Anthropoids virgo), Bareheaded Geese (Anseer indicus), Spot bill Duck (Anas poecilorhynca), Mallard Common teal (Anas crecca), Common Pochard (Aythya ferina), Pin Tail (Anas acute), Shoveller (Anas clypeata), Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligulla), Wigeon (Anas Penelope), and Coots. Barheaded geese and coots reach these wetlands from the Tibetan Plataeu. Besides water birds, the lake is also popular for different type of waders. These small birds prefer shallow muddy banks of the lake and close by small water spots. The common verity of waders which are seen here are avocet, green shank, little ring plover, red shank, curlews, sand pipers, black wing stilt and many other species.

It is not strange to find here a group of 20 Avocets at a single place. Among waders, Avocets are the most beautiful birds, and they can be easily identified by their pied colour combination and long up-curved tusk shaped beak. Small water patches along the Jakharanwali road are ideal places to observe these small water birds feeding in muddy area. At Barpal, the trumpeting sound of demoiselle cranes can be heard from a long distance. The star attraction of the lake is the rosy pelican. It is one of the most beautiful birds of pelican family and stands largest among the water birds of the country. From last few years about 200 rosy pelicans are also migrating in Baropal lake adding some more glamour to the lake. Migration of flamingoes in this area is still a phenomenon. Recovery of a ring at Point Calimer (Madras) indicates their origin to Iran and Afghanistan. Baropal lake is 20 km away from Suratgarh Town, a sub-divisional headquarters of Sri Ganganagar District of Northern Rajasthan. It lies on Suratgarh - Rawatsar road. For tourists and nature lovers Baropal is a very small village and there is no facility for boarding and lodging, hence one is bound to stay at Suratgarh town which has a few hotels to provide simple accommodation and food. For the bird lovers, Suratgarh is a central place to visit different wetlands situated around Suratgarh. The Suratgarh wetland is at the northern outskirt of the town where hundreds of migratory birds can be seen in a dense congregation. Prominent among them are shoveler and purple moorhen. With the onset of winter, migratory water birds start thronging in the lake. Spot bill ducks are the earliest migratory birds.

Along with Kalibangan civilization, the nearby Ghaggar depressions also attracts a good number of migratory birds. For tourists at least two days are required to visit these wetlands. Sheer negligence on the part of local forest authorities leads to poaching incidents that are regularly reported in the area. One can see the poisoned carcasses of these innocent birds at the edge of the lake. Poachers spread poisonous chemicals at the edge of the lake which prove fatal to these innocent creatures.As the mercury soars high around 40 degree centigrade in late March, these winter guests start going back northward to their breading area. Demoiselle cranes make a painful crying sound before leaving this place. At the time of departure these cranes soar high in the sky and after completing a round of the area leave the place for a long backward journey.