Navi Mumbai Turns Pink: Flamingo Season 2025-26 Begins as First Flocks Land at Thane Creek and DPS Lake
Navi Mumbai’s skyline is witnessing its most iconic seasonal transformation as the ‘Pink Guests’ have officially returned.
The annual flamingo migration to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has commenced for the 2025-26 season, with the first major flocks of Greater Flamingos sighted at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) and the DPS Flamingo Lake in Nerul. While the arrival was delayed by a few weeks due to an extended monsoon and post-monsoon showers, the sight of nearly 300 birds at the start of December has sparked excitement among birdwatchers and environmentalists alike.
Flamingo Season 2025-26: A Delayed but Hopeful Start
Typically, the migration begins in November, but this year’s weather patterns shifted the timeline. Senior bird researchers have confirmed that while current numbers are modest, the migration is expected to hit its peak between January and March 2026. These migratory birds, traveling from as far as Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch and parts of Iran and Africa, choose Navi Mumbai’s nutrient-rich mudflats for their abundance of blue-green algae and brine shrimp.
Navi Mumbai Flamingo City: Top Sightings and Hotspots
For those looking to witness the spectacle, several locations across the “Flamingo City” are currently active:
- Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS): The epicenter of the migration, offering organized boat safaris from Airoli and Bhandup.
- DPS Flamingo Lake, Nerul: A popular urban spot where flamingos can be seen at a very close distance from the road.
- TS Chanakya & NRI Wetlands: Critical roosting sites that serve as a refuge for the birds during high tide in the creek.
- Uran Wetlands: Including Panje and Belpada, which remain vital feeding grounds despite ongoing development pressures.
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— Maharashtra Tourism (@maha_tourism) December 20, 2025
Every winter, Navi Mumbai’s creeks and wetlands quietly turn pink as thousands of flamingos migrate here to rest and feed. Watching them glide over calm waters, with the city fading into the background, is a gentle reminder of how close nature truly is. A seasonal sight pic.twitter.com/lDUCGZodWP
The Battle for DPS Flamingo Lake Nerul
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the season brings renewed focus to the conservation of these fragile habitats. Environmental groups, including the NatConnect Foundation and Save Navi Mumbai Environment, are pushing the Maharashtra government to finalize the Gazette notification for DPS Lake.
The State Wildlife Board approved its status as a Conservation Reserve earlier in 2025, but activists warn that blocked tidal water inlets and stagnant water are creating high levels of algae that could threaten the birds’ health. “The flamingos are biological indicators of our city’s ecological health,” says B.N. Kumar, Director of NatConnect Foundation. “Protecting these wetlands is not just about the birds; it’s about protecting our climate infrastructure.”
How to Experience the Pink Migration
As the “Pink Festival” begins, authorities and naturalists urge citizens to visit responsibly.
- Check Tides: The best time for sightings at inland lakes like DPS is during high tide at the creek, as the birds move inland to rest.
- Boat Safaris: Booking a boat safari at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary remains the most immersive way to see the thousands of birds without disturbing their natural habitat.
- Photography Etiquette: Visitors are reminded to avoid using drones and to maintain a quiet distance to ensure the migratory flocks are not startled.
