10 Best Tourist Spots in Tamil Nadu For Bird Watchers

Pulicat lake bird sanctuary is a saline backwater lake lying along the T.N.-A.P coast; part extending to Chengalpattu district of T.N. It has an area of 481 sq.KM and it is the 2nd largest brackish water lagoon in India after Chilka lake in Orissa. The area on the TN side is 153.67 sq.km.

The Pulicat sanctuary is drained by Arni river while the Buckingham canal brings in the city’s drainage water. At the southern end is an opening on to Bay of Bengal through a shallow mouth of 200 m in width. The rest of the lake is closed by a sand bar running parallel to the Bay of Bengal in the form of the Sriharikota island.

Vedanthangal birds sanctuary is one of the smallest and oldest in the country with a unique history. The local people have been protecting the sanctuary for centuries now because they have realized that the bird droppings falling into the tank increases nitrogen content of the water and when used to irrigate crop increases the yield greatly and saves the cost of fertilizers. As far back as 1798, the village folk convinced the authorities to give protection to the birds of the 30 ha. area of the Vedanthangal tank. Around 30000 birds come every season even though the area is just 30 ha It then attracts multitudes of herons, egrets, storks, ibises and spoon bills. If the monsoon is heavy, these trees can be partially submerged. Despite its compact size, Vedanthangal is worth a visit, especially between October and January, for the experience of seeing nesting birds in the thousand within close range.

Located about 86 KM from Chennai in Madurantakam Taluk of Chengai Anna District ,, this is one of the most tranquil and beautiful place near Chennai. Spread over 61.21 ha, this comprises of two rain fed irrigation tanks. The water enriched by bird droppings results in increased yield. Beginning with the open billed storks, the birds start arriving in Sept-Oct. Karikkili is a haven for ducks and waders. Pintailed ducks, Garganey teals, common teals, Shovellor, Little Grebe or Dab chick, Herons and Egrets are the other avian visitors.

Spread over 454 ha, the sanctuary attracts about 90 species of water birds. A total of 188 species of birds have been recorded in the sanctuary. The Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary is located in Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu.

Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary was created in December 1999. The Sanctuary is home to variety of migratory water birds like Coot, Grey Heron, White Ibis, Open bill Storks, Night Heron and Purple Heron.

Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary is located in Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. The nearest city, Thanjavur, is located 25 kms from the sanctuary. Created in July 1999, the Sanctuary attracts more than 40 species of water birds like Ibis, Painted stork, Grey pelican, Pintail, Cormorant, Teals, Herons etc..

The Sanctuary is a large irrigation tank which receives water from Mettur dam especially from the northeast monsoon from August to December. It remains dry from April to August.

The bird sanctuary was declared in 1989, with an estimated area of 47.63 ha. The sanctuary area is within the community tank embankments and its immediate water holding channel, measuring approximately 15 meters from the bottom of the embankment. Most notable feature of the sanctuary is the prominent growth of Babul (Acacia nilotica) trees.

Koonthankulam Birds Sanctuary is a unique sanctuary actively protected and managed by the Koonthakulam village community. The largest breeding water bird reserve in south India attracts more than one lakh birs annually. It is located 35 kms away from Tirunelveli in Tirunelveli Thisaianvilai Road comprising of Koonthankulam and Kadankulam tanks covering an extent of 129.33 hectares and declared as sanctuary in 1994.
It is significant that the local people have taken keen interest in protecting this sanctuary and they live together in total symbiotic relationship.

Vellode Birds Sanctuary of Erode District of Tamil nadu, has an area of 77.185 ha. Comprising of 75.935 ha of Periyakulam Yeri and 1.250 ha of odai poramboke in SF No.503 in Vadamugam Vellode village.

The sanctuary is encompassing Periya Kollukudi Patti, Chinna Kollukudi Patti and Vettangudi Patti tanks extending to a total area of 38.4 ha. The only bird sanctuary located in the Sivaganga District. was declared as sanctuary in June 1977.