Vedanthankal Lake Bird Sanctuary is a 30-hectare (74-acre) sanctuary located in the Kancheepuram District of the state of
Tamil Nadu,
India. The sanctuary is about 75 kilometres (47 mi) from
Chennai on National Highway 45 (NH45) south of
Chengalpattu. Vedanthangal is a home for migratory birds, such as pintail, garganey, grey wagtail, blue-winged teal, common sandpiper and some more.
Vedanthangal is at around one and half hour journey from Chennai. It is one of the oldest water bird sanctuaries in the country. Vedanthangal in Tamil language means 'hamlet of the hunter'. This area was a favourite hunting spot for the local landlords 301 years ago. The region attracted a variety of birds because it was dotted with small lakes that acted as feeding grounds for the birds. Realising its ornithological importance, the British government undertook steps to develop Vedanthangal into a bird sanctuary as early as 1798. This was established in 1858 by the order of the Collector of Chingleput District.
The best time to visit this sanctuary is from November to March. During this time birds are mostly busy in building and maintaining their nests. Villagers near this sanctuary are very concerned about the Sanctuary and the birds coming to this sanctuary, and they have taken many serious steps to avoid disturbance to the flow of birds.
Karikili Bird Sanctuary:
Karikili bird sanctuary is located at a distance of around 9 km from the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary. The best time for bird watching is in the morning.
Bird species:
The sanctuary features thousands of birds coming from various countries, some of which can be easily identified. Some easily found bird species include Cormorants, Darter, Grebes, Large Egret, Little Egrets, Moorhen, Night Herons, Paddy Bird, Painted Stork, Pintails, Pond Heron, Sandpiper, Shovellers, Terns, White Ibis and many more. The migratory birds include Garganey Teals
Canada, Snake Bird
Sri Lanka, Grey Pelican
Australia, Grey Heron
Bangladesh, Open-billed Stork Bangladesh, Glossy Ibis Sri Lanka, Painted Stork Siberia, Spoonbill Burma and the Spot Bill Duck.
Location:
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is located near Vedanthangal Karikili in the district of
Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu.
Area: 30 hectares (74 acres)
Flora And Fauna:
Flora:
Barringtonia acutangula, Acacia nilotica, Alangium salviflorum trees and dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests.
Fauna:
Monkeys and other common mammals can be spotted.
Avian-Fauna:
Garganey teals, glossy ibis, grey heron, grey pelican, open-billed stork, painted stork,vsnake bird, spoonbill, spot bill duck, cormorants, darter, grebes, large egret, little egrets, moorhen, night herons, paddy bird, painted stork, pintails, pond heron, sandpiper, shovellers, terns, white ibis. They are migrating from
Europe to Vedanthangal during November and December because they are facing severe cold climate in Europe.
