Top 10 Places in India for Bird Watching

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Vedanthangal bird sanctuary

Vedanthangal is the oldest bird sanctuary in the country with an area of 30 hectares. A tank having a compact grove of Barringtonia acacia nilotica trees and the dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests.

Breeding birds like the Cormorant, Egrets, Grey Heron, Open-billed Stork, Darter, Spoonbill, White Ibis, Night Herons, Grebes, and Grey Pelican visit the sanctuary each year. The population of migratory birds included Teals, Shovellers, Pintails and Sandpipers etc. Some of the resident birds listed are Coots, Terns and Moorhen. In all 115 species of birds have been recorded in this sanctuary.

How to Reach

Vedanthangal sanctuary is situated in the Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu (86 km from Chennai). Nearest Railway station Chengalpattu – 30 km away.

Best Season : November to February.
Accommodation : Forest Rest House at Vedanthangal with catering arrangements, P.W.D. Rest House at Karunguzhi.

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Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary

Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary has a large population of varied wildlife such as chital, wild boar, bonnet macaque, black Buck, flamingos, teals, gulls, terns, and plover. Special attractions are the encounters with dolphins and turtles, which often come quite close to the shore. It has 17.26 sq km aera surrounded by sea and shore, comprising forests of tidal swamps and forests of mangroves. Boats are available on hire.

How to Reach

Nearest airport Thiruchirappalli - 225 km away.
Nearest Railway station Thiruthuraipoondi – 42 km away.

Best season : November to February (water birds); Blackbuck and chital all the year round.
Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses at Point Calimere. Catering arrangements are provided.
Contact : The Wildlife Warden, Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, 110, Public Officers Road, Nagapattinam – 611 001.