The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Vedanthangal sanctuary opens for bird watching

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 25, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Vedanthangal sanctuary opens for bird watching

P. Oppili

Nearly 7,000 birds including egrets, white ibis roost here

CHENNAI: The Vedanthangal bird sanctuary in Kancheepuram district has been thrown open to visitors since Wednesday. Every year the sanctuary is opened to visitors only after the onset of the northeast monsoon. Migratory birds nest at the sanctuary till February or March, depending upon the availability of water. The birds roost here but feed at the nearby Madhuranthagam Lake and a few other places.

Wildlife authorities said that when the city received heavy rains last month, there were no rains at Vedanthangal. So the lake remained only half-filled.

Many local migratory birds settled down at the Karikili birds' sanctuary, located 9 kilometres from Vedanthangal.

With the tank filling up now, the birds have moved from Karikili to Vedanthangal. Moreover, since Sunday night Vedanthangal received rains, the authorities said.

At present about 7,000 birds are roosting here, which include three species of egrets, white ibis, open and spoon-bill storks, grey, night and pond herons, grey pelicans, cormorants, darters besides dabchicks, pintail ducks and common teals.

Abundant water

Wildlife authorities have said that water from the Valayaputhoor tank is flowing into Vedanthangal through the fifth channel and soon it would fill up totally. The present water level will last till March next year, they said.

Nature lovers and birdwatchers, who wish to stay and watch these avian visitors can contact the Chennai Wildlife Warden's office at 24321471.

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