Spread across 30 acres of land in Vedanthangal, Tamil Nadu is the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary, the oldest one of its kind in the country. The sanctuary has been in existence for more than 200 years and the villagers in the area have given been the right to protect the sanctuary.
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 like Teals, Shovellers, Pintails, Sandpipers, etc. fly in during winter. Resident birds listed include Coots, Terns and Moorhen. In all 115 species of birds have been recorded in this sanctuary. November to February is the ideal season to visit the sanctuary.
Vedanthangal is home not only to migratory birds but also to many ornithologists who camp here for weeks observing the birds at close quarters. The population of the migratory birds swells to around 40,000 by the middle of January. The sanctuary is an amazing place to be in, especially at sunset when you can spot thousands of birds returning to their nests and dotting the trees. The sanctuary is open between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Visitors can take guided tours on request.
The Forest Rest House in Vedanthangal provides good stay facilities and is located 58 km away from Chennai International Airport and 30 km from Chengalpattu. Regular buses ply from Chennai, Tambaram and Chengalpattu.
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