Protected Areas of Tamil Nadu - Bird Sanctuaries

Bird Sanctuaries

There are 13 established bird sanctuaries at the southernmost continental range of the Central Asian Flyway in Tamilandu.

1. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary This .48 km2 (0.19 sq mi) sanctuary in Ramanathapuram District is home to Spot-billed Pelicans, Cormorants, Egrets, Grey heron, Spoon-billed Stork. 9°19′48″N 78°29′23″E / 9.33000°N 78.48972°E / 9.33000; 78.48972
2. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary This 1.04 km2 (0.40 sq mi) sanctuary in Ramanathapuram District is home to Cormorants, egrets, grey heron, Spoon-billed Storks, teals and pelicans.
3. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary This 4.54 km2 (1.75 sq mi) sanctuary in Perambalur District is home to Egrets, Pelican, Grey Heron, Black-headed Ibis and Common Spoonbills.
4. Karikili Bird Sanctuary This .612 km2 (0.236 sq mi) sanctuary in Kancheepuram Districtis home to Cormorants, Egrets, Grey heron, Spoon-billed Stork.
5. Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary This 1.2933 km2 (0.4993 sq mi) in Nanguneri Taluk of Tirunelveli district is the largest reserve for breeding water birds in South India and attracts more than 100,000 birds annually.
6. Melaselvanur - Kilaselvanur Bird Sanctuary This 5.93 km2 (2.29 sq mi) sanctuary in Ramanathapuram District is home to Grey pelican and Painted Stork.
7. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary is a 17.26 km2 (6.66 sq mi) Bird Sanctuary In Point Calimere, Thanjavur district. It consists of tidal swamps, dry evergreen forests and mangroves. The sanctuary is famous for its flamingos and Black Buck Antelope. A large variety of water birds including Teals, Gulls, Terns, Plovers and Stilts can be seen during winter months. Mammals include Chital, Wild Boar. The water birds of the great swamp and the dolphins and turtles that often come close to the shore are important attractions.
8. Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary This 461.02 km2 (178.00 sq mi) sanctuary in Pulicat, Thiruvallur District is the second largest brackish-water eco-system on the East Coast of India. Many Greater Flamingos can be seen here.
9. Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary is .45 km2 (0.17 sq mi) is in Tiruvarur District. It is home to Little cormorant, darter, spoon bill, Indian Reef Heron, Grey heron, whitenecked stork
10. Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary This 1.28 km2 (0.49 sq mi) sanctuary is 14 km from Mannargudi towards Thanjavur in Nagapattinam district It consist of a fresh water lake with a few trees, mainly Babul. There are 33 different species of birds including: River tern, Black-headed munia, Grey heron, White-breasted kingfisher Spotted Dove and more. Annual rainfall is about 1400 mm. The nearest airport is at Thiruchirapalli and the nearest Railway station is Thanjavur. There is a Rest House at Mannargudi. For greater details contact the Wildlife Warden, 110 Public Offices Road, Nagapattinam – 611 001.
11. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary This .3 km2 (0.12 sq mi) sanctuary in Kancheepuram District is home to Cormorants, egrets, gray heron, Spoon-bill Stork and migratory birds such as Garganey, Teals, Shovallers
12. Vellode Birds Sanctuary This .772 km2 (0.298 sq mi) sanctuary in Erode District is home to Spoon bills, teals, pintail ducks, and darters.
13. Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary This .344 km2 (0.133 sq mi) near Thirupattur in Sivaganga district has attracted more than 8,000 migratory birds belonging to 217 species, mostly from European and North Asian countries. The species included white ibis, Asian openbill stork and night heron. It has also attracted indigenous, endangered species such as painted stork, grey heron, darter, little cormorant, little egret, intermediate egret, cattle egret, common teal, spotbills, pintail and flamingos. The Government has allotted Rs. 9 lakhs for the Vettangudi Sanctuary to improve infrastructure for tourists.

• Viralimalai Peacock Sanctuary is in the small town of Viralimalai, situated 30 km from Thiruchirapalli and 40 km from Pudukkottai. It is known for its Murugan temple and the adjacent Peacock Sanctuary. The town is bestowed with a large number of wild peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple. The town, Temple and Peacock Sanctuary have been declared and funded as a Heritage Place by order of the Governor.
• Kallaperambur lake 10°47′51″N 79°01′36″E / 10.79750°N 79.02667°E / 10.79750; 79.02667 near Thanjavur has recently been declared as a bird sanctuary by the Forest department. Improvement works remain to be undertaken in the lake.
• Suchindram Theroor Birds Sanctuary is a proposed protected area comprising the Suchindram Kulam wetlands at 8°7′30″N 77°27′30″E / 8.12500°N 77.45833°E / 8.12500; 77.45833, and the Theroor Kulam at 8°10′45″N 77°27′45″E / 8.17917°N 77.46250°E / 8.17917; 77.46250, both near Suchindram town in Kanyakumari District. It is located between Nagercoil and Kanyakumari on the National Highway No. 47. Being at the extreme southern tip of India, this area is the southernmost bird sanctuary in the continental range of the Central Asian Flyway.