Bird sanctuaries
Kerala is becoming a favorite hot spot among bird lovers and nature lovers from across the world. A visit to Kerala bird sanctuaries will give the pleasure to meet a variety of migratory birds that cluster in thousands, some from the Himalayas, and some even from Siberia. In Kerala, we can enjoy the priceless show of avian acrobats, pulsating on the beats of nature. During the rains, some of India's most spectacular avians gather in their finest haunts to court their mates and nest in huge colonies in the trees lining the paths of the sanctuaries.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary:
The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is a Heaven for migratory birds. Terns, Gulls, Herons, Sand pipers, Whimbrels and other such migratory birds flock from the month of November and returns only by the end of April.
(a) Location: The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary lies in the Malappuram District, Kerala. It spreads over a cluster of islands where the Kadalundipuzha River flows into the Arabian Sea. The Sanctuary hill is around 200 m above sea level. It is 19 km from Kozhikode city centre.
(b) Fauna: Over a hundred species of native birds have been recorded in the sanctuary, including about 60 species of migratory birds which visit seasonally; these include terns, gulls, herons, sandpipers and cormorants. Notable species are Whimbrels and Brahminy Kites. The sanctuary is well known for a wide variety of fish, mussels and crabs. This one of the important Bird-Sanctuaries Kerala.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kottayam is one of the best destinations of wild life sanctuaries in Kerala. Located on the banks of Vembanad Lake. A cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary.
(a) Location: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (also known as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary) is situated at Kumarakom in Kottayam, Kerala on the banks of Vembanad Lake. Set in the Kerala Backwaters the bird sanctuary is an ornithologist's paradise and a favourite haunt of migratory birds.
(b) Fauna: The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron, cormorant, moorhen, darter, Brahminy kite and the duck, as well as the migratory Siberian crane. Parrot, teal, lark, flycatcher and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons. Some of the migratory birds come from the Himalayas, and a few from far away Siberia.
(c) Bird watch: The best time for bird watching in Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is between June and August. This is the breeding season of resident wetland birds like Siberian stork, cormorants, darter, white ibis, egret, heron and teal. In the case of migratory birds like pintailed duck, garganey teal, spot billed duck, osprey, marsh harrier, steppey eagle etc November to May is the breeding season.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary:
This one of the famous Bird-Sanctuaries Kerala. Established in the Ernakulam District in the year 1983. The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary was the first bird sanctuary of Kerala. It has dense tropical evergreen forest and a population of over 500 species of exotic birds. This world famous bird sanctuary owes much of its fame to Dr. Salim Ali, the internationally renowned ornithologist. The sanctuary covers an area of 25 sq. km. stretching between the branches of river Periyar. There is also a rich variety of butterflies here.
(a) Location: The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is located north-east of Kochi (Kerala state, India) is one of the important bird sanctuaries of India. Salim Ali, one of the best known ornithologists has described this sanctuary as "the richest bird habitat on peninsular India". The literal meaning of Thattekad is flat forest, the region is an evergreen low-land forest and is located between the branches of Periyar River, the longest river in Kerala.
(b) Fauna: The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary has a rich and varied birdlife. Several species of birds, both forest birds as well as the water birds, visit the sanctuaries, and the important ones include the following: The Indian Pitta, which visits the sanctuary during winter and spends almost six months here. Ground Thrush, an orange-headed bird, Large-billed Leaf-warbler, Jerdon's Nightjar, Indian Cuckoo, Darters, Cormorants, Whiskered Terns, Collared Scops Owl, Frogmouths, which are nocturnal birds, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Yellow-browed Bulbuls. The Edamalayar forest is located about 15 km from Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. This is also an evergreen forest located above the Edamalayar River. The Mountain Hawk Eagles are found in this forest. Other birds in this forest include Dark-fronted Babbler, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Brown-backed and White-rumped Needletails, and Emerald Green Pigeons.