From Opus

Vedanthangal, view over the heronry
Photo by Wintibird

[edit] Overview

The sanctuary of Vedanthangal is about 80km southwest of Chennai (formerly known as Madras) in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. In a big tank with trees up to 30'000 birds nest here. The 2sqkm of open water are surrounded by paddyfields.

The amount of species and birds depends on the monsoon. More rain usually means more birds. As the Forest Departement has cleared two channels in 2004, the tank sould be filled more regulary than in the past. 2005 and 2006 were both very good years for breeding birds.

Breeding season starts in October and ends in March. Best time is December and January.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Painted Stork
Photo by Wintibird

The heronry in the sanctuary holds thousands of birds. You will easily see Darter, Little Cormorant, Indian Cormorant and Great Cormorant, Little Egret, Great Egret and Intermediate Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Spot-billed Pelican, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill and some ducks (usually they prefer Karikili Sanctuary, 8km from Vedanthangal). Asian Koel and Greater Coucal are singing in the trees.

The nearby area is worth exploring, especially the last 6km before Vedanthangal. You will find grassland and cultivation which harbours nice species like Indian Courser, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Spotted Owlet, Ashy Woodswallow, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-lark and Grey Francolin.

It's worth to spend early morning here and proceed later to the sanctuary.

[edit] Check-list

Oriental Darter
Photo by Wintibird

Birds of the sanctuary itself
Birds you can see here include:

Garganey, Common Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Spot-billed Duck, White-throated Kingfisher, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Moorhen, Red-wattled Lapwing, Wood Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Brahminy Kite, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Western Marsh Harrier, Shikra, Peregrine Falcon, Little Grebe, Great Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Darter, Grey Heron, Indian Pond Heron, Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Asian Openbill, Painted Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Spot-billed Pelican, House Crow, Large-billed Crow, Rufous Treepie, Black Drongo, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Common Myna, Barn Swallow, White-browed Wagtail, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Purple-rumped Sunbird

Birds around the sanctuary
Birds you can see here include:

Grey Francolin, Coppersmith Barbet, Indian Roller, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Asian Koel, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Pied Cuckoo, Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Greater Coucal, Blue-faced Malkoha, Indian Nightjar, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Indian Pitta, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Asian Palm Swift, Spotted Dove, Indian Courser, Eurasian Thick-knee, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, White-eyed Buzzard,Common Kestrel, Red-necked Falcon, Ashy Woodswallow, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Common Hoopoe, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Oriental Magpie Robin, Indian Robin, Pied Bushchat, Red-vented Bulbul, White-browed Bulbul, Grey-breasted Prinia, Yellow-billed Babbler, Large Grey Babbler, Bay-backed Shrike, Jerdon's Bushlark, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-lark, Loten's Sunbird, Paddyfield Pipit, Richard's Pipit, Blyth's Pipit, Chestnut-shouldered Petronia, Streaked Weaver

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

Colony of Painted Storks
Photo by Wintibird

Vedanthangal has a long history as a reserve. Originally protected by the villagers, the heronry got legal protection in 1798. It's now managed by the Forest Departement.

The place is very popular with people from Chennai and overcrowded on weekends and holidays. You will get hundreds of requests to look through your scope!

[edit] Areas of Interest

The heronry is best overlooked from the embankment after the entrance. Just walk to the right and you will find the best spots. The area before the reserve is also very interesting and it's worth to spend some time there in early morning to explore the dry grassland. Especially the last 6kms are worthwile for birding, just stop somewhere and take a short walk.

[edit] Access and Facilities

The sanctuary can be reached by car from Chennai. Depending where in Chennai you stay, you need between 1,5 and 2 hours to get there. Take the highway to the south, passing the airport, Pallavaram, Tambaram, Chengalpattu and don't miss the signpost to the right. From the signpost it's another 12km to the sanctuary.

Asian Openbill
Photo by Wintibird

At the entrance of the sanctuary are some foodstalls and a small exhibition . Basic toilets are also available. The sanctuary is closed on Tuesdays, but access should be no problem then. A small entrance fee has to be paid (5RS, 25RS for camera) and then you are allowed to go to the embankment and the watchtower. Photo opportunities can be great! During monsoon the sanctuary is closed.

There is also a bus from Chengalpattu to the sanctuary. Chengalpattu can be reached by train from Chennai.

There is a basic Forest Rest House where you can stay. Contact the Wildlife Warden in Chennai for reservation.

[edit] Contact Details

Wildlife Warden
259 Anna Salai
DMS compound
Teynampet
Chennai 600 006
Ph. 044-24321471

[edit] External Links

• Website of the Forest departement of Tamil Nadu