The incessant rains in November and December might have put citizens to severe hardship, but the birds are not complaining. The rains have replenished the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary following a disappointing 2014-15.
More than 25,000 birds have visited Vedanthangal this season which extends from November to April, according to forest department officials. “All the birds have nested. In a couple of weeks, there will be more birds when the eggs hatch,” Wildlife Warden K.Geethanjali said.
Northern pink tailed ducks, garganeys, pelicans, spoonbills, black-headed ibis, teals are among the birds seen this year. The officials say some birds might stay back a little longer this year if the water levels at the sanctuary remain high.
“We have desilted all the channels this year and have added fish fingerlings for supplementing the birds,” Ms. Geethanjali said.
However, about 10 kilometres away, at Karikili, another bird paradise, the scene is quite the opposite. With the water levels being high, spot-billed ducks, which need mounds to sit have, not made their presence felt.
“We hear the sounds of the birds behind the trees and bushes, but they have not come to the front side this time and hence sighting is difficult. We had created lots of mounds earlier expecting them to come, but the heavy rains have submerged the mounds. We need to wait for the water levels to reduce,” she said.
The department is making efforts to promote Karikili as well among tourists and bird enthusiasts. “In the past two years, we have created pathways, bird-watching platforms, drinking water facilities there,” she said.
More than 25,000 birds have visited the sanctuary this season
