ARIYALUR: The arrival of birds at the birds sanctuary at Karaivetti on the border of Ariyalur and Thanjavur districts has been witnessing a low-key affair, partly due to delayed monsoon and partly due to non-availability of water in the sprawling tank.
Although a large flock of birds could be seen here and there, the strength of the population has been far below the average arrival, remark the official sources. Normally December and January are the peak months when the maximum strength of birds is witnessed here.
Mostly, it is Darter, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Little Cormorant, Grey Pelican,, Large Egret, Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Open Bill Stork, painted Stork, Woop Sandpiper are the major birds which arrive here.
Obviously, the visit by bird watchers has also been on low-key.
The sprawling sanctuary has a vast area of 454.11 hectares. Its isolated location, free from any noise or dust pollution has been an attraction for the migratory birds.
It was only recently that the Forest Department strengthened the tourism potential of the sanctuary by providing adequate infrastructure. Watch towers had been set up additionally to cope up with the growing demand for the bird watchers. But, a visit to the sanctuary revealed that only a couple of visitors were seen in the area.
A large part of the sanctuary remains dry. Even the available birds were seen flocking to the farther end of the sanctuary where some water was available.
