Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary - Travel Photo Collection
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Oldest Bird Sanctuary
Welcome to my Travel photography lens. Vedanthangal is the oldest Bird sanctuary in India, located near the diminutively minuscule town of Padalam in Kanchipuram district and about 75 km from Chennai. The sanctuary is proximate to both Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram, famous tourist spots of Tamil Nadu. The place also makes a good spot for an evening stroll.
As you go through the gates of the sanctuary, the visual perception of several trees assembled by birds diligent in their chirping and chatting catches your notice. This area attracted a variety of birds because it was dotted with small ponds and lakes that acted as feeding grounds for the birds. The Vedanthangal bird sanctuary has a custom of the people actively protecting birds coming to the area since time immemorial.
The winged visitors synchronized by biological clocks arrives at Vedanthangal after the monsoon with remarkable 'clock- work precision' and get into the breeding act quietly. The population of the migratory birds expands to around 50,000 by the middle of January. This place is a heaven for people probing for experiencing the countryside along with a treat of exhilaration of wildlife.
Tamil Nadu - Short BioState Capital: Chennai
State Population: 66,396,000 (as on 2008)
Language: Tamil and English
State Location: Lying on the coast lines of Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. Bordered by the states of Kerala, Karnataka and Andra pradesh.
Short History: From prehistoric period the region was ruled by Tamil kingdoms. The kingdom of Vijayanagar dominated this region from the mid-14th to the mid-16th century. The British established a settlement in Madras (Now Chennai) in the 17th century. The settlement extended to become the Presidency of Madras, which lasted from 1653 to 1946. The state of Tamil Nadu was created in the year 1956. Tamil Nadu is one of India's most industrialized states, manufacturing Automobiles, Electrical Equipments, and Chemicals.
Map courtesy: Travel India Guide
Large Hawk Cuckoo
More About Vedanthangal
Vedanthangal is one of the most amazing breeding places in India. The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary has been sheltered by the local people for well over 250 years. The local people realized the connection between birds and the yield of their crops even before the idea of wildlife conservation came into vogue. They knew that the bird droppings in the water formed guano which acted as fertilizer.
This sanctuary gets its name from a nearby village. The bird life (resident & visitors) includes Cormorants, Darters, Herons, Egrets, Open billed Stork, Spoonbill and White Ibis, Little Grebe, Indian Moorhen, Black Winged Stilts, a few migratory ducks and occasionally Grey Pelicans and many others. November to February is the ideal season to visit the sanctuary. Understanding its ornithological value, the British government commenced steps to extend Vedanthangal into a bird sanctuary as early as 1798. This sanctuary was established in the year 1858 by the order of the Chengleput Distirict Collector.
This sanctuary is a home not only to migratory birds but also for many ornithologists who stay here for weeks observing the birds at close quarters.
Stork Taking
Black Drongo
Yawning?
Birds on the Tree
The majestic birds standing on the overhung branches over the water are really a feast for the eyes. On the whole these birds are companionable in nature. One can see painted storks as well as open-billed storks and pelicans roosting happily in one tree. They were all full of activity building their nests and lend a hand with each other. They feed on the fishes, small snakes, and snails etc that infest the water of the pond that surrounds them. They are constantly chattering noisily. They skip from one tree to the other, jump down to the water, and take away their prized catch to the tree tops where they have the benefit of their meal leisurely and uninterrupted.
Landing
Waiting for Lunch
Yellow Billed Babbler
Little Grebe Pair
Rosy Pelican
Grey pelican is "vulnerable' as the numbers are declining. Admittedly at a slower rate now than earlier but declining nevertheless. The decline is due to human pressure on wetlands, deforestation and use of chemical pesticides among others. However, efforts are underway in India, Cambodia and elsewhere to arrest and reverse the trend. We have a couple of birds resident in Vedanthangal near Chennai.
I am told these birds engage in cooperative fishing. Few of them gang up and drive fish towards shallow areas and pick them up with their large bills which have a plasticky flexible pouch which acts as the landing net. I could not see this aspect of their behaviour as long as I was there. May be they were well fed that day.
Photo & Details Credit: Pandian under creative commons license
Vedanthangal on Twitter
Bird Sanctuary
Map of Vedanthangal
“Want to Know More About Birds? Visit This Lens”
It Is Poll Time.
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Vedanthangal - Readers' Feedback
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MelonyVaughan
Mar 12, 2012 @ 10:13 am | delete
- These birds look like a cross between a stork and a flamingo! Very beautiful! Nice lens!
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blackspanielgallery
Feb 3, 2012 @ 8:32 am | delete
- Nice lens.
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hlkljgk Sep 19, 2011 @ 9:30 am | delete
- what gorgeous photos.
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WordCustard
Sep 15, 2011 @ 3:14 pm | delete
- Always a pleasure to learn from your lenses all about the many interesting aspects of Tamil Nadu. The Vedanthangal bird sanctuary looks to be a real haven for wild birds.
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SereneSea Jul 28, 2011 @ 12:44 pm | delete
- The birds and the photos from the Vedanthangal sanctuary are amazing. I would love to visit this place.
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Tipi
Jun 1, 2011 @ 1:06 pm | delete
- Another wonderful treat from you! Magnificent pictures from the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary....all the bird loook so happy!
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efriedman
May 25, 2011 @ 12:09 pm | delete
- Great lens, interesting birds. I see that pelicans are a popular choice in the poll - I have a lens about making an easy paper pelican to entertain small children, so this bird is a favorite of mine.
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DaveStone13
May 21, 2011 @ 10:17 am | delete
- I love birds, and this lens is a treat. Thanks for the privilege.
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raphaelo
May 21, 2011 @ 5:26 am | delete
- Another wonderful masterpiece of your hard work as usual. I'm bird lover.. That's why I do appreciate you for creating this beautiful birds lens. Thank you so much for sharing. 5 stars for you. Have a wonderful time.. always.. my firend :)
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akumar46
May 21, 2011 @ 4:35 am | delete
- Nice lens......beautiful bird sanctuary.
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