About Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary
- The thriving Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary situated in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district and Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu is a haven for birds. And a must-visit place for bird lovers and ornithologists. Pulicat Lake, with an area of 759 km2, is India’s second-largest brackish-water eco-system, Chilika lake of Odisha, being the first one.
- It is primarily fed by the rivers Kalangi and Arani. The lagoon is made up of Pulicat Lake and a wetland area. Some area of the lagoon is also designated as a reserve forest.
Flamingos in Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary
- The thriving Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary situated in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district and Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu is a haven for birds. And a must-visit place for bird lovers and ornithologists. Pulicat Lake, with an area of 759 km2, is India’s second-largest brackish-water eco-system, Chilika lake of Odisha, being the first one.
- It is primarily fed by the rivers Kalangi and Arani. The lagoon is made up of Pulicat Lake and a wetland area. Some area of the lagoon is also designated as a reserve forest.
- Pulicat Lake is approximately 60 kilometers long and varies in width from 0.2 kilometers to 17.5 kilometers. The lake’s size changes with the tide. The lake is separated from the Bay of Bengal by the barrier island of Sriharikota. The captivating Pulicat bird sanctuary is located within this lake.
- The sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1976, while the sanctuary in Tamil Nadu was established in the year 1980, four after the previous one.
- The lake of Pulicat is surrounded by 16 island villages and 30 villages and is vital to the people’s livelihood. This lake attracts a lot of bird lovers due to the abundance of migratory birds in the area. Most important and the prettiest of them are the Indicator species of this place, the greater flamingos.
- Greater Flamingos migrate to Pulicat from the Great Rann of Kutch (their original breeding grounds) in October and return in April. And their little visit to this place never fails to attract a lot of viewers.
Flora and Fauna
- Flora:
There are approximately 132 plant species in the green kingdom, including Walsura piscida, Manilkara elengi, Excoecaria agallocaha, Spinifex littoreus, Calamus viminalis, and others.
Fauna
Among birds White Ibis, Grey Pelicans, Grey Herons, Reef Herons, Painted Storks, Spoon Bills, Cormorants, Open Billed Storks, Egrets, Spot-Billed Ducks, and not to forget the Flamingos and other birds are frequently seen in the Sanctuary. Here there is plenty of prawns and fish available as well. The fish fauna is incredible, with over 60 different species including Pomfret, Sablefish, Sargin fish, and others. Reptiles include the Monitor Lizard, Common Krait, and others. The Sanctuary is also home to a variety of mammalian species, including the jackal, jungle cat, and black napped hare.
Weather conditions
The climate at Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary is mild and pleasant. Rainfall in the area ranges between 800 and 2000mm. The temperature here ranges between 14 and 33 degrees Celsius.
Top 3 activities to do:
Boating
Want to explore Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary more thoroughly? Exploring it by boat is one of the best ways to do so. A fleet of traditional flat bottom boats can be seen docked along the beach. These appear to be fishing boats that can be rented. Punting on this massive lake provides an excellent opportunity to observe a plethora of water birds feeding in the lagoon. Furthermore, the stunning landscape of the lake keeps you in awe of this location.
Watch Flaming festival
Every year in December-January, Sullurpeta hosts a three-day flamingo festival to celebrate the arrival of migratory birds. The festival is also held at the nearby Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, in addition to Pulicat Bird Sanctuary. A series of cultural programs, provides opportunities to gain insights into the region’s unique biodiversity. Documentaries about the region’s unique biodiversity are also shown during the festival. Visitors can view the waterfowls feeding in the lake through binoculars installed at various locations.
Birds Watching
Bird watching in Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary is a rewarding experience, especially just before sunset when the birds fly away to nest. Observing their diversified hues against the evening sky is the embodiment of nature’s beauty.
Apart from that Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary also provides activities such as trekking through exotic forestation, bird safaris, aquatic sports, and so on.
Best time to visit
From October to March, the best time to visit Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary is when flocks of wintering birds can be seen in the lake. Migratory birds begin to arrive in October. And, by the end of March, the majority of them will have returned to their home country.
Timings
From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., the sanctuary is open. Boats can be hired beginning at 6 a.m., and the ride lasts approximately 1-2 hours.
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