In India, Tamilnadu is one of the top states with high number of birdwatchers. There are so many birdwatching sites in Tamilnadu that even a non-birder also gets to see birds in places like Vedanthangal. For core birdwatchers, Tamilnadu surprises with varying terrains from coastal zones to wet evergreen forests in Western Ghats. There are many core birding sites but that are interior forest regions which need prior permission from forest officials. Here I list down few important birding hotspots in Tamilnadu where you can just visit as a public and do bird watching.
Birds can be segregated into four groups based on the habitat they prefer. Some birds like crows, red-vented bulbuls overlap in all the habitats. In general, they can be categorized like
- Shorebirds
- Scrub land birds
- Forest birds
- Wetland birds
Shore birds watching sites in Tamilnadu
- Point calimere
Point calimere or kodiyakarai is located in Nagapattinam district. This site is a combination of saltpans, mudflats, backwaters and undisturbed shore sites inside the Point calimere sanctuary. During migration season, broadbill sandpipers, plovers, eurasian curlews, whimbrels, terns, gulls can be seen in thousands. This is an excellent spot to see Greater flamingos in huge flock. If you are lucky, you can see Bottlenose Dolphins and Olive ridley turtles also here in winter months.
2. Pulicat lake
Pulicat lake is one of the best and easily approachable bird watching sites in Tamilnadu. You can arrange for the boat ride in Pulicat lake and have a close look at the terns, gulls and even White-bellied Sea Eagle. One always has to keep an open eye to spot some rare birds like Lesser noddy, Indian skimmer, Parasitic jaeger, Lesser flamingo in Pulicat Lake.
3. Rameswaram
The drive from Rameswaram to Dhanushkodi is excellent for birdwatching. You can stop at anywhere you see a puddle of water and you can see from Slender-billed gull, Lesser sand plover, Osprey to Greater flamingos.
Scrub land bird watching sites in Tamilnadu
- Chennai
The buzzing chennai city is a hotspot for birds. One can enjoy watching shore birds in the salt pans in ECR but the most exciting thing for birdwatchers in Chennai is the shrublands. There are few reserves like Nanmangalam, Siruseri and Siruthavoor which are excellent to see birds like Quail, Indian courser, Yellow-wattled Lapwing. During migration season there are chances to see Short-eared owl, European roller, Bluethroat etc
2. Sathyamangalam
Sathyamangalam tiger reserve is not allowed for everyday birdwatching but the surrounding villages can be visited for birdwatching. Painted Sandgrouse, Jungle bushquails and the only place to see vultures in Tamil nadu is the Sathyamangalam forest range. But you have to do responsible birding in these areas as it is known for leopards and elephants.
3. Masinagudi
Masinagudi is a compulsory visit for core birders. Here you can see forest birds like Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Vernal hanging parrot and also shrub land birds like Indian Thick-Knee,Eurasian wryneck can be seen in this region. If you are lucky you can sight Vulture also.
Forest bird watching sites in Tamilnadu
- Kotagiri
In Kotagiri wherever you see tall trees and a small forest cover, you can stop for birding. You will get hooked in with the Brown Fulvetta, Indian Blackbird, Nilgiri Flycatcher etc. During migration season, from Lesser cuckoo to Kashmiri flycatcher many rare birds can be sighted in these regions. You can stay in places where there are good tree covers, so birdwatching can be very relaxing and fun in these regions.
2. Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is a famous tourist place in Tamilnadu, still there are locations where you can do wonderful birding without much human disturbance. Bear shola, suicide point are few locations where you can see Western Ghats endemic beauties like Palni laughing thrush, Nilgiri thrush, Black and orange flycatcher. The song of Malabar Whistling thrush can be heard from everywhere.
3. Aanamalai tiger reserve
The drive to the reserve and a stay inside ATR is another must visit for core birdwatchers. The topslip stay is a basic stay provided by forest department, but once you enter inside the forest you will be enthralled with the forest birds you can sight. Malabar Parakeet, Malabar barbet, Asian Fairy bluebird, Crested hawk eagle, Great Indian Hornbill are few of the regular sightings in this region.
4. Kalakkad Mundathurai Tiger Reserve
Kalakkad Mundathurai Tiger Reserve is a biodiversity hotspot, from butterflies, moths, plants to birds one can explore the diversity is this range. Dense forest access is not available for public but there are few stays in Kalakkad range by the forest department where you can experience good birdwatching. Green Imperial Pigeon, Jungle Owlet, Asian Emerald Dove are few of the common birds found in this region. Rare birds like Lesser Fish Eagle, Chinese Pond heron are sighted here.
Wetland bird watching sites in Tamilnadu
- Vedanthangal
Vedanthangal is a famous heronry in Tamil nadu. Even non-birders visit this place just to see the huge flocks nesting on the trees inside the sanctuary. For bird watchers, this place amuses in peak birding season with Grey heron, Spot-billed pelican, Painted stork in good numbers with their chicks. Also Blue-throated blue flycatcher, Indian paradise flycatcher, Blue-faced malkoha, Red avadavat, Black-headed Cuckooshrike can be seen in close proximity.
- Koonthakulam
Koonthakulam bird sanctuary is situated in Tirunelveli district which is known only for bird lovers. Inside the sanctuary we can see Bar-headed goose, Comb duck, Shoveler during migration season. The grasslands around the sanctuary is an excellent place to see raptors like Short-toed snake eagle, Bonelli eagle, Booted eagle, Indian rock eagle owl, Montagu harrier, Pallid harrier, Marsh harrier and even Amur falcon. Also birds like Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Indian courser, Yellow-wattled lapwing, Indian nightjar can be seen in Koonthakulam.
Any waterbodies near your place is a good spot to watch waterbirds. Like in Coimbatore there are lakes like Achankulam, Kolarampathy, in Erode there is Vellode bird sanctuary, in Salem Kanankurichi tank, in Kanyakumari Puthalam, Anjugramam regions, in Chennai Pallikaranai marsh lands and the list goes on.
Most of the birding habitats are disappearing rapidly in the name of development, so it is high time we bird lovers take the role of conservators and help in protecting the last remaining birds and their habitats.