With the drought leaving the lake nearly dry, the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary in Kancheepuram district will be closed for visitors from June 1.
Usually, the migratory birds start flocking the lake and its surroundings from the first week of November and the nesting period continues till June-end.
This year, by May-end, the four lakes in the oldest bird sanctuary, about 82 km southwest of Chennai, are almost empty and thousands of birds, 80% of them migratory, have left.
From the time the bird sanctuary opened its doors to visitors on September 30 last year, more than 22,000 birds have visited Vedanthangal this season, said forest range officer G. Subbaiah.
More than 26 species of migratory birds and ducks have made this place their second home this season. Till May 25, 2017, the footfall at the sanctuary was 90, 678, he said.
Every year, between November and June, the migratory birds, some from as far as Siberia in Russia, other parts of Europe, Chile and Brazil, flock here for the fish and nesting.
Others wing their way here from Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka during the migratory season, he said.
Spread over 73 acres off GST Road, the bird sanctuary is the oldest in the country. This season, Little Cormorant, Night Heron, Grey Heron, Spoon Bill, Little Egret, White Ibis, Cattle Egret, Pintail, Pond Heron, Shoveller duck, Dab Chick, Indian Moorhen, Grey Pelican and Open-Bill Stork were among the winged visitors here.
No farm activity
“Several visitor-friendly measures were taken up this season and to make the birds stay longer, we introduced thousands of fish into the lakes. An ideal climate and plenty of fish attract thousands of migratory birds every year,” Mr. Subbaiah said.
“Continued agricultural activities around the lake would have extended the birds’ stay at this sanctuary. Due to the heatwave and drought, water from lakes got evaporated and farming has stopped. It is one of the reasons for birds leaving the sanctuary early this year,” he said.
Usually, the migratory birds start flocking the lake and its surroundings from the first week of November and the nesting period continues till June-end.
This year, by May-end, the four lakes in the oldest bird sanctuary, about 82 km southwest of Chennai, are almost empty and thousands of birds, 80% of them migratory, have left.
From the time the bird sanctuary opened its doors to visitors on September 30 last year, more than 22,000 birds have visited Vedanthangal this season, said forest range officer G. Subbaiah.
More than 26 species of migratory birds and ducks have made this place their second home this season. Till May 25, 2017, the footfall at the sanctuary was 90, 678, he said.
Every year, between November and June, the migratory birds, some from as far as Siberia in Russia, other parts of Europe, Chile and Brazil, flock here for the fish and nesting.
Others wing their way here from Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka during the migratory season, he said.
Spread over 73 acres off GST Road, the bird sanctuary is the oldest in the country. This season, Little Cormorant, Night Heron, Grey Heron, Spoon Bill, Little Egret, White Ibis, Cattle Egret, Pintail, Pond Heron, Shoveller duck, Dab Chick, Indian Moorhen, Grey Pelican and Open-Bill Stork were among the winged visitors here.
No farm activity
“Several visitor-friendly measures were taken up this season and to make the birds stay longer, we introduced thousands of fish into the lakes. An ideal climate and plenty of fish attract thousands of migratory birds every year,” Mr. Subbaiah said.
“Continued agricultural activities around the lake would have extended the birds’ stay at this sanctuary. Due to the heatwave and drought, water from lakes got evaporated and farming has stopped. It is one of the reasons for birds leaving the sanctuary early this year,” he said.