Treks and travels

1:20 PM    

Treks and travels

Vedanthangal bird sanctuary

Posted: 01 Apr 2016 10:14 AM PDT

Due to the good (or bad) rains in Tamil Nadu last year, the lake in Vedanthangal was full which attracted lot of birds this time. When Sankara told me about his plans to visit this place, I decided to join him. 

Glossy Ibis
Where is Vedanthangal?
Vedanthangal is about 80 km from Chennai or about 40 km from Chengalpattu or Kanchipuram. It is a small lake and like in our Ranganathittu birds come during winter. The number of birds may vary based the water levels. It is told that the villagers have taken good care of the birds. Now the lake in managed by Tamilnadu forest department.

Spotted owl

Our trip
Train tickets to Chennai are hard to get at the last moment. So we decided to start from Bengaluru on Friday evening on my car. It was a smooth drive and at 9:30 in the night we were at Kanchipuram, the place of our stay. 

Common Moorhen
We got up early on Saturday and after having breakfast, we headed towards Vedanthangal. It was about an hour drive from Kanchipuram. It was still 8AM but there were already many visitors at the entrance. We were also surprised by the nominal entry and camera fees for entering the sanctuary. Having spent exorbitant amount at Ranganathittu on previous week, it was a welcome respite. A small museum next to the ticket counter gives an overview of the birds visiting the place.


Park entrance
We were told that about 15,000 birds had arrived at the park. Looking at the numbers and the noise they were making, we could not disagree with the numbers. 

View from watch tower
A nice path way is constructed along the banks of the lake. Few watch towers provide a good view of the lake and the birds. I must stay the authorities had put lot of effort in maintaining the place. Very nice!!

Nice pathway!!
Since it was Saturday many school students visited the park. The place was busting with birds and students!!



We spent almost the entire day in Vedanthangal. Lunch was at a restaurant on nearby Chennai-Trichy highway. We went to Chennai for stay at and came back again on next day morning!!

Some snapshots of the many birds we saw. Brain fever bird and Pied Crested Cuckoo.


We also got an opportunity to shoot lizard!!


Unlike Ranganathittu, boating is not available in Vedanthangal. I do not know the reason but I feel that provides less disturbance to the birds. I would certainly rate Vedanthangal much above Ranganthittu in terms of bird population, cost and management.