Vedanthangal Birds Sanctuary season over but 5,000 birds stay put

CHENNAI: The bird calendar for Vedanthangal Birds Sanctuary should be dynamic, naturalists suggested. When birds leave early, the sanctuary can be closed early and if birds extend their stay, it should be kept open till they leave, naturalists said. The suggestion comes in the wake of officials announcing the closure of the sanctuary for visitors from Monday, despite the presence of nearly 5,000 birds.
KVRK Thirunaranan, an activist, said that based on the number of birds found in the sanctuary, it is generally thrown open to the public in September/October and is shut in April/May. However, birds are not disturbed by visitors as people are not allowed to go near trees where birds have built nests. The sanctuary has been closed probably in apprehension of vandals, Thirunaranan said.

A senior wildlife officer said when the sanctuary is not officially declared closed, visitors pay and move around the tank. But they kick up a fuss when they find no birds there. To avoid such problems, the sanctuary has been declared closed, he said.

In 2015-16, Kancheepuram district received good rains leading to early filling up of the Vedanthangal tank. About 30,000 birds descended upon the sanctuary that season. By the end of the season, nearly 1 lakh birds with young ones were recorded, the official said.

In comparison, 2016-17 recorded less rain so the tank's water level was relatively low. The sanctuary was opened to visitors in September that year and at the time about 21,000 birds were recorded. At the end of the season, nearly 75,000 birds with the young ones were recorded, he added.

When the sanctuary was opened to visitors in October last year for the 2017-18 season, there were nearly 40,000 birds.

Usually, painted storks are the last to arrive at the sanctuary for roosting and breeding and would come only in small numbers. But, this season recorded a large number of painted storks, which are also the last ones to leave the sanctuary, the official said.

Officials also recorded the arrival of three rare species - comb duck, fulvous whistling duck and black bittern - at the sanctuary this year.