Guindy National Park (GNP) is one of India's smallest national parks covering an area of 2.7km2. It is situated in the midst of the city, and is often called 'the lungs of Chennai'.
Highlight: Guindy is the only place in Chennai where the very rare raptor, the black baza has been recorded during winter. The red winged crested cuckoo is another uncommon bird species found here.
The Theosophical Society Gardens is one of the best birdwatching spots in Chennai. Being adjacent to the Adyar Estuary, TS hosts more than 50+ species of resident and migrant bird species.
The habitat consists of thick woodland, some fruiting trees, undergrowth, flower garden and the estuary.
The Theosophical Society Gardens has a good number of golden jackal, and housing many flowering trees and nectaring plants, this place is good for butterfly and insect lovers too. During the winter a large number of waders and other water birds can be seen near the estuary.
Highlight: This is one place in Chennai where the black-capped kingfisher has been recorded.
Purple rumped sunbird ath the Theosophical Society
Adjacent to the Guindy National Park, the IIT campus has a few patches of well-wooded forest which are very good for birdwatching. The presence of multiple micro-ecosystems in a small area located in an urban environment makes it an ideal place to see many species of birds (up to 50 species in 2 hours during the winter season). Over 100 resident and migrant bird species have been recorded here. Prakriti, a wildlife club run by the students, staff and residents of IIT takes part in conservation activities and helps protect the biodiversity in campus.
The habitat consists of dry evergreen forest, reed beds, well-wooded forest, open grassland, dry scrub and undergrowth. The main inhabitants here are blackbuck antelope, spotted deer, Indian grey mongoose, golden jackal, monitor lizard, snakes, and over 40 butterfly species.
Highlight: The wintering sub-species of orange-headed ground thrush (Zoothera citrina citrina) can be seen here.
Pallikaranai marsh is a freshwater swamp adjacent to the Bay of Bengal covering an area of 80 square kilometres. It is one of the finest natural freshwater ecosystems in the city. Over 100 resident and migratory bird species have been recorded so far.
The habitat consists of fresh/saline water bodies, reed beds, mud flats and floating vegetation.
Potheri Lake is a rain fed freshwater lake situated near Potheri a small village on the outskirts of Chennai. It is situated right beside the SRMIST. The habitat in this place is a rain fed freshwater lake system, grasslands on the East and Southeast of the lake and scrub forests on the southern end. Till now 147 species have been recorded at this lake.
Nanmangalam Reserve Forest is a scrub forest covering an area of 320 hectares. It is the only place in the city where the great horned owl (Eurasian eagle-owl) is resident. It has been successfully breeding there for two decades. Over 80 species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded so far. Nanmangalam Reserve Forest is a very good place for reptiles and insects too.
The habitat consists of thick scrub forest, well-wooded eucalyptus plantations, three big abandoned quarries and small hillocks.
Blue tailed bee-eater at Chembarambakkam lakeGreater flamingo juveniles at Kelambakkam backwaters
Chembarabakkam lake is another rain-water fed freshwater lake covering an area of 15km2. This place is famous for wintering ducks and other migratory water birds. At least 60+ resident and migrant bird species have been recorded so far.
The habitat consists of a fresh water lake system, sparse scrub, reed beds, open dry land and floating vegetation.
Perumbakkam lake near Sholinganallur Signal (towards Medavakkam) is good place for birding. A lot of pelicans, painted storks, ducks, etc. are seen throughout the year. This a nice spot for all birders within the city limits.
Kelambakkam backwaters
Eurasian curlew with crab at Kelambakkam backwatersAsian openbill stork at Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Kelambakkam backwaters is a brackish water lagoon adjacent to the Bay of Bengal in the East Coast Road. This place is a haven for waders, terns, gulls and other winter migrants. More than 80 species of bird have been recorded so far.
The habitat consists of coastal water mudflats, sand banks, salt pans and small scrubs.
Kelambakkam Backwaters is one of the most important bird watching spots in Chennai. Lot of bird variety are found here throughout the year. Spot billed pelican seen as it is just about to land.
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in India. Covering 30 hectares, this lake is a nesting colony for thousands of winter migrants. The lake has trees likeBarringtonia and Acacia species where the nests are built and young are raised.
How to reach Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary: Google Maps
Greater flamingos at Mudaliarkuppam
Mudaliarkuppam backwaters
Mudaliarkuppam backwaters is a brackish water lagoon adjacent to the Bay of Bengal on the East Coast Road. This is yet another haven for wading birds and migratory ducks.
The habitat consists of coastal water mudflats, sand banks and salt pans.
Highlights: Hundreds of greater flamingos can be spotted here throughout the year. Thousands of migratory ducks, terns and waders can also be spotted during winter months.
How to reach Mudaliarkuppam backwaters: Google Maps
Zitting cisticola at Vedanthangal scrub
Vedanthangal scrub and reed bed
Vedanthangal scrub and reed bed are among the lesser explored birding areas where some uncommon and exceptional bird species can be spotted. Over 40 species can be seen in this very small area en route to the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary.[3]
This is one of the best mixed habitats in Chennai, comprising thin scrub land, small ponds, reedbeds and grassland interspersed with paddy fields.
Adyar Poonga is an eco park on the banks of the Adyar estuary covering 1.45 square kilometres. Over 100 bird species and over 70 species of butterflies have been recorded in and around the park so far.
The habitat consists of small ponds, flower gardens, sand banks, small scrub and estuary.
Highlights: Heronry and waders during the winter months. Uncommon butterflies like painted lady and black rajah have also been spotted here.
Pulicat Lake/Shar Road and Annamalaichery Backwaters
Pulicat lake and Annamalaichery Backwaters are salt water lagoons/backwaters adjacent to the Bay of Bengal. Pulicat lake is known as the second largest salt water lake in India, covering an area of around 450 square kilometres. Over 130 resident and migratory bird species have been recorded so far.[4][5]
The habitat consists of shallow brackish water lagoons, tidal mudflats, sand banks, thin scrub intercepted by paddy fields and reed beds.
Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is one of the best breeding grounds for spot-billed pelican in the country. Covering an area of 4.5 square kilometres, this lake serves as a nesting colony for thousands of winter migrants. The lake has Barringtonia species trees where these wintering birds build their nests.
Highlights: Heronry and wintering ducks.
Asian openbill nesting at Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
Shollenberger Park is a 165-acre (0.67 km2) wetland park located in Petaluma, California. Together with the 80-acre (320,000 m2) Alman Marsh, and 260-acre (1.1 km2) Ellis Creek which opened to the public in July 2009, a total of 505 acres (2.04 km2) are accessible to the public. The entirety is referred to as the "Petaluma Wetlands".
Mudaliarkuppam Boat House, also known as Raindrop Boat House, is a water sport facility located on the East Coast Road, 36 km to the south of Mamallapuram and 92 km from Chennai in India. It was developed by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation on the Odiyur lake back waters. It has rowing, cruising, speed boating, water scooting and kayaking facilities.
Kongur is a freshwater wetland located in Tirupur District, Tamil Nadu, India.
Nagi Bird Sanctuary is located in Jhajha Jamui district of south Bihar, near the Jharkhand border. It was declared a bird sanctuary on 25 February 1984 as per Section 18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The final notification under Section 26A of the act was issued on 4 September 2009. Thousands of migrating birds congregate in the reservoir during the winter season, especially from November to February. The area of the sanctuary is 2.1 square kilometres. It is home to over 133 bird species. There are also a variety of dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies which are yet to be studied and documented. In 2004, Nagi Dam Bird Sanctuary was declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. The area overlapping with the IBA is 791 ha.
Sirudavoor Lake is an inland lake with wetlands in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu state, in eastern South India. This lake is on the Coromandel Coast, near the Bay of Bengal. It lies approximately 51 kilometres (32 mi) south of Chennai city. The lake is home to a number of bird species. During winter, several migratory species can be spotted.
↑ V. Kannan et al. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. The Waterbirds of Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu, India, Including Those of the Adjoining Wetlands And Heronries. 105 (2), May–Aug 2008. Pages 162–180 "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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