Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary

Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary is a .45 km² (0.2 sq mi) Protected area in Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu state, India. The Sanctuary is mostly an irrigation tank that is fed by water from Mettur dam and by the northeast monsoon from August till December. It remains dry from April till August.

Fauna

A notable aspect of the sanctuary is the large number of Purple Moorhen and Openbill storks during February – March. [The Hindu, [http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/26/stories/2006112613250100.htm Winged visitors throng Vaduvur and Udhayamarthandapuram sanctuaries] , Nov. 26, 2006] It is home to other migratory water birds including Coot, Grey Heron, White Ibis, Night Heron, Purple Heron, Little cormorant, Darter, Spoonbill, Indian Reef Heron and White-necked stork. Beginning in September, bird population peaks during November- December with up to 10,000 birds.

Visitor information

The sanctuary is open to visitors throughout the year. Entry is free. There are two public observation towers inside the sanctuary. The best time to visit the sanctuary is during November. The nearest town is Muthupet, located 6 km from the Sanctuary.coord|10.4|N|79.5|E| The sanctuary can be reached by road from Tiruvaur (65 km) and from Thanjavur (68 km) by road. (The Kallaperambur sanctuary near Thanjavur is yet to be declared a sanctuary, though the Forest Department has sent its proposal.) The nearest railway station is Muthupet. The nearest Airport is Trichy (110 KM) Accomodation is available in PWD Rest House and private lodges in Muthupet. Hotels with modern facilities are available in Thiruvarur (55 km.)

Contact: Wildlife Warden, Point Calimere WLS, Collectorate, Nagapattinam 611 002, District Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, IndiaTel. [phone] [Tamil Nadu Forest Dept, [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/bs_ubs.html Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary] , 2007]

Notes