Ideal Destinations For The Wildlife Aficionados Around Bangalore

Bangalore, also known as the Silicon Valley of Asia, is a famous doorway to many national parks and bird sanctuaries. These national and sanctuaries are replete with rich flora and fauna that make them highly popular amongst the travelers. Here are the top parks and the sanctuaries around Bangalore, which are ideal destinations for the wildlife aficionados.

* Kokkare Bellur

Kokkare Bellur is located in Mandya district off busy Bangalore-Mysore highway. It is one of the few nesting grounds for Painted Storks, Spot-billed Pelicans, Pond Herons, Black Ibis and Little Cormorant. It is heartening to watch the association that the villagers of Mandya share with these birds.

* Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

It is situated off Bangalore-Mysore highway and an abode to some of the most exotic species of birds. It is the nesting place for many rare species of the birds like Spoonbill, Painted Stork, Whistling Duck, Black Headed Ibis, egrets, kingfishers, herons, darters and cormorants.

* Attiveri Bird Sanctuary

It is located in North Kannada District of Karnataka and a habitat to 79 bird species including migratory birds from 22 nations. The Atteveri reservoir attracted many bird species and therefore, it was developed as a bird sanctuary.

* Magadi Bird Sanctuary

This sanctuary is created in the Magadi tank located in the Magadi village of Gadag district. The sanctuary is famous for its migratory bird ‘Bar-Headed Goose’. Many bird species like Oriental Ibis, Brahmini duck, Greater Flamingo, etc., are also found here.

* Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

It is located in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in the country. Many migratory birds like Pintail, Gray Wagtail, Garganey, Common Sandpiper, etc. are found here. Karikili Bird Sanctuary is worth a visit for the bird watchers, which is situated at the distance of 9kms from the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary.

* Pulicate Lake

It is a picturesque bird sanctuary located in Nellore district of Andhra. This lake is the second largest brackish water ecosystem in India and supports a large congregation of Flamingos. Here, you can also see the bird species like Herons, Kites, Pelicans, etc.

* Gudavi Bird Sanctuary

It is one of the 5 best bird sanctuaries of Karnataka. It is situated on the Gudavi Lake amidst the Dark Malnad Forest in Sorab Taluk of the district Shimoga. Here, one can spot the birds like Herons, Egret, White Ibis, Stone Bell, etc.

* Nellapattu Bird Sanctuary

Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary (NBS) is a favorite spot of migration, expecially for the Pelicans. It is located in the Nallore district of Andhra. NBS holds the various species of birds like Flamingos, Waders, Coot, Babblers, Little Cormorant, Open Billed Stork and many more.

* Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary

Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary is actually a small village in Tumkur district of Karnataka. It is the second largest sanctuary for Painted Storks in South Asia. For the purpose of sheltering and nestling of the birds, the tamarind and Banyan trees have been maintained in this sanctuary.

* Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary

This sanctuary is known for housing some of the fabulous looking birds. It is a small island on the river Tunga and a home to many migratory birds like Darter, Egret, Cormorant, etc. The place is good for tenting, trekking and staying overnight.