Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary

Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary is a 128.10-hectare area located in Vaduvoor lake, Mannargudi Taluk, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, India. The sanctuary is about 25 kilometers from Thanjavur and 14 kilometers from Mannargudi on the Thanjavur-Kodiakkarai State Highway 63. It was created in the year 1999. The irrigation tank receives water from November to April every year which attracts numerous foreign birds from Europe and America. The sanctuary attracts more than 40 species of water birds like the white ibis, painted stork, grey pelican, pintails, cormorants, teals, herons, spoonbills, darters, coots, Open bill storks, and pheasant–tailed jacana. The sanctuary is a favorite spot for the migratory birds and during the months of November and December more than 20000 winged visitors reach this area. The sanctuary has basic facilities for tourists to stay overnight and enjoy watching the birds from the two watch towers.

Bird migration is a seasonal phenomenon and when the temperature escalates in Europe and in the North America, the birds move to more favourable climes. The wetlands in this region is quite suitable for the migratory birds as it provides suitable environment for food, shelter and reproduction. The farmers of this region also love the arrival of migratory birds as the irrigation water becomes fertile once it was enriched with the excretory of the birds. The state government had appointed officers for prevention of both hunting and poaching. Poaching and hunting is illegal and it is a punishable offence. The villagers were aware of this and a friendly environment for the shelter of the birds prevails. The small town is a good agricultural land and rice is grown in plenty.

History
The Vaduvoor Birds Sanctuary was created in 1999. The sanctuary has been designated as a protected Ramsar site since 2022.

Bird species
The Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary attracts more than 40 species of water birds like the white ibis, painted Stork, grey pelican, pintails, cormorants, teals, herons, spoonbills, darters, coots, open bill storks, and pheasant tailed jacana. The sanctuary is a favorite spot for the migratory birds during the months of November and December. More than 2000 winged visitors reach this area.

Location
The Vaduvoor Bird sanctuary is located in the Vaduvoor Lake which is 25 km from Thanjavur and 14 km from Mannargudi on the Thanjavur-Kodiakkarai State Highway 63.

Transport
By Road
 * Buses are available 24x7 from both Thanjavur and Mannargudi.

By Train
 * Nearest railway station is Thanjavur Junction railway station and Mannargudi railway station.

By Air
 * The nearest International Airport from Vaduvoor is Tiruchirapalli International Airport, Tamil Nadu, roughly two hours drive from Vaduvoor (85 Km). It is well connected to a spectrum of cities in India and abroad such as Bangalore, Chennai, Singapore, and Malaysia etc.

Nearby Places

 * Kothandaramaswamy temple, Vaduvur
 * Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur
 * Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi
 * Muthupet mangroves and lagoon