At the beginning of summer, migratory birds from various part of the world, which arrived at Kodiakkarai Sanctuary during October season last year, flying thousands of miles, have now started moving back to their home lands after a transitory five months long stay.

Ornithologists state that the birds fly down Kodiakkarai from the Arctic region during the winter season. During their brief stay, they accumulate energy in form of body fat to fly back to their nesting sites in the Arctic. Some type of birds, complete their growth period at Kodiakkarai and return home with the young ones.

This Sanctuary situated at Nagapattinam district, east coast of Tamil Nadu, about 20sq Km surrounded by sea and shore, embracing forests of tidal swamps, dry evergreen mangrove forests, was acknowledged as a wild life sanctuary in the year 1967. The Lagoons, with rich fish populations, magnetize variety of migratory birds every year. Varieties such as blue tailed bee eater, red shank, curlew, brown headed gull, whiskered tern, teal, black tailed godwit, brahmini kite, drongo, blue jay, little stint, egret, myna, flamingo, and painted stork visit this sanctuary repeatedly. According to sources, more than 140 varieties of birds visited Kodiakkarai Sanctuary between October and March this year. This includes birds from Siberia, West Asian countries, Europe and other territories around the Arctic. Special fascinations are close encounters with Turtles and Dolphins which often come quite close to the shore.

Best time to visit :

Year around.

For migratory birds, November - February.

Accommodation :

Forest Rest House at Point Calimere.

How to get there :

By Air - Trichy, (225 Km)

By Rail- Thuruthuraipoondi (42 km)