Migratory bird season begins in Vedaranyam’s wetlands

Lesser Black-backed Gulls spotted along the Kodiyakkarai coast in Nagapattinam.
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The annual migratory bird season has begun along the Tamil Nadu coast, with the wetlands of Vedaranyam and Kodiyakkarai in Nagapattinam district once again turning into a vibrant refuge for thousands of winged visitors, including flamingos and several rare species.

The season typically extends from October to February, reaching its peak between late November and January. With flocks already spotted in the brackish waters and salt pans, bird enthusiasts say the landscape is steadily coming alive with movement and sound.

S. Sivakumar, Assistant Director at the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), said several species have started to arrive across the coastal stretches.

“Among the commonly seen waterbirds now are the Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Great Knot, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Caspian Tern, Greater Crested Tern, Whiskered Tern, and Northern Pintail,” he told The Hindu.

He said that a range of migratory land birds have been recorded this season, including the Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Brown Shrike, Indian Pitta, Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Asian Brown Flycatcher, and Indian Paradise Flycatcher.

The Kodiyakkarai Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the Point Calimere ecosystem, remains one of South India’s most important wintering sites for shorebirds and waders. Ornithologists said the steady arrival of these species highlights the ecological significance of Vedaranyam’s wetlands — a mosaic of salt marshes, mudflats, and mangroves that sustain their annual passage.

As the season progresses, the region is expected to draw both migratory flocks and birdwatchers in large numbers, setting the stage for another lively winter spectacle along Tamil Nadu’s coastal plains.