THATTEKKAD BIRD SANCTUARY- A BIRD WATCHER’S PARADISE

Thattekad is a spectacular bird sanctuary situated in Emakulam district of Kerela that is on the northern banks of river Periyar. If you are aware of Kotyhamangalam then it is just 13 kms from there, as it is located on the peak of Njayqapilli

which is about 335-523m above the sea level. It is here that you will find some of the rarest species of birds which you might not even find in the whole of India.   

HISTORY OF THATTEKKAD:                       

You would be amazed to know that the Thattekkad bird sanctuary is the first bird sanctuary in Kerela to get its official recognition that is in the year 1983. And it is here that you will find about 300 different species of birds some being the local residential and the others being migratory birds. And in the year 1985 the Bombay Natural History Society studied and identified 253 species in the bird sanctuary. Some of the birds found here are Jungle Bush-Quail, Hombill, White breasted water Hen, Grey Jungle Owl, Large Falcon etc.   

THE ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM:

The flora in Thattekkad: Here in the sanctuary you shall find tropical evergreen deciduous forests and patches of grassland. If you are a nature lover and want to experience how getting close to it feels like then Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is the apt place to be. You will also find Mahagony, Rosewood, Teakwood plantations here. At this wildlife park you can find a wide variety of trees and flowers.   

The fauna in Thattekkad: You can find Porcupines, Bears, Leopards, Pythons and Cobras here, while Elephants are occasionally seen here. 

The Avifauna in Thattekkad: You can commonly witness the sight of Night Heron, Grey Heron, Black- winged Kite, Shrike, Sunbird, Bee- eater, Crimson- Throated Barbet which are indeed very rare birds. Some of the other common birds of the sanctuary are darter, Jungle babbler, Robin bird, Indian Hill Myna, Grey Jungle Owl, Crow, Large pied Wagtail, Wood-pecker, Malabar trogon, Kite, Jungle Nightjar, Common Snipe and Indian Roller Cuckoo etc. Some of the birds are like which you will only find here and not else where in India such as Sunbird, Shrike, Fairy blue-bird, Black- Winged Kite, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle etc.  

BIRDWATCHING IN THATTEKKAD BIRD SANCTUARY: BIRDING TIPS

It will be not wrong to call Thattekkad, “A Bird Watcher’s Paradise” as you cannot find any where else such immense variety of birds. To make the best out of the experience, do not miss a chance to sit on the Elephant’s back and view the rarest of the rare birds in the sanctuary. You can also hire vehicles such as Jeeps in the sanctuary. 

THATTEKKAD’S CLIMATIC CONDITIONS:

The sanctuary has a tropical type of climate and 3000mm is the record of annual rainfall here. Monsoons occur between May and July other wise the sanctuary has a very pleasant atmosphere throughout the year. However it is advisable not to visit the place in the monsoons as you will not be able to access most of the places of the sanctuary.

BEST TIME TO VIST:

September to April is considered the best time to visit the sanctuary as it is during this time that the nature is at its best as well.

To sum up when on a visit to Kerela do not miss an opportunity to visit the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary.