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.
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