Kolleru Bird Sanctuary Andhra Pradesh

The largest fresh water lake in Asia, Kolleru lake is a virtual paradise for nature lovers. Rich in flora and fauna, it attracts migratory birds from Australia, Siberia, Egypt and Philippines between the months of October and March. During this season, the lake is visited by an estimated 2,00,000 birds, which include Open Bill Storks, Painted Storks, Glossy Ibises, White Ibises, Teals, Pintails, Shovellers, Red-Crested Pochards, Blackwinged Stilts, Avocets, Common Redshanks, Wigeons, Gadwalls and Cormorants, among Others.

It is known the world over for the famous Kolleru Bird Sanctuary. This 673 sq.Kms wet land marsh habitat supports a large veriety of Water birds which include Garganys,ducks,Open bill storks, Herons, Flamingos & grey pelicans.

Tourist facilities

The sanctuary has the following watch towers for sighting the birds.The sanctuary is approachable from all four sides of the lake by road, directly to the following places.

Atapaka - 1.5 km from Kaikaluru town
Murthiraju Tanks - 8 km from Nidamarru

East Chodavaram: 53 km from Eluru where Open Bill Storks nest in colonies from July - December.
 Gudivakalanka - 3 km from Gudivakalanka or 15 km from Eluru
Nearest city is Vijayawada, which is 65 km by road or rail. Nearest town is Eluru

Best season to visit

November to March.

Accommodation

Hotels in Eluru,Kaikaluru and .Vijayawada.

Contact

Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Management Division, Eluru - 534006

How to Reach This Place

Road : 60 km from Vijayawada, 15-km from Eluru. One can take buses from Vijayawada.
1.5-km from Kaikaluru town
8-km from Nidamarru
3-km from Gudivakalankas

Rail
60 km from Vijayawada

Flora :

The flora mainly consists of aquatic weeds like Ipomea Aquatics, Scripus, Water Hyacinth, Pharagmites, Ottelia, Typha etc. and certain tree species like Babul, Albezzia, Rain tree, Palmyrah, Prosopis and coconut trees.

A Pelican Haven :

This lake supports a rich biodiversity and high biomass of fish, plankton that forms the source of food for birds. Pelicans arrive here during the nesting season to raise their young. In winter great activity can be seen here. The babble of Pelicans can be heard a quarter of a mile away. Apart from pelicans, one can find grey herons, white ibis, pond herons, egrets and many migratory ducks and water birds.

The Aquatic Life :

Invertebrates like Crustaceans and Molluscs and 63 species of fish belonging to 29 families are found in the lake. Main ones are Boccha, Valugah, Korramenu, Gurak, Bangaru Teega, Jella, Ingilayh and Bommidaya. Ingilayh and Bommidaya are two species, which are under threat of extinction.

Fauna :

Birds like Teals and Pintails are the main species. Other species include painted storks, open bill storks, grey Herons, cormorants, white Ibises, glossy Ibises, egrets, Reef Herons, Ducks, Coots, Shovellers, Terns, Jacanas, Moorhens etc can be seen here.

Bird Sanctuary in India


Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary

Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary

Karnala Bird Sanctuary

Keoladeo Ghana National Park And Bird Sanctuary

Khijadia Bird Sanctuary

Kolleru Bird Sanctuary

Kulik Bird Sanctuary

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary

Mayani Bird Sanctuary

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary

Nandurmadhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary

Nawab Ganj Bird Sanctuary`

Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

Porbandar Bird Sanctuary

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary